I did find new content that tied our BLOCK 3 project to this evening’s event. Russell Banks actually wrote a version of screenplay for a project that Francis Ford Coppola will be producing.
The projected release date is 2009… what ever could it be?
I can tell you that Russel Banks wrote one of the many versions of this highly scrutinized and anticipated script, but his wasn't selected. After seeing him earlier tonight i feel he understands that it's all good, it's paradise.... It's Sal Paradise, who will be the focus of a film I can't wait to see....what ever could it be?
Click here if you want to know what I am talking about. Drop me a line if understand the reference.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Russel Banks
I am not going too get cerebral here, but for those who where in attendance I hope there is a shared WOW. I feel that nothing can be added, after the constant reminder:
we are not who we think we are and we are all long to die.
That is the shared thread that outlines the human condition and unites us all. At least that is what I heard with my 'writer ears'
we are not who we think we are and we are all long to die.
That is the shared thread that outlines the human condition and unites us all. At least that is what I heard with my 'writer ears'
Task 3 Block III Take Three PUCK ROCK PODCASTING OyE, OyE OyE
When you spoke to you last, Jon and I were doing an enhanced podcast, but there is a twist! What we will be sharing with you is a conceptual podcast, which means tomorrow you’ll be hearing one episode in a fictitious series. The target audience of our series is punks. They can download this podcast and others like it to get a better understanding of what punk is and where it is going through the similarities and differences of other counter-cultural movements….This weeks episode “The Beats”
It took a while to narrow down our focus but I think we finally nailed it…tomorrow you can tell if we hit the nail on the head or if we need to have a doctor look at our thumbs. What I find the most interesting are the shared similarities between most counter-cultural groups. As I have stated numerous times before, I am huge fan of Beat writers and am really looking forward to sharing some of their work with you.
The pedagogical implications of this podcast focus around what we did in class last week, anyone can teach something that they know. Realistically I see our premise actually being available on-line, I was kind of surprised that it wasn’t. Regardless of its actual existence, this is a perfect example of what we talk about in class, the teachers are out there you just have to find them.
It took a while to narrow down our focus but I think we finally nailed it…tomorrow you can tell if we hit the nail on the head or if we need to have a doctor look at our thumbs. What I find the most interesting are the shared similarities between most counter-cultural groups. As I have stated numerous times before, I am huge fan of Beat writers and am really looking forward to sharing some of their work with you.
The pedagogical implications of this podcast focus around what we did in class last week, anyone can teach something that they know. Realistically I see our premise actually being available on-line, I was kind of surprised that it wasn’t. Regardless of its actual existence, this is a perfect example of what we talk about in class, the teachers are out there you just have to find them.
Task #1 Portfolio Building in 327
One of the ways that we are all building our portfolios in 307 is through blogging and our projects. Completing the iWeb project gives us a hub, where different facets of our individual portfolios can be accessed…don’t fret if you haven’t established the links yet, neither have I.
Personally, the shift that I am becoming more and more aware of is looking at the world through the eyes of an English teacher. It is interesting and somewhat weird, but it seems with everything I hear, I am making connections to literacy, in both multi-media and print forms. I was getting gas the other day, women behind counter asked me what I do, and I told her that I am learning how to get kids to read and think more critically. While I was walking away, it just clicked…yeah that’s really what I am doing with my life! How cool is that? These are the first mental steps towards my professional life/goals…and I could not be more excited and scared.
However, regarding our course work, the definition of a shape-shifting portfolio, as drawn by Gee, is:
“collection of skills- for example, educational, social, service, and sports experiences and achievements that can be arranged and rearranged in order to define and redefine oneself as a certain kind of competent person” (114).
The skill of selling yourself on prior accomplishments and not words alone is exactly what Friedman was talking about when he was describing the future untouchables. The five distinct tables that Katie erected for her Open House graduation party, is a testament to her shape shifting ability (116,117) and this skill assures her any position she wants in the future job market. Clearly, she is a master of all Olympic events (referenced quote from Sperling, page 290 Friedman obscure yet fitting) and is ready to compete. Thomas and Mario, however, have the ability but want different things out of life…they measure success differently. Though this goes against the changing world, I found overtones of sadness in this article because happiness seems to be quantified financially. Oh well, could someone tell me who John Galt is anyway?
