Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Networked Student
I feel like I may have wasted thousands of dollars on a college education at this point...except for this class of course. I believe once again that a quote from Good Will Hunting definitely applies here."How do you feel knowing that you waited 150,000 on an education you could have gotten at the public library for $1.50?"
With each blog assignment I learn more about information that I did not know was out there. Not only do I continue to be surprised by new information, but I am even more surprised at how much of that information was right under my nose and I had no idea that access to it was a mouse-click away. I keep thinking about all the hours I have spent researching for projects when I could have had a Google reader or an rss feed help me out so much!
This blog makes me excited to be a teacher. This blog makes me want to let everyone know how easy they can make the learning process! Once you become aware of how easy research can be , the stress level for school goes way down..
With each blog assignment I learn more about information that I did not know was out there. Not only do I continue to be surprised by new information, but I am even more surprised at how much of that information was right under my nose and I had no idea that access to it was a mouse-click away. I keep thinking about all the hours I have spent researching for projects when I could have had a Google reader or an rss feed help me out so much!
This blog makes me excited to be a teacher. This blog makes me want to let everyone know how easy they can make the learning process! Once you become aware of how easy research can be , the stress level for school goes way down..
This is How we dream
I agree with Mr. Miller, the use of libraries and printed books is not as common as it used to be. This means that the way composition is used and taught in school should change. This affects me directly because I am going to be a high school English teacher. I myself need to become more familiar with visual and media literacy. I think we should change our English curriculum to not only include correct grammar skills in composition but ways that composition can translate into this new media-based world we are a part of.
English and humanities should be at the forefront of changing the way students think and write creatively. English is becoming a boring subject because outside of senior year and college thesis' students do not see a useful practical need for writing skills. If we found a way to implement creative visual arts with writing skills and provide a way for students to share and publish their creations...we might get a few more students interested in the way they present themselves through writing professionally and intelligently. Even if they aren't interested we can at least get them to recognize the impact they can potentially have on their own entertainment media culture.
English and humanities should be at the forefront of changing the way students think and write creatively. English is becoming a boring subject because outside of senior year and college thesis' students do not see a useful practical need for writing skills. If we found a way to implement creative visual arts with writing skills and provide a way for students to share and publish their creations...we might get a few more students interested in the way they present themselves through writing professionally and intelligently. Even if they aren't interested we can at least get them to recognize the impact they can potentially have on their own entertainment media culture.
What I found out about the NML project
I think it is fantastic that a group of researchers took the initiative to attempt to define a new set of "basic skills" that are necessary to function in an ever-changing technological culture. These researchers are attempting to bridge the gap between education and popular culture by explaining the necessity and affect of these new skills in today's society. In essence, this will change the way students are "socialized" in schools.
It is important to note that this project points out that media literacy is no longer reserved for entertainment and "social" networking. Media Literacy and the skills mentioned can contribute to the construction and distribution of the creative mind and its capabilities. I think it is great that they gathered information from a team of researchers that have had direct educational impacts on their community-in other words not researchers who send surveys or sit in a cubicle all day but people with field experience who are active members of the new particapatory culuture. This speaks to the authenticity of the project and the true impact it will have on the world, especially when it comes to the expansion of creative thought and educational opportunities.
It is important to note that this project points out that media literacy is no longer reserved for entertainment and "social" networking. Media Literacy and the skills mentioned can contribute to the construction and distribution of the creative mind and its capabilities. I think it is great that they gathered information from a team of researchers that have had direct educational impacts on their community-in other words not researchers who send surveys or sit in a cubicle all day but people with field experience who are active members of the new particapatory culuture. This speaks to the authenticity of the project and the true impact it will have on the world, especially when it comes to the expansion of creative thought and educational opportunities.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
NML project
After watching this short video, I feel the most professional, necessary response to it is… “ well duh!” If you are above the age of three and do not live In a cave, then you need to be able to multitask and colaborate with others to achieve collective intelligence in the 21st century. Distributed cognition is also valuable because not only should you be able to think critically academically but you should analyze each obstacle, situation, or decision in your life critically and thoroughly in order to become a successful and productive individual. ‘
You , at this point in the 21st century, should be familiar with transmedia navigation in order to at the very least keep track of the social networks your child is a part of and the amount of information about yourself that is online in order to be cautious of identity theft. You should also be aware of ways to use networks to gain easy access to information and knowledge, expand your contacts, keep in touch with friends/family easier, and be aware of the ways that networking can provide ways to promote yourself in order to help your career.
Visualization, performance, judgement and negotiation all involve a new awakening of the creative mind. In the 21st century there is no excuse not have good communication skills. There is also, in my opinion, nothing preventing each person from having some sort of creative outlet, especially with the millions of ways to access free entertainment media.
