Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
My Webquest Worksheet
In my opinion, the two best projects were the "Grow School Greens" and "Underground Railroad". I think these make good use of the time it would take to accomplish them, they incorporate many school subjects into one project, and they give the students a chance to collaborate and learn to work in groups.
I think the two worst projects were "Where is My Hero?" and "Ice Cream". As I mentioned in the worksheet above, the Hero project would require a lot of the work to be done at home. The Ice Cream project would be messy, and it only incorporates one school subject.
To me, "best" means the most efficient. I appreciate projects that made good use of the time spent on them, and also incorporate as many subjects as possible. "Worst" would be the opposite--too long without actually teaching anything, and only incorporating one content area.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Week Twelve
DEJ #12
Quote- "The way we are educating is based on nineteenth-century ideas and methods. Here we are, entering the twenty-first century, and you look at our schools and ask, 'Why are we doing things in this ancient way?' Our system of education is locked in a time capsule. You want to say to the people in charge, 'You're not using today's tools! Wake up!'"
Response- Before this class, I had given little thought to ways I might include new forms of technology in my classroom. I grew up lugging heavy textbooks around in my backpack, taking notes with my pencil and paper while the teacher lectured, and filling in the bubbles on a multiple-choice test. But like this quote points out, those medieval methods are becoming a thing of the past. I'm very glad I took this class, because it has opened my eyes to so many new forms of teaching and learning using modern technology. I'm excited to see what will be out there for me to use in my classroom when I become a teacher!
Daly, James. "Life on the Screen: Visual Literacy in Education | Edutopia." K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies that Work | Edutopia. N.p., 14 Sept. 2004. Web. 13 Nov. 2011..
Related Resource
Quote- "The way we are educating is based on nineteenth-century ideas and methods. Here we are, entering the twenty-first century, and you look at our schools and ask, 'Why are we doing things in this ancient way?' Our system of education is locked in a time capsule. You want to say to the people in charge, 'You're not using today's tools! Wake up!'"
Response- Before this class, I had given little thought to ways I might include new forms of technology in my classroom. I grew up lugging heavy textbooks around in my backpack, taking notes with my pencil and paper while the teacher lectured, and filling in the bubbles on a multiple-choice test. But like this quote points out, those medieval methods are becoming a thing of the past. I'm very glad I took this class, because it has opened my eyes to so many new forms of teaching and learning using modern technology. I'm excited to see what will be out there for me to use in my classroom when I become a teacher!
Daly, James. "Life on the Screen: Visual Literacy in Education | Edutopia." K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies that Work | Edutopia. N.p., 14 Sept. 2004. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.
Related Resource
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
DEJ #11
The author of this article, Larry Magid, argues that the newly-passed Illinois state law which bans sex offenders from accessing information on social networking sites might actually do more harm than good.
For example, he points out that the audience which this law is trying to target, namely people who use the internet to contact children and then from there make attempts to sexually exploit them, actually very rarely succeeds in their endeavors. He goes on to say that in cases when there was sexual contact between an adult and a minor, it was more often than not the child who was actively seeking the contact. He also brought up the fact that not everyone who is forced to register as a sex offender is actually a child-molesting monster. Many people are on the list for things like urinating in public, and engaging in consensual sex with a fellow minor.
Although I believe that it's better to be safe than sorry, I would have to agree with Magid. I believe that once you serve the required punishment for a crime you commit, you should be free to go on with your life in any (legal) way that you see fit. This law hinders that freedom, and I don't think it's fair.
For example, he points out that the audience which this law is trying to target, namely people who use the internet to contact children and then from there make attempts to sexually exploit them, actually very rarely succeeds in their endeavors. He goes on to say that in cases when there was sexual contact between an adult and a minor, it was more often than not the child who was actively seeking the contact. He also brought up the fact that not everyone who is forced to register as a sex offender is actually a child-molesting monster. Many people are on the list for things like urinating in public, and engaging in consensual sex with a fellow minor.
Although I believe that it's better to be safe than sorry, I would have to agree with Magid. I believe that once you serve the required punishment for a crime you commit, you should be free to go on with your life in any (legal) way that you see fit. This law hinders that freedom, and I don't think it's fair.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Kurt Cobain
This article or section has multiple issues. No This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No The neutrality of this article is disputed. No The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. No This needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. No This may contain material not appropriate for an encyclopedia. Possibly This article only describes one highly specialized aspect of its associated subject. No This article requires authentication or verification by an expert. No This article or section needs to be updated. No This article may not provide balanced geographical coverage on a region. No This is missing citations or needs footnotes. No This article does not cite any references or sources. No
- Read through the article and see if it meets the following requirements:
Is it written in a clear and organized way? Yes Is the tone neutral (not taking sides)? Yes Are all important facts referenced (you're told where they come from)? Yes Does the information provided seem complete or does it look like there are gaps (or just one side of the story)? It is complete.
