As I think back on everything that we have been doing in this mulit-modal literacies class, I think about how I can use all of this as an educator. One of the most impressive and useful things that we did in this class, at least for me, were the wikis. I think this would be a great tool to not only use as an educator, but to set up as a lesson for students. They could post different sources of information on a given topic and go back to edit, or to just look through the links, etc., and learn about another topic that htey did not cover. I looked through the wikis that we did recently, and I was able to get some ideas from a few of them for other classes. It is so nice to have this at our disposal, and I feel it is a great learning opportunity for ourselves and our students.
Another thing that I liked was the autobiography. I still remember the ones that I was able to see, and I had a lot of fun doing it as well. It was nice to be able to open up to those around you and share your life with them. It was also nice to see how we were similar and different in so many aspects of our lives. I think it was a great opportunity to share a little part of us, and it was fun to see what everyone's interests were. I just had a lot of fun with it, and I think it would be a great starting point with my students. They could not only get to know me on a more visual level, but also on a personal level. I also think it could help build a community within the classroom that would really enhance the learning.
I still have to admit that the blog was not my favorite part, but I did fin value with it. It made it so easy to connect with the students in class, no matter where you are. Normally you only get to see each other in classes and bounce ideas off each other then, but here you can talk to them no matter what time it is, even if you are miles away. I think there were some really great entries that really made me think about education, among other things, and I feel that this was a great way to connect people. I had a little trouble sitting down and actually blogging though. Sometimes it would slip my mind, and other times I felt it was a little weird that anyone could read it. But I still found an interesting way to stay connected with people, and I am sure there are many future students that would love to do this.
I also enjoyed reading the literature we were given in class. I actually really enjoyed Little Brother, even though I didn't think I would initially. The technological terms were a little difficult at times, but it was still a great story and it really came through the pages, even though there was some jargon I didn't recognize. I also loved Persepolis, and I would really like to teach it in my classroom someday. I never thought I would ever present a graphic novel to my students, only because I didn't know much about them. I just thought they didn't really have substance to them, and I was definately proven wrong. I didn't care for Naruto, but I would still love to use Persepolis.
I also loved the activities in class, and I am glad that we actually were able to physically do them. A lot of times you are presented with ideas, but you don't get to try them out. The fact that I had a blast with them at age 23 is a good sign. I have no doubt that my students would love to do the activities presented in class, and it's a great way to get the students moving and interacting with each other instead of just listening to a lecture. I think it will help promote cooperative learning, and I think they will appreciate the break from traditional teaching.
I didn't really know what to expect with this class when I first signed up for it. I was not sure what we would be doing in class, and I was not sure what it was all about, but I am not disappointed in the least. Not only did I learn a lot of valuble information to use in the near future, but I actually had a lot of fun doing everything! That is not something I get to experience everyday in all of my classes. And given the current trends with young adults, I feel that what we have done within the classroom, as well as the projects, will really help me incorporate new literacy ideas into my classroom, because without this class, I might not have given certain things much thought.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
A Different Age
While reading Dr. William Kist's New Literacies in Action, I found that there are many things I have not thought of before when it comes to education. Going over Chapter 8, "Final Thoughts: 'My Grandchildren's Time Zone,'" I found it interesting how the teachers and students had conflicting ideas on what the goals were for these new literacies. (pg 127) Are these used to help the students get better jobs in the future, understand their environment in a different, perhaps better way, or to help them tap into emotions in order to better understand the world around them. I thought it was interesting to see how these educators also had trouble assessing the students since this type of teaching and learning is different that traditional text based strategies.
I also found it interesting to see how the students would call these new literacies an "easy A," while others found it more difficult. I do not think this answer is only found with new literacies, but also with traditional ones as well. And when asked why some thought it was difficult, some of the students gave the answer that it was time consuming and made you think deeper about the task given, such as the Edward Scissorhand's movie assignment.