I wish I could tell you that I have mastered all these skills. I can tell you that I possess all of them, and being an active citizen of the 21st century I am always open to learning new ways of improving myself through each of these skills. I am not the best multi-tasker, nor do I always take advantage of the available tools for communication and expression, but I recognize their value in the 21st century especially when it comes to education and the future minds of the world. Each of these skills are necessary to turn the next generation into productive citizens as well.
You , at this point in the 21st century, should be familiar with transmedia navigation in order to at the very least keep track of the social networks your child is a part of and the amount of information about yourself that is online in order to be cautious of identity theft. You should also be aware of ways to use networks to gain easy access to information and knowledge, expand your contacts, keep in touch with friends/family easier, and be aware of the ways that networking can provide ways to promote yourself in order to help your career.
Visualization, performance, judgement and negotiation all involve a new awakening of the creative mind. In the 21st century there is no excuse not have good communication skills. There is also, in my opinion, nothing preventing each person from having some sort of creative outlet, especially with the millions of ways to access free entertainment media.
I wish I could tell you that I have mastered all these skills. I can tell you that I possess all of them, and being an active citizen of the 21st century I am always open to learning new ways of improving myself through each of these skills. I am not the best multi-tasker, nor do I always take advantage of the available tools for communication and expression, but I recognize their value in the 21st century especially when it comes to education and the future minds of the world. Each of these skills are necessary to turn the next generation into productive citizens as well.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Ipods in the Classroom; what I found
The most useful site I found on implementing the use of ipods in classroom instruction was www.education world.com It included articles on what schools are using ipods in the classrooms and how. It also provided a links to other sites featuring the latest technology for teachers and how to use it in the classroom. All in all, this site would be the most useful for educators to learn how to effectively use ipods in the classrooms.
I did find a few articles on the use ipods in the classroom. Most simply pointed out that most schools still see ipods as a distracting tool for entertainments to be kept out of the classroom to keep from distracting students. However, there are some schools such as Duke University who gave ipods to incoming freshman to use in order to upload recorded lectures, research material, labs, etc. and was so successful with this experiment that they have now started providing ipods to all incoming freshman. Ipods in the classroom would improve students learning in my opinion because it allows students to learn where ever they go.
I did find a few articles on the use ipods in the classroom. Most simply pointed out that most schools still see ipods as a distracting tool for entertainments to be kept out of the classroom to keep from distracting students. However, there are some schools such as Duke University who gave ipods to incoming freshman to use in order to upload recorded lectures, research material, labs, etc. and was so successful with this experiment that they have now started providing ipods to all incoming freshman. Ipods in the classroom would improve students learning in my opinion because it allows students to learn where ever they go.
Itunes U
Itunes U is going to be useful to students everywhere but for me specifically this is about to be a lifesaver. I am amoung the many studetns who work and go to school and try to have a personal life. During what little personal time I have I like to run and workout. However, I dont get to do this as much as I would like because of tasks such as studying, doing hw, more studying, etc. However, Itunes U would allow me to combine the two because I already like to listen to my ipod when I run or workout and now I will be able to listen to what I am supposed to be studying or researching! In other words Itunes U is going to allow me to multi-task, have more free-time, and still be a good student!
Dr, Christie's Site
Wow, I am so impressed with this site! Dr. Christie's site literally has everything you need to implement technology in a classroom.Not only does it offer resources and links for teachers but it also provides tools for students to use fro research, homework, or simply learning about the internet. She is a genius! I really appreciate all the hard work she and her team put into creating this site ! This is wonderful, it's organized , it's easy to navigate, and it's the most useful site I've come across so far in this class.
It can definitely help me in my future career as an English teacher. I now have a place that not only contains teaching materials but tools necessary for my students to research easily and safely. It also provides a place for me to learn about the new technology available for me to use personally or in the classroom . For example, I was unaware of the Internet public Library or the existence of electronic portfolios. The Internet Public Library will provide a place for students to access books or research materials for assignments. An Electronic Portfolio will better prepare me for the job market because it will give employers and easier more efficient way to view my records and resume rather than keeping up with a huge file filled with a huge stack of papers.
These are just two of the things I found useful on this site but Im sure that upon further browsing I will be using this site and its tools, applications, and resources for years to come!
It can definitely help me in my future career as an English teacher. I now have a place that not only contains teaching materials but tools necessary for my students to research easily and safely. It also provides a place for me to learn about the new technology available for me to use personally or in the classroom . For example, I was unaware of the Internet public Library or the existence of electronic portfolios. The Internet Public Library will provide a place for students to access books or research materials for assignments. An Electronic Portfolio will better prepare me for the job market because it will give employers and easier more efficient way to view my records and resume rather than keeping up with a huge file filled with a huge stack of papers.
These are just two of the things I found useful on this site but Im sure that upon further browsing I will be using this site and its tools, applications, and resources for years to come!
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