Digital Storytelling

I really enjoyed the video story activity. I used animoto for each of the three stories, and I really became comfortable using the program. I used flickr as well as open photo to gather my pictures. I also decided to incorporate some of my own pictures in the illini video. I think it made the video more personal and gave it a sense of character.

For two of the videos I used music from the animoto program, but I used a clip from free play music for the third. I think that each of my musical selections fits with the accompanying video. For the cubs video, I chose to use a song called "Around Town" because of the the Cubs' connection to Wrigleyville. For the illini video I used an upbeat song to demonstrate the aggressiveness of the fighting illini, and for the political video I used a song called "Reach" which talks about striving to make the world a better place.

I would definitely like to incorporate this program into my teaching. I think that the technology element is challenging, but the end product is rewarding and beneficial. I am proud of each of my videos, and the fact that they represent me overcoming my technological obstacles.

Go Cubs Go

Illini

Election 2008

Influence of the Internet on Children and Education

PBS video clip http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/

While I found certain aspects of the video shocking, for the most part I was aware of the danger of the internet on the lives of today's children. Society today relies heavily on the use of the internet, and, while it can be an extraordinarily useful tool, it also represents the source of a multitude of hazards. When used appropriately, the internet can be a positive and effective mode of gathering information and engaging in healthy communication. However, when children turn to using the internet for immoral purposes, the benefits of the system are compromised

I think the hardest part of the clip for me to watch was the section that dealt with anorexia. The fellowship of the girls based on encouraging anorexia made me sick to watch. In today's society, young girls are too often turning to dangerous methods to achieve their "ideal" body. The reality that these disturbing sites exists, scares and frightens me. I would hate to have my young and impressionable female students viewing these sites and thinking that they are okay.

While in general I do believe that the benefits of the internet outweigh the potential negatives, the reality is that these negatives do exist and are having a strong influence on the minds of young children. I hope that families can take the reins in promoting healthy use of the internet. While I believe that children should be encouraged to use the internet, their parents should constantly be supervising and questioning them as to what content they are viewing online. This persistence in staying engaged in children's use of the internet will hopefully keep children from venturing into sites which are harmful and dangerous.

Is Monetary Reinforcement the Answer?

In regards to: http://bkenned5.blogspot.com/

I agree with Brooke that children should not be monetarily rewarded for receiving good grades. Although many students would probably endorse the idea of receiving money for putting up with school, the project lacks a firm foundation in the educational system. As Brooke said, if anything, students should be positively reinforced with academically related rewards. This type of encouragement would motivate students to learn while also giving them a reason to put effort into their schoolwork.
I also find fault with the project in the sense that not all students who receive good grades have worked hard and studied for them. What about the students who try really hard and still receive a 'B' on an exam? And then there are always students who don't study at all and don't pay attention in class and still receive an 'A'. For the project to gain any positive reaction in my mind, it needs to take into account various types of learners and test takers. If the project were to acknowledge the different types of students present in the world, as well as find a system of reinforcement that rewards students with academically-inclined material, I would reconsider endorsing the project.

Vision of Students Today K-12

Vision of Students Today

An Agent of Change in the Classroom

As a future high school educator, I will attempt to continually develop my technological skills so that I can adapt to the learning capabilities of my students. As evident from each of the videos, today's learners are eager to work with digital media. Their knowledge is constantly increasing with each new technological development. Advanced technological elements should be brought into the classroom in order to grab the attention and curiosity of students. As shown in the k-12 video, students need to be "engaged." Otherwise, they will drift from classroom instruction. If teachers can learn to stay on top of technologically applicable material, however, they will interest their students. I know that I am not the most technologically-adept person, but I will strive to explore new media to introduce my students to. I think that using modern technology is my responsibility because it will inspire students to think and develop on their own. Creativity will flow from the vast realms of technology, and as a teacher I will dedicate myself to continually using new forms of media.
Specifically as an English teacher, I think I will be able to use a multitude of technological programs in my classroom. Blogging, in particular, seems like a tool I would like my students to explore. Because blogging inspires creative writing, I would like to introduce my students to this technological device. Although blogging doesn't necessarily require grammatical instruction, it still allows students to practice writing and portraying their ideas into a structured space. Blogging will also allow my students to exercise their writing skills in an interestingly different mode. This will hopefully excite them into enjoying the language in a socially and culturally-applicable manner.

Ken Robinson's View of Creativity in Today's Schools
Response to: http://jackiemary.wordpress.com/

I agree with Jackie's take on Ken Robinson's view of creativity in today's schools. Modern schools, in my opinion, focus on formulaic teaching methodologies and practices which generate students that can succeed in the area of standardized testing. While these teaching methods may help students achieve high scores on standardized tests, they often leave students lacking a firm foundation of knowledge. I agree with Ken Robinson that, in order to give students the best opportunity to succeed in the world, schools should place higher emphasis on creativity and individual instruction.
Schools should realize that student creativity allows for increased level of interest and dedication to the school system. When students have the ability to think and learn through creative expression, they receive strong academic backings, and their desires to immerse themselves in education grows exponentially.
In order for this creative expression to take place, however, schools must recognize the need to teach to a diversity of students. As Jackie stated, schools often teach to gender, race, and ethnic differences, but they fail to recognize the sub-groups within these broad categories. I agree with her statement that a homosexual, African American male learns much differently from a Caucasian, homosexual male. I think that once schools consider differences and similarities across dividing lines, they will have a greater effect on students' ability to think and therefore create for themselves.

In today's ever-changing and developing world, I do not feel that teachers should have the option not to incorporate modern technologies into their instruction. I think that in order to successfully teach their students, teachers must be able to relate to them. This relationship depends on teachers' ability to keep up with advancements in technology. Because students tend to be extremely tech-savvy, in order to stay on top of the times, teachers must bring modern-day technologies into the classroom. When teachers engage in advanced teaching techniques, students will be more inclined to pay attention and learn the curriculum at hand. Given the option to not adhere to developing approaches of learning, I think that many teachers would stick to basic, simplified approaches. While they may be somewhat effective, these methods lack the ability to captivate students and spark their interest. For this reason, I advocate the necessity of incorporating current technologies into the classroom.

Hi everyone,
My name is Christine, and I am from Hoffman Estates, IL. I am currently a junior at the university pursuing a career in teaching high school English. I have always wanted to be a teacher, and, upon entering high school and finding such pleasure with my English classes, I have wanted to teach the subject. After graduation I would love to live in Chicago for a few years. I think that living in the city would be a great experience for me, and I hope that my career goals allow for this to happen. On the other side, I really think that I would enjoy teaching in the suburbs since I attended school in the northwest suburbs and I loved my high school experience.