Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Personal Technology Project Proposal
For my project I want to research Webquests. I've heard a lot about them but I don't know what they are other--other than a "quest" for knowledge on the internet, I'm assuming.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Internet Safety Continued
I talked with my 18 year old brother who is currently a senior in high school. He is very computer/internet literate and loves to play games with his friends via the internet. I tried to approach the subject in a non-confrontational way--I didn't want him to think I was prying into his life or I was going to preach to him.
I talked with him in general about internet safety and what he thought was acceptable information to put up. He said as a guy he feels a little safer so he doesn't worry about predators, but he still tries to keep his personal information private.
I also talked with him about internet addiction, and whether he thought it was a bad thing that kids are all so obsessed with using it. He said that everyone, including adults, are addicted to the internet unless they're totally disconnected from the world, so he doesn't think it's fair that the blame is always put on the kids. But he said that he knows kids who do create total alternate realities on the internet and he thinks that's dangerous. He said what keeps him from trying to put on an "act" is that all of his close friends know who he is and they would call him out if he was trying to be someone he's not. He said that he doesn't feel the need to make a million friends online because he has his close friends.
I was surprised by a lot of his answers and also happy with most of them. I think he makes a valid point that we all use the internet more and more extensively each day, and everyone relies on it. When said that way, then we all need to be more aware of the potential dangers on the internet and work on making it a safe place for everyone.
I talked with him in general about internet safety and what he thought was acceptable information to put up. He said as a guy he feels a little safer so he doesn't worry about predators, but he still tries to keep his personal information private.
I also talked with him about internet addiction, and whether he thought it was a bad thing that kids are all so obsessed with using it. He said that everyone, including adults, are addicted to the internet unless they're totally disconnected from the world, so he doesn't think it's fair that the blame is always put on the kids. But he said that he knows kids who do create total alternate realities on the internet and he thinks that's dangerous. He said what keeps him from trying to put on an "act" is that all of his close friends know who he is and they would call him out if he was trying to be someone he's not. He said that he doesn't feel the need to make a million friends online because he has his close friends.
I was surprised by a lot of his answers and also happy with most of them. I think he makes a valid point that we all use the internet more and more extensively each day, and everyone relies on it. When said that way, then we all need to be more aware of the potential dangers on the internet and work on making it a safe place for everyone.
Internet Safety Assignment
I watched the PBS video and read the article "Fighting Internet Filth."
1. What were the most important things I learned from the readings?
After watching the video, I was completely freaked out and determined to not even have a computer in our house. K this is crazy and I realize that this isn't possible. The reason I felt this way is because the things the kids they were doing on the internet were unhealthy and scary. The overall message I gained from the video is that we live in a different world than our parents, but it doesn't have to be two separate worlds. The video mentioned this generation gap, which is the reason for all of the unhealthy and unsafe practices kids engage in. Parents may not even know what is possible on the internet or may not even imagine that their child would do something harmful, and so they're not able to teach their children about these dangers. I think as time goes on then the next more technologically literate generation will be more prepared to teach their kids. The overall message I gained from the video is that we all need to be more responsible on the internet. Parents need to be responsible for their kids and know what's going on, but kids need to also be taught how to be responsible for themselves.
The article goes hand in hand with this video I think, because it is an outline of several things parents can teach their children about internet safety. It aims to make parents aware of the dangers so that they can protect their kids. Again, be responsible. Be knowledgeable and don't let your lack of knowledge be an excuse to disengage and not be accountable for what your kids are doing on the internet.
2. How will what I have read influence my actions as a parent and/or teacher of children and youth?
The video presented a variety of parents--those parents who were too paranoid and over-protective, and those who didn't have a clue. I want to be somewhere in the middle. I want to protect and teach youth and children but I have to allow them their own agency. The best thing I can do is continue to educate myself about the internet and its possibilites and ways to keep kids and myself safe. I have to realize that even though the internet is public, social networking sites are a weird realm because they are highly personal and can be private. Kids view their facebook page as their private space, and any intrusion in that is seen as a personal invasion. A facebook profile could be like some kids' diaries. I have to respect this and show them that they can still have a personal space without putting themselves in danger.
3. How can I use what I learned from the reading to have a positive influence on family and friends?
I have a brother who is a high school senior; he is very into gaming and the internet. I consider him to be responsible and smart, but I could talk with him more in a non-confrontational way about the internet and his thoughts on how to be safe and what is dangerous. I could also discuss with my parents what they know and I could direct them to helpful websites and articles that could offer them more information if needed.
4. Am I aware of the benefits and dangers children face when online with cyber bullying and online predators? Do I know how to prevent cyber bullying?
The most tragic story in the video was about the young boy who committed suicide because of cyber bullying. One of the things his parents mentioned was that they should have never put his own computer in his room. I think this is key for all internet safety--internet access should always be public. The way to prevent cyber bullying is to teach kids what to do if it occurs. In the video there were examples of kids saying to stop it, block it, and then tell it. Kids need to always feel safe and comfortable and parents and teachers should be constant supports for them whenever they need it.
1. What were the most important things I learned from the readings?
After watching the video, I was completely freaked out and determined to not even have a computer in our house. K this is crazy and I realize that this isn't possible. The reason I felt this way is because the things the kids they were doing on the internet were unhealthy and scary. The overall message I gained from the video is that we live in a different world than our parents, but it doesn't have to be two separate worlds. The video mentioned this generation gap, which is the reason for all of the unhealthy and unsafe practices kids engage in. Parents may not even know what is possible on the internet or may not even imagine that their child would do something harmful, and so they're not able to teach their children about these dangers. I think as time goes on then the next more technologically literate generation will be more prepared to teach their kids. The overall message I gained from the video is that we all need to be more responsible on the internet. Parents need to be responsible for their kids and know what's going on, but kids need to also be taught how to be responsible for themselves.