I also was surprised how many teachers had to "let go." This was very interesting to me since I have always thought of teaching as time management, and making your lessons and assignments for particular sets of days, weeks, etc. This thought did scare me a little, since I am a very organized person. (If I am not, I would forget my own name and where I live.) But being able to let go and let the lesson go down a road all its own is a little intimidating for me. I think it would be difficult for me, as an educator, to just be like, "Oh, well this is something I would like to go deeper into, and I am not sure how long it will take for the little lightbulb above my student's head to go off, so I am just going to let it go where it wants to." But I do appreciate how these teachers were able to adapt to the lessons, their students, and even let go of their preconceived notions on how to "teach" in order for their students to get the best possible learning experience out of the lesson being taught.
I also thought that it was interesting to see how students could get "burned out" when it came to new literacies. Especially when it comes to working with technology and the lengthy assignments. I just thought that younger students would be all about computers and using them at every possible moment. I guess that is because my four-year-old neice has her own computer and can work it all by herself already. I was obviously not working on a computer at that age, so I just assumed many students would be glued to the screen. It was interesting to see how these students also wanted "traditional" work, such as sitting at a desk without a computer!
I thought this was an interesting chapter that made me re-evaluate what I had thought once before. All this technology is a little intimidating to me at times, but I am open to learning new things and incorporating them into my classroom. And I also feel that the new literacies are going to gain momentum as the years go on. I mean, just look at my neice. She will be able to do more with computers in a few years than any of us could probably think of. And she probably won't even be in the double digits yet.
I also found it interesting to see how the students would call these new literacies an "easy A," while others found it more difficult. I do not think this answer is only found with new literacies, but also with traditional ones as well. And when asked why some thought it was difficult, some of the students gave the answer that it was time consuming and made you think deeper about the task given, such as the Edward Scissorhand's movie assignment.
I also was surprised how many teachers had to "let go." This was very interesting to me since I have always thought of teaching as time management, and making your lessons and assignments for particular sets of days, weeks, etc. This thought did scare me a little, since I am a very organized person. (If I am not, I would forget my own name and where I live.) But being able to let go and let the lesson go down a road all its own is a little intimidating for me. I think it would be difficult for me, as an educator, to just be like, "Oh, well this is something I would like to go deeper into, and I am not sure how long it will take for the little lightbulb above my student's head to go off, so I am just going to let it go where it wants to." But I do appreciate how these teachers were able to adapt to the lessons, their students, and even let go of their preconceived notions on how to "teach" in order for their students to get the best possible learning experience out of the lesson being taught.
I also thought that it was interesting to see how students could get "burned out" when it came to new literacies. Especially when it comes to working with technology and the lengthy assignments. I just thought that younger students would be all about computers and using them at every possible moment. I guess that is because my four-year-old neice has her own computer and can work it all by herself already. I was obviously not working on a computer at that age, so I just assumed many students would be glued to the screen. It was interesting to see how these students also wanted "traditional" work, such as sitting at a desk without a computer!
I thought this was an interesting chapter that made me re-evaluate what I had thought once before. All this technology is a little intimidating to me at times, but I am open to learning new things and incorporating them into my classroom. And I also feel that the new literacies are going to gain momentum as the years go on. I mean, just look at my neice. She will be able to do more with computers in a few years than any of us could probably think of. And she probably won't even be in the double digits yet.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Naruto, Persepolis and Simulation Games
I just finished reading Naruto and Perspolis several days ago, and I must say that I enjoyed the novels more than I thought I would. I realize that many people did not like Naruto, or at least the few people I talked to, and I have to say that in a way I agree. I just could not get into the novel itself, yet I found that the visual designs were captivating. I do understand how it could get a little busy and confusing at times, but I feel as though there is some great artistry in that novel that could help struggling students. I also liked how the characters reactions to what was happening in the novel was evident in their face and body, unlike Persepolis. Then again, I absolutely LOVED Persepolis.
The drawings were rather different in that graphic novel, and it almost reminded me of something you would see on an Egyptian temple. Or maybe I am stretching that a little bit, but I still felt that the visual design went with the story itself. The use of just black and white was very vivid, and I liked how it was a little more organized than Naruto.
I would definately teach Persepolis in the classroom, and I think that my students would really enjoy the story, the graphics, and the concepts within the book. I think it would give them a mush needed break from traditional texts. I love the traditional texts, but lets face it, times are changing and we need to as well. It is not going to slow down or stop, it is just going to keep changing and moving. I don't want to be the teacher that knows nothing about her student's lives, and I think keeping an open mind to everything that is out there can help me find creative and useful multi modal literacies to help my students get the best education I can give them.