1. Did the class activity about Wikipedia and this article change your opinion about the value of Wikipedia to society in general and education specifically?
Not exactly. I still have the same opinion about Wikipedia that I have always had, which is that it's a good reference for general information. I would never use it for a research paper or any kind of school project, but I do use it for obtaining information quickly and will continue to do so.
2. Describe how you might direct students to use Wikipedia in your future classroom.
The only way I would allow a student to use Wikipedia in my classroom is as a starting point for research. For example, the student could use the sites referenced on the Wikipedia page, or conduct a new search of their own to find out if the information they found on Wikipedia is legitimate.
Wikipedia Questions
a. What is Wikipedia?
Wikipedia is a multi-lingual, online encyclopedia run by a non-profit organization called Wikimedia Foundation.
b. How would you answer the question posed in this piece “How reliable can a source be when anyone can edit it?”
I think it all depends on who's doing the editing. Sometimes it can be helpful, because if only one person or a group of people do all of the editing for such a large site, information probably wouldn't get updated very often.
c. Who do the creators of Wikipedia place their trust in when it comes to weeding out misinformation?
The general public. In their words, "the wisdom of crowds".
d. Why did founder Larry Sanger leave Wikipedia?
He believed that it should give more authority to experts.
e. What would abuse or vandalism look like on a Wikipedia page?
Spelling and grammatical errors, misinformation being presented as facts with no credidation, etc.
f. What do the statistics quoted in the third paragraph of this piece reveal?
The site is continuing to grow and expand around the world.
g. Why do you think Wikipedia is so successful?
I believe it's because it is an easy and free way to find general information quickly that you might not be able to find elsewhere.
h. Why might Wikipedia’s creators not want to accept advertising?
Ads are usually biased, and they're probably afraid that people would begin to view their site as a sort of scam.
i. How does Wikiscanner help increase the reliability of Wikipedia entries?
It helps to weed out misinformation, and records the IP addresses of the users who post the false facts. It also helps protect from biased posts made by government or business officials.
Wikipedia is a multi-lingual, online encyclopedia run by a non-profit organization called Wikimedia Foundation.
b. How would you answer the question posed in this piece “How reliable can a source be when anyone can edit it?”
I think it all depends on who's doing the editing. Sometimes it can be helpful, because if only one person or a group of people do all of the editing for such a large site, information probably wouldn't get updated very often.
c. Who do the creators of Wikipedia place their trust in when it comes to weeding out misinformation?
The general public. In their words, "the wisdom of crowds".
d. Why did founder Larry Sanger leave Wikipedia?
He believed that it should give more authority to experts.
e. What would abuse or vandalism look like on a Wikipedia page?
Spelling and grammatical errors, misinformation being presented as facts with no credidation, etc.
f. What do the statistics quoted in the third paragraph of this piece reveal?
The site is continuing to grow and expand around the world.
g. Why do you think Wikipedia is so successful?
I believe it's because it is an easy and free way to find general information quickly that you might not be able to find elsewhere.
h. Why might Wikipedia’s creators not want to accept advertising?
Ads are usually biased, and they're probably afraid that people would begin to view their site as a sort of scam.
i. How does Wikiscanner help increase the reliability of Wikipedia entries?
It helps to weed out misinformation, and records the IP addresses of the users who post the false facts. It also helps protect from biased posts made by government or business officials.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Week Ten
Double Journal Entry #10
Quote- "We know now that dyslexia is about so much more than just mixing up letters — that many dyslexics have difficulty with rhythm and meter and word retrieval, that they struggle to recognize voices and sounds. It’s my profound hope that our schools can use findings like these to better teach children who struggle to read, to help them overcome their limitations, and to help them understand that it’s not their fault."
Answer- This quote makes me think about how I would handle a situation like this, or any other case in which a student suffers from a learning disability, and it makes me realize that every student is different. It's our job as teachers to embrace the different personalities and learning styles of each and every student, and learn the incorporate that into our lesson plans so that no one is left out. Every student should have an equal opportunity to learn, no matter what obstacles they may face.
Schultz, Philip. "Words Failed, Then Saved Me." New York Times 3 Sept. 2011: n. pag. NY Times. Web. 30 Oct. 2011.
