So Excited

I don't what it was about the article "The Unfolding Drama" but it made me ridiculously excited to use almost all of theirs ideas.  This was thoroughly shocking to me as I was not a fan of drama in high school. I guess I just didn't see the value in it; my teachers never really took the time to use it and if they did it was more of a reward, as opposed to something of substance.  Once the article got into ideas and ways to utilize drama in ways that did not include skits I found everything so amazing.  My absolute favorite has to be about the dreams though! I seriously never would have thought of using that, but it would be so valuable, especially using the text examples they provided.  It would really make students looking into the inner workings of complex characters. I just found everything in this so unbelievably amazing. I could go on, but I won't.  I'll just wait until I get to use it in an actual classroom.

20 Shot Short Story

I'll be the first to admit I wasn't exactly thrilled to be making a film.  I am not good with a camera and putting the movies into order on the computer falls way outside of my comfort zone. Once we got the process rolling though it was really enjoyable.  Beyond being a fun process, making the film forced us to synthesize our thoughts and create a coherent story line.  By analyzing the shots we wanted to use, it caused greater comprehension of the story in general, along with the emerging themes we wanted to portray.  I think this would be a project that I would like to use in my own classroom one day.  Limiting the number of shots would really enhance students summarizing skills; in addition, by working with groups it enhances communication and group dynamic knowledge.

Get Them Interested

This weeks reading in Multimodal Composing in Classrooms really backed up everything that we have been discussing about student involvement and interest.  The example showcased two students who took the initiative to partake in a multimodal project.  The fact that the two students specifically asked to do this type of project exemplifies how important these types projects are to students.  They tend to spark a genuine interest in otherwise bored students.  I know when I was in high school I was typically intimidated by projects that were based in film, but once we got started it was thoroughly enjoyable and forced me to think outside the box.  As a teacher I want my students to enjoy what we are doing while learning new things; multimodal experiences provide a perfect scenario for that to occur.

Observing

During Spring break I had the opportunity to observe a teacher that I had the privilege of having during my own high school career.  In fact she was one of the main reasons that I decided to go into education.  She is just one of those teachers that truly inspires those around her and pushes you to do better than ever thought possible.  My high school recently instated a policy that allows students to have their cell phones out during class in order to look things up that are pertinent to the class.  This was rarely the case.  Some of the students were extremely disrespectful and would blatantly text during class discussion or lecture; this really bothered me.  I asked the teacher that I observed along with another member of the English department what they thought of the new rule and they both disliked it.  They have observed that especially in the lower preforming classes that the students when they don't understand something they resort to playing on their phone instead of actively trying to learn.  In lowest the level of the classes I observed she had made her own rule going against the administrations policy and forcing students to put their phones away.  This is an instance where technology in the classroom is harmful is disruptive.

Just Say No

This weeks readings from Kist sparked some hesitation inside of me.  I have really been warming up to the idea of technology in the classroom lately, but this article had an idea that I 110% do not agree with. The topic was bringing Facebook into the classroom as a means of communication between group members and the class as a whole. I do not think Facebook is appropriate in a high school classroom, ever.  The safety precautions are great and that isn't why I find the idea inappropriate.  I personally feel that Facebook is too social and would leave students distracted in the classroom.  Most high school kids could not handle the responsibility; moreover I think it is strange that it would have the student and their teacher connecting over a social media site.  I do not think it is okay for teachers to view their students' profiles because it creates an awkward situation if the teacher were to view something that made them see the student in a new, unflattering light.  I try to avoid saying I will never do something, but I think it is safe to safe I will never bring Facebook into my classroom.

Something Old, Something New

This weeks readings about video production in the language arts classroom was a bit outdated, but very useful.  I found myself chuckling when the suggested doing a how to video on programming a VCR, but some of the other ideas and suggestions were really worth while.  I found in reading through it that they strongly recommend steps in the planning process; such steps included writing a script, a detailed story board, and a statement of purpose.  These are all aspects that would be found in any typical English class and by adding the step of producing the film we will  be engaging our students on a whole new level.  In addition to showing how it ties to a traditional classroom I found that the article provided various steps that could be used as means for assessment before the final turn in.  These assessments could check student progress and ensure that they are using time effectively.  One of the things that could be used for assessment is the writing of an objective.  It reaffirms their understanding of a text and makes them plan ahead; this prevents students from throwing together a lack luster film the day before it is due!  

Thanks Bud!