Which brings me to another point. I just signed up with Twitter. I keep hearing about how great it is, yet I don't personally know too many people that use it. In fact I didn't really know what it was all about until I went to the website to check it out. Well, I signed up for it. It is not much fun since I don't have any followers and I am not follwing anyone yet, but I am not sure I will ever be able to get into it. It is all about status updates! Yes, I care about what my friends are doing, but I don't need to be reminded fifty thousand times a day about EVERYTHING they are doing. But I am still going to give it a try and see what happens. You never know, I might become addicted to that as well as everything else. Just another thing to keep me occupied and away from school work. lol
And finally I loved the simulation games we played in class today. I have plyed them before in come of my other classes here at Kent State, but I can't remember doing many when I was in high school. I think this would be an excellent way to break up the class time and give students a chance to switch gears and get rejuvenated. If you are sitting there all day long in every class listening to lectures, it gets boring. Then kids become restless, which can lead to things getting out of hand and them not learning anything. I think these activites would not only be a great learning experience, but it would just be fun too. I had a lot of fun playing the games and I am 23 years old. If I can enjoy it I think someone in high school can as well.
Well I am going to go Twitter now. I am not sure if I will be doing it for much longer, but I am going to at least give it a try.
The drawings were rather different in that graphic novel, and it almost reminded me of something you would see on an Egyptian temple. Or maybe I am stretching that a little bit, but I still felt that the visual design went with the story itself. The use of just black and white was very vivid, and I liked how it was a little more organized than Naruto.
I would definately teach Persepolis in the classroom, and I think that my students would really enjoy the story, the graphics, and the concepts within the book. I think it would give them a mush needed break from traditional texts. I love the traditional texts, but lets face it, times are changing and we need to as well. It is not going to slow down or stop, it is just going to keep changing and moving. I don't want to be the teacher that knows nothing about her student's lives, and I think keeping an open mind to everything that is out there can help me find creative and useful multi modal literacies to help my students get the best education I can give them.
Which brings me to another point. I just signed up with Twitter. I keep hearing about how great it is, yet I don't personally know too many people that use it. In fact I didn't really know what it was all about until I went to the website to check it out. Well, I signed up for it. It is not much fun since I don't have any followers and I am not follwing anyone yet, but I am not sure I will ever be able to get into it. It is all about status updates! Yes, I care about what my friends are doing, but I don't need to be reminded fifty thousand times a day about EVERYTHING they are doing. But I am still going to give it a try and see what happens. You never know, I might become addicted to that as well as everything else. Just another thing to keep me occupied and away from school work. lol
And finally I loved the simulation games we played in class today. I have plyed them before in come of my other classes here at Kent State, but I can't remember doing many when I was in high school. I think this would be an excellent way to break up the class time and give students a chance to switch gears and get rejuvenated. If you are sitting there all day long in every class listening to lectures, it gets boring. Then kids become restless, which can lead to things getting out of hand and them not learning anything. I think these activites would not only be a great learning experience, but it would just be fun too. I had a lot of fun playing the games and I am 23 years old. If I can enjoy it I think someone in high school can as well.
Well I am going to go Twitter now. I am not sure if I will be doing it for much longer, but I am going to at least give it a try.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Second Life and Wireless Novels
The other day in class, I was exposed to Second Life for the first time ever. Now perhaps I am old-fashioned, or maybe just not technologically that savy, but I found it a little creepy. I think it also has something to do with a little research I did on avatars and the whole experience of it all for a communication class. Some of the research is a little disturbing and I just feel as though chatting to people that you have no clue about, such as where they are from, who they are, if they are really what they say they are, all of that is just a little... creepy. I apologize if I upset some of you out there, but that is just my opinion. Nonetheless, it was interesting! I am not sure if I would ever become a fan of using this since I just feel that my time is better spent reading, doing homework, or my new favorite thing to do in my spare time-- dream about owning the Kindle 2 with a massive library collection of 250,000 books. (I am so weird, right?) But I don't really know how I would incorporate that into the classroom, or even if I would feel ok doing that.
