Week 2--Chapter 5 Reading--HP Wars

In chapter 5 of Convergence Culture by Henry Jenkins, the discussion about Harry Potter intrigues me.  I read the first book and have seen the first movie, but really couldn't get into the rest of the series.  For me personally, it is a little far-fetched and simply just not my choice in reading or viewing material.  With that being said though, I find that Heather Lawver's endeavor in creating her web-based newspaper The Daily Prophet astonishes me.  I had no idea that there were this many students, teenagers, adults, etc. involved in such things.  I think it is a great way for students, and anyone for that matter, to express themselves and expand their writing/literacy skills.  I would completely support my students if they showed interest in a project of this sort and I think this is something that teachers should encourage instead of frowning upon.

I was disturbed by some of the actions described about preachers, communities, etc. banning the Harry Potter books, burning books/CD's/DVD's, and tearing the books apart before students' eyes.  In my opinion that shows complete ignorance on the part of the adults in this situation.  I can only imagine what these actions do to the self esteem of students being subjected to such insensitivity and these actions anger me immensely. 

I was raised with the understanding that witchcraft/wizardry was not appropriate or godly.  I was never allowed to play games that seemed to have a satanic spin on them or to view movies involving vampires, monsters, etc.,  but I was also taught the difference between fantasy and reality.  I believe that no one has the right to judge another person and I think the new discernment movement is a step in the right direction.  I believe if we teach our children, students, friends, etc. that role-playing, reading or exploring fictional people, places, and ideas are ways to expand their thinking/imaginations and not necessarily a lifestyle, the confusion of fantasy vs. reality will be lessened. 

I believe this debate is age-old and a solution will never be agreed upon as long as free will and human judgment is involved.  However, it is important that we as adults, teachers, parents, professionals, etc. remember that our students have the right to their imaginations and should be allowed to utilize them to the best of their abilities.  I learn something new from my students all the time and it is my hope that I will never forget how much they have to offer to me.  I look forward to all I have yet to learn and my mind is open to where the information may be stored and distributed. 

Week 2--Thesis Research

My thesis topic is Cyberbullying.  I am finding that this is much more common in our schools and very few districts have plans in place to prevent it.  Our district has instituted an anti-bullying policy this year, which includes cyberbullying on and off campus.  The hardest thing now will be getting our students to trust us and getting them to come forward in bullying/cyberbullying instances.

The first two videos below give a first hand account of the effects of bullying and cyberbullying.




The two videos below are short PSA's concerning Cyberbullying.  I have used these in my classroom and will continue to do so as long as cyberbullying continues to be an issue.

KLSSupportServices. (2008). Childnet International - Cyber Bullying[video]. Retrieved October 11, 2009 from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNumIY9D7uY&feature=fvw

 

KLSSupportServices. (2009). A Cyber Bullying Suicide Story -- Ryan Halligan age 13

[video]. Retrieved October 11, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1LG9NymhTE

KLSSupportServices. (2008). Cyber Bullying - What do you do online? Do you know how to Protect Yourself [video]. Retrieved October 11, 2009 from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LrM83KbWBg

KLSSupportServices. (2008). Stop Cyberbullying[video]. Retrieved October 11, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA8ScWjLdDw

Week 2--Blog Response to Katie Hirt

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Week 2 Blog 2 - Living in a New Culture

I was inspired my friends who traveled and studied abroad during college so I moved to Honduras for my first teaching position. The job itself was more than ideal. I was teaching 3 sections of general biology and 1 section of AP Biology. The school was and international school that catered to families that were well known in the community. When I moved to Honduras I did not speak any Spanish. Well actually I knew the words for thank you, please, and bathroom.

I would be lying if I didn't say that moving to a foreign country was not scary. On the plane ride from the US I cried (a lot) and wondered if this "adventure" should be called off. I knew that eventually I would figure out how to speak Spanish, teaching, my new address, transportation, where to find food, how to call home, how to set up internet, where to go if there was a hurricane, how to call for help, and my list went on. The fears I had and the anxiety about moving to a new culture was overwhelming. Yet I still moved and stayed for a year.

For almost anyone put in a new and unfamiliar situation anxiety and fear arise. Why do some people push forward while others revert back to something known and familiar?