Personally, the shift that I am becoming more and more aware of is looking at the world through the eyes of an English teacher. It is interesting and somewhat weird, but it seems with everything I hear, I am making connections to literacy, in both multi-media and print forms. I was getting gas the other day, women behind counter asked me what I do, and I told her that I am learning how to get kids to read and think more critically. While I was walking away, it just clicked…yeah that’s really what I am doing with my life! How cool is that? These are the first mental steps towards my professional life/goals…and I could not be more excited and scared.
However, regarding our course work, the definition of a shape-shifting portfolio, as drawn by Gee, is:
“collection of skills- for example, educational, social, service, and sports experiences and achievements that can be arranged and rearranged in order to define and redefine oneself as a certain kind of competent person” (114).
The skill of selling yourself on prior accomplishments and not words alone is exactly what Friedman was talking about when he was describing the future untouchables. The five distinct tables that Katie erected for her Open House graduation party, is a testament to her shape shifting ability (116,117) and this skill assures her any position she wants in the future job market. Clearly, she is a master of all Olympic events (referenced quote from Sperling, page 290 Friedman obscure yet fitting) and is ready to compete. Thomas and Mario, however, have the ability but want different things out of life…they measure success differently. Though this goes against the changing world, I found overtones of sadness in this article because happiness seems to be quantified financially. Oh well, could someone tell me who John Galt is anyway?
Task #2 Pokinitis
The implications of Will’s conversation with his daughter, is the reality of the read/write web. With this I see two major implications for the next generation of ELA teachers.
The first is that EVERYONE now has the ability to create in any medium; the conduits of expression are limitless. The benefit is that we will not have to urge our students to create projects using run of the mill art supplies. Now they use numerous forms of digital media to expression themselves. This will allow us to encourage future students to fine tune their work, transforming simple projects to masterpieces of professional quality. With a greater focus on the details and nuances of the work, their result would be more than a grade; it could be a piece they can add to their portfolio, or perhaps even something they earn money from.
The second implication is the type of student that we will encounter. A large portion of our students could be firmly established in various internet communities. The next generation of students, will undoubtedly have global ties through their personal blogs, podcasts, and ebooks. Tess has had 1,700 people read her first book and she is not even old enough to drive...very impressive. In this respect, the focus of the next generation of ELA teachers will be to make our students the best writers and readers of information. To ensure that they can comprehend and synthesize the information in front of them so they can render their own thoughts and ideas to other people.
The first is that EVERYONE now has the ability to create in any medium; the conduits of expression are limitless. The benefit is that we will not have to urge our students to create projects using run of the mill art supplies. Now they use numerous forms of digital media to expression themselves. This will allow us to encourage future students to fine tune their work, transforming simple projects to masterpieces of professional quality. With a greater focus on the details and nuances of the work, their result would be more than a grade; it could be a piece they can add to their portfolio, or perhaps even something they earn money from.
The second implication is the type of student that we will encounter. A large portion of our students could be firmly established in various internet communities. The next generation of students, will undoubtedly have global ties through their personal blogs, podcasts, and ebooks. Tess has had 1,700 people read her first book and she is not even old enough to drive...very impressive. In this respect, the focus of the next generation of ELA teachers will be to make our students the best writers and readers of information. To ensure that they can comprehend and synthesize the information in front of them so they can render their own thoughts and ideas to other people.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Teaching and being taught
I was working with Jessica today and she taught me how to add a cluster map to my blog. The process was incredibly simple. All you have to do is click on a pre-existing cluster map, on any blog that has one, then click on "create your map" and simply follow the instructions. Once you have typed in your general information (name and email address) copy the HTML. Then sign into your own blog, go to ‘customize,’ ‘template,’ “add a page element,’ and finally ‘html/java script.’ Title then paste the html Click on “Apply” and vaw-la.
Everyone can see everyone else who has found your site.
