Friday, October 26, 2012
AT Week 6
Social Bookmarking-
delicious.com/kschotte
Visual Lexicons- I am a huge lover of pinterest so here is my pinterest page and the second link will get you to my current inspiration board.
http://pinterest.com/kelleys/
http://pinterest.com/kelleys/inspiration-board/
Visual Thinking
Brain Mapping- I could not figure out any other way to show you my brain mapping except to use a quick screenr to give you the screen shot. But I attended the Fall MAEA Conference at Knob and finally got to learn a bit about the common core. So this is the start of my understanding and how the arts connects to the common core. I am hoping that this map continues to grow!
http://screenr.com/bRV8
Popplet- Here is a screenr screen shot of my popplet. I decided to work on a visual curriculum for my K-5 kiddos. It's amazing how much bigger this could probably get.
http://screenr.com/gXV8
http://popplet.com/app/#/515597 This is the direct link if this doesn't work.
VTS 1 Week 10
Lesson 4- I choose (with Mary's help-thank you) two images that related to the project my group was about to start.
After we VTSed these images we then read an article about the Australian Aboriginal Artists. They are making dot styled aboriginal art :)
Here is the link to my video
http://youtu.be/wriGJSxEsKw
Assessing, Reflecting, and Planning
Student Engagement- I had 19 out of the 24 kids in the class respond, with 35 total responses. Still working on getting a few quiet ones to join in the conversation. Today they seemed less focused on their vts responses. My story telling friend who is usually very involved, was distracted, at one point he was playing with cups that were on his table and I had to take them away. You can here him drumming with pencils so I called on him, which helped, but he was not wanting to pay attention. This was the 4 day I had VTSed this image, they are usually the first group to VTS an image, and I was disappointed with the fact that this group had a few different ideas, but my other groups did not get bogged down by repeating the same ideas over and over. With the first image, they were very convinced that the people in the picture were making a rug, and what it's purpose was. The second image they were able to come up with many different ideas. It was interesting that they kept thinking the images were related, that one was in preparation for the other. Ideas such as location of Africa, or the beach were discussed, tools and materials, what was in the backpack, and even the fact that the woman looked poor to one child, but not to another. I really enjoy the way the kids connect to one another's ideas, and the politely disagree and then can provide evidence why. I am not seeing conditional language or flexible thinking yet... Should I be?!?! I was not great a varying my questions. I think kids are learning to connect and slowing some are even building off each others ideas, this became very evident with a few and they would say, "I agree with (child's name) because.... And I think....."
Reflective Practice- The VTS lesson has gotten very comfortable, in fact as I watched myself, I feel like it maybe getting too comfortable. I have to admit, I was sick that day, and went home from work an hour later. I noticed a sense of rush and unfocused about myself as a result of how I was feeling. I need to force myself to give better wait time, talk slower and more clearly, give some wait time between the child's response and mine (more time to think through my thoughts). I do feel like my paraphrasing is getting better as I'm getting more comfortable with the process. I think I just need to spend more time mentally preparing for each image.
Planning- For the future, I need to practice my wait time. I also want to practice slowing myself down in my responses. As I said earlier, I need to find the time to be more mentally prepared for these images. Overall I am excited every day that I VTS, it is excellent to see this side of my students!
Here is the link to my video
http://youtu.be/wriGJSxEsKw
Assessing, Reflecting, and Planning
Student Engagement- I had 19 out of the 24 kids in the class respond, with 35 total responses. Still working on getting a few quiet ones to join in the conversation. Today they seemed less focused on their vts responses. My story telling friend who is usually very involved, was distracted, at one point he was playing with cups that were on his table and I had to take them away. You can here him drumming with pencils so I called on him, which helped, but he was not wanting to pay attention. This was the 4 day I had VTSed this image, they are usually the first group to VTS an image, and I was disappointed with the fact that this group had a few different ideas, but my other groups did not get bogged down by repeating the same ideas over and over. With the first image, they were very convinced that the people in the picture were making a rug, and what it's purpose was. The second image they were able to come up with many different ideas. It was interesting that they kept thinking the images were related, that one was in preparation for the other. Ideas such as location of Africa, or the beach were discussed, tools and materials, what was in the backpack, and even the fact that the woman looked poor to one child, but not to another. I really enjoy the way the kids connect to one another's ideas, and the politely disagree and then can provide evidence why. I am not seeing conditional language or flexible thinking yet... Should I be?!?! I was not great a varying my questions. I think kids are learning to connect and slowing some are even building off each others ideas, this became very evident with a few and they would say, "I agree with (child's name) because.... And I think....."
