Reflections on Media Literacy Project

The media literacy project our group did - internet alcohol sites - was a very interesting project for me. I was amazed by some of the sites, and worried at the same time since I have an 18-year-old who I always worry about doing the underage drinking scene. I was glad we chose that topic and the information we gained was invaluable.

I really enjoyed this project - probably as much as all the rest of them. Since media is such a large part of everyone's life, I have learned the importance of giving our students the tools to look at things presented in the media critically. It's something we don't even do as adults as much as we should.

Looking at intended audience, means of attracting those audiences, etc. was beneficial. I agree with both Dr. Stearns and Charity that we need a media literacy class. It would be a great, and fun, class to teach.

The other thing which I leave this project knowing is how books are only a small part of literacy. There is so much more than I would have ever assumed, and I now look at everything from a literacy point of view.

Syracuse Schools Laptop Program

Heard this morning about the problems with the laptop program in the Syracuse school system. I can't believe (or maybe I can) that kids spent so much time downloading porn and other things they knew were inappropriate. Unbelievable. The sad part is now they are rethinking the enire program. How can kids ever have access to new technology when they spoil it for themselves by doing things like this.

I wonder if kids in other countries who are technologically advanced in comparison to the United States have the same kinds of problems with their youth. If not, maybe that would explain why we are behind other countries when it comes to technology in education.

Interview

This was a very difficult task for me because technology is so new to me. I feel like I'm not able to "think on my feet" as quickly as some in our class who have much more experience in this field. I chose to do a website about interracial students in YA literature (a subject I explored in great detail in our YA literature class). This website gives students a chance to look critically at works dealing with this subject matter and blog about their own experiences as they relate to the recommended readings.

Hobbs Chpt. 4 - "Advertising, Persuasion, and Propaganda

Great chapter and says so much about where we are today. Advertisers certainly understand a great deal of their market is aimed at adolescents - $170 billion in 2002 alone. This makes it imperative they reach this group. As such they have an enormous amount of impact on what young people purchase. We need to remember this is not only true of the television media but also other advertising media. Cigarette ads placed in stores where young kids can easily see them - influencing their choice of whether to smoke or not smoke.

How many things are advertised in a positive light making them look attractive? The models in ads are always beautiful/handsome and thin. No wonder our teens are obsessed with body image. Advertisers give them the idea that if they purchase their products they will also be beautiful and popular. I think media is an extremely important thing for our students to study and to understand. They need to know who is being targeted and who is being left out. They need to be able to take apart these ads and find out why they are done the way they are and who they are trying to influence.

I wonder how many would care about wearing brand name clothes if those clothes were not associated with being popular and beautiful. In our town it's Old Navy and Aeropostale. My son won't even look at clothes without those tags. It's as if by wearing something else he will no longer fit in. We need to address these issues with kids and help them explore the advertising media and find out the real reasons behind their ads. If advertising weren't such a big $ business do you honestly think advertisers would spend millions for the chance to run an ad during the Super Bowl? Some of these ads are never shown again, and yet they understand the impact just one showing will have on their audiences.

This was a wonderful, insightful chapter. It's an important chapter for those of us who are future educators.

Internet Access on School Buses

Check out this article. Is this really another chance for students to learn, or is it putting more stress on kids? What does everyone think?

I know some kids from when I was in school who rode the bus in excess of one hour both to and from school. Why not put the time to good use? Don't "adult" commuters do it all the time? I think it's a good idea. Lots of kids own laptops. I just hope they won't leave their work for the last minute thinking "I'll do it on the way to school".

Friedman-"Dirty Little Secrets"

How long is it going to take for educators/educational administrators in this country to realize we are sending our kids out into the world ill-prepared for what lies ahead. We still want our students to memorize things - standing in front of a classroom feeding them information they can recite back to us on tests. Do we do this because it's in their best interests to be taught in the manner? Absolutely not! We do this because it's what is easy for us - we don't have to work so hard. We don't have to learn the latest technology to pass on to our students. We can rely on doing things in the same old way. We need more educators willing to work harder. That's why 307 is so important. Hopefully we will learn some of the skills we need to use in our classrooms to prepare our students for the flat world they will be entering.

Every teacher/administrator should be required to read Friedman. It's essential to understand how far behind other countries we are and how woefully prepared our students are when it comes to entering this flat world. How will they become the untouchables?