I then taught Jess how to import photos into iMovie. Basically you Download them onto your desktop, then import the pics into iPhoto, and drag them again into the blank spaces on the right hand side of iMovie. Placing the stills together on the gray strip on the bottom of the screen creates continuous still clip iMovie.continuous clips.
Everyone can see everyone else who has found your site.
I then taught Jess how to import photos into iMovie. Basically you Download them onto your desktop, then import the pics into iPhoto, and drag them again into the blank spaces on the right hand side of iMovie. Placing the stills together on the gray strip on the bottom of the screen creates continuous still clip iMovie.continuous clips.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Freidman
I found this article by Freidman on Will Richards’ blog. In honor of Earth Week give it a read. No one can deny this man's ability to succinctly and seamlessly blend very complex global ideas together… it’s a talent of his that a greatly admire.
Much like his book "The World is Flat" his ideas deeply imply the need for more science and math based skills, if we are to retain our standard of living or even compete in the new global economy.
Much like his book "The World is Flat" his ideas deeply imply the need for more science and math based skills, if we are to retain our standard of living or even compete in the new global economy.
Quick Muse
This site is wonderful!!! I did find it odd that Kerouac’s “first thought equals best thought” view of ‘spontaneous prose’ was being challenged, its on the “About” page. But as all collegiate writers know perfection lies in the editorial process, but with poetry? Sadly, most of my blog posts are a testament to that, but I currently working on that.
Another Kerouac based tangent that a found amidst the pages was poet laureate Robert Pinsky’s ‘Quick Muse’ piece was about Jazz legend Charlie Parker. The death of this jazz great is believed to be the inspiration for a collection of poetry by Kerouac, entitled “Mexico City Blues.” Within this eulogy I have a particular fondness for Choruses 211 & 149.
Overall, this site reminded me of the ‘Poetry Tag Rooms’ that I used to visit when I was in Indianapolis. (Does anyone know if these chat rooms still exist? If so could you provide a link or a way of navigating to one?) For those who do not know what a tag room, let me supply a brief explanation. In this chat room you don’t type anything when you first enter, instead just read the poem that is being composed in the scroll space. When the poet is finished, there is a minute or two of kudos and criticism, and then he/she TAGS someone in the room, giving them either the subject or first line of a poem for them to compose. Think of it as a flash fiction endeavor but pertaining to poetry not prose
However, this site does capture the real time essence of creating poetry.
Is there a version of Quick Muse for amateur poets?
Another Kerouac based tangent that a found amidst the pages was poet laureate Robert Pinsky’s ‘Quick Muse’ piece was about Jazz legend Charlie Parker. The death of this jazz great is believed to be the inspiration for a collection of poetry by Kerouac, entitled “Mexico City Blues.” Within this eulogy I have a particular fondness for Choruses 211 & 149.
Overall, this site reminded me of the ‘Poetry Tag Rooms’ that I used to visit when I was in Indianapolis. (Does anyone know if these chat rooms still exist? If so could you provide a link or a way of navigating to one?) For those who do not know what a tag room, let me supply a brief explanation. In this chat room you don’t type anything when you first enter, instead just read the poem that is being composed in the scroll space. When the poet is finished, there is a minute or two of kudos and criticism, and then he/she TAGS someone in the room, giving them either the subject or first line of a poem for them to compose. Think of it as a flash fiction endeavor but pertaining to poetry not prose
However, this site does capture the real time essence of creating poetry.
Is there a version of Quick Muse for amateur poets?
Block III Status and Block II assessment
Status: Jon and I have regretfully discovered that it is impossible to ‘remaster’ a song using Garage Band because the program imports songs as a single track and doesn’t break the song down into individual tracks. We wasted a lot of precious time trying to find a way around that.
Currently we are going to do an enhanced pod-cast about Beat influences in modern culture, particularly music and literature…finding this information seems to be going slowly as well, perhaps tomorrow we’ll be posting our third attempt for a project. (more sand lost to the hourglasses abysmal bottom)
Assessment: I like the collaboration in the last project. With my iWeb we helped one another get around some of the technical problems we encountered, all of the content was self-generated. With Chris, Phil, and Brian such was not the case. We all helped one another build the story, frame shots, film and edit. Though at times there were some difficulties there was never a stressed out “time-crunch”
I could see using iMovie in the classroom to create small documentaries like the other group did, to bring ideas and understanding to a class. The added bonus to all forms of group work also factored in… I got to know those guys better and they became my friends, which is always a good thing.