Reflective Practice- The VTS lesson has gotten very comfortable, in fact as I watched myself, I feel like it maybe getting too comfortable. I have to admit, I was sick that day, and went home from work an hour later. I noticed a sense of rush and unfocused about myself as a result of how I was feeling. I need to force myself to give better wait time, talk slower and more clearly, give some wait time between the child's response and mine (more time to think through my thoughts). I do feel like my paraphrasing is getting better as I'm getting more comfortable with the process. I think I just need to spend more time mentally preparing for each image.
Planning- For the future, I need to practice my wait time. I also want to practice slowing myself down in my responses. As I said earlier, I need to find the time to be more mentally prepared for these images. Overall I am excited every day that I VTS, it is excellent to see this side of my students!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
VTS 1 Week 9
Week 9-Teacher's choice proposal
I was looking through the different options of "Saint George and the dragon" I ran into what I hope is a great choice:
I was looking through the different options of "Saint George and the dragon" I ran into what I hope is a great choice:
The Dragon Leaps Around in the Grand Occasion
By Zhang Qing-Yi
I plan on VTSing this with my 4th grade group! I have 24-26 kiddos depending on the day they visit. They are fairly well rehearsed in VTSing as well. I thought this might intrigue my quieter boys. I really like the movement and the different characters. I feel like there are so many different things happening in the art work that we will have plenty to VTS about for the full time.
Let me know what you all think.
Monday, October 8, 2012
AT Week 5
What is the role of art education (or art educators) in
teaching students to be media literate digital citizens?
“A 1999 survey shows that people are hit with 3000 ads per day” (Killing Me Softly). It is absolutely unbelievable what kinds and how many ads are thrown in our student’s faces daily. I decided to watch some “children’s channels” after watching this weeks documentaries. During a commercial break, they showed 2 commercials that pertained to a show, and 4-5 commercials specifically aimed at the purchasing of products. Our kids are being programmed by the advertisements to “need” things that were once a luxury. Not to mention the amount of content that has sexual innuendo with commercials and TV programs. And we wonder why we have so many young mothers (whole different soapbox topic). Marketing is also selling their values. “Advertising, it sells concepts, tells us who we are and what we should be” (killing me softly). They spend so much time studying our kids because they know they are the real “buying power” and kids give the marketers what they want, “cradle to grave brand loyalty.” I have brand loyalties but mine are brought on by usage of products and their competitors, truly sticking with a brand because it is quality, not because it’s the it thing. My students even behave this way when it comes to toys- the marketers hooked them early on. The marketing world has also showed parents that giving their children what they want will make them behave. Wrong, smart parents do everything in their power to keep these ideas from themselves and their children. I could not agree more when they said our society has “The right for children to grow up and parents to raise them without being undermined by the marketing” (Consuming your kids). As we raise these egocentric children who need instant gratification, who have a give it to me, right now kind of attitude, we are setting them up for failure in the real world. It’s a scary thought to think what this generation could do to our governmental structure and not to mention their spending habits-hello national debts crisis…again!
This can sometimes be a tough question to answer, based on
limitations and policies. My role as an art educator as well as art educations
role, in general, for our students to be medial literate, is big. We, a
department whole K-12, have the opportunity to expose our students to digital
media and applications that most other areas cannot. We have the opportunity to
teach them skills that are highly sought after in the 21st century.