The article goes hand in hand with this video I think, because it is an outline of several things parents can teach their children about internet safety. It aims to make parents aware of the dangers so that they can protect their kids. Again, be responsible. Be knowledgeable and don't let your lack of knowledge be an excuse to disengage and not be accountable for what your kids are doing on the internet.
2. How will what I have read influence my actions as a parent and/or teacher of children and youth?
The video presented a variety of parents--those parents who were too paranoid and over-protective, and those who didn't have a clue. I want to be somewhere in the middle. I want to protect and teach youth and children but I have to allow them their own agency. The best thing I can do is continue to educate myself about the internet and its possibilites and ways to keep kids and myself safe. I have to realize that even though the internet is public, social networking sites are a weird realm because they are highly personal and can be private. Kids view their facebook page as their private space, and any intrusion in that is seen as a personal invasion. A facebook profile could be like some kids' diaries. I have to respect this and show them that they can still have a personal space without putting themselves in danger.
3. How can I use what I learned from the reading to have a positive influence on family and friends?
I have a brother who is a high school senior; he is very into gaming and the internet. I consider him to be responsible and smart, but I could talk with him more in a non-confrontational way about the internet and his thoughts on how to be safe and what is dangerous. I could also discuss with my parents what they know and I could direct them to helpful websites and articles that could offer them more information if needed.
4. Am I aware of the benefits and dangers children face when online with cyber bullying and online predators? Do I know how to prevent cyber bullying?
The most tragic story in the video was about the young boy who committed suicide because of cyber bullying. One of the things his parents mentioned was that they should have never put his own computer in his room. I think this is key for all internet safety--internet access should always be public. The way to prevent cyber bullying is to teach kids what to do if it occurs. In the video there were examples of kids saying to stop it, block it, and then tell it. Kids need to always feel safe and comfortable and parents and teachers should be constant supports for them whenever they need it.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Multimedia Project: Romeo and Juliet
Well, here it is! After many hours of frustration and computer problems, e.g., imovie unexpectedly quitting every 2 minutes without saving, it is finished for your viewing pleasure.
I really love the idea of having students create multimedia projects as their final assessment. The possibilities are endless and you could have students use video projects to explore all areas of English, such as genre, plot, various novels, short stories, poems, themes, characters, etc. You'd have to do extensive scaffolding throughout the process, guiding students through mini projects that help them complete the larger project step by step. Recently I learned in my teaching literature class about Ekphrasis, or the process of responding to art with writing. A simple instructional video to create could be of various works of art which students could then respond to, perhaps in the voice of the character from the novel. Incorporating video and music would only enhance the sensory experience and give students more ways to connect with what we're studying.
I really love the idea of having students create multimedia projects as their final assessment. The possibilities are endless and you could have students use video projects to explore all areas of English, such as genre, plot, various novels, short stories, poems, themes, characters, etc. You'd have to do extensive scaffolding throughout the process, guiding students through mini projects that help them complete the larger project step by step. Recently I learned in my teaching literature class about Ekphrasis, or the process of responding to art with writing. A simple instructional video to create could be of various works of art which students could then respond to, perhaps in the voice of the character from the novel. Incorporating video and music would only enhance the sensory experience and give students more ways to connect with what we're studying.
Prezi-licious
So recently I taught my practicum classes about Totalitarianism to boost their background knowledge for their novel, Fahrenheit 451. I wanted to incorporate YoTube clips of different totalitarian governments and such, but I wanted to also include a few key words and facts to help students visualize the words and concepts. I'm a little over PowerPoint, mostly because I think it has been used way too much. While it used to be the new thing that got everybody's attention, now it's just another sure-fire way to put students to sleep--that is, if you use it incorrectly. However, I'm a very organized person and I like the idea of having all of my information in one place, rather than opening up a web browser and navigating through 50 million tabs while I'm trying to teach.
Enter in Prezi.
Prezi is like a beefed up version of PowerPoint, but even that description doesn't quite do it justice. Prezi easily (and I mean with one simple click) allows you to incorporate YouTube videos, pictures, text, etc. But it is just so cool. You really have to play around with it in order to see what I mean, but Prezi is interactive on many levels. While I don't want it to sound like some gimmick teachers can use to get students' attention, it does have the benefits of engaging students; when I taught, students' eyes were literally glued to the screen. Prezi allows to organize information more precisely, such as according to hierarchy, and it takes you through an information journey, if you will (I know, cheesy).
Hopefully we won't fall into the same rut of overusing Prezi like we do PowerPoint, which I think is the key to presentation technology in general. By presentation technology I mean things like movies, pictures, slideshows, etc. These tools are really great ways to present information in a different way for students, but we have to make sure that it doesn't become to familiar to0 them or they may tune out. Anyway, check out Prezi!
Enter in Prezi.
Prezi is like a beefed up version of PowerPoint, but even that description doesn't quite do it justice. Prezi easily (and I mean with one simple click) allows you to incorporate YouTube videos, pictures, text, etc. But it is just so cool. You really have to play around with it in order to see what I mean, but Prezi is interactive on many levels. While I don't want it to sound like some gimmick teachers can use to get students' attention, it does have the benefits of engaging students; when I taught, students' eyes were literally glued to the screen. Prezi allows to organize information more precisely, such as according to hierarchy, and it takes you through an information journey, if you will (I know, cheesy).
Hopefully we won't fall into the same rut of overusing Prezi like we do PowerPoint, which I think is the key to presentation technology in general. By presentation technology I mean things like movies, pictures, slideshows, etc. These tools are really great ways to present information in a different way for students, but we have to make sure that it doesn't become to familiar to0 them or they may tune out. Anyway, check out Prezi!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)