Richard Miller- This is how we dream
On December 28th, 2008, Richard Miller, from the dept of English at Rutger's University, gave a presentation entitled "The way we teach now" to the Modern Language Association. Our assignment for Blog post # 8 was to view This is how we dream parts 1 and 2 which was a piece of his presentation. His was not the greatest lecture we've heard in EDM and I'm glad that most of our blog assignments start with "write YOUR reaction". First things first, I felt a slight sting with his opening remarks, particularly the statement "this is the time to be engaged in the work of literacy, it has never been a more important moment for this profession or for people who take reading and writing seriously." This idea for me pertains to older students who write and study as he even addressed that he wanted to discuss how literacy has changed in the universities as well as the culture. There is no way in the world I would replace pencils as the fundamental tool for writing success in my elementary classroom. Will I add greater, more sophisticated tools for success such as the SmartBoard, iPads, and computers? Absolutely!!!! But saying to replace the pencil is going a little too far for me. There is no doubt in my mind that technology is booming especially in the education field but, there are some things that need be left alone. I don't think I'm all alone with that opinion. I do appreciate all of the technology advancements that are available as I think they're very beneficial for our growth as educators.
He moves on to the fact that most text books are becoming ebooks. You can now go online to any library; local, collegiate, foreign and look at most books. How fascinating is that? I did a paper in my British lit class a few years back and I actually received feedback from a library in Wales, UK. I thought it would be a neat idea to find a library website, use their email tool and ask questions. Turns out they really do have a better understanding of british lit than we do but, hey.....we know all about Justin Bieber ok!?!?!?! cricket...cricket...still with me?
In part two of the video he discusses the power of YouTube. Every second a video is uploaded on YouTube and fortunately for students, current and future educators it doesn't take rocket science to upload a video lesson, a video presentation, etc. Richard Miller speaks the truth when he says that if this lecture were something he wrote down, it would take some time for the writings to be published, delaying someone's advantage of the lecture. Most of the things we've had the pleasure of watching for EDM 310 has come from YouTube uploads...can you imagine the knowledge we would've missed if it hadn't been for this site?
Carly Pugh-- Creativity is talent that some people have and others do not
My word. I have interacted with Carly on several occasions in the lab. She's always struck me as a super smart gal and leads with example in her Blog Post # 12. Dr. Strange asks us to evaluate how we think she comes close to Dr. Miller's hopes for writing with multi-media. I watched Dr. Miller's video 4 times..that's 1,2,3,4....@ around 12 minutes for both videos and each time the WONK..WONK..WONK..of Charlie Brown's teacher got louder and louder. While I understand his hope for the future of writing with multimedia, as I said previously, it wasn't a great lecture. If Carly's creativeness breaks down what the video was supposed to be getting at then she's got a bright future ahead of her.
The Chipper Series and EDM for Dummies
Haaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaa LOL, I'm sorry, how is one supposed to write according to the requirements in Writing a Quality Blog after watching The Chipper Series and EDM 310 for Dummies? I laughed out loud so much during the videos. I can imagine most of us have experienced every scenario once or twice during EDM but, I can vouch that I have because this course during the summer...ain't no joke! sometimes you just have to use bad grammar. HA HA Don't get me wrong, this course is so much fun and I love learning about how technology is thriving within all educational fields but, it can be strenuous at times and I am crazy guilty of being a procrastinator such as Chipper. Although, I am NOT 100% reformed with my time management skills, I think I've truly shaped up and I always, always, always get my work completed on time. But, seriously.....can we get the book published?
I think if I had to help create or have the option to participate in creating a video, it would be something about wikispace. I recently did a project in my EPY class and I involved the use of wiki space in a project for my make believe 5th graders. I loved learning how to use the site and also what benefits it had to offer students such as reducing project time because of the improved communications and it's paperless and that's one step closer to being the best teacher you can be in the 21st century classroom!!
Learn to change, change to learn
This video fundamentally attacks the old school way of teaching but, it's actually a really great video. I am learning to keep my eyes open and embrace technology within the classroom. The more time and effort (and sobbing breakdowns because I'm exhausted) I apply to EDM 310, the more I benefit from it. I'm not just benefitting because I'm learning how to do random things on a computer but, benefitting in a way that I've not yet begun to expose and that is my ability to teach. I know that when my dream comes true and I am standing in my very own classroom, with my very own students, I will provide them a better way of learning because of technology. I'm learning to change (not transform), and changing to learn. I got chills when Stephen Hepell said, "it is the death of education, and the dawn of learning." Awesome!!!
SCAVENGER HUNT!!!
Comic Strip
Video Tool
Animoto: It supplies many useful tools for creating video presentations for the classroom. While you're 100% focused on the content of the video you're creating Animoto automatically creates a customized selection of music, video clips, and photos. You can also add text to individual photos to provide better education and entertainment to your audience. Lastly, it's simple to share a video with Animoto.
Poll Everywhere!
MY FIRST POLL
Mary I love how you do not ALWAYS agree with what is being said within the posts being assigned to us! Your quote about Richard Miller's video was great! "Will I add greater, more sophisticated tools for success such as the SmartBoard, iPads, and computers? Absolutely!!!! But saying to replace the pencil is going a little too far for me. There is no doubt in my mind that technology is booming especially in the education field but, there are some things that need be left alone. I don't think I'm all alone with that opinion. I do appreciate all of the technology advancements that are available as I think they're very beneficial for our growth as educators. " I feel that I too will be adopting the change in my future classroom however I do not think we should completely do away with all of the components of the classroom. Although technology is advancing and creating many tools for us teachers, I still feel the importance of a pean and a few sheets of paper!! Maybe its me and the way I have grown up learning, but I just can not seem to part with either of the two. I too enjoyed the Chipper video, what a great spin on what teachers have to deal with on a daily basis, I am not looking forward to the procrastinators in my future :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Hannah!!! Yeah, I try to not have a bias but, I will have my own opinions regarding how much we replace everyday teaching techniques with technology. I think that is why I dig this class so much because you do get to see the advantages of a 21st century classroom. How much or how little you incorperate should be at the educators discretion.
ReplyDeleteHave you watched the Learn to change, change to learn video? It's REALLLLY good. I think that a few of the speakers have so many great points such as how schools have no tolerance policies on cell phones, ipods, or personal computers. I mean, I get that it's probably done so that the school isn't liable for theft but, so much of what children learn today is, in fact, outside of the classroom bc they have so much info at their fingertips the min they leave the school. It's kinda like a catch 22 in some ways.
You rock! Yes, technology is great. But I will use pencils in my classroom too. You have learned a lot and it shows. I am with you about learning through this EDM310 class. It wears me out sometimes, too! Good luck I think you are very entertaining!! I will read your blog from now on, even though I am just suppose to read this one.
ReplyDeleteha ha thanks Lori! I've just taken all of the opportunities that Dr. Strange has given us and molded my own version of becoming a teacher in the 21st century. It's exciting to learn about all of this because it's brand new knowledge for me :)
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best of luck these last few wks of class.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I totally agree with, "There is no doubt in my mind that technology is booming especially in the education field but, there are some things that need be left alone." It takes an ambitious educator that can use both technology and some traditional teaching techniques in order to make an engaging learning environment.