Blog Post # 8

This is How we Dream Parts 1 and 2

This two part video by Richard E. Miller is fascinating. He and his colleague has some extreme ideas. Dr. Miller is a writing professor at Rutgers University. The videos focus on writing with multimedia. A way we can all communicate globally. It is a way for students and educators to use up to date and ever-changing information. Information at our fingertips. Writing in a pen and paper way is a solidarity act, but when individuals take it to a virtual experience, they involve everyone. Dr. Miller refers to this as a incremental change. Incremental meaning a gradual change to the virtual world.
He also referred to research opportunities. With this writing with multimedia style, students can perform projects without ever stepping into a library. This idea I can grasp. It could be beneficial for certain children and their education. I am particularly interested in special needs children. Some of whom can not write and read. Having this multimedia aspect in schools could help them excel in ways as never before. For instance, a special needs child who can not write. The student can use the keyboard to write what he or she is trying to express. Communication can become easier for these children. Having everything at their fingertips is a valuable aspect.
Using the virtual world to do projects is a great way for children who are sick and/or can not leave the house. They do not have to miss out on assignments and collaborate with the class through the networking.A web based document is freely shared and constantly updating. It is always changing. The digital environment, in my opinion, would be a plus to the educational system.

Are teachers that have been in the system ready for this change? I would be worried. Some are stuck in the 'old-fashioned' ways that they do not even want to try to educate themselves on topics as this. But as upcoming teachers in a digital world, we should familiarize ourselves as much as possible. The ideas are slowly creeping up and taking over. Granted it will be a while until this takes over, but the possibilities are limitless. I hope I am preparing my self for the change. It is fascinating that individuals can take a written on paper document, read it and be done; not retaining anything. When the document is made on the web and virtually shared the individuals can bookmark it or save it and refer back to it when needed. A way to push ideas and arguments into the ever-changing culture.




Carly Pugh's Blog Post 12

For this assignment Dr. Strange instructed us to read Carly Pugh's Blog Post #12, and I am glad he did. This class has opened my eyes in many ways and this blog post opened them even wider. She refers to creating a playlist on you tube. A playlist that would refer to our teaching philosophy. With her playlist she did a great job in opening up the eyes of upcoming teachers. Dr. Strange wanted us to think about how close she comes to Dr. Miller and his philosophy of writing with multimedia, and Ms. Carly is very close.
A video she has posted on her post, Six Questions for Everyday, is something that all teachers should watch. School is a haven for children for almost for 12 years. It should be a place where they feel safe and want to come. We, as teachers, should make it worth their while. This particular video made me think that if teachers can not answer most of the questions with a YES, then maybe they need a new profession. Teachers should be able to reach the child on their level and keep them entertained. Take music for example, It is entertaining and everybody loves it. When a child hears a song on the radio even for the first time; when it comes on again they can at least carry the tune of the song. They grasped it because it interested them. I personally believe that if education was taught in a way that children could relate to and enjoy; that they would be more excited about school.
In the video, which I am going to share on my post because I really think that it encompasses what "teachers should be", asks questions such as, Do you have the curiosity of a child. Questions like that make me re-evaluate myself. Think about it, of course teachers should have the curiosity of a child. In this way they can better relate. Its not only the students that are learning. One thing I have learned is that teachers can gain much knowledge from the students. I do not know if this is what Dr. Strange intended for us to gain from the assignment, but I truly have stepped back and answered these questions. My philosophy of teaching will be that I want my students to engage themselves and want to come to class. I want them to want to be at school more than at home. A classroom with no limits, to an extent. I intend on my students to share their opinion and be enthusiastic about their education.
A video that Ms. Carly also shared from her playlist is one entitled, "Think Different". I have to say that when I build my playlist to share with all, I will definitely be including this one. One statement that hit me hard is " the people crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do". Individuals who step outside the boundaries, who take teaching to another level and push the ideas among people are the ones that stand out. Ms. Carly's post made me want to be the one who stands out. I want to be remembered for making a change even if it is in just one child. Think about it. Watch the video .