Related Resource
Understanding Dyslexia
"Understanding Dyslexia ." KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. <http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/>
Quote- "We know now that dyslexia is about so much more than just mixing up letters — that many dyslexics have difficulty with rhythm and meter and word retrieval, that they struggle to recognize voices and sounds. It’s my profound hope that our schools can use findings like these to better teach children who struggle to read, to help them overcome their limitations, and to help them understand that it’s not their fault."
Answer- This quote makes me think about how I would handle a situation like this, or any other case in which a student suffers from a learning disability, and it makes me realize that every student is different. It's our job as teachers to embrace the different personalities and learning styles of each and every student, and learn the incorporate that into our lesson plans so that no one is left out. Every student should have an equal opportunity to learn, no matter what obstacles they may face.
Schultz, Philip. "Words Failed, Then Saved Me." New York Times 3 Sept. 2011: n. pag. NY Times. Web. 30 Oct. 2011.
Related Resource
Understanding Dyslexia
"Understanding Dyslexia ." KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. <http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/>
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Week Nine
Double Journal Entry #9
Quote: "Most psychological and human-computer interaction research focuses on two key differences between the internet and the other communication forms that evolved throughout history (telegraph, telephone, radio, television). First, internet users are relatively anonymous. Second, CMC is not face-to-face and therefore lacks the non-verbal features of communication such as tone of voice, facial expressions and other interpersonal features such as physical attractiveness."
I think this can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Online interaction is good because you can communicate with people you might not get to see very often, and you can keep in contact with old friends or family members in ways that might not be possible with a telephone or other forms of communication. However, it can be potentially dangerous to form new relationships via social networking sites and other forms of online communication. First, it's virtually impossible to know if the person you're interacting with is actually who they say they are. Anyone can go to Google Images, download and save a photo, and upload it and pretend it is their own. Also, even if you are communicating with someone you already know, it's impossible to judge their expression and the meaning behind the words they are using. There have been many times that I've been misunderstood or misunderstood someone else while chatting or even text messaging. All in all, communicating online can be fun and convenient, but it's still important to be cautious.
Owens, Laura. "Internet & Anti-Social Behavior Theory Unfounded: Facebook, MySpace, Online: Research Refutes Cyber Socializing Fears | Suite101.com." Laura Owens | Suite101.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2011..
Related Resource:
Quote: "Most psychological and human-computer interaction research focuses on two key differences between the internet and the other communication forms that evolved throughout history (telegraph, telephone, radio, television). First, internet users are relatively anonymous. Second, CMC is not face-to-face and therefore lacks the non-verbal features of communication such as tone of voice, facial expressions and other interpersonal features such as physical attractiveness."
I think this can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Online interaction is good because you can communicate with people you might not get to see very often, and you can keep in contact with old friends or family members in ways that might not be possible with a telephone or other forms of communication. However, it can be potentially dangerous to form new relationships via social networking sites and other forms of online communication. First, it's virtually impossible to know if the person you're interacting with is actually who they say they are. Anyone can go to Google Images, download and save a photo, and upload it and pretend it is their own. Also, even if you are communicating with someone you already know, it's impossible to judge their expression and the meaning behind the words they are using. There have been many times that I've been misunderstood or misunderstood someone else while chatting or even text messaging. All in all, communicating online can be fun and convenient, but it's still important to be cautious.
Owens, Laura. "Internet & Anti-Social Behavior Theory Unfounded: Facebook, MySpace, Online: Research Refutes Cyber Socializing Fears | Suite101.com." Laura Owens | Suite101.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2011.
Related Resource:
Website Evaluation
Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
WHO...
Has someone taken responsibility for the content of this Web site?
-Yes, Lyle Zapato.
Can you contact the company or author through a real world postal address or phone number?
-Yes. If you scroll to the bottom of the home page, there is a link to Lyle Zapato's personal page, and his postal address is given there.
Are there any links to in-depth information about the author or organization?
-Yes. If you click on the link mentioned above, which takes you to zapatopi.net, and look under FAQ, there is a link that takes you to a page full of information about the author. It includes everything from the year he was born to his political and religious standpoints and so on.
WHAT...
Is emotion used as a means of persuasion?
-Definitely. The heading on the website reads, "Help Save The Endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus From Extinction!", with the words "endangered" and "extinction" in bold, red font and all caps. It's clear what his reason for making the site was, and what he wants you to do after reading the information.
Does the site clearly state the topics that it intends to address?
-Yes. The first four paragraphs on the homepage are all about the animal, with other sections telling the reader how the animal became extinct and how it can be helped.
Does the Web site offer a list of further in-depth resources or links to such resources?
-Yes. There are at least ten other sites listed.
WHERE...
Is it important that the information you're looking for be absolutely current?
