Sunday, November 30, 2008

The Challenge of Applying New Literacies in the Classroom

In A New Literacies Sampler, in the chapter entitled "New Literacies", Cynthia Lewis makes a valid point that I believe supports what we are doing in this class. She says that in "the world of education (policies and systems more than individual teachers) has not shifted mindsets in line with those described in this book’s opening chapter. Through professional development, teachers receive training in curricular uses of technology, but they do not learn about new mindsets, identities, and practices that come with new technologies, forms of communication, and economic flows." I think that is what we are learning in this class; how to use technology in connection with the new mindsets, identities, and practices of our students.

I know that I am hesitant to use a lot of what we have learned with my students. I am likely to infuse technology as a way to present information. However, I rarely allow the students to use the technologies and new literacies that they know and use in their life and work outside of school with the content that we are studying in school. I know that I am wrong for not trying, but I find it hard to incorporate new technologies without having the time to teach the students how to use them. I also find school districts to be hypocritical when they state their support for the use of technology in the classroom. Although they claim to support the use of new technologies, they do not always provide teachers with the means to do so or the time to do so effectively.

Something that I am going to try to do this year is to create a blog for my classes for a midterm exam review. I am going to require that the students post at least one question, suggestion, or fact and respond to at least one post. The purpose of the blog will be to serve as a large study group. Many of my students live far from each other, so it is difficult for them to get together after school. If they are able to study together in the form of a blog they will be able to help each other with content or concepts that they are unsure of. I will also participate in the blog in order to clarify any inaccurate information that is passed along and also to answer any questions that are still unanswered when it gets close to the end of the review period.

Giving Second Life a Second Chance

I decided to try Second Life again, and although I was more successful at navigating than I was at the beginning of the semester, I still do not really understand how it works. I searched for real places to go to, and they were there, but who created them? I also tried looking for people to acquire information from, but while I was flying around in Second Life, I did not come in contact with many people, and I was on for about an hour. I did go to the Montclair State Library and a place called Summersville Waterpark (which I thought was cool), but I still did not get what you are supposed to do there. Although I think it is fun to search around, I do not quite understand the purpose. If anyone has been successful in Second Life, please let me know. Thanks!

2 more papers to write

I know we are all busy but I spent some time reading through the Syllabus, particularly the "Identity Video Project", pages 12-14.
I must have not read through this thoroughly before, but under "Digital Video Project Assessment Criteria" (e & f) I see, basically, two more papers to write.
Truthfully, I don't remember Dr. Knobel mentioning these at any of the classes.

I am assuming, generally a bad thing to do, that they are due on the 13th with the CD or DVD of our movie. I suppose another option would be to email them to Dr. Knobel by that date.

I know there have been changes made to the syllabus (ie: 2 remixes instead of 4), but I don't remember hearing about any.

Please advise, particularly since the due date is looming.
Thanks

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Remix-Nicosia

To all:

I finally worked out all of the kinks for my Remix of Nicosia. If you are interested, you should click the link for VOICETHREAD.COM and comment on the image I created. VOICETHREAD.COM is a really fun platform to post information and I would highly recommend that you all try to post something on it.

Lindsay

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Blog Help

Good afternoon Ladies,

I am trying to add followers to blog.. Does anyone know how to do that??

Thax

Maddy Patty

Thursday, November 20, 2008

For those in the READ or Media Specialist programs, these sites may be of interest to you:
http://www.goodreads.com/
and
http://www.librarything.com/

Happy reading!

great new sites

I spent some time reading through (and clicking on links) the latest Edutopia.org....SCORE!
this is my new FAVORITE site (as a Media Specialist!!!) http://librivox.org/

Spend some time going through the MASSIVE list of free text and audio files.
All the texts on this site are in the Public Domain!
Enjoy,
Laurence

A few Sites to Take a Look At

Hi Everyone,

I was doing some reading for my other class and one of the chapters briefly touched on technology in the classroom. It provided a few websites that could be used in the classroom that I thought were worth sharing. Two of the websites I tried to go to did not work, but http://www.pbs.org/odyssey/ was up and running. This site allows students to virtually participate in an ocean voyage with scientist to study the conditions of the ocean. Another cool site is http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/virtual.php. This site is more for students at the high school level and allows them to participate in virtual dissections of animals. How crazy! I remember in high school I had to dissect a frog. I think it would have been much better if we did it virtually.

Both of these sites reminded me of Second Life and the learning that can take place with the use of technology. I also felt these sites exemplified the new ethos. Students are able to collaborative with each other in affinity spaces. Students in these affinity spaces form participatory cultures and have a wide range of expertise. I think this environment keeps students engaged and motivated and is conducive to learning.

Check out the sites and let me know what you think!