With the younger students, I am a bit more limited. Many of these limitations
stem from inexperience with the kinds of programs that would give my students
the opportunities they need. In my personal situation K-5, currently get a
medium level of exposure to technology. My curriculum is very much centered
around the basic foundations of art. My goal with my masters program is to
further my abilities to teach my kids how to become media literate. One of the
vital things I feel I need to share with my students is the artistic side of
reading. Not words, but symbols and designs. This world is so full of digital
media that uses little to no direct words, but uses interpretations. Art’s role
is to teach students to interpret and understand what they are seeing all
around them. “Young people tend to trust, believe, and be highly influenced by
the information they see and hear, whether it is provided by a teacher, a news
outlet, a friend, or a website.” (Rosen 150) I also feel it is our role as art
teachers to teach them to questions the things they are seeing, as well as
teach them how to have different opinions.
I also struggle with this idea due to the fact that I have
students who cannot think outside of their box. Imagination is not something
that my student walks in to the art room with anymore. I am teaching many how
to be imaginative, and sometimes it is like beating my head on a wall.
“Creative play has dropped 94%. They don’t know how to amuse themselves or calm
themselves down. They regurgitate what they have already seen; they are not
required to make up their own storyline. In a way they are being told their
imagination is not good enough.” (Consuming your kids) What a powerful message
our world is sending to these minds we are molding. These students are so
sucked in to their digital devices that they miss out on the opportunity to be
a kid and just play! Again here I am at the cross roads of play and the
future…Why is it that they only seem to briefly intersect, not intertwine? Kids
are no longer have the self-esteem to use their imaginations either, “The
fundamental message that I need something outside of myself to play is really
tragic and harmful” (Consuming your kids).
“A 1999 survey shows that people are hit with 3000 ads per day” (Killing Me Softly). It is absolutely unbelievable what kinds and how many ads are thrown in our student’s faces daily. I decided to watch some “children’s channels” after watching this weeks documentaries. During a commercial break, they showed 2 commercials that pertained to a show, and 4-5 commercials specifically aimed at the purchasing of products. Our kids are being programmed by the advertisements to “need” things that were once a luxury. Not to mention the amount of content that has sexual innuendo with commercials and TV programs. And we wonder why we have so many young mothers (whole different soapbox topic). Marketing is also selling their values. “Advertising, it sells concepts, tells us who we are and what we should be” (killing me softly). They spend so much time studying our kids because they know they are the real “buying power” and kids give the marketers what they want, “cradle to grave brand loyalty.” I have brand loyalties but mine are brought on by usage of products and their competitors, truly sticking with a brand because it is quality, not because it’s the it thing. My students even behave this way when it comes to toys- the marketers hooked them early on. The marketing world has also showed parents that giving their children what they want will make them behave. Wrong, smart parents do everything in their power to keep these ideas from themselves and their children. I could not agree more when they said our society has “The right for children to grow up and parents to raise them without being undermined by the marketing” (Consuming your kids). As we raise these egocentric children who need instant gratification, who have a give it to me, right now kind of attitude, we are setting them up for failure in the real world. It’s a scary thought to think what this generation could do to our governmental structure and not to mention their spending habits-hello national debts crisis…again!
So my job is plain and simple, yet totally complicated when
it comes to the politically correct BS I must abide by. So here it is…
unfiltered. My job is to show my students a world of creativity that is
inspired by their imagination. Those imaginations are clearly going to have to
be developed in my room. I also vocalize the importance of play, whether it is
outside or inside, but just good old-fashioned play. Our imaginations grew with
every step we took as children because we were give the power of creativity and
play. We were given the power to think for ourselves and act upon those thoughts
and learn from our mistakes. Even if it meant falling on our faces, but hey if
I turned out all right, I know my students will too. I am here to foster the
kind of learning, questioning and deciphering that teaches my students to be
life long creative learners. If that avenue includes technology, then bring it
on and I will be happy to learn with them! I loved the interview on the today
show, she said it is our job to teach the children, “It’s safe to come to you
and ask questions, you don’t have to have all the answers.”