As for the cell phone novels in I (heart) novels, I had never once heard of that before in my life! Just thinking about texting over 300 pages of a novel over you cell phone makes my fingers hurt just thinking about it! Granted, it was over a period of time, it is still mind blowing. I also did not know how important those cell phones really were to the people of Japan, nor was I aware of how important it is for so many of them to remain unknown authors. I could not believe how it sparked a war between the readers of these novels, (which apparently were many since most of the best seller list comprised of these novels) and also between the men and women that were on the side of "traditional" literature. Then again, I guess it is the same thing with this huge Twilight craze, just more anonymous and more at stake.
And speaking of Twilight, I have yet to read a single book! I am not sure if I will actually enjoy them, but I remember my students going nuts over them last semester, and I really want to know what is so great about them. I refuse to see the movie until I read the book, so I better get on that since they are making another one. I think. lol I really need to keep up with all this stuff. But I think that would make an excellent edition to my crazy-expensive-cool-wish-I-had-it Kindle! Anyone want to help a poor college student by buying me the Kindle so I can expose my students to so many (250,000) novels that could enhance their life on so many different levels? Any takers? Please?
As for the cell phone novels in I (heart) novels, I had never once heard of that before in my life! Just thinking about texting over 300 pages of a novel over you cell phone makes my fingers hurt just thinking about it! Granted, it was over a period of time, it is still mind blowing. I also did not know how important those cell phones really were to the people of Japan, nor was I aware of how important it is for so many of them to remain unknown authors. I could not believe how it sparked a war between the readers of these novels, (which apparently were many since most of the best seller list comprised of these novels) and also between the men and women that were on the side of "traditional" literature. Then again, I guess it is the same thing with this huge Twilight craze, just more anonymous and more at stake.
And speaking of Twilight, I have yet to read a single book! I am not sure if I will actually enjoy them, but I remember my students going nuts over them last semester, and I really want to know what is so great about them. I refuse to see the movie until I read the book, so I better get on that since they are making another one. I think. lol I really need to keep up with all this stuff. But I think that would make an excellent edition to my crazy-expensive-cool-wish-I-had-it Kindle! Anyone want to help a poor college student by buying me the Kindle so I can expose my students to so many (250,000) novels that could enhance their life on so many different levels? Any takers? Please?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Film Theories and Such...
As I was reading Great Films and How to Teach Them, I came across a chapter dedicated to film theories. Now prehaps it is because I have not been exposed to many film classes, even though I have some friends majoring in this field, but I had no idea there were theories involved. This may sound a little naive, or perhaps just plain stupid, but when I watch a movie, I just watch it. I do not think about a feminist approach, structuralism, realism, etc. when it comes to movies. As we were doing shot-by-shot analysis of the Lost episode, I realized how much fun it can actually be to analyze a film. I never before thought about all the work it goes into shot within a movie, or how it actually can be used as foreshadowing. This is one way we can teach our students foreshadowing within literature.
As we were watching Lost, my group had to analyze the movement of the camera. As I was paying close attention to detail (for the first time) I realized how it lead up to each significant moment. The urgency of the character running through the forest, the slow movement to the left as you finally see piece by piece as to why they are on this beach, to the shacking of the camera that captures the chaos. This is not all, there is also the music, the sounds of the people and what it around them, this can all lend itself to a wonderful lesson plan.
I have always enjoyed watching movies in class, but we never picked apart a movie before. I always told myself that I would maybe show one movie per year, since we watched it in class and didn't really discuss much afterward. Now that we have been looking at film, I have discovered that it is an excellent was to teach literature. Obviously you cannot just show films and that's it, but it is not a "lazy" thing to do when you run out of options. It can be a great learning experience if you delve into the material and connect it with the concept you are trying to teach, or if you connect it with the literature you are reading.
And the Cleveland Film Fest is coming up. Yay! I am actually really excited to go. I was a little uneasy about the driving part, only because I am not very good at it and I tend to get hopelessly lost while almost hitting every other large object. I have decided to take a date (good for me. haha) and have him do the navigating. Hopefully we will like it. Actually, I just hope it's a good date! lol
As we were watching Lost, my group had to analyze the movement of the camera. As I was paying close attention to detail (for the first time) I realized how it lead up to each significant moment. The urgency of the character running through the forest, the slow movement to the left as you finally see piece by piece as to why they are on this beach, to the shacking of the camera that captures the chaos. This is not all, there is also the music, the sounds of the people and what it around them, this can all lend itself to a wonderful lesson plan.
