Survey for Edmodo

I came to a conclusion that the 5th grade students like to share their experiences through writing with Edmodo. They were interested in letting other people read their stories with the internet. The students seemed to get excited not having to write on paper.
The 5th graders like the writing activity the best. I would think that they liked the writing more because of the interaction. The students were able to judge the mag covers, but there was no interaction.
I enjoyed the interaction of Edmodo. I was excited to get on line and see that the student liked sharing my ideas with his story. I learn evertime I get on the computer. I have little knowledge and not computer lit., so it is still difficult for me to really understand. From what I experienced, I really was very interested in this project.
a collaboration project I might implement to others student would be through Edmodo. I would ask my students to gather historical facts about their town. Then I would let them post their finding and send them to another school. Next, I would ask that school to do the same idea in the same time period. I would then have the students compare and contrast.

Mag cover

final digital story

media

Media Interpretation

The media has more viewers now more than ever.  The internet gives billions of people to look at many types of media.  People do not have to look at just black and white pictures.  Color and technology has changed the way we perceive things in books, magazines, and computers.  Using the computer I was able to get some news about what was happening with President Obama and the B.P. oil spill.  I knew very little of what the President was doing about the spill.  I gathered information on the B.P. from broadcast media.  I found it odd that the president of B.P. took a vacation during the crisis.  I would have to choose the internet to find more about this situation, because it took place last year.  This is very important, in my opinion, about the use of the internet.  I would not want to purchase a magazine or a news paper article to get my facts, because it would not even be in there.  It is months after the accident, there will be no story line.  Gathering media information is extremely easy on the internet.  The main purpose of writing is to grab a certain audience.  The audience for these two images would be for environmental people and the government.  Writing to this audience would state a purpose and ask question about the situation, who, what, when, where, and why. 

                      President Obama never had control of this urgent problem.  It took weeks for the disaster to be over.  Plus, there are months of clean up.  He looks concerned and frustrated.  The positioning of the camera is close portrait shot, probably to show his emotions of his views.  He does not have a tie on and there are no guards around and he looks casually dressed.  My view of this image is that I have no confidence in him.  What can be completed at a desk?  This was a hands on problem. 

                 

President Obama looks more in control on the ship.  He looks like he has a smile, but I think that is the sun on his face.  This is a wide view shot, which probably illustrates that he is out there trying to get something done about this sluggish situation.  He looks like he is just listening to the bull crap that this yuppie has to say.  The people around him look like they are more excited to see the president than fixing the problem.
 

Digital Story 2201

Video Games and Work

Games and the Workplace

            Good games and a highly motivating work place have nothing in common.  Video games should not be compared to education purposes.  Videos games are just another way of entertainment.  I would rather take a stick and play with my dogs fecal matter for an hour than play any video game. 

            The difference between learning in schools and learning in good games is that knowing how to play video games does not get you prepared for the future or even college. 

            Learning in schools should never be like learning in good games.  Sorry but this blog prompt is not worth five points.  Video games and I have nothing in common.  Nothing………….

The Six C's

The Six C’s

The Six C’s are motivational tools to help students gain interest in a specific content area.  For this assignment we should evaluate video games and these motivational strategies.  I don’t think video games have anything to do with learning techniques.  In my opinion, the Six C’s are for development of learning social skills and motivation.  Video games, on the other hand, tend to lessen social skills and motivation.  Many people just sit around and play video games and accomplish nothing. 

              Choice is the first tool of the Six C’s.  A student can choice what video game they get to play.  This tool in motivation helps the student get involved because choice lets the student pick the subject of his or her desire.  This would help motivate the student by letting them have a personal experience with the assignment.  I was never given a chance to pick my own subject, it always gave me trouble.  I always wanted to feel related to what I want to learn. 

            Students that go beyond their skills tend to have a challenge, which is another tool for this motivational strategy.  Students who feel that they are being challenged often strive to see if they can accomplish a task.  Video games are a challenge, la di frickin da.  I really don’t like video games. 

            Classroom control is another tool in the Six C’s.  Teachers should always be in control of the students, but if the students are giving time to control the class the students feel involved in decision making.  This then leads to more of a design to relate to other students and control what they want to learn, instead of being forced what to learn.  Gamers can control their own players or whatever they are playing.  Who cares.

            Collaboration, I think, is the most important of these six tools.  I feel when people get together and share ideas the outcomes are endless.  One person can think of many ideas, but they can’t judge if their ideas are good or bad.  Working in groups helps me learn different points of views.  Collaborating with people is enjoyable to me, because sometimes a get blocked and no ideas come out of my brain.  The only way video games fit into this is online video games, which in my opinion are a waste of time.

            Constructing Meaning is a great way for students to learn the value of what they are learning.  Motivation is extremely hard if the students do not know what, how, or why they have to learn what they learning.  A meaning of an idea gives relationship to the student and his or her subject.  It may help them appreciate a new subject.  If anyone can find meaning in a video game, they need a dog, or something to get them away from what they are doing.  In my opinion, if someone finds meaning in a video game, they might need to a new meaning in life. 

            Consequence is the best motivation tool in the Six C’s if I may say.  One main reason is that, “There is no “correct” way to complete a project.”  I feel that I always make the wrong choice.  I always think they are the right answers, but nope.  In this “open-ended task context” students would always appreciate completing an assignment and it goes recognized.  Recognition is a great motivational tool.  Video games, bla.  The games ends you buy another. I could not relate to this article at all. Sorry      

The World of Digital Story

The World of Digital Storytelling

            I have been thinking a lot on technology these past couple weeks.  I have just realized that I am a “computer immigrant” according to this article. I feel that I am gaining knowledge through these online assignments.  I have been trying to assimilate myself, but it is difficult.   I totally agree that students gain knowledge from digital storytelling.  If a teacher were to give students a written report, the students would read information and summarize, it is harder to process of digital storytelling.  I would consider story boards and story mapping the same idea as brainstorming on a piece of paper, but digitally.  The three components the article used would, in my opinion, be the same as what type of report the student would choose.  The visual portrait of a story, definitely, would be the words.  Also, digital storytelling lets the students use different medians.

            Writing a report consists of paper and pencil.  Completing a digital story is much more difficult.  There are many strategies to even knowing how to retrieve the proper programs.  Of course, written reports would need research books and articles, but it does not take much to use paper and a pen or pencil.  The process of preparing digital stories takes thought and dedication to learn how to use the devices needed to finalize the digital story.  I think that if a student in today’s society does not know how to navigate or use tools for a computer, they are going to be lost in the future.  We are living in a digital age and we need to educate our youths so they are prepared to plant their feet in the future and leave a mark.    

Where I Am From

Where I Am From

WHERE I'M FROM

I am from a one street light town, from 17^th Street Surf Shop and Powell Peralta.

I am from the rough neck, beer drinking, small crack of the world.

I am from decay rose pedal, the prick stem and thorny sides.

I am from American Revolution and aggressive backbone, from the Melville and Shnerry, and Barcus.  

I am from the railroad building and coal mining immigrants.

From don’t fight your brother and quit picking on your sister.

I am from here nor there, nor the sky or below. I am permanent, I am set free.

I am from the fighting Irish and the potato eating, and hop drinking outcasts.

From the two generals in my family who helped the Americas build a nation, one who became an author and another who started a family.  We are all black sheep.

I am from ashes of nothing, which became everything, I am from a family of burned pictures and undiscovered  mementos.  Nothing worth saving, but worth millions to me.  I am proud of my heritage and my family tree.