April 23rd Quiz - Going Backward a Bit

Shape-Shifting Portfolio - I guess when I look at myself along this line I think about my age and the fact I have so many more things to put in my portfolio than someone younger because I have lived so many more years and experienced/had the opportunity to learn so many more things than someone younger than myself. Also, I can't even begin to comment on all of the new things I have added to my portfolio this semester - especially from 307. There are so many things I can do now (maybe not do well, but at least do) than I could at the beginning of the semester. All of those skills have become a part of me. More importantly, how I feel about acquiring and using those skills have also become part of my portfolio. I can put anything into my portfolio, but if I don't use it then it's of no value. I have learned to have confidence enough in myself to at least give all of the things I have learned a try when I get into my own classroom. In that respect, my portfolio has grown so much this semester.

Pokinitis - I admire someone like Will who sees a teachable moment in almost every situation. He will inspire his daughter to become a great writer because of his enthusiasm for all she does. What a wonderful thing to bring to the table not just for her as his daughter but as someone who will have so much to offer to this world.

I wish I had had someone like Will to point me in the direction he does everyone around him. The really great thing is that through his blog and now his "office" in Second Life, we can communicate with him on an everyday level and he can steer us in some directions we might not have otherwise considered possible. Maybe someday we will be blogging away to him and he will inspire us to write a book about something as simple as poking someone. I look forward to the possibilities.

Blog Quiz - Week of April 25th

Task #3 - Last things first

First let me say - where was this teacher in the Buffalo School system giving his students simple/direct directions about saving the iMovie when I was doing mine. I could have used this information last week.

I am extremely interested in this since it is a joint project with the University of Buffalo - where my 18-year old son will be going in August. I thought it was a great idea to get kids so involved in technology. From my limited experience in the classroom I know that kids "die" to use the computers in the classroom. If we can allow them time and tasks so they can use computers and media then we have their attention already. From there it's just a matter of providing a little guidance and getting them started. Congratulations to Buffalo - not exactly my neck of the woods, but it's a city that I absolutely love.

Second - the web link for the media literacy when I clicked on it brought me to a site that was in a "foreign" language - or something like a "foreign" language. Is that the correct website? I just wondered if it is what I am supposed to be looking for.

Task #1 & #2 to follow shortly - I've got to go finish putting out things for our community's "Spring Cleaning" which occurs tomorrow. You snooze/you lose! Hope you'll understand. Be back to finish this quiz in awhile.

High Stakes Testing - Helping or Hurting?

Check out this site for an on-line live chat about this subject on Monday, April 30th.

MP3's and iPods As A Vehicle For Cheaters

I heard this one on the radio this morning on my way to Cortland. A school (can't remember which state) is banning iPods in the classroom. It seems students were using this to cheat on exams. They were putting notes on them disguised as song lyrics and also loading mathematics formulas, etc. onto them. Then they would put them inside their shirts, run the chord up and put the earbud in place and hide the chord with their shirt collars.

Isn't technology wonderful - let's hope students put as much time and effort into using it for the good as they do in finding ways to use it for other purposes. I am always amazed. Think of the talent involved in hiding notes in song lyrics. What a waste of a student's time and talent. Just thought I would share this latest "use" of technology.

Second Life

Okay, here's another great big - or should I say huge - challenge. I am going to give this Second Life business a try once I get caught up on my homework/blogging/research papers/studying for finals, etc. Okay, so I probably won't get to it anytime soon --- but I promise I am going to try and give it a try the first free moment I have. I actually am excited about this - not so much for myself but more for my son who loves video games. I think he will think this is great - I could be wrong, but I hope not.

Thanks, Ray, for showing us what you have done. I admire you for being able to do what you do with all of this technology. I know that you are not technically a student in our class; but I just wanted to let you know I admire what you do and the expertise you bring to us. Thanks for sharing your time and your knowledge - and thanks for your help with our iMovie. I wish it had worked, but that's not your fault. At least now I know how to add music to my stills if ever I make another iMovie. Just kidding - actually I have some wedding photos from my son's wedding last November that I would love to turn into an iMovie. He just had a birthday on the 23rd and I didn't know what to get for him so I told him I would catch up with him later. Now I think I have a great idea.

Project #3 - iMovie

I can honestly say that working on this project has greatly increased the number of grey hairs that I have - although I try to keep them hidden. I have never been more frustrated by anything, and also never more proud of myself than when I finally had a small light bulb moment and got some of what I was supposed to be doing. Notice I said "small" light bulb moment. I am only too aware how much more I have to learn in order to make this a useful bit of technology for my Shape-Shifting Portfolio; however, just the fact that I have a small portion of it in my portfolio absolutely amazes me. And quite honestly, I think I will be the kind of teacher kids will love because they will feel so bad for me and my ignorance of technology and so incredibly excited about helping me learn and watching my face "light up" when I finally get it. It's going to be great, and I'm going to use it just so my students will feel sorry for me and then happy for me and finally inspired by me.