Parents are no longer holding themselves or their children
accountable. As teachers we are the students accountability partners. We are
here to teach them what is socially acceptable behavior, even if that is not
what they are taught at home. To mold their little growing brains and show them
the power of themselves. So back to the art educators role. My role is not just
to shape their minds but also to set them free on an adventure of creative
learning. I hope to teach my students to question the ads and symbols they see
daily and interpret how it effects their lives. These are some of the most
intelligent kids, yet they have little common sense, nor have they learned how
to filter all of those things coming at them. Art opens a door to a visual
world and teaching our students this new language that is not verbal.
Hopefully all of my preaching on my soapbox made sense. This
was a topic that needed digestion time. A topic that is truly ever changing, as
is our world, and as we should be with it.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
VTS Week 8
It's always interesting to watch someone else VTS. This teacher did a great job of paraphrasing, gesturing and making connections to what others had said. I thought it was interesting that he never used Q3 and that he asked the questions in his own terms. I like that when he was trying to remember everything, he was willing to go back and check with a student to make sure he didn't miss what they were saying. Also, He offered up Frida Kohlo's name, and i'm pretty sure the student did not remember her name. I feel like this gave the kids more information than they needed.
VTS of Lesson 3 Image 1
This week I did the image above with my 4th graders. This week seemed harder, almost as if they are getting sick of having to do this. I still have the same kids getting engaged, and the same kids are silent. Not wanting to push them out of their comfort zone, I don't want to call on them if their hand is not up, but I think our next VTS lesson is going to be this way. I liked Mary's suggestion that I should call on those kids first so that the answers haven't been said. Those who are getting involved are doing a great job of developing thier answers. They seem to get stuck on two ideas: the idea of sick kid with a mom taking care of her, and the idea of whether they were at school or daycare.
I was proud that I was really good at the point of my finger comes, "what more can we find, (student)". I remembered to add this with every child's name I said. My focus for this lesson was always using Q3 and paraphrasing. I felt more comfortable with my ability to paraphrase this time :) I am in search of an image that will suit these kids and fit into our next project, I feel like they are getting board with the images we've been using. Maybe we need to spice things up a bit.
I also took the leap to VTS 1st grade. I selected an image from our print curriculum and we VTS'ed it!!!!!
It literally just occurred to me that there is so much more to see in this image, but my projector is so dark we are missing more than I realized! Guess I need to find the Brighten and contrast buttons.
So, It went really well with the first group. I explained that we were going to VTS and image, what that meant and that we were going to spend more time looking at art from now on, not just making it. So I rolled right into the sessions, and they were fantastic :) I was very pleased, we went for 15 minutes and I had to stop them so that we could work on our assignment. I noticed with the younger ones I have to keep them aware that we are only sharing one at a time. I have VTS'ed this image with 3 more 1st grade groups. Day 2 was a train wreck, because my blind student was at the back of the room reading a book and it was super distracting for me and the kids. I had a hard time hearing the kids and was not able to paraphrase as well. I hate to ask them to leave, but next time I am going to ask her to take him in the hall or something and read for 15 while we VTS so I can get things going right with the kids. Very difficult and sensitive situation, so I will be treading lightly.
Overall I am please with those who were willing to share, but there was always at least 5 per class that were done after about 2 minutes and off in their own world.
Great week in the VTS department, I think I might try it with my 5th graders at the start of our next project.
VTS of Lesson 3 Image 1
This week I did the image above with my 4th graders. This week seemed harder, almost as if they are getting sick of having to do this. I still have the same kids getting engaged, and the same kids are silent. Not wanting to push them out of their comfort zone, I don't want to call on them if their hand is not up, but I think our next VTS lesson is going to be this way. I liked Mary's suggestion that I should call on those kids first so that the answers haven't been said. Those who are getting involved are doing a great job of developing thier answers. They seem to get stuck on two ideas: the idea of sick kid with a mom taking care of her, and the idea of whether they were at school or daycare.