-Not necessarily. Unless something drastic has been done, the animal is most likely still extinct. However, the information given is absolutely current, as the website was just updated today.
Is a reference date provided to show when the material was put online, or when it was last updated?
-Yes. The site was created on August 9, 2009, and was last updated today.
Do the links work?
-Yes.
WHO...
Has someone taken responsibility for the content of this Web site?
-Yes, Lyle Zapato.
Can you contact the company or author through a real world postal address or phone number?
-Yes. If you scroll to the bottom of the home page, there is a link to Lyle Zapato's personal page, and his postal address is given there.
Are there any links to in-depth information about the author or organization?
-Yes. If you click on the link mentioned above, which takes you to zapatopi.net, and look under FAQ, there is a link that takes you to a page full of information about the author. It includes everything from the year he was born to his political and religious standpoints and so on.
WHAT...
Is emotion used as a means of persuasion?
-Definitely. The heading on the website reads, "Help Save The Endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus From Extinction!", with the words "endangered" and "extinction" in bold, red font and all caps. It's clear what his reason for making the site was, and what he wants you to do after reading the information.
Does the site clearly state the topics that it intends to address?
-Yes. The first four paragraphs on the homepage are all about the animal, with other sections telling the reader how the animal became extinct and how it can be helped.
Does the Web site offer a list of further in-depth resources or links to such resources?
-Yes. There are at least ten other sites listed.
WHERE...
Is it important that the information you're looking for be absolutely current?
-Not necessarily. Unless something drastic has been done, the animal is most likely still extinct. However, the information given is absolutely current, as the website was just updated today.
Is a reference date provided to show when the material was put online, or when it was last updated?
-Yes. The site was created on August 9, 2009, and was last updated today.
Do the links work?
-Yes.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Google Form
My Google Form
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDBrb0xUU0RtRUJsbkFlLW9YajE1Y2c6MQ
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDBrb0xUU0RtRUJsbkFlLW9YajE1Y2c6MQ
GameClassroom
The tool that I chose to use is GameClassroom. It's an online resource for parents, students, and teachers that is made up of educational games, worksheets, and videos that can be used for grades K-6, in the subjects of math and language arts. I plan to be a 6th grade social studies teacher, but I think that I could use this site in the classroom as a way to get students motivated to perfect their grammar and writing skills. No matter what subject matter you're learning, writing skills are always going to be important because you will be asked to do some form of writing in every class you have. It's important as a teacher to go through the writing skills and grammar games and double-check them for errors. If everything checks out and looks good, I think they could be used to prepare a 6th grade student for writing his/her first essay on a historical event.
http://www.go2web20.net/site/?a=GameClassroom
http://www.go2web20.net/site/?a=GameClassroom
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
My Voki
As a teacher in the 21st century, it’s very important to integrate new technology into lesson plans, activities, and assignments. The world is becoming more fast-paced every day, and we as teachers must make sure that our students don’t fall behind. There are many ways in which students can learn from technology. For example, they can use online news sources to keep up on current events. They can use age-appropriate social networking sites, such as edmodo, to keep in contact with pen pals from all over the world. They can also use e Readers like the iPad, Kindle, or Nook to download a book for a book report, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly than buying a paper copy of a book. I plan to implement these ideas and others like them in my classroom.
Voki Lesson Plan
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Week Seven
Double Journal Entry #7
Quote- "Educators face enormous challenges in preparing their students to be critical online readers. For the most part, the teaching of critical-thinking skills is not part of the regular curriculum, and printed text is still considered the mainstay of school reading."
Response- I really wonder how much longer this will be the case. I already have had some classes that have opted for online texts over printed ones. I'm sure this trend will only continue to increase. Also, with devices like Kindles and Nooks that can download an entire book in a matter of minutes, paper texts might be a thing of the past sooner than we think.
David, Jane L.. "Teaching Media Literacy." Educational Leadership 66.6 (2009): n. pag. ASCD. Web. 9 Oct. 2011.
Related Resource
E-Texts in the Classroom
Hannon, Charles. "E-Texts in the Classroom." EDUCAUSE quarterly 31.1 (2008): 12-13.EQ. Web. 9 Oct. 2011.
Quote- "Educators face enormous challenges in preparing their students to be critical online readers. For the most part, the teaching of critical-thinking skills is not part of the regular curriculum, and printed text is still considered the mainstay of school reading."
Response- I really wonder how much longer this will be the case. I already have had some classes that have opted for online texts over printed ones. I'm sure this trend will only continue to increase. Also, with devices like Kindles and Nooks that can download an entire book in a matter of minutes, paper texts might be a thing of the past sooner than we think.