Free media conversion software

Hello everyone--

I subscribe to something called Give Away of the Day (http://www.giveawayoftheday.com), and each 24 hours, they let you download and install software for free that you would otherwise have to buy. A lot of the stuff they make available isn't always crash hot, but today's download might be of interest to you.

It's a media converter that converts the following file types: "WMA, WMV, ASF and other video/audio: WMA, M4A, AAC, AC3, WAV, MP3, WMV, ASF to MP3, WAV, AAC, MP4, AVI, FLV, 3GP, etc." I don't know how good the software is, but a converter I downloaded from this same giveaway promo site at the start of the year has been fantastic.

I just thought I'd let you know about it--you need to download and *install* it (for PCs only, not Macs) within the next 18 hours though.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Need Some Assistance

I've been working on my final project and am trying to import some home videos into Windows Movie Maker. I'm having so much trouble!! It's telling me that it doesn't recognize the file and I've tried converting it using zamzar.com, but that hasn't worked either. I've even tried to video my screen while it's playing using CamStudio, but that hasn't worked either. Any help would be appreciated!!

WIKI POST- integrating audio with an image

I have created an image with adobe photoshop for one of my remixes. With the image, I have recorded soem audio that I intended to integrate into the image. I have a MAC and I tried to integrate it with IMOVIE but it is not working. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can achieve my goal. Dr. Knobel assisted me in posting the image but she is asking to figure out this audio integration. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Final Projects!!

Hey Ladies,

Can you share some of your ideas for your final projects. I am interested in the animation schema. So, if you have thoughts, suggestions, please feel free.

Thax

Maddy Patty

6 Trait Writing Program Con't

     Dr. Knobel had commented about this program wondering if this is operating out of mindset 1 or mindset 2.  To refresh our memories, in chapter 2 of New Literacies Barlow distinguishes between the two mindsets.  He refers to people who have been born into the cyberspace world and those who come to this new world from a different standpoint.  More specifically, mindset 1 are the "newcomers" or "immigrants" and mindset 2 are the "natives" or "insiders."  
     I believe this program is operating out of mindset 2.  For example, when the students open their new assignment and enter their sloppy copy, they open a window that is very similar to Word.  Now the students know exactly how to get around this window that just opened.  They can copy and paste, open a drop down graphic organizer, and change the font.  The students jumped right into their introduction paragraph.  This essay, so far, has been a pleasure to teach.  The students did not just sit there saying, "I don't know what to write" or "What should I say next?" This was the fastest I have ever seen the introduction and body paragraphs completed.  Also, the students said they prefer to type the essay rather than hand write it first.
My students are all examples of the mindset 2.  I believe that is why this computer writing program was a comforting program for them and they never complained about writing another essay.  I also noticed that my students were automatically rereading their work.  They hardly ever reread what they handwrite, but every time they stopped typing, they reread their last sentence or two.  They were more aware of their writing.  
     Our next step is to move from the sloppy copy to the final draft.  Details to follow.   

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

NewLits.org

Hello, hope everyone is doing fantabulastic!! =)

I have a question that I hope someone knows the answer too. Im having trouble loading the NewLits.org page. For some reason its not loading the page. Is anyone else having a problem loading and viewing the page? I would love to see all the new changes that were made to the site, but unfortunately my laptop is not loading the page so I cannot until I figure out what the issue is! Thanks so much!!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Converting MPEG to WAV..HELP!!!!

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well and not stressing out too much. I have a question. I need to convert a mpeg to a wav. I tried to google a free converter, however, the websites I am getting are not good. I tried using AVS4you at http://www.avs4you.com/downloads.aspx?dl=no and MediCoder at http://files.uberdownloads.com/software/converters/convert.php?f=Audio%20Files&t=Other%20. They do not work! AVS4you will convert the file, but will leave a watermark banner unless you buy the software. MediCoder just brings you to sites where you can buy software. Does anyone have a reliable site where I can download a converter for free?

Thanks,
Nancy

Sunday, November 9, 2008

New Literacies - Chapter 5 - Video Games

In Chapter 5 of New Literacies, James Paul Gee discusses the implications for learning through playing video games. Although Gee talks about several important factors related to video games and how players interact with the virtual world, the part that stood out to me was the section that he writes about Learning and the implications that video games have on our teaching.

Gee uses the game Full Spectrum Warrior to compare learning how to play a video game with learning in the classroom. Through playing a video game, the player is immersed in the video game experience and that is when learning takes place. There is no drill and kill that occurs when playing video games. This contrasts with how many students are learning in school. Often times they learn and memorize facts in order to pass a test, but those facts are forgotten quickly after the test is taken. All the facts and information the learner is studying would make a lot more sense if the learner had had opportunities to see they applied to the world of action and experience.