Currently we are going to do an enhanced pod-cast about Beat influences in modern culture, particularly music and literature…finding this information seems to be going slowly as well, perhaps tomorrow we’ll be posting our third attempt for a project. (more sand lost to the hourglasses abysmal bottom)
Assessment: I like the collaboration in the last project. With my iWeb we helped one another get around some of the technical problems we encountered, all of the content was self-generated. With Chris, Phil, and Brian such was not the case. We all helped one another build the story, frame shots, film and edit. Though at times there were some difficulties there was never a stressed out “time-crunch”
I could see using iMovie in the classroom to create small documentaries like the other group did, to bring ideas and understanding to a class. The added bonus to all forms of group work also factored in… I got to know those guys better and they became my friends, which is always a good thing.
A response to Will Richards U Michigan Post
I hope that I am completing the task correctly.
After reading the post and comments, I found a metaphor, which was inspired by Sylvia Martinez (response #39). She thought that Will was trying to “draw a line in the sand between practitioners and academics.”
Education is the coastline to new avenues of inquiry and exploration. Technology is a wave that has crashed, is crashing, and will continue to crash; but unlike a traditional wave, this will not wane. Web 2.0 is the tsunami that birthed Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. The people who do not ‘get it’ are trying to draw a similar demarcating line under an area that is completely submerged. The only noticeable difference is that those who are drawing the line for University of Michigan only have their ankles soaked. (I don’t feel to comfortable criticizing a Master’s Program, but it does seem like they are just trying to make a greasy buck in a secluded moment of time that will eventually evaporate)
After reading the post and comments, I found a metaphor, which was inspired by Sylvia Martinez (response #39). She thought that Will was trying to “draw a line in the sand between practitioners and academics.”
Education is the coastline to new avenues of inquiry and exploration. Technology is a wave that has crashed, is crashing, and will continue to crash; but unlike a traditional wave, this will not wane. Web 2.0 is the tsunami that birthed Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. The people who do not ‘get it’ are trying to draw a similar demarcating line under an area that is completely submerged. The only noticeable difference is that those who are drawing the line for University of Michigan only have their ankles soaked. (I don’t feel to comfortable criticizing a Master’s Program, but it does seem like they are just trying to make a greasy buck in a secluded moment of time that will eventually evaporate)
Blog Task #1
“Video-on Demand” in the classroom, in its current stage, is a great idea that continues to bridge the interest of students, in this case educational programming, with class content. What is particularly innovative and revolutionary about this project is “what distinguishes Baltimore County's effort…the district has convened teams of teachers in each school to brainstorm ways of using the new resources to their fullest potential across each academic discipline.”
Generally, we have been exposed to solitary examples of lone teachers integrating their classrooms with technology, always with extreme success, but they always seemed to be within a domain of technophobes. Now we have an entire district rallying the troops, making curricula that is not only as user friendly as a stapler but fully embraces all of the educational tools available to them…Perhaps the school in Liverpool should have took similar measures? In the not so distant future I can see an entire on-line database of educational “video-on demand” that teachers and students could pull up from anywhere on the planet, probably in a language that it wasn’t recorded in.
The most obvious connection between the three readings is that there is no longer anything traditional about education and for those who think they will be teaching in a manner in which they were taught… you are sorely mistaken (that sentence made me feel cutting edge and old all at the same time). Everything is changing, on so many levels.