I have always enjoyed watching movies in class, but we never picked apart a movie before. I always told myself that I would maybe show one movie per year, since we watched it in class and didn't really discuss much afterward. Now that we have been looking at film, I have discovered that it is an excellent was to teach literature. Obviously you cannot just show films and that's it, but it is not a "lazy" thing to do when you run out of options. It can be a great learning experience if you delve into the material and connect it with the concept you are trying to teach, or if you connect it with the literature you are reading.
And the Cleveland Film Fest is coming up. Yay! I am actually really excited to go. I was a little uneasy about the driving part, only because I am not very good at it and I tend to get hopelessly lost while almost hitting every other large object. I have decided to take a date (good for me. haha) and have him do the navigating. Hopefully we will like it. Actually, I just hope it's a good date! lol
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wiki What?
When I found out that we were going to be working on wiki's, I started to panic. I have NEVER head of them before, but after we started to go over what they were all about, I got really excited. I think this is a great tool to have as a teacher. If you ever get stuck and can't seem to come up with a really great idea, you could go to the wiki and find ample amounts of lesson plans and ideas. I am actually really excited to be doing this, so I have been thinking about what I can do for my book.
I was also really excited to get Macbeth. I have read it dozens of times and I have always loves Shakespeare. I just have to read over it once again to get the feel of the play once more, and then I should be good to go!
As for the Cleveland Film Fesitval, I am so excited! I love movies but I never seem to be able to get out and see them. I think the money issue is also a problem, but I am really excited to make a day out of the festivities. Maybe even some shopping? lol I just hope I don't get lost in Cleveland. Every single time I go there, which is not often, I almost hit a bus. So wish me luck since I am going to need it. I still have not decided which movie I am going to see, but I will decide that very soon and hopefully buy tickets online.
I was also really excited to get Macbeth. I have read it dozens of times and I have always loves Shakespeare. I just have to read over it once again to get the feel of the play once more, and then I should be good to go!
As for the Cleveland Film Fesitval, I am so excited! I love movies but I never seem to be able to get out and see them. I think the money issue is also a problem, but I am really excited to make a day out of the festivities. Maybe even some shopping? lol I just hope I don't get lost in Cleveland. Every single time I go there, which is not often, I almost hit a bus. So wish me luck since I am going to need it. I still have not decided which movie I am going to see, but I will decide that very soon and hopefully buy tickets online.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Autobiography
Last week when I was sitting at my table watching everyone go over their presentations, I couldn't help but flashback to my younger days. Not much younger, but younger none-the-less. I was able to see how much our media plays a part in our lives. So many of us watched the same things, listened to the same music, and found the same things interesting. I also could not believe that I was not the only one that was influenced by media that came before my time. It was a lot of fun to see what influenced people while growing up, and I found a lot od similarities even though we are quite individual now.
I also went home this weekend and looked through a lot of things from my childhood. I reread a lot of the books that I read as a child. I also came home to discover that my roommate's dog ate my teddy bear, Mickey, while I was gone! I thought it was a little ironic how I went home and was reminiscing over all the great things that I did as a child while my favorite thing in the world, (or at least close to my favorite thing) was getting destroyed in Kent. He is a little battered, and he now has no nose, but I think it is fixable. He was not able to digest the plastic nose, which is very surprising since he eats rocks and socks everyday, so I am going to try to fix it. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. I can't sew it, so if there is any type of glue you can think of let me know. I feel a little better since I told them my dead grandmother got the bear for me, and she wasn't coming back to buy me another one. I realize it was a little overdramatic, but they should not have let their satanic dog loose in my bedroom while I was gone.
Now that I have completely gone off topic, I want to say that I have been reading Sherman Alexie's poetry. I have also realized that I read him often, and I don't read much else. I have decided to get some Jack Kerouac texts as well as some other beat poet's work. Reading them in U.S. Lit got my attention, but I feel as though I need more of it. I just don't think this class is doing many of the texts justice.