Gee says that true knowledge is based on one's ability to build simulations (models) in one's head based on previous experiences. Deep thinking requires a framework (a perspective or resource used to further one's learning). In Full Spectrum Warrior, the players feel competent before they actually are. They are competent in a way that goes beyond answering test questions. They can act, value, feel, decide, and solve problems like a pro. This is how learning should happen in schools.

"Learning in school should be the same as playing a video game" (Gee, 2007).

6 Trait Writing

Hi all
I am starting a new writing program tomorrow with my students.  It is called 6 Trait Writing.  Does anyone already use this program?? This writing program is all done on the Internet.  I set up a problem/solution essay for my students to begin writing.  My students will all use a laptop to login using a username and password to view their new assignment.  Next, they will follow a guide and create a "sloppy copy." Since I have not used this program yet, I am not sure about all the steps.  I will keep you posted.  I really hope this program will save me time when it comes to the grading process.  

Thursday, November 6, 2008

http://www.yahoo.com/
www.newlits.org

Hologram Technology

Hi Guys,

When I was watching the election on November 5th I've noticed that they introduced some cool technology.It caught my attention because I was comparing it to the previous elections.I decided to search on the net.I came across this site that explain what kind of tech that they were using. it's the hologram technology.Holograms are photographic images that are 3 dimensional and appear to have depth.Hologram works by creating an image compose of 2 dimensional pictures of the same object seem from different reference points. Take a look http://news.cnet.com Kate

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to briefly talk about “Digi-Pop: New Literacies Need New Learning” by Jabari Mahiri. I used Mahiri’s piece for my wiki, but I thought the article had some really great points to discuss. First, I think everyone should check out www.youthradio.org. This is a site that focuses on important issues for younger individuals with a hip-hop twist. The site recently focused on the election and allowed for members to blog their opinions about the candidates. The site also deals with controversial issues like racism, violence, and gender. Youth Radio allows for real people to express their opinions on real issues.

In Mahiri’s article he provides an example of how a class uses Youth Radio as a model for a Hip-Hop Journalism class. I think by using topics that are important to students allow them to become more engaged and creative. The new literacies used in the journalism class, such as Blogger, Photoshop, and Final Cut Pro where not that new to the students. Students outside of school are already using new literacies. As the article states, “a lot of us already have raw talent that needs a little polishing” (Mahiri, 2008). Students can use these new literacies; it is the job of the teacher to implement them in the classroom in a way that is conducive to learning.

In order for teacher to be able to implement new literacies in the classroom, Mahiri stresses the importance of training and providing support for teachers. He has started a program called TEACH (Technology, Equity And Culture High-Schools), which is a group that helps teachers re-think and re-delivery their lessons to students for effective learning. It is essential for teachers to know or to learn with the students on how to use new media and literacies in the classroom.

The article defines youth and adult participation in teaching and learning with media and new literacies as collegial pedagogy. A few features of collegial pedagogy are youth leadership, joint framing, distributed accountability and mediated intervention (Mahiri, 2008). I believe it is worth using collegial pedagogy in the classroom and is something I would like to look further into.

Finally

I was able to locate the problem last night on the newlits.org for the wiki assignments. I did not have my passwds correct that's why I didn't have access to edit the wiki, however, I was able to do it. Akthough I was able to post my ideas and remixes however I am having difficulty adding the picture on to my assignment. I followed Dr.Knobles direction in saving the image, uploading the file and the image and it did sow up however it would not transfer over to the page. If you can please respond so that I can't complete this assignment to it's perfection!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

ROCK THE VOTE

Hey guys, wow a experience it was to rock the vote today, i saw a few friends in line and they asked," do you want to cut the line?"...my heels were saying yesssssss... but my heart was saying wait in line. my ancestors have died for this moment. So i was so proud today to wait in line and observe so many young people ROCK THE VOTE. Regard of the outcome, i was very happy to apart of this historical day.

SIGNING OFF

I ROCKED THE VOTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE did you????
Hi Guys DON'T FORGET TO GET OUT TODAY AND VOTE! Kate

Monday, November 3, 2008

Adbusters.org

I read Chapter 4, New Literacies as Remix. I came across this website, www.Adbusters.Org

I was fascinated and in shock at the same time how this company can create spoofs on big powerful money making companies, such Bennetton, page 132. That's what I call Freedom Of Speech!

I went on the website and explored different topics. The website also has blogs which I found to be very interesting. I came across this page http://www.adbusters.org/magazine/80/quit_facebook.html and found it to be hysterical as I could relate. I have a FaceBook account and yes I created an image for myself. And I think up clever quotes so that others can see it and maybe giggle a little. And I pick out the better pictures to post so that I always look good. lol (this means laughing out loud for those that may not know). It's funny becasue we all do it. We create an image for ourselves online, a virtual image, that we want to be. The internet is a powerful tool that can create another life a virtual one. To me its fun and a way to keep in touch with my friends, especially now that I have no life as my life consists of school, work, lots of eating (because of stress) and little sleeping (because of stress), lol. I try to get in other activities but its difficult. Having access to the internet and being in the safety net of your own home is easy and you can see what your friends are up to without moving out of your seat or speaking a word. Awesome!!