My thoughts now turn to our current educational world. There seems to be a divide in teachers - Those that want to integrate new technologies and those that do not. Obviously with anything new, there are proponents and opposition, but why wouldn't all teachers want to use new tools that can make students more engaged? Is this uncharted territory for some teachers? I know that some teachers are scared of technology and too anxious to even try. If something goes wrong, there are 20 students in the class to help you figure out what went wrong! Use their knowledge to help you teach.

It is my hope that many, many, many more teachers in the next few years will realize that living in and participating in the “educational technology” culture is a wonderful thing!


Sources
"Class with Frog" taken by K. Hirt at EIS 2007

Week 2--Homework Leads to Additional Research

As I was searching for podcasts this week for my homework, I came across a podcast by Dr. Stephen Krashen.  His information was really relevant to what I teach and I decided to spend a little more time finding out about Dr. Krashen.  Dr. Krashen’s website is http://www.sdkrashen.com/ and I am thoroughly intrigued by some of his thoughts, opinions, research, etc. regarding the importance of reading/literacy in education.  One of my favorite articles of Dr. Krashen is Comic Book Reading, Reading Enjoyment, and Pleasure Reading Among Middle Class and Chapter 1 Middle School Students found here http://www.sdkrashen.com/articles/comicbook/index.html.  This article discusses how comic book reading is motivational for students and can improve reading scores. 


I use a variety of media to teach my intensive reading students.  I use comics in my classroom as well and I have faced some adversity from people in regards to whether reading comic books actually constitutes reading.  I personally believe it does.  Also, in my opinion, reading something is always better than reading nothing.  Without motivation and/or enjoyment, many struggling readers will not independently pick up a book to read.  If comics provide the motivation and the enjoyment factor, then so be it.

Week 2--Emotional Week! :-(

I sprained my ankle about three weeks ago playing softball.  I spent the first evening in the ER and the next several days on the couch with a lot of ice application and elevation.  The following week I used crutches to maneuver around school and anywhere else I had to go (for the record, I hate crutches).  I eventually graduated to a walking boot and was able to leave the crutches behind.  For my three week recheck, I decided to see a sports injury specialist instead of my general orthopedic doctor.  Well, that's where the drama begins...

While discussing the ankle sprain with the specialist, he began manipulating my ankle and leg to see for himself how well I had been healing.  He noticed some movement and pain just below my knee and decided to send me downstairs for an x-ray of my knee.  Upon returning upstairs and viewing the x-rays it is noted that I have a fracture at the head of my fibula, just below my knee.  The doctor explains that it is a "good" fracture, because the "bad" one would require surgery.  This fracture only requires a full leg cast.  I'm not sure that this would constitute "good" in my book, but I don't seem to have a choice and it definitely is better than the alternative (surgery).  I immediately began using my crutches again and I return on Monday afternoon for a full leg (above the knee) cast.  The cast will remain on for a minimum of four weeks, depending upon how well/quickly I heal.

I know I have been missing in action for the last several days, so I thought I'd give you a quick look at why.  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers and I'll keep you all posted.  :-) 


Thanks My Full Sail Family!!

Week 1--Show What You Know Project

 

Week 1--Blog Response to Joann Stegner

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

New course, new POV

I must admit, I disliked blogging in the last class in which it was a requirement. I am really not sure why- I like to write- but it just never gelled for me.

I did, however, revisit the idea of blogging after losing my job at the end of the last school year. I thought I would chronicle the ups and downs of my lack of job, talk about the new and exciting things I would encounter and boast about my new accomplishments. I would fill the pages with salsa lessons, daily musings and funny anecdotes. I think I actually managed to write a paragraph once or twice and it consisted of me complaining and moaning about emotional drudgery. I have a difficult enough time sounding interesting in one line on Twitter- I couldn't possibly blog about my life- or lack there of.

So here we go again.

I decided not to re-purpose my last blog but start a new one. It will be chock full of fresh and new ideas, brilliant insight and astute observations. Words will flow from my mind, through my fingers and dance onto the page. I will be clever and captivating.

What does this have to do with anything in class?

Nothing, but every blog has to start somewhere.

Welcome.