I also took the leap to VTS 1st grade. I selected an image from our print curriculum and we VTS'ed it!!!!!
It literally just occurred to me that there is so much more to see in this image, but my projector is so dark we are missing more than I realized! Guess I need to find the Brighten and contrast buttons. So, It went really well with the first group. I explained that we were going to VTS and image, what that meant and that we were going to spend more time looking at art from now on, not just making it. So I rolled right into the sessions, and they were fantastic :) I was very pleased, we went for 15 minutes and I had to stop them so that we could work on our assignment. I noticed with the younger ones I have to keep them aware that we are only sharing one at a time. I have VTS'ed this image with 3 more 1st grade groups. Day 2 was a train wreck, because my blind student was at the back of the room reading a book and it was super distracting for me and the kids. I had a hard time hearing the kids and was not able to paraphrase as well. I hate to ask them to leave, but next time I am going to ask her to take him in the hall or something and read for 15 while we VTS so I can get things going right with the kids. Very difficult and sensitive situation, so I will be treading lightly.
Overall I am please with those who were willing to share, but there was always at least 5 per class that were done after about 2 minutes and off in their own world.
Great week in the VTS department, I think I might try it with my 5th graders at the start of our next project.
VTS Week 7
Common Core
I must admit, my experience with CC has been very slight. I have been in a few meetings were they briefly discussed a few important ideas. I am ready to be educated on this topic, especially looking forward to the CC workshop at Knob! And my art department is looking at bringing someone in to discuss CC with the art teachers for our next PD day. My fellow teachers have been through several meeting about CC so far (they let the art people do their own pd that day).
I am finding it difficult to voice my opinion/attitude based on my inexperience with CC. My one concern I feel I can voice is, Is CCSS just another buzz things, you know the it thing of school. Is this here to replace "no child left behind" and do it right, or simply a new name with a few restructurings? Needless to say I need more knowledge.
After our think tank session, I am convinced from what little I was able to see of the standards, VTS fits in so well it's crazy. I was totally amazed that all of us were able to look at a short list of items with reading and we could fit VTS in, in every way! This makes me so happy to be on the front end of a movement that is actually going to do something great and still meet the mandates of the state. Go VTS!!!!
I must admit, my experience with CC has been very slight. I have been in a few meetings were they briefly discussed a few important ideas. I am ready to be educated on this topic, especially looking forward to the CC workshop at Knob! And my art department is looking at bringing someone in to discuss CC with the art teachers for our next PD day. My fellow teachers have been through several meeting about CC so far (they let the art people do their own pd that day).
I am finding it difficult to voice my opinion/attitude based on my inexperience with CC. My one concern I feel I can voice is, Is CCSS just another buzz things, you know the it thing of school. Is this here to replace "no child left behind" and do it right, or simply a new name with a few restructurings? Needless to say I need more knowledge.
After our think tank session, I am convinced from what little I was able to see of the standards, VTS fits in so well it's crazy. I was totally amazed that all of us were able to look at a short list of items with reading and we could fit VTS in, in every way! This makes me so happy to be on the front end of a movement that is actually going to do something great and still meet the mandates of the state. Go VTS!!!!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
AT week 4 Read&React- Is it worth the risk?
Read & React
Digital Diet: This weeks chapters gave a how to step by step on Skype, Twitter, Facebook and Voice Thread. This book offers such a great step by step, it's a bit like a crutch when I am not able to use this book, I struggle through. Skypes set up was pretty easy once I was able to get a hold of a functioning camera, turns out the one I had died. I will be updating after I make my skype call. I like the suggestion the book made about bringing in a guest speaker (artist). My family has used skype in the past when family was deployed over seas and hearing their voice is great, but seeing someones face makes it that much better. Twitter was easy enough to use, especially with the explanations from the book. I really enjoyed the video that showed the history professor using twitter in her classroom. Love her statement, "It's going to be messing, and I'm going to have to come to grips with that. Messy doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be bad." I admit being a Facebook user myself, I simply jumped to the part about classroom use. I had no idea that you could create a course and assignments on fb. Voice Threads ended up being a very easy program to use. The book suggests using this as a way for students to give their presentations over specific material. This is a fantastic alternative-although I still feel it is very important to learn how to handle the nerves that come with speaking in front of an audience.