Wilber, the author of last week’s readings, provided a list of valuable blogs and wikis to check out.  The one I chose to explore was Bud the Teacher's Wiki.  On Bud's wiki he had a list of links going off in all different directions.  For instance, he has one that has instructions for creating an acceptable blog use policy.  Not only does he list things that he thinks belong on the list, but also summons the help of other teachers.  He solicits answers to his questions and is open to suggestions.  I think as teachers we must work with one another and collaborate to become better at our jobs, not only in the school but on the internet as well.  Also with this collaboration, as a future teacher I find it reassuring that I am able to find samples of policies I might need to make.  In addition to policies I think with the internet being readily available it will be easier to find rubrics for projects or even ideas for incorporating various things into the classroom.  Bud's wiki had many other links as well that I'm sure would lead to many more ideas!

Communication Skills

In my special education class we spent Friday talking about the collaboration that goes on between teachers working in a school.  We spent the last portion of class doing an exercise.  In the exercise we had groups of around eight people and had to hold hands in order to create a human knot.  I found online instructions that explain it all little better here. But anyway, I quickly discovered how difficult it is when someone either tries to completely take over or no one steps up.  This not only relates to working with other teachers, but the classroom in general.  If no student is willing to participate a discussion may fall flat or turn into a strictly lecture class, which honestly is not engaging for high school classrooms.  We have to try and find a balance for getting students to orally express themselves and demonstrate their knowledge and them listening to a lecture.  In addition, I think the exercise could be beneficial to do in the classroom to get students to work together and utilize effective communication skills.

Reassurance

If you've ever read my blogs or spoken to me in person you know that I am weary of the whole technology in the classroom thing, but I'm working my way to being comfortable with the idea...This weeks reading from D2L, chapter 3 specifically, started off with some additional reassurance.  The author began by stating that "first and foremost, any teacher must have a reason for using technology." This just solidifies what I think.  I know I probably sound like a broken record (sometimes I feel like one), but this concept that is crucial! I truly feel that too many teachers, especially those in the middle of their careers, don't really know how to use technology and have it serve a purpose. The author also mentions having a philosophy for technology integration.  I think if we slowly work to bring more technology into the classroom and devise a plan for how  and when to bring in more, everything with go much more smoothly.  Just like everything else in life, its going to take some practice and fiddling with, but I am gaining confidence that I can bring technology into my future class.   Hopefully I will be gaining countless more ideas for activities to do in my classes.

O' Captain, My Captain

I recently spoke with one of my professors about introducing multimedia into the classrooms and some of my doubts and fears regarding the subject.  It’s no secret that I don’t like the idea of bringing in technology just for the sake of being a “cool” teacher or to show that I am able to utilize it.  I generally had a more traditional style of teaching in high school (lecture style classrooms, essays, etc.); teachers did not deviate from the norm very often.  This style is what I am comfortable with, but I am learning that I am going to have to go outside of my comfort zone if I want to be successful.  This professor brought up the movie “The Dead Poet Society” and asked what I thought about Robin William’s teaching style throughout the movie.  Obviously I love the way he was able to forge such an amazing bond with his students and inspire them to think outside the box.  He then brought up the scene in the courtyard where he discusses conformity and uses an abstract way to show the way society works.  This in itself is using a different “media” to convey a point.  Brilliance, pure brilliance.  By getting the students out and moving it opens a plethora of opportunities it allows for personal growth and exploration.  Although technology wasn't utilized, he got his students to break the mold and use creativity to convey a message.  By giving his students permission to break norms they respected and trusted him; it was a relationship worthy of envy.

Opening Up

Before I began to read the article “The Book Report, Version 2.0” on podcasting a report I was rather skeptical.  The loss of the traditional book report scared me.  Throughout my educational career I've had some pretty amazing teachers who taught me to completely adore strong sentence structure and correct usage of punctuation.  I think that is what caused me to be leaning away from the spoken book report, but in reading the article I opened my eyes to the other possible aspects of literature that are more strongly highlighted through this medium.  By having the students work in groups, collaboration is essential; this allows students to bounce ideas off of one another.  This transference of ideas may bring struggling students to a more concrete understanding of the story.  It will allow them to open up and begin a discussion of the literature.  In addition to heightened comprehension, this gives students a chance to express creativity while demonstrating their knowledge.  Another really cool aspect I never thought of is introducing music into the mix to set the mood of the novel; this could never be done in a written report.  By choosing appropriate music the students show that they not only understood the mood for the book, but can transfer it to another topic, which is crucial in interpreting literature.

A Look Back..

Writing for Non- Print Media has really made me think back to my high school days and examine what I did in high school and I’d like to share some of my thoughts on that… I always had highly structured classrooms that focused on grammar and sentence structure; I loved these classes, but I did not find myself challenged to show any type of creativity what-so-ever. I was perfectly okay with that, in fact I loved it.  I have never been good at arts and crafts or creating a project that was outside the norm; essays were where I excelled.  Until my senior year, I scheduled to have a few English electives that forced me to think outside the box.  The major assignment for one of them was to journal throughout the semester; generally three were due at the end of each week.  The only issue with the journal was that it could not be just written in paragraph form.  The goal was to create art with our words and thoughts. At the time I hated it, looking back though I am really thankful for it.  Even though my drawing never turned out quite as planned I managed to get my point across.  It forced me out of my comfort zone and I now understand that my teacher was asking us to respond in a multimodal format, he just never put a name to it.  I think that type of learning is crucial in developing a well-rounded student and wish that I would have exposed myself to it earlier in my educational career.     