Video Idea

I believe the primary reason for the Chipper Series was to encourage students who are new to EDM 310, to keep up with the assignments and how much time the class requires. Also the importance of the class to our education and upcoming careers.
I personally think that this class should be required for all majors. My idea for a video would be a bit like the Chipper Series. The class is very intimidating at first, very overwhelming. A video that consists of a preview to the class for students to watch before actually beginning the class would be beneficial for some.
For example, the video could consist of things like an introduction to blogging since some people have never encountered it before. Students could be in the lab and actually performing some of the required activities and giving short tutorials on them. We could have past students speaking discussing the pros and cons of EDM 310. It would be like a preview of a movie. That way students could realize the importance of the class and the amount of time it takes; so they can decide if they are taking the class at the right time. I think a preview of EDM 310 would help the students better prepare themselves for the class. I personally would have done some research on certain things to familiarize myself with the tools needed in EDM 310. I am sure I am not the only one. Dr. Strange could update it every so often with newer students and any changes that he makes to the class.



Learn to Change, Change to Learn

A group of brilliant individuals made this video to reach out to the educational systems. The schools of today are not preparing the children of the real world. They are growing up in a society of technological advancements that are limitless. I enjoyed this video and agree with the high points that they refer to. The children of today dwell in networking sites and technology. For example, most children spend more time on the internet than actually reading a book. So why not make the books virtual?
The title of this video speaks for itself. Children thrive in a rich environment and as one individual states the school is not a rich enviroment for the schools. Some educational environments are more interested in getting them in and passing the tests for high graduation rates. Some say that this aspect makes the schools look better. In my opinion, who cares about the scores and rates of a school. If the child is not thriving and ready for the real world upon graduation; what is the point of all those years on school. The need for a new classroom is imperative today. A nontraditional classroom with the student at the center performing abilities of understanding and creativity.
As the video points out the classroom should become a community of learning with access to tools that will reflect and relate to their everyday life. Most jobs are team based or some form of teamwork and the students should start early in preparing themselves on collaborating together on projects. To change the schools we are changing the students in ways that will help them in the future. We must start with the teacher and prepare them for this change. How can the student learn and excel in the technological world if the teacher is blind to it? The students have so many things they can access with the touch of a finger and we as teachers should push them in that direction. A learning process that has changed from memorization and boredom to creativity and excitement.
We need teachers who step outside the box and remodel the classroom to fit today's children. As the individuals in the video, I hope the system makes this change. The students will be excited and flourish in ways that are unimaginable. An environment where students actually learn and enjoy it; using the tools they use for extracurricular fun. Combining the two is a great idea. They learn much more through technology of today.

Scavenger Hunt 2.0

In this section of the post we were instructed to explore the site Web 20.11, which is now Web 20.12. On this site I found a great way for lessons to come to life in the classroom. I have never heard of this before and it is really easy to use. Animoto
is a tool for creating videos and presentations in the classroom. It includes some nice features that are super easy to use. Just to name a few, spotlight lets you give specific items more screen time and Cinematic A.I automatically analyzes your music and pictures.
After creating an account locate the pricing link on the top right corner of the web page. They offer a free download, but it only allows you to make 30 second videos, a plus version or a pro version. There is also an iPhone app that users can download where you can shot your videos anywhere. As I stated before, it is very easy to use. All you do is chose a style, music, add pictures and text then produce your video. Here is a sample I created for a preview to the podcast I had to do.

Try our video maker at Animoto.



Poll Everywhere
My first poll:

Get a free sms student response system at Poll Everywhere

Edmodo

I chose edmodo for this piece of my post. It is a networking site where teachers can post assignments and collaborate with others. I created an account to visually see all the features. It is a site where students can join a group I create and follow it all year. The assignments and a class calender can be posted on my page. All students can join to keep up with the events of class. Like Facebook, I can have daily posts. Another good feature is the community link. A support community where teachers can connect with other teachers.