David, Jane L.. "Teaching Media Literacy." Educational Leadership 66.6 (2009): n. pag. ASCD. Web. 9 Oct. 2011.
Related Resource
E-Texts in the Classroom
Hannon, Charles. "E-Texts in the Classroom." EDUCAUSE quarterly 31.1 (2008): 12-13.EQ. Web. 9 Oct. 2011.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Deconstructing Arnold
Photo 1
1. What do you see? How does he look?
In this photo, Arnold is wearing a muscle shirt, gloves, and sunglasses. All of his clothing and accessories are shades of black, which give the impression that he is tough and a little mysterious. He also has a mean look on my face, which reiterates that he is a tough guy. The background is orange and red, which is very eye-catching. The cover also makes a lot of promises to get the reader looking fit quicker, which would probably be enticing for a lot of readers.
2. How does he make you feel?
This photo makes me feel that Arnold is strong and maybe a little mean, and would probably beat the crap out of someone for looking at him wrong.
3. What do you think about this person now? How does he make you feel?
(Answered in question 2)
4. How does he look? How do those "looks: influence how you feel?
He looks tan, muscular, and kind of intimidating.
5. What lifestyles, values, points of view are represented or omitted?
This is definitely targetting young to middle-aged men (and maybe women) of all walks of life who want to pursue a lifestyle of athletics and body-building. I think it's portraying to readers that this is the best body for men to have, and all men should want to strive to look like this, which is definitely not the case in real life.
Photo 2
1. What do you see? How does he look?
In this photo, Arnold is dressed in red, white, and navy, with a lighter blue background, obviously trying to look patriotic. The cover tells us that he will be "the next Governor of California", so it's evident why he chose to dress this way. He has kind of a sneaky grin on his face and is pointing at the reader (Uncle Sam-esque), obviously trying to grab your attention.
2. How does he make you feel?
I feel like he has a secret behind his seemingly fake smile... not unlike most politicians we see today.
3. What do you think about this person now? How does he make you feel?
(Answered in question 2)
4. How does he look? How do those "looks: influence how you feel?
His looks give me the impression that he wants to be viewed as a serious politician now and not just as a body builder or really buff actor. However, I personally don't really take him seriously just by looking at this photo.
5. What lifestyles, values, points of view are represented or omitted?
I think it's obvious that this magazine is directed towards middle to upper class men, judging by the stories being portrayed, the picture of the scantily clad woman, and the language being used on the cover.
6. What are the differences between the two covers? What techniques are used to attract your attention? Pay attention to body language, clothing, camera angle, lighting, color, eye contact ect.
There are many differences between the two covers. In the first, he is wearing little clothing to show off his physique. In the second, he is dressed professionally and covered up. In the first, he looks carefree and we can't see his eyes behind his sunglasses. In the second, he is smirking and looking right at us, even pointing. The first photo is shot from below, making Arnold look even bigger and dominant than he really is. The second is taken from slightly above, making him look more vulnerable.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Week Six
Blog Entry #6
Quote: "News and its images are always selected truth. Notably, during the recent Iraqi conflict, most news editors chose to omit brutal visual images in favor of long-distance bombing scenes—a decision that was debated later in the press. While some applauded those news editors’ sensibilities, others asked if readers should be so distanced from the consequences of war."
Response: I believe that this brings up a very good question. Should viewers (children or adults) be kept in the dark about controversial issues such as tactics of war, or should they be given all the information possible so that they may make up their own minds? This is a good example of why it is so very important to question everything you see. Obviously, there are many media and news sources that are only going to give you part of the truth, or in some cases no truth at all. We must be critical of everything we read, see, or hear so that we may remain informed. I came across this quote a long time ago, and it has always stuck with me-- "Don't ever let anyone make you feel dumb for asking questions. Intelligent people question everything, while the dumb ones are those who believe everything they are told." I think this is very important to think about, especially when dealing with media.
Abilock, Debbie. "A Seven-Power Lens on 21st-Century Literacy." NoodleToolsNovember/December (2003): n. pag. NoodleTools. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.
Related Resource
Digital Media Literacy: Quiz Yourself
"The first section of the quiz is designed to test your knowledge of media usage among youth ages 8 to 18. The next section of the quiz is meant to help you reflect on your use of digital media/tools in your classroom. You get one point for each question that you answer correctly."
PBS. "PBS Teachers | Resources For The Classroom."PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://pbs.org/teachers>.
Quote: "News and its images are always selected truth. Notably, during the recent Iraqi conflict, most news editors chose to omit brutal visual images in favor of long-distance bombing scenes—a decision that was debated later in the press. While some applauded those news editors’ sensibilities, others asked if readers should be so distanced from the consequences of war."