Ok I'm rambling, back to the website www.Adbusters.org , this company was worrying people in high places. Any company having something to say about the US economic, military or foreign police in these times, specifically after 9-11 was in risk to getting spoofed by them. Which meant a negative ad and losing money. As you will see, Adbusters is just one of many companies to spoof big powerful money making companies. As thier spoofs are posted on billboards everywhere for example, in the middle of Times Square. Its all part of the wonderful world of literacy. Adbusters is just another example how conveying messages anyway possible through writing, pictures, internet, etc... to get a message across and get people to participate in the technological world. Hey it works!

Meme's

I read a little of, A New Literacies Sampler. . . I was intrigued about Meme's, chapter 9.

From what I understood, Meme's is a network that survives on social contribution. It requires a networked human “hosts” in order to survive. This reminded me of Rebecca Black's article when she mentioned "Participatory Culture". A Meme's survival all depends on Participatory cutlture, having enough people contribute to the network. The issue is, Is the contribution frutiful or just garbage!?!

I can see what you mean about Meme's being fruitful for educators. It's a way for educators to focus on getting new ideas for new forms of social participation in the world that is the Internet. Like the wiki's we all had to do. We all had to participate and contribute new and different ideas for others to read and think about. Memes can be a resource that can be used in classrooms to promote discussions about each meme's topic, whatever it may be, such as a social issue wherein everyone can see and read a persons informed point of view. The power of memes to spread contagious ideas and to infect minds with particular ideas is a big truth. Many people in these online communities live by what they see and read on the internet.

I like how you said that engaging with online memes as examples of new L/literacies can help educators to equip students with important strategies for identifying the memes that infect their minds, and for evaluating the effects these memes have on their (ethical) decision-making, social actions and their relations with others.Well-informed and savvy online meming may well provide students with a fruitful and accessible practice for bringing about positive social changes in the ways people think and, perhaps, act towards others. I agree that memeing can defintely be fruitful, but there are many vulnerable minds that thier minds are easily infected with non fruitful ideas. And being able to evaluate ethics and ones own values is very important as it is one's identity. Hope Im making sense. =) Very intersting stuff!

Technology in the classroom!

Hi everyone!

In my Perspectives class we were talking about technology in the classroom. Our professor gave us this website to look at http://hill.troy.k12.mi.us/staff/bnewingham/myweb3/

This teacher is definitely media savy as her classroom website looks wonderful and so creative. It even has a movie making section. Check it out! Enjoy! =)

Sunday, November 2, 2008

help!

I've tried both of the websites that we were given to download You Tube videos and haven't been able to download any videos. I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but I can't seem to figure it out! Can anyone help me?

Digital learning

I am so interested in finding sites that are easier to adapt to my claases to make the enviroment more conducive to learning;
I found this cool site on digital technology that will enhance the learning process.
http://www.guide2digitallearning.com/

Kate

You Tube

You Tube never stops amazing me! I went on You Tube to search for short clips to put in my final video. I came across this video which was actually used by a man to propose to his wife. I thought it was so cute and wanted to share it with you guys! He also created a sequal to the video about how they decided to send their invitations out. I just thought it was really clever!

REMIX Blog

The piece that explains the idea on the use of a site patterned on hfuff.stal is relevant to teachers and students developing ideas to adapt their quest for nnew literacy venues. I visited FUTRUNKS.jpg I like the concept that will definitely sustain the young student's attention. The trend of incorporating technology into literacy is revolutionizing teaching. I agree that the best way to reach young people is to use the same medium they adopt as their communication tool, to inform and instruct them. As mentioned in this section most of these methods are derived from personal interests, such as the game of Adventure that Will Crowther created to intertain his young daughters. The point is made that these discoveries are usually the products of personal or group endeavors not of government funded experiments. Remix then becomes a valuable tool to impart knowledge. Kate

REMIX

.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Rives: A 3-minute story of mixed emoticons

This is an absolute must-see, and very much challenges traditional crieria for what it means to write narratives well!

Wiki Assignment

Dear Ladies and Dr. Knobel, I have tried to post this assignment on newlits.org, and it was unable to post several time, so i have uploaded the assignment on our blog. In addition to directing email you, Dr. Knobel. Sincerely, Madison P.S. Have a laugh and on me. The editing can be very difficult but I tried my best to remove the unnecessary film.