Now I am going to go dye my hair. Seeing all the hair commercials has made me realize that my roots are in fact showing, and I look terrible. Till next time!
I also went home this weekend and looked through a lot of things from my childhood. I reread a lot of the books that I read as a child. I also came home to discover that my roommate's dog ate my teddy bear, Mickey, while I was gone! I thought it was a little ironic how I went home and was reminiscing over all the great things that I did as a child while my favorite thing in the world, (or at least close to my favorite thing) was getting destroyed in Kent. He is a little battered, and he now has no nose, but I think it is fixable. He was not able to digest the plastic nose, which is very surprising since he eats rocks and socks everyday, so I am going to try to fix it. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. I can't sew it, so if there is any type of glue you can think of let me know. I feel a little better since I told them my dead grandmother got the bear for me, and she wasn't coming back to buy me another one. I realize it was a little overdramatic, but they should not have let their satanic dog loose in my bedroom while I was gone.
Now that I have completely gone off topic, I want to say that I have been reading Sherman Alexie's poetry. I have also realized that I read him often, and I don't read much else. I have decided to get some Jack Kerouac texts as well as some other beat poet's work. Reading them in U.S. Lit got my attention, but I feel as though I need more of it. I just don't think this class is doing many of the texts justice.
Now I am going to go dye my hair. Seeing all the hair commercials has made me realize that my roots are in fact showing, and I look terrible. Till next time!
Monday, February 9, 2009
My First Blog!
So this is my first blog that I have ever written, and I must say that I am a little wary about it. I have never been a fan of putting information about myself out there on the open internet, but I am willing to give it a try. Well, really I have to. But since I have never done it before, I have decided to keep an open mind about blogging and see what happens. Maybe I will get helpful comments about questions, or maybe I can help someone else. Perhaps I will fall in love with blogging and let it consume many hours of my day. (Hopefully not too many.) Either way, it should be interesting.
There really is not much that I would like to say at this point that is really relevant or interesting. I am still a little shocked that I have a blog and that people can actually read what I put up. I guess I am a little nervous and intimidated. But I will say a funny thing that happened to me today. I just received a book from my mother when I got back from class today. I could tell by the package and the fact that it came from Amazon. I was so excited to see what novel it could be that I grabbed it from the front steps, bolted into the house while dropping all my belongings on the floor so that my roommate's terror-of-a-dog could chew on my homework, just so I could unwrap my treasure. And do you know what she sent me? Love in 90 Days. Can you believe that?!?! I am not even 23 years old and my mother is consumed with fear that I will never marry, let alone find someone worth my time. Talk about pressure. I realize that she tells me that college is the only place where I will be surrounded by men, and I always got a laugh when she told me to "hang out with the doctors and lawyers," (as if they all hung out together drinking coffee) but I never thought she would go so low as to get me a self help book. Now that I look pathetic because everyone must think I need serious help in the dating department, I am going to end this blog. I just hope I can post this and get it over with before I become really embarrassed for writing it. But seriously, a self help book? Really?!?!
There really is not much that I would like to say at this point that is really relevant or interesting. I am still a little shocked that I have a blog and that people can actually read what I put up. I guess I am a little nervous and intimidated. But I will say a funny thing that happened to me today. I just received a book from my mother when I got back from class today. I could tell by the package and the fact that it came from Amazon. I was so excited to see what novel it could be that I grabbed it from the front steps, bolted into the house while dropping all my belongings on the floor so that my roommate's terror-of-a-dog could chew on my homework, just so I could unwrap my treasure. And do you know what she sent me? Love in 90 Days. Can you believe that?!?! I am not even 23 years old and my mother is consumed with fear that I will never marry, let alone find someone worth my time. Talk about pressure. I realize that she tells me that college is the only place where I will be surrounded by men, and I always got a laugh when she told me to "hang out with the doctors and lawyers," (as if they all hung out together drinking coffee) but I never thought she would go so low as to get me a self help book. Now that I look pathetic because everyone must think I need serious help in the dating department, I am going to end this blog. I just hope I can post this and get it over with before I become really embarrassed for writing it. But seriously, a self help book? Really?!?!
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