Response: I believe that this brings up a very good question. Should viewers (children or adults) be kept in the dark about controversial issues such as tactics of war, or should they be given all the information possible so that they may make up their own minds? This is a good example of why it is so very important to question everything you see. Obviously, there are many media and news sources that are only going to give you part of the truth, or in some cases no truth at all. We must be critical of everything we read, see, or hear so that we may remain informed. I came across this quote a long time ago, and it has always stuck with me-- "Don't ever let anyone make you feel dumb for asking questions. Intelligent people question everything, while the dumb ones are those who believe everything they are told." I think this is very important to think about, especially when dealing with media.
Abilock, Debbie. "A Seven-Power Lens on 21st-Century Literacy." NoodleToolsNovember/December (2003): n. pag. NoodleTools. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.
Related Resource
Digital Media Literacy: Quiz Yourself
"The first section of the quiz is designed to test your knowledge of media usage among youth ages 8 to 18. The next section of the quiz is meant to help you reflect on your use of digital media/tools in your classroom. You get one point for each question that you answer correctly."
PBS. "PBS Teachers | Resources For The Classroom."PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://pbs.org/teachers>.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Analyzing Photos
Photo 1:
Photo 2:
Looking at the two pictures side by side, I would have to say that the first picture makes me feel more confident in the President's abilities. He looks relaxed and ready to take on the oil spill, while in the second photo he seems unsure of his own abilities, which would most likely cause other people to be unsure about him as well.
Photo 2:
Looking at the two pictures side by side, I would have to say that the first picture makes me feel more confident in the President's abilities. He looks relaxed and ready to take on the oil spill, while in the second photo he seems unsure of his own abilities, which would most likely cause other people to be unsure about him as well.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Week Four
Double Journal Entry #4
Quote- "Ten years ago, a project like this would have been too complex and expensive to be within the reach of most sixth graders."
Response- Reading this really impacted me, and let me know just how special Kim's assignment really was. Upon hearing Kim's story I'm sure all of us had similar reactions of sorrow and joy, but I'm sure it would have been much more powerful to see the pictures while hearing the story. Also, the fact that Kim was able to share this assignment with her family in Asia is something that we take for granted with all of the technology that we have today, but it probably made her distant family members feel a lot closer to them. It's truly amazing the amount of things that we can download, upload, create, and share with people all over the world thanks to the internet. In terms of education, I believe these new types of technology will continue to grow and advance, and with that growth will come many new and exciting forms of teaching.
Ohler, Jason. "The World of Digital Storytelling."Educational Leadership 63.4 (2005): n. pag. Educational Leadership Online. Web. 18 Sept. 2011.
Related Resource
http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/
"Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling." The University of Houston. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2011. <http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.
Quote- "Ten years ago, a project like this would have been too complex and expensive to be within the reach of most sixth graders."
Response- Reading this really impacted me, and let me know just how special Kim's assignment really was. Upon hearing Kim's story I'm sure all of us had similar reactions of sorrow and joy, but I'm sure it would have been much more powerful to see the pictures while hearing the story. Also, the fact that Kim was able to share this assignment with her family in Asia is something that we take for granted with all of the technology that we have today, but it probably made her distant family members feel a lot closer to them. It's truly amazing the amount of things that we can download, upload, create, and share with people all over the world thanks to the internet. In terms of education, I believe these new types of technology will continue to grow and advance, and with that growth will come many new and exciting forms of teaching.
Ohler, Jason. "The World of Digital Storytelling."Educational Leadership 63.4 (2005): n. pag. Educational Leadership Online. Web. 18 Sept. 2011.
Related Resource
http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/
"Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling." The University of Houston. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2011. <http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
My Learning Style
When taking the learning style test, I discovered that I am a person who learns best from reading/writing. My scores were...
- Visual: 5
- Aural: 5
- Read/Write: 11
- Kinesthetic: 6
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Week Three
Double Journal Entry #3
Quote- "You may not like seeing the phrase “LOL — U R gr8” on the page, but it is common enough that you are likely to understand it. Why have such inadvertent “reforms” succeeded where generations of dedicated intellectual attempts have not? And will they last?"
Answer- I think that the biggest explanation for this is that people like convenience. The reason why texting has caught on in the way that it has is because you can be sitting in a loud, crowded room, unable to hear the people around you, and still have instant access to communication with people in other places. You no longer have to actually call someone in order to "talk" to them. I think that people shorten words and use anagrams for the same reason. The shorter versions take less time to type, therefore you can convey your message quicker and get it sent faster, and as a result, receive a response faster. The modern world is all about increasing speed and making lives as easy as possible, and texting fits into that. However, I don't think that these language "reforms" will last. I believe that eventually, some new form of technology will come along and texting will become a thing of the past, along with all the lingo that goes along with it.
