Week 4 Show Me What You've Learned Part 2

GoAnimate.com: Week 4 Show Me What You've Learned Part 2 by Claire

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Week 4 Show Me What You've Learned Part 1

GoAnimate.com: What I've Learned by Claire

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

Week 4 The Journey Ahead

Grayhawk68. (artist). (2009). Lotusphere 2009-93. Retrieved June 28, 2009, from

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhawk68/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The thesis and media project are vast upon us and yet I'm not sure what tools will best execute my vision for the media portion. Ordinary presentations/lectures just don't cut it with today's twenty-first century learners. Incorporating audience response system clickers is to the problem. It's finding the ultimate applications that will help create a balance between student interaction and the flow of content knowledge. I hope to incorporate text, video, and animation as needed and maybe even sneak a little gaming element in as well. My main struggle is that the CPS clickers that I intend to incorporate function primarily through the use of Power Point or a slightly less flexible program that comes with the clickers. After reading The Art of Possibility I really need to examine what unintentional barriers that I'm throwing up. I need to go from here and see what possibilities lie ahead and move forward without reservation or fear of failure. I desperately need to apply "Rule Number Six" and just go for it full force.

Week 4 Reading The Art of Possibility

Suderman,C. (artist). (2006). Kids in the Classroom. [photo]. Retrieved June 26, 2009, from

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrissuderman/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

"The Way Things Are" by far for me was to most revealing and meaningful chapter. It's huge to be "present to the way things are". So often in life find ourselves in a downward spiral feeling victimized by the world. This chapter forced me to look deeper to determine if there are any barriers that I've thrown up that are preventing me from reaching my own goals. To often we set ourselves up to fail with negative self talk, so I love when Roz challenges us to ask where are we speaking from. It's so simply, just relay the entire story and present ways to move on from here. No better statement could end this practice, "the truth readies us for the next step". "Giving Way to Passion" grants permission to fully dive in without reserve. For once, just go for it no settling for what is easily obtained but working hard to achieve that which is what you really desire. "Lighting a spark" is not so easy in the political world of education, but I can see how being present face-to-face letting your passion overflow could ignite a spark. It's just so intimidating to stand up in the face of false assumptions on the part of those with whom your conflict lies. "Owning the risk for everything that happens in your life", a great feat in today's society which is prone to place blame and avoid ownership. "Being the board" requires such vigilance and poise leaving behind that which you cannot control. I'm amazing at this novel approach...how refreshing. To create frameworks for possibilities one must simply take on a new mindset--one that overcomes downward thinking. You must display your vision in such a way that the possibilities draw everyone in. The last and most pressing reality of the book comes down to one powerful word...me. Taking yourself out of the equation and focusing on the whole will make all the difference. So for me, the next step really is...Where do we go from here?

Week 4 Stickam

Beale. S. and Laughing Squid. (artist). (2008). Kiki and Bubu on Stickam. [photo]. Retrieved June 23, 2009, from http://laughingsquid.com/

Stickam opens up a whole new world of communication. How great would it be if students were able to debate or collaborate with students from around the world. My short experience in Stickam confirmed the need to have a room to meet in if you want to remain uninterrupted. I found the slight video delay a little comical almost like a old Chinese movie. I curious to explore and find out what the possibilities of this tool are compared to things like Wimba and Skype. Our group Stickam session went rather well, except for getting bumped out once. It was easy to use and communicate as long as you didn't focus on the video delay. We shared some great media resources that were used throughout the program and were able to grasp a clear picture of months 10, 11, and 12...what a relief.

Week 3 Podcasts & iTunes

Delgado, D. (artist). (2009). 74/365...Music Please. [photo]. Retrieved June 21, 2009, from

http://www.flickr.com/photos/desireedelgado/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Until this program I never really used iTunes and it has opened up a whole new world right at my fingertips. When I first started to search for podcasts, I just used a search engine which was some what effective. I was a little frustrated so I looked to see what others had used and saw that many had searched iTunes. The amount of free podcasts blew my mind, plus the ability to purchase episodes of my favorite Mythbusters...who could ask for more. Through searching for content videos earlier in the school year, I came across great short videos through the history channel website as well as using google video search. Letting students see how coins and money were made resulted in a more invested student. Students could see camouflage in action and were able to capture a vivid memory to add to their background knowledge. Like Alice said, podcasts would make a great learning center with endless possibilities. Students could learn a song, review vocabulary, listen and then write, and the list could go on.

Week 3 Ron Smith Interview Interactive Q&A

Strathdee. J. (artist). (2008). Hollywood High Marching Band. [photo]. Retrieved June 21, 2009, from

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtstrathdee/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

1) Why do students choose to attend Hollywood High School? Would this type of school interest you? Why or Why not?
It's a school that focuses on careers in the Entertainment Business. This school would be of interests to me because I'm interested in graphic design.

2) Name two tools that Ron Smith tried out on his students when they became popular. Have you ever used one or both of these tools at school? If so, how?
Podcasts & Text Messaging

3) What is the ideal scenario for students after they graduate from HHS?
The they would go to college with a career path that leads them to work in the entertainment industry.

4)What opportunities await HHS graduates?
They have the opportunity for internships and mentoring which could lead to jobs with graphic design or careers in the movie business.

5) What application does Ron Smith prefer his students use to create presentations?
He prefers that students use Flash rather than PowerPoint.

6) Why does Ron Smith use the following with his students: movies, sound, dance, etc.? He uses these and any tools to engage his students.

7) Name at least two applications that Ron Smith allows his students to express themselves through. Do you have this same freedom when it comes to classroom projects? Explain
Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash
My freedom depends on the teacher, I work harder when I'm able to choose my app.

8) What is the most common application that teachers use for presentations? Is this engaging to you?
PowerPoint It can be engaging, it depends on how it is used and whether it incorporates multimedia. It also depends on the delivery of the instructor.

9) What did Ron Smith mean when he said digital teaching is all front-loaded?
He meant that the work load for planning is all done in the beginning, not gradually as the year goes on.

10) Describe one of the new applications Ron Smith's students are using? Which of these is most appealing to you?
I think Sketch is the most appealing because you can create 3D models that could be used to bring your concept to life.