It seems that blogs are only part of the picture while the use of technology in the classroom is another part of what we need to do to strive in the flattening of the world. Where the Technorati datum visually conveys the surge of the blogosphere, the Baltimore Project shows us how the uses of technology for education are changing. The way I see it “the main thing we need to teach our young people is to love the process of learning,”
Generally, we have been exposed to solitary examples of lone teachers integrating their classrooms with technology, always with extreme success, but they always seemed to be within a domain of technophobes. Now we have an entire district rallying the troops, making curricula that is not only as user friendly as a stapler but fully embraces all of the educational tools available to them…Perhaps the school in Liverpool should have took similar measures? In the not so distant future I can see an entire on-line database of educational “video-on demand” that teachers and students could pull up from anywhere on the planet, probably in a language that it wasn’t recorded in.
The most obvious connection between the three readings is that there is no longer anything traditional about education and for those who think they will be teaching in a manner in which they were taught… you are sorely mistaken (that sentence made me feel cutting edge and old all at the same time). Everything is changing, on so many levels.
It seems that blogs are only part of the picture while the use of technology in the classroom is another part of what we need to do to strive in the flattening of the world. Where the Technorati datum visually conveys the surge of the blogosphere, the Baltimore Project shows us how the uses of technology for education are changing. The way I see it “the main thing we need to teach our young people is to love the process of learning,”
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Block III
Hello all!!
Jon and I are going to be using Garage Band in two different capacities. First we will be making an enhanced podcast on a subject matter that will be decided on tomarrow, then we will see if it is possible to remaster a pre-exsisting song with the program. If it is not possible, we'll let you know, if it can be done, prepare yourself for some cleaned up music.
Jon and I are going to be using Garage Band in two different capacities. First we will be making an enhanced podcast on a subject matter that will be decided on tomarrow, then we will see if it is possible to remaster a pre-exsisting song with the program. If it is not possible, we'll let you know, if it can be done, prepare yourself for some cleaned up music.
We're around the Corner
Will Richards & Tom Friedman have both wrote that a computer with a terabyte hard drive capacity is something that is right around the corner... Well... we're there.
Be amazed at the amount of information that can now stored on a single hard drive!!
Be amazed at the amount of information that can now stored on a single hard drive!!
O'Brien Blog Quiz Posting
The most fascinating aspect of O’Brien’s research was how the natural responses of the video game club challenged preconceived gender roles of adolescents (“Reconceptualizing Competence” p33&34).
"Males have conversational goals that place ultimate value on maintaining status (whereas girls and women use discourse to achieve connection and intimacy)… the boys in the video game club seemed willing to take advice from peers and to assume the position of being less knowledgeable than peers" –O’Brien 34
This perfectly bridges two of the major ideas that we have covered in class: the implied adolescent and the benefits of collaboration.
The generalizations we will make about the types of students that will occupy our future classrooms will be in a constant state of flux, due, in part to our prejudices and experiences. However, now that we will not be the sole providers of knowledge, we have the opportunity to witness the discrepancies between what we learned in educational psychology and what occurs in our own classrooms.
The actions of the Darnell, Arthur and Jonathan are a direct result of the students providing the content, as well as, collaborating with one another, both of which are vary powerful learning tools. When working in groups the strengths of members should complement the weaknesses of others, so no one becomes frustrated or struggles. This was accomplished with their group work and reflected in their new understanding how video games can be used as a tool to help improve literacy.
"Males have conversational goals that place ultimate value on maintaining status (whereas girls and women use discourse to achieve connection and intimacy)… the boys in the video game club seemed willing to take advice from peers and to assume the position of being less knowledgeable than peers" –O’Brien 34
This perfectly bridges two of the major ideas that we have covered in class: the implied adolescent and the benefits of collaboration.
The generalizations we will make about the types of students that will occupy our future classrooms will be in a constant state of flux, due, in part to our prejudices and experiences. However, now that we will not be the sole providers of knowledge, we have the opportunity to witness the discrepancies between what we learned in educational psychology and what occurs in our own classrooms.
The actions of the Darnell, Arthur and Jonathan are a direct result of the students providing the content, as well as, collaborating with one another, both of which are vary powerful learning tools. When working in groups the strengths of members should complement the weaknesses of others, so no one becomes frustrated or struggles. This was accomplished with their group work and reflected in their new understanding how video games can be used as a tool to help improve literacy.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Front page Freidmen
I just read this on Yahoo and all I have to say is how much flatter can terra ferma get?