Shea, Ammon. "The Keypad Solution." The Times Magazine 22 Jan. 2010: MM22. The New York Times. Web. 6 Sept. 2011.
Related Resource
I found another article about author David Crystal, the same author mentioned in this article.
Thumbspeak
"Thumbspeak." The New Yorker 20 Oct. 2008: n. pag.The New Yorker Online. Web. 6 Sept. 2011.
Shea, Ammon. "The Keypad Solution." The Times Magazine 22 Jan. 2010: MM22. The New York Times. Web. 6 Sept. 2011.
Related Resource
I found another article about author David Crystal, the same author mentioned in this article.
Thumbspeak
"Thumbspeak." The New Yorker 20 Oct. 2008: n. pag.The New Yorker Online. Web. 6 Sept. 2011.
Poll Everywhere and Wordle
In Instructional Technology, we used Poll Everywhere to ask our classmates questions that would allow us to get to know each other better. We then transferred the poll results over to Wordle, and created a colorful word cloud from the responses we received. I think the activity was a fun and creative way to ask questions about each other that we probably wouldn't have asked otherwise.
I did a little research of my own to find actual polls from Poll Everywhere that have been used in a classroom. I found one in particular that really caught my eye. A teacher asked his class, "So far this year, what has been your favorite classroom activity or lesson?" and kept it open-ended so the students could respond using their own words. I think this is a great way to get honest feedback from students, because since it is totally anonymous, they don't have to worry about what the teacher or other students will think and they can give their honest opinions. I think this fits into the ISTE standards because it promotes reflection and feedback from the students, and encourages them to speak their mind.
I did a little research of my own to find actual polls from Poll Everywhere that have been used in a classroom. I found one in particular that really caught my eye. A teacher asked his class, "So far this year, what has been your favorite classroom activity or lesson?" and kept it open-ended so the students could respond using their own words. I think this is a great way to get honest feedback from students, because since it is totally anonymous, they don't have to worry about what the teacher or other students will think and they can give their honest opinions. I think this fits into the ISTE standards because it promotes reflection and feedback from the students, and encourages them to speak their mind.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Week Two
Double Journal Entry #2
Quote: "Gradually, we have become less obsessed with correctness and more focused on tolerance and personal expression. This shift, however admirable, has linguistic consequences. School is no longer necessarily a place to instill a sense that linguistic rules (or even linguistic consistency) matter."
Response: As a self-proclaimed grammar snob, this highly upsets me. The only thing worse to me than a person who uses incorrect spelling, punctuation, and grammar, is a person who realizes that he/she is doing these things and couldn't care less about it. I think that we should all strive to use proper grammar and spell words correctly, even in an informal setting (i.e. Facebook or texting). Otherwise, we may become used to being careless and start making the same errors in our schoolwork and other important documents. How embarrassing would it be to apply for the job you've always wanted, only to be turned down because you had grammatical errors on your resume? As the quote states above, I think it's very important to "...instill a sense that linguistic rules matter" (Baron). I plan to do this in my classroom, and I hope that other teachers continue to do the same.
Quote: "Gradually, we have become less obsessed with correctness and more focused on tolerance and personal expression. This shift, however admirable, has linguistic consequences. School is no longer necessarily a place to instill a sense that linguistic rules (or even linguistic consistency) matter."
Response: As a self-proclaimed grammar snob, this highly upsets me. The only thing worse to me than a person who uses incorrect spelling, punctuation, and grammar, is a person who realizes that he/she is doing these things and couldn't care less about it. I think that we should all strive to use proper grammar and spell words correctly, even in an informal setting (i.e. Facebook or texting). Otherwise, we may become used to being careless and start making the same errors in our schoolwork and other important documents. How embarrassing would it be to apply for the job you've always wanted, only to be turned down because you had grammatical errors on your resume? As the quote states above, I think it's very important to "...instill a sense that linguistic rules matter" (Baron). I plan to do this in my classroom, and I hope that other teachers continue to do the same.
Baron, Naomi. "Are Digital Media Changing Language?." Educational Leadership 66.6 (2009): 42-46. Web. Accessed Sept. 1 2011.
