Journal # 8

This journal is called "Promoting Equity with Digital Video" by Randy Yerrick, Donna Ross, and Philip Molebash.  In this article the three authors discuss the different ways that digital videos can enhance the learning process.  As soon as I saw this article I immediately thought about the video project we did here in our class.  I know for a fact that the video project can enhance learning, because it sure enhanced mine.  I have learned from first-hand experience that this article is true.  Something else the article promotes is the idea that through the digital video, we can reach a more equal classroom.  White, middle-class males are often favored when it comes to communicating in written and oral tests.  Well with this addition of the video project, teachers and other officials are hoping for a more equal chance within the classroom.  With the video project, students don't have to speak in the video.  They can be imaginative and creative.  I know in the video that I made, no one spoke.  All you could hear was the sound of the music I put in the background.  Any student of any ethnicity and race could have put that together.  That is the point of equity the authors are talking about.

Question 1:  How does this promote equity?

The video project is a great way to promote equity in the classroom.  Like I was saying before, a student does not need to talk when filming a project.  It ultimately becomes their choice whether or not to actually talk in the film.  If they want to create an emotional piece they can add a song and appeal to everyone.  The video project allows the student to be creative as well as feel on the same level as the other students in the classroom.  I still think there will come a point when something else becomes unfair and we will have to scratch the video project.

Question 2:  Why is it that a video project makes things equal?

I think that the video project makes things equal mainly because you do not have to read anything or speak in the film.  This puts everyone on an equal basis and will allow each student to feel on the same page.  I don't think any other project would be as effective when it comes to equality in the classroom.  Written projects wouldn't work, and neither would projects based on an oral presentation.  In my opinion the video project is the best effective way to promote equity in the classroom.

Journal # 7

This journal is called "Does This Really Work?" by Sara Sawtelle.  In this article Sawtelle combines technology with science.  When presenting a new form of technology to the class Sawtelle suggests that we must apply the scientific method.  We must first create a hypothesis, and decide just how to get across the new form of technology.  Then, after we create a hypothesis, we move on to the planning stage.  This is one of the most crucial parts because it is the part in which we lay down the foundation of our project.  According to Sawtelle, "They recognize that planning is not as simple as one person sitting at a desk and mapping it all out; it will take a committee of the right people asking the right questions" (13).  After planning comes the preparation stage.  Here we must take what we plan out and get it ready making sure that all of our steps are covered.  Once this stage is complete, we must then test out our hypothesis to make sure it all works according to plan.  If it does not work out then adjustments are to be made.  I think Sawtelle makes a good point and I agree that before we apply a new technology we must test it out to make sure everything works out well.

Question 1:  Is this method too time consuming?

I think Sawtelle has a great point and I like where she is going, but I feel that this will be too time consuming.  I think to go through all those steps would eat up time that could be well spent somewhere else.  Especially when the people are doing this method with all the different types of  programs.

Question 2:  Just another silly idea?

Sawtelle is combining two different areas, technology with science, to form a great idea.  I think in order to work with a new technology, following these steps would be the best way of going about it.  I feel as if that is what we have done in this class.  Before each new technology program, we have sat down and talked about it first.  We have gone through it before actually going on to the program.  This way is more helpful and better when used in a classroom.

Journal # 6

This journal is titled "Mapping Student Minds" by Ariel Owen.   This journal explores the journey into the students' minds.  Owen talks about a field trip that the teachers and students participated in where they collected data on a nearby creek.  While on this field trip the students are to collect data about the surrounding elements.  After they collect all the necessary data, the students are then to create a casual map.  With these maps, the children then get into groups of two and map out the relationship between the elements that they have collected data from.  This map reminds me greatly of the inspiration maps we did earlier in class.  The article goes on to say that these casual maps, and showing the relationships, are difficult for the students to complete. The inspiration maps were hard at first, but as we got to mess around with them, they were a powerful educating tool.  I feel that with the students it will end up being the exact same thing.  The more they use the casual maps as a tool for learning, the better they will become at using the program and the better they will learn the material.

Question 1:  What is the significance of using casual maps?

The significance is a better understanding of the materials.  The more the students get a hands on approach at learning, the better they will acquire the knowledge.  I also think that the maps work well if done in a group.  I think that the students will learn from each other as well as from the actual program.  They will exchange thoughts about how it should be laid out and what information to put into their project.  Not only will they learn how to work with the program, but they will also learn how to work with each other.  I will definitely use this program in my classroom.

Question 2:  Could there be any problems using this program?

I really don't see any problems working with this program.  I think the program is extremely positive and can only offer positive feedback.  The only problem I see is the problem of the kids working together clashing their ideas.  It is hard to find a person easy to work with.  But done in the right environment, it can be a positive way to learn.  Another problem could be the amount of time to complete the assignment.  

Journal # 5

This journal is titled "Can You Hear Me Now?" by Sherry Turkle.  In this article, Turkle shares some thoughts about the technology we use and how it seems to take us further away from reality.  Turkle went on a business trip to Japan where she noticed the people in the meeting constantly messing around with their technology.  From this experience Turkle came up with five trouble that stem from the over use of technology.  The first one is that the online world creates a new meaning of the self.  People are taking new identities and are living in virtual reality instead of actual life.  The second trouble is the idea that we are all losing time to take our time.  Everything with technology is so rushed that people have no time to spare, no time to relax, and no time for anyone else.  The third trouble concerns the children.  Since the kids get cell phones at an early age, they are becoming more technological faster than their parents.  The fourth trouble is the different lives people produce on such sites like Facebook and Myspace.  And finally, the last trouble is the idea of split attention.  With so many people on so many different technology tools, are attention spans are getting smaller and smaller.  These troubles are all troubles that I agree with and see on a daily basis.  These are also troubles that we will see, for sure, in the classroom.

Question 1:  How will these troubles affect the classroom?

I know for a fact that the idea of a shorter attention span will affect the way a classroom works.  With all of the technology that the students will be using, its up to the teacher to be on top of the classroom environment.  We need to make the classroom exciting and at a pace that every kid can stay at.  We as teachers also need to use the technology to our advantage.  Let the kids use the web during class.  We do in college and it helps a lot.  While reading a certain book for instance, a student can read off an interesting fact about the author and what not.  But give them limits, don't erase technology all together.

Question 2:  Where do we notice these troubles in our daily lives?

We can see these effects everywhere.  From board meetings in Japan, to classroom behavior.  Even now as I'm typing, I have my phone near by waiting for a text message.  I believe instead of hating on technology, we must embrace it.  The only thing I think we can change is the way we socialize on sites like Facebook and Myspace.  That stuff needs to go away personally.  I think that stuff can be used for education, but I feel as if it will get in the way more so than help out.