Brooks-Young: Brooks looks at the use of Facebook, video gaming and more to cater to the needs of the igeneration. The investigations of how immersed our students are in technology is fascinating. As Brooks points out, the more world simulated environments we put them in the better they are at gaining a realistic understanding. Brooks gives examples of the different way that students and teachers can connect over a period of time, or instantly and how it is creating a community feeling with a less threatening environment. Students who are typically shy are more likely to chime in by text than face to face."Certainly there will always be classroom instruction, and the teacher will still be the teacher. But the use of virtual worlds for instruction changes the focus of the learner from a passive receptacle to an active engager, ever more responsible for his own acquisition of knowledge." This statements towards the end of the chapter is brought while discussing the use of a program called Second Life. This statement speaks volumes about education today. The kids are being held more accountable for their own learning and research, basically turning themselves into a teacher, especially when they get excited about something and share/show it to friends.
Risk taking?
Here I am going to react to our reading and also give my social media reflection. I feel that after the readings, my options are slightly different. These topics are frustrating not only because of my mixed feelings, but because of how they are viewed by the media and handled by school districts. We have VERY STRICT policies in place when it comes to the use of social media. Thanks to a few bad apples, another tool that has great potential in the classroom is ruined before we really get a chance to explore and prove its benefits to students. I may get a little "preachy on my soap box" but that is what happens with tough subjects right?
As for facebook and twitter, I have reservations about what it has done to society and yes even myself. We have become a very self centered universe where we feel the need to share our every more as if the whole world is interested... And yes I've been there, and sucked myself into reading these things as well. Can you imagine if people used these networks for educated conversations... ALL the time? Maybe I would be more keen on the idea of twitter if it wasn't about what someone was doing at every second of the day. What if it was for the posting of ideas and pinging (only)? Yet I do enjoy keeping up with people and how their families are growing, even if it is in a less personal way. I feel that the use of technology has become a crutch for people to hide behind their words, would you really say all of those things to my face? or maybe you don't have it in you to say them out loud personally- than should it be said? It allows people to be a bit of a coward- or are we helping those who are very intelligent voice their opinions without facing their social fears? As a personal choice, and then eventually a district/state policy- I absolutely do not connect with my students on fb.
Skype- Many colleagues have suggested using skype to have a visiting artist/speaker. I love this idea, but i have had so many problems in the past with speed of :Internet, computer etc. that I can see it not working correctly and my students loosing interest. To me Skype is so "the jetsons" :) You can see the people you are talking to even if they are across the planet. It seems so futuristic yet it is here and was a huge gift to my family when military members were deployed. I know people who get to see brand new family members all the time through Skype, it gives them the give of facial communication when you can't get there in person. For these gifts it is a powerful tool. But the speed problem is still very frustrating! Another great avenue for skype would be a student with an extended absence-hospital stays etc. They could either skype during their art time, or I could have a quick art lesson with them at a later point.
Voice Thread- I love this idea for me to be able to create lessons/lectures in advance to not only save my voice and time, but in case of an absence. As we all know- a substitute will never be you or close to you. It was fairly simple to use and I think it would be a great tool if I could design this and my students could be responding at home, after they have had time to digest the pieces we are looking at. I really liked the idea of using voice thread to present. I would so totally do this with my 5th graders if we had more time together- never enough time for art :(
Screener seems to be a fascinating tool. My kids are so much smarter with technology than I am. I guarantee they could make tons of "how to videos" about aspects of technology they use everyday. This would also be a great tool for students to be able to back track on a "how to lesson" instead of me showing and doing the exact same thing a million times.