We should all welcome our newest competitors before working even harder towards the new middle and then rejoice for the ENTIRE *BLEEPING* WORLD (acording to this article) is now connected.
We should all welcome our newest competitors before working even harder towards the new middle and then rejoice for the ENTIRE *BLEEPING* WORLD (acording to this article) is now connected.
Switching hemispheres for a moment
The Math and Science Gateway Out of Cornell was referenced in the live chat of the Technology Counts article; it is an example of one of the numerous online resources that teachers can use to bring technology into their classrooms.
There is a variety of math and science topics (of varying levels) that can students can access to gain a better understanding of the concepts, they are covering in class. This site also provides the opportunity to delve deeper into subjects of interest that the curriculum does not cover.
I spent some time in the astronomy and was amazed at the depth that they go into.
I hope you enjoy, and would like to know if there is a comparable site that focuses on English Language Arts.
There is a variety of math and science topics (of varying levels) that can students can access to gain a better understanding of the concepts, they are covering in class. This site also provides the opportunity to delve deeper into subjects of interest that the curriculum does not cover.
I spent some time in the astronomy and was amazed at the depth that they go into.
I hope you enjoy, and would like to know if there is a comparable site that focuses on English Language Arts.
The Live Chat Discussion
The educators who “get it” seem to be the people that are using new technologies in their classrooms. Those digital explorers who are trying to fully “grasp it” may be looking for resources to help their classrooms as well as getting a sense of “who should know what.”
The degree of technological knowledge that administrators should have, Ed Glickman’s question directly addressed this and the amount of on-site tech support are very important questions. Having access to as many knowledgeable people as possible would ease the burden and quell the concerns of “exploring” teachers. They are not only learning systems and pedagogies but how to proficiently use them in their class rooms. When glitches are thrown into the mix, I can see how they may be able to scrap the entire program all together.
Another topic that came up many times was where, when, and if typing skills should be taught. This issue ties in with students have knowledge of a technology but utilizing its correct usage. First hand, I know that typing skills improve over time, but the importance of finger placement to improve speed, I feel, should be a skill learned early on. I still occasionally glance at the key board, but it was very hard to wean myself from the “hunt and peck” tendencies that all fledgling typists.
The degree of technological knowledge that administrators should have, Ed Glickman’s question directly addressed this and the amount of on-site tech support are very important questions. Having access to as many knowledgeable people as possible would ease the burden and quell the concerns of “exploring” teachers. They are not only learning systems and pedagogies but how to proficiently use them in their class rooms. When glitches are thrown into the mix, I can see how they may be able to scrap the entire program all together.
Another topic that came up many times was where, when, and if typing skills should be taught. This issue ties in with students have knowledge of a technology but utilizing its correct usage. First hand, I know that typing skills improve over time, but the importance of finger placement to improve speed, I feel, should be a skill learned early on. I still occasionally glance at the key board, but it was very hard to wean myself from the “hunt and peck” tendencies that all fledgling typists.
The Blog Quiz Response to the Tech Counts Articles
Through this class, we, as future teachers, know the benefits of technology based learning. It can be cited from numerous examples found in our texts and in our projects. However, these articles illustrate the sporadic occurrences of applying technology in the classroom. The isolated bubble that internet restriction places on students, as well as traditional non- technology-based projects, limit the learning process of the student.
In my experience this semester, I have gained the knowledge of interacting with new technologies, which has improved the way in which I render my ideas on the page and in the digital world. In addition, the redefinition of what literacy actually is, with the advent of the read/write web, has helped me gain a greater understanding of the function of an ELA educator.
The connection that I am seeing with discussions is the importance of students having fun with the educational process and having them bring their world into the classroom. This is seen the distress felt by Randy Herrera when he steps on school grounds. His description in the second paragraph of the student voice article, paints him not as a teenager but a functional member of the Flat World. With the reluctance of technology in his classroom, we can also feel his dwindling levels of motivation, and hope that we never subject our students to that.