Why Teachers Quit

If you get Teacher Magazine, check out the article on "Why Teachers Quit". It's very interesting

SCHOLAR'S DAY

I just wanted to say I thought Scholar's Day was something worth attending. I learned a great deal from the "Cyber Bullying" session, and I was also impressed by student's uses of podcasting to make presentations about Health, Elementary Education, etc., during the Poster Presentation on Podcasting.

My problem with Scholar's Day is the fact so many things go on all at one time. Why not make sessions shorter (maybe 30/45 minutes) and make more time slots available for those who wish to attend. I personally would have liked to attend at least four or five other sessions but could not because of conflicts with the ones I chose to attend.

I know that Professor Stearns was disappointed with attendance at some of these sessions, but I can honestly say the one on Cyber Bullying was filled to capacity and there were a great number standing as well.

I think the day needs to be "pumped up" from an advertising point of view. I know I got an e-mail about it, but not really much information unless you went to the site and looked at the schedule. Perhaps they could pass out copies of the schedule (like the one you received if you attended) to students before the day actually arrives and each professor could spend more time talking about Scholar's Day and what it means and why it's important for students to attend.

The bottom line, however, is there will always be students who choose not to attend and who choose to use it as a "day off" form classes. Unfortunately, nothing is going to chance that fact. For those professors who are presenting and feel they have something worthwhile to say which they want their students to hear then I think it's important for them to encourage - and not just encourage but let students know what they are presenting and why it's important for them - students to attend. Beyond that - and better marketing on the part of the college - there's not much that can be done. It's still a matter of choice and the only way to improve attendance in a greater way is to make it mandatory for students to attend at least two sessions. It's an idea.

It's Savannah by a Landslide

I already knew in class who I admired most in our class, but I don't get home until late on Wednesday nights - 9:30 pm - and so I didn't get ready to blog about her until this morning. In keeping with trying to do better in reading other's blogs, I looked at some this morning only to find Savannah's name everywhere as "most admired".

Savannah blogs all the time - she is my hero when it comes to this. I think she reads everyone's blog as well. She is always prepared (or should I go so far as to say she is over-prepared - if there is any such thing) for class. She is dedicated and knowledgeable. She is passionate about teaching - something I would hope we have in common. She is helpful - don't know something? just ask Savannah! If she doesn't know the answer she will point you in the right direction.

So, as my heading says, it looks like Savannah is ahead by a landslide; and lest anyone get upset with me, I know this is not a contest. I am just impressed by how many lives Savannah touches everyday, and I am sure she would be extremely modest and say how she's just like all the rest of us, a college student studying education and trying to do her best.

PBS Online Portal for Teachers

Check out this article. Click on the photograph after you read the short article and it will take you to the PBS Portal. Click on the Reading and Language Arts tab at the left and check out the lesson plans they have for critical thinking, etc. Nice site.

Megan and I taught Kaitlin some of the things in Garage Band - we showed her how she can use the effects to change your voice so that one person can "play" the part of more than one person. She felt this was helpful and gave her the motivation she needed to move on with her next project.

Kaitlin showed us how to make a web page, and she showed me how the use of the templates in this program are similar to those in the inDesign program which I used for my last project. I do not feel as intimidated by this now and feel I could search my way through this and set up my own web page. It is always easier for me to learn something new like this when I have a one-on-one instruction.

Virginia Tech Tragedy

It's hard to get away from the events on the campus of Virginia Tech for even one moment. As I sit watching the news again this evening I have become increasingly aware of one thing in my life - if I am going to teach then I need to be passionate about my commitment to the profession as well as the students I will someday teach. At least three professors lost their lives in the horrible events at Virginia Tech yesterday. One was 76 years old and had taught there for 20 years - that means he started his career at this school at about the same point in his life as I will be in mine when I begin my career.

Hopefully none of us will ever be called upon to give our lives in the course of our teaching profession, but maybe it's a good idea to take stock and ask ourselves if we love what we are doing enough to put our lives on the line. I hope I never face what these professors and these students have faced, but if I do I hope I will be that professor blocking the door so my students can escape out the window to safety. What an enormous love and commitment to the students sitting in your class every single day.

One Day of Blog Silence in Memory of Those Who Died at Virginia Tech

Silence can say more then a thousand words.
On April 30th 2007, the Blogosphere will hold a One-Day Blog Silence in honor towards the victims of Virginia. 33 died at the US college massacre.

Check this out and see if it is something of interest to you. Using technology as a way of expressing our sorrow over loss and of mourning the students killed at Virginia Tech.