Video gaming- this is a subject that always requires a soap box. The reason I tend to dislike video games, is that they have not be used as an "edutainment" tool like Brooks says, but as a babysitter for parents. I'm not saying that everyone does this, but in my little neighborhood, parent don't monitor what their kids are playing. I had a student last year in 4th grade who played "Call of duty"- He as well as others who have played this game think that "war is cool." But now for the really big one, he said, "I think it would be cool to kill someone and watch them die." Let's just say it totally lit a fire under my behind. If we could hold parents accountable and they might actually use video games, educational ones, as a means of keeping their child busy, then maybe I would be on board. Another thing that technology has done to my students... Totally Sucked the creativity out of their brains!!!! They don't go play outside, or read books, play board games, play make believe-AHHHH this is where I am so unbelievably frustrated. Our students spend too much time in front of their box device (whatever that may be, TV, Phone, computer) and have lost the time and creativity that you gain from just being a kid and learning to play. Side bar :) The importance of play is one of my Books that I am using for our extra research. Video games can give creative outlets, but far too many children use video games for the wrong reason.
Well overall- The verdict is still out folks. There are so many great tools that could be used here. But I am currently limited by policies that will not change due to the fear of lawsuits. Again accountability is to blame here- we are a lazy society that is more afraid of holding our employees accountable, than we are of letting them be responsible teachers who use great resources wisely. They only way I would agree to any of this, due to the fact that I am K-5, is if the parent was actively engaged with their little learners on these accounts. Besides then we would be teaching even more the great good of art! Now that's an Artopia kind of idea :)
Digital Diet: This weeks chapters gave a how to step by step on Skype, Twitter, Facebook and Voice Thread. This book offers such a great step by step, it's a bit like a crutch when I am not able to use this book, I struggle through. Skypes set up was pretty easy once I was able to get a hold of a functioning camera, turns out the one I had died. I will be updating after I make my skype call. I like the suggestion the book made about bringing in a guest speaker (artist). My family has used skype in the past when family was deployed over seas and hearing their voice is great, but seeing someones face makes it that much better. Twitter was easy enough to use, especially with the explanations from the book. I really enjoyed the video that showed the history professor using twitter in her classroom. Love her statement, "It's going to be messing, and I'm going to have to come to grips with that. Messy doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be bad." I admit being a Facebook user myself, I simply jumped to the part about classroom use. I had no idea that you could create a course and assignments on fb. Voice Threads ended up being a very easy program to use. The book suggests using this as a way for students to give their presentations over specific material. This is a fantastic alternative-although I still feel it is very important to learn how to handle the nerves that come with speaking in front of an audience.
Brooks-Young: Brooks looks at the use of Facebook, video gaming and more to cater to the needs of the igeneration. The investigations of how immersed our students are in technology is fascinating. As Brooks points out, the more world simulated environments we put them in the better they are at gaining a realistic understanding. Brooks gives examples of the different way that students and teachers can connect over a period of time, or instantly and how it is creating a community feeling with a less threatening environment. Students who are typically shy are more likely to chime in by text than face to face."Certainly there will always be classroom instruction, and the teacher will still be the teacher. But the use of virtual worlds for instruction changes the focus of the learner from a passive receptacle to an active engager, ever more responsible for his own acquisition of knowledge." This statements towards the end of the chapter is brought while discussing the use of a program called Second Life. This statement speaks volumes about education today. The kids are being held more accountable for their own learning and research, basically turning themselves into a teacher, especially when they get excited about something and share/show it to friends.
Risk taking?
Here I am going to react to our reading and also give my social media reflection. I feel that after the readings, my options are slightly different. These topics are frustrating not only because of my mixed feelings, but because of how they are viewed by the media and handled by school districts. We have VERY STRICT policies in place when it comes to the use of social media. Thanks to a few bad apples, another tool that has great potential in the classroom is ruined before we really get a chance to explore and prove its benefits to students. I may get a little "preachy on my soap box" but that is what happens with tough subjects right?