In my experience this semester, I have gained the knowledge of interacting with new technologies, which has improved the way in which I render my ideas on the page and in the digital world. In addition, the redefinition of what literacy actually is, with the advent of the read/write web, has helped me gain a greater understanding of the function of an ELA educator.
The connection that I am seeing with discussions is the importance of students having fun with the educational process and having them bring their world into the classroom. This is seen the distress felt by Randy Herrera when he steps on school grounds. His description in the second paragraph of the student voice article, paints him not as a teenager but a functional member of the Flat World. With the reluctance of technology in his classroom, we can also feel his dwindling levels of motivation, and hope that we never subject our students to that.
A Non Blog Quiz Response to the Tech Counts Articles
This occurred to me after re-reading the articles.
There are two groups in the article that are further contributing to Friedman’s educational gap. First, we have the students who are not immersed in technology once they leave their schools and then there are the teachers who do not use any of the technology that their schools offer.
I feel students should not be held accountable or be placed at a disadvantage because they are lacking technology at home. But the teachers who fail the embrace, or even the use, the technology that is available to them are not helping to get computers into their homes.
I am not saying that the role of a teacher is comparable to that of a computer salesperson, but with the changing of the educational paradigm, parents need to see computers as an educational tool, and not just something to play games with. Perhaps if more teachers used technology, there would be a greater sense of urgency, on the parents’ part, to open the digital world for their children. Which would give those students the opportunity to acquire the essential characteristics of the new middle.
There are two groups in the article that are further contributing to Friedman’s educational gap. First, we have the students who are not immersed in technology once they leave their schools and then there are the teachers who do not use any of the technology that their schools offer.
I feel students should not be held accountable or be placed at a disadvantage because they are lacking technology at home. But the teachers who fail the embrace, or even the use, the technology that is available to them are not helping to get computers into their homes.
I am not saying that the role of a teacher is comparable to that of a computer salesperson, but with the changing of the educational paradigm, parents need to see computers as an educational tool, and not just something to play games with. Perhaps if more teachers used technology, there would be a greater sense of urgency, on the parents’ part, to open the digital world for their children. Which would give those students the opportunity to acquire the essential characteristics of the new middle.
The Zine Project: The Blog Quiz
If this article does anything at all, it offers a counterpoint to the touchy paperless classroom debate… but I degrees.
The major connection that keeps recurring throughout our course discussions as well as our readings is the idea that students can be great creators of content, regardless of medium, when the focus is on something that interests them. This is seen in Hobbs’ use of media and Jacobi’s work with the Zine Project.
The initial reluctance of students to conceptualize their out-of-school persona as the leading voice in the “new” English class quickly melts away; and the students find them selves learning ELA principles without even knowing that they are doing so. Along the way, students are also defining themselves through the editing and collaboration processes, which is valuable bonus to during the teenage years.
Another on going connection is students providing the content. This has the role of the teacher change from the master of knowledge to more of a guide that helps to form the students’ ideas through expression, through both creative and academic endeavors.
The premise of having students express themselves and not being chained down to counter-productive curriculums is giving me hope. Once I become a teacher, my students will not be trudging through books that they have no interest in but reading books that interest them. The material that we are covering, when applied, seems to remove the idea of forcing students to do their work.
The major connection that keeps recurring throughout our course discussions as well as our readings is the idea that students can be great creators of content, regardless of medium, when the focus is on something that interests them. This is seen in Hobbs’ use of media and Jacobi’s work with the Zine Project.
The initial reluctance of students to conceptualize their out-of-school persona as the leading voice in the “new” English class quickly melts away; and the students find them selves learning ELA principles without even knowing that they are doing so. Along the way, students are also defining themselves through the editing and collaboration processes, which is valuable bonus to during the teenage years.
Another on going connection is students providing the content. This has the role of the teacher change from the master of knowledge to more of a guide that helps to form the students’ ideas through expression, through both creative and academic endeavors.
The premise of having students express themselves and not being chained down to counter-productive curriculums is giving me hope. Once I become a teacher, my students will not be trudging through books that they have no interest in but reading books that interest them. The material that we are covering, when applied, seems to remove the idea of forcing students to do their work.
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