How I Want It To Work

In reading the text by Kajder, Chapter 3, I found several aspects that I really enjoyed and solidified my feelings.  In the sections that began to cite examples of teachers utilizing digital literacies I connected with the first two rather strongly.  In the first example, Liz, they discussed how as a new teacher she at a school with not much access to digital tools it was hard for her to employ them in the classroom, until she sought out her own means of digital tools.  I often wonder how I will incorporate these tools into a classroom within a school that might not provide an abundance of technologies.  I enjoyed how it presented a multitude of options and showed that it is possible to bring things into the classroom.  The one aspect I especially enjoyed involved the collaboration project with the varying age ranges and geographic locations; I adore this idea.  It makes students realize that there is a world beyond their home town and gets them communicating with the outside world.  I am jealous I never had the opportunity to partake in something like this in high or middle school.  The second example of Brice I really liked his stance on technology.  As anyone who gets to know me learns, I am not a proponent of using technology just for the sake of using it.  I found it refreshing that Brice really took a look at what the students would gain from the technology and focused his lesson around that.  Also he talked about using a product efficiently, not just to create “a huge, splashy end product.” Both of these examples really exemplify how I would like to incorporate digital literacies into my own classroom.   

When Does It Become Too Much?

While browsing the internet for articles that go along with our theme I found on that is particularly pertinent to our class. It discusses what it takes to be a teacher that integrates technology successfully.  One of the areas I agreed most readily with is that a teacher who uses technology doesn't do it just for the sake of using technology.  Just as all other things in a classroom a teacher should have a rationale behind a particular piece of technology they plan on using.  They must ask what the students will gain from it or what process the technology will be making easier.  It is so refreshing to find a resource that advocates this.  I found in high school that teachers would use the available technology simply because it was there or they thought they impressed the students by using it. They didn't impress anyone.  I one hundred percent believe that technology should be introduced sparingly at first into a classroom.  It can be overwhelming if too much comes in at one time. Then once it is in place, when does it become too much?  I can’t be the only one who thinks that some aspects of a traditional classroom need to remain the same and an abundance of technology might jeopardize this.  Just a personal opinion there though.  I could be biased simply because I haven't had a classroom full of technology and what we did have wasn't super impressive. 

http://edudemic.com/2013/02/effective-teachers-who-use-technology/

A Little Inspiration

As this class began I was unsure of what to expect.  The thought of dealing with technology typically has me running for the hills; I could definitely be defined as a hand-waver.  Hopefully that will change and a particular quote from Kajder has opened my eyes.  In chapter 2 she starts with the discussion of a student who clearly utilizes all aspects of available technology.  Through this introduction she states that “we aren't ‘digital natives’ versus ‘digital immigrants.’ We are all learners in a literacy landscape that is unfamiliar but packed with new possibilities.”  Wow.  I had never thought of using technology like this.  In the past I thought of technological prowess as a competition; one in which each man or woman was only looking out for themselves, and the more inclined users looked down upon those below them.  What I am slowly coming to realize is that there will always be new technology and everyone has to learn and adapt to it.  Just as with any new topic, learners gain confidence and knowledge and confidence at separate rates, but each of those learner maintain the right to discover what they can accomplish.  Technology should be exciting to students, it has the capability to open so many doors and create things never before thought possible.  If this philosophy would have been applied in my high school technology classrooms I can’t even fathom how much more comfortable I would feel with technology.  I wouldn't be so afraid that I was going to break any piece of technology I touched.       

Hello Non-Print Media!

My name is Victoria Wise, but I go by Tori.  I am a Secondary English Education Major and cannot wait until I have the opportunity to run my own classroom.  Throughout my educational years I have had a wide variety of teachers, some beyond inspiration and some that just needed to retire. Though I may not have enjoyed dealing with them, they all had an influence on my decision to enter this field.  As  excited as I am, I am full a apprehensions and completely terrified that I'll screw up; I desperately do not want to be the teacher everyone remembers for a negative reason.  Another one of my slightly irrational fears just happens to be blogging.  I find it insanely personal and that is something that has always scared me a little; in addition, I'm not really sure of how to even write a blog.  Hopefully with time I'll gain some insight and through this class I hope to gain some technological skills. I look forward to getting to know you all!