As for facebook and twitter, I have reservations about what it has done to society and yes even myself. We have become a very self centered universe where we feel the need to share our every more as if the whole world is interested... And yes I've been there, and sucked myself into reading these things as well. Can you imagine if people used these networks for educated conversations... ALL the time? Maybe I would be more keen on the idea of twitter if it wasn't about what someone was doing at every second of the day. What if it was for the posting of ideas and pinging (only)? Yet I do enjoy keeping up with people and how their families are growing, even if it is in a less personal way. I feel that the use of technology has become a crutch for people to hide behind their words, would you really say all of those things to my face? or maybe you don't have it in you to say them out loud personally- than should it be said? It allows people to be a bit of a coward- or are we helping those who are very intelligent voice their opinions without facing their social fears? As a personal choice, and then eventually a district/state policy- I absolutely do not connect with my students on fb.
Skype- Many colleagues have suggested using skype to have a visiting artist/speaker. I love this idea, but i have had so many problems in the past with speed of :Internet, computer etc. that I can see it not working correctly and my students loosing interest. To me Skype is so "the jetsons" :) You can see the people you are talking to even if they are across the planet. It seems so futuristic yet it is here and was a huge gift to my family when military members were deployed. I know people who get to see brand new family members all the time through Skype, it gives them the give of facial communication when you can't get there in person. For these gifts it is a powerful tool. But the speed problem is still very frustrating! Another great avenue for skype would be a student with an extended absence-hospital stays etc. They could either skype during their art time, or I could have a quick art lesson with them at a later point.
Voice Thread- I love this idea for me to be able to create lessons/lectures in advance to not only save my voice and time, but in case of an absence. As we all know- a substitute will never be you or close to you. It was fairly simple to use and I think it would be a great tool if I could design this and my students could be responding at home, after they have had time to digest the pieces we are looking at. I really liked the idea of using voice thread to present. I would so totally do this with my 5th graders if we had more time together- never enough time for art :(
Screener seems to be a fascinating tool. My kids are so much smarter with technology than I am. I guarantee they could make tons of "how to videos" about aspects of technology they use everyday. This would also be a great tool for students to be able to back track on a "how to lesson" instead of me showing and doing the exact same thing a million times.
Video gaming- this is a subject that always requires a soap box. The reason I tend to dislike video games, is that they have not be used as an "edutainment" tool like Brooks says, but as a babysitter for parents. I'm not saying that everyone does this, but in my little neighborhood, parent don't monitor what their kids are playing. I had a student last year in 4th grade who played "Call of duty"- He as well as others who have played this game think that "war is cool." But now for the really big one, he said, "I think it would be cool to kill someone and watch them die." Let's just say it totally lit a fire under my behind. If we could hold parents accountable and they might actually use video games, educational ones, as a means of keeping their child busy, then maybe I would be on board. Another thing that technology has done to my students... Totally Sucked the creativity out of their brains!!!! They don't go play outside, or read books, play board games, play make believe-AHHHH this is where I am so unbelievably frustrated. Our students spend too much time in front of their box device (whatever that may be, TV, Phone, computer) and have lost the time and creativity that you gain from just being a kid and learning to play. Side bar :) The importance of play is one of my Books that I am using for our extra research. Video games can give creative outlets, but far too many children use video games for the wrong reason.
Well overall- The verdict is still out folks. There are so many great tools that could be used here. But I am currently limited by policies that will not change due to the fear of lawsuits. Again accountability is to blame here- we are a lazy society that is more afraid of holding our employees accountable, than we are of letting them be responsible teachers who use great resources wisely. They only way I would agree to any of this, due to the fact that I am K-5, is if the parent was actively engaged with their little learners on these accounts. Besides then we would be teaching even more the great good of art! Now that's an Artopia kind of idea :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)