Related Resource
To Teach or Not to Teach (Grammar)--No Longer The Question
Related Resource
To Teach or Not to Teach (Grammar)--No Longer The Question
Christy, Janice. "To Teach or Not to Teach (Grammar)-No Longer the Question, Teaching Today, Glencoe Online."Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. Educational and Professional Publishing Group of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <http://www.glencoe.com>.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Week One
Double Journal Entry #1
Quote- Ms. Davidson questioned the whole form of the research paper. “What if bad writing is a product of the form of writing required in school — the term paper — and not necessarily intrinsic to a student’s natural writing style or thought process?” She adds: “What if ‘research paper’ is a category that invites, even requires, linguistic and syntactic gobbledygook?” What if, indeed. After studying the matter, Ms. Davidson concluded, “Online blogs directed at peers exhibit fewer typographical and factual errors, less plagiarism, and generally better, more elegant and persuasive prose than classroom assignments by the same writers.”
Quote- Ms. Davidson questioned the whole form of the research paper. “What if bad writing is a product of the form of writing required in school — the term paper — and not necessarily intrinsic to a student’s natural writing style or thought process?” She adds: “What if ‘research paper’ is a category that invites, even requires, linguistic and syntactic gobbledygook?” What if, indeed. After studying the matter, Ms. Davidson concluded, “Online blogs directed at peers exhibit fewer typographical and factual errors, less plagiarism, and generally better, more elegant and persuasive prose than classroom assignments by the same writers.”
Response- I have actually had this same thought many times already during my college experience. I have come to the conclusion that the words "essay" and "term paper" have so much negative connotation for students, that just giving that assignment brings back bad memories for students of late nights, caffeine overloads, spell check, and bad grades. I feel that some students psyche themselves out from the beginning, and never actually have a chance to write a paper acceptable at the college level. On the other hand, a blog assignment appears much less daunting and informal than a term paper, and with that comes a much lower stress level, allowing the student to submit much better work.
Heffernan, Virginia. "Education Needs a Digital-Age Upgrade - NYTimes.com." Opinion - Opinionator - NYTimes.com. The New York Times, 7 Aug. 2011. Web. 30 Aug. 2011. <http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/education-needs-a-digital-age-upgrade/?hp>.
Supplemental Article
Heffernan, Virginia. "Education Needs a Digital-Age Upgrade - NYTimes.com." Opinion - Opinionator - NYTimes.com. The New York Times, 7 Aug. 2011. Web. 30 Aug. 2011. <http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/education-needs-a-digital-age-upgrade/?hp>.
Supplemental Article
In this article, Ben McNeely explains how he has grown up during the introduction and integration of technology. He also shares his ideas on how new technological advances will impact what he calls the "Net Generation". He discusses both pros and cons, and ways for people to adapt to the changes around them.
LINK- http://www.educause.edu/Resources/EducatingtheNetGeneration/UsingTechnologyasaLearningTool/6060
McNeely, Ben. "Using Technology as a Learning Tool, Not Just the Cool New Thing | EDUCAUSE." What is EDUCAUSE? | EDUCAUSE. North Carolina State University, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2011. <http://www.educause.edu/Resources/EducatingtheNetGeneration/UsingTechnologyasaLearningTool/6060>.
LINK- http://www.educause.edu/Resources/EducatingtheNetGeneration/UsingTechnologyasaLearningTool/6060
McNeely, Ben. "Using Technology as a Learning Tool, Not Just the Cool New Thing | EDUCAUSE." What is EDUCAUSE? | EDUCAUSE. North Carolina State University, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2011. <http://www.educause.edu/Resources/EducatingtheNetGeneration/UsingTechnologyasaLearningTool/6060>.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Beginning
My name is Hannah Evans, and I'm 21 years old. I currently reside in Fairmont, WV, but I was born and raised in a small town in Tucker County, WV called Thomas. I chose the "seasons" theme for my blog because one of my favorite things about growing up where I did was the fact that I was able to truly experience and enjoy the beauty of all four seasons.
I've known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was in the third grade. I chose "Matilda" as my favorite movie because when I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher just like Miss Honey. Now that I'm older, I have decided that I want to teach history at the high school level. Ideally, I'd like to teach 20th century United States history to 11th graders, but I enjoy all different kinds of history. To many, history may seem a boring subject, but it is my belief that anything can become fascinating to someone who's interest has been piqued. It is my goal as a teacher to instill a new love of history in my students, or rekindle a love of the subject that students may have lost.
I've known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was in the third grade. I chose "Matilda" as my favorite movie because when I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher just like Miss Honey. Now that I'm older, I have decided that I want to teach history at the high school level. Ideally, I'd like to teach 20th century United States history to 11th graders, but I enjoy all different kinds of history. To many, history may seem a boring subject, but it is my belief that anything can become fascinating to someone who's interest has been piqued. It is my goal as a teacher to instill a new love of history in my students, or rekindle a love of the subject that students may have lost.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)