Conceptual essay -- Annabel

Subject:

How can students gain understanding through exploration? Can new literacies; digital and traditional research; journaling, bookmaking and timelines; development of language arts skills; and various arts and media be integrated in the exploratory learning process?

final essay

Sorry I haven't posted sooner about my topic.

As someone who is pretty novice about technology and why it is important to use it in our classrooms I have been exploring why it is important for me to learn about all these new technologies and how they benefit the student.  Also not only am I exploring the technology itself but what else students are learning by incorporating certain technologies into the classroom.  The reason I find this topic important for me is that the one and only class room I have been in the teacher used no technology because she didn't want to learn about technology and I can see how there was something missing in her class and I don't want that to be me since I too don't really know that much about technology.

Conceptual Essay Summary- Tania and Daisy

Daisy and I will be focussing our paper on blogging. Blogging is a new literacy that allows children and adults from all over the world to communicate with each other. It is considered a form of social media that allows children to use their writing, reading, and typing skills to interact by discussing topics at hand and posing questions/answers. Our goal is to encourage the use of blogging in an early childhood setting. We will pose ideas and strategies on how blogging can be utilized. The articles we have decided to use are based on the positive effects blogging has on the students. 

Conceptual Essay Topic - Rosanna

In my final essay, I will explore how identity is created and formed in online affinity spaces, which are spaces online where people with a shared interest or purpose go to discuss, share, interact, or create ideas and artifacts related to their interest.  That said, in the scope of my paper, spaces such as MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube are excluded because they either more operate first as spaces where friends unite to share things about their personal lives (although they do divert to subspaces about interests and purposes) or because they are too general in scope, as with YouTube.  The spaces to be explored in my paper will include spaces centered on a specific interest or activity where members actively participate around it, such as AnimeMusicVideo.org, where they create artifacts that they all can enjoy, critique, and assist each other with, or certain gaming sites, where they interact and compete with each other.

I will explore the activities that members perform in these spaces that facilitate the creation and formation of identity, with a focus on the types of identities they create the interactions and activities they perform to establish their identities there and attain certain levels of expertise or social status, and their behaviors there, which may or may not mirror their behaviors in the real world.  I will finally explore how these activities, including online gaming, and the cognitive processes that occur, mirror and even transcend those that educators struggle to teach every day in their classrooms and how these authentic experiences that our students perform voluntarily every day can be tapped into, mirrored, or transferred into classroom settings and activities.

Conceptual Essay Topic - Diana and Shannon

Social Media, specifically Blogs, Twitter, and Wikis, when used in educational settings, allows for many opportunities to educate students about how to successfully participate in online communication.  However, many states, districts, schools and teachers are subject to rules that limit these opportunities.  Diana and I will be exploring the use of social media in the classroom, focusing on the difference between rules and laws that simply prohibit usage and projects and lessons that serve to educate and guide participation in social media platforms.  We will explore projects that represent a balance between rules that protect and opportunities to engage in communicating via social media.

Final Conceptal Essay Idea

For the final concepual essay, Saira and I are going to continue the topic of bullying, but focus on how technology has made bullying and teasing more accessible and has seeped its way from the playground to homes after school hours.  The old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is obsolete in this media filled world.  Purposeful and repeated bullying behaviors occur behind screens, where the bully no longer has to see the immediate reaction of his/her victim.  Cyberbullying can take form through text messages, e-mails, and social networking sites.  If messages are sent through a form of technology, the words meant to hurt just one person can now be seen by the public. 

In addition to the increase of bullying through electronic communication, we want to research how technology has also changed the way peer interactions and relationships are formed.  It is a rare scene to see children running around the neighborhood with friends, instead many children are meeting friends by playing games online or through game consoles that require multiple players.  We want to see how these peer relationships differ and whether or not it affects students in their learning evironment. 
-Christine & Saira

Conceptual Essay Summary-Tana

I have decided to write my final paper on the topic of collaboration and the difference between the type of voluntary collaboration that takes place outside the classroom as in the use of wikis versus school based collaborative projects.   No one tells individuals to participate in wikipedia revisions; they are voluntary.  Conversely, in-school projects are handled differently by teachers and thought of differently by students.  In my middle school classroom,  if I assign a group project, collaboration is often mandatory.   When given the option, some students will choose to work independently.  Even in our MEDI503 class, only a few people chose to work together on their final paper.

I would like to explore how to bring the type of voluntary collaboration one sees outside the classroom into the classroom.  What needs to be changed about the nature of the assignment or the parameters set around the assignment to make students voluntarily want to collaborate?  

Conceptual Essay Proposal: Writing with New Technologies - Paul

Conceptual Essay Proposal:  Writing with New Technologies:  Challenges of Keeping a Writing Standard, Using Revision, and Assessing and Using Rubrics
A  critical examination of  New Media Technologies and ways of  incorporating them into the writing course.  Included in the discussion will be the use of revision, adherence to specific writing standards (per institution or discipline), assessment of projects with the use of rubrics, and the many challenges teachers face when incorporating new media to new audiences.  While some students are technologically savvy, others need formal instruction.  This layer of responsibility falls partially on the instructor who decides to incorporate the technology into their class.  Another consideration is ways of reading and writing where a visual aspect is an integral element of a project.  The visual and audio components that are often integrated into new media influence the writing as well as the reading of the textual components.  A kind of hybrid making-meaning can occur and the balance of instructor as facilitator, participant, and evaluator needs to be weighed.  Finally, just because something is named “new” does not necessarily mean that it is different, so I’d like to look at some of the ways that new media is a repackaging of consistent standards as well as how the technology/media is redefining pedagogy.

Final Project Summary (revised)- Maureen

For my final project, I am going to focus on the legal issues surrounding fair use and copyright. I began by focusing on issues related to the use of music, since that seems to be the most controversial area. However, repurposing photographs and video clips is also included under the larger umbrella of discussions about fair use.


YouTube provides this warning to users before they upload content: “Do not upload any TV shows, music videos, music concerts or advertisements without permission, unless they consist entirely of content that you created yourself.” (Wikipedia) People believe they are creating videos that fall under the personal use domain and, from one perspective, that is true. However, Warner, a large music company, has a different perspective. They argue that Google, the parent company of YouTube, is making a profit from advertising on the site. This is just one example of the complex gray area regarding fair use. Considering the possible implications for education takes a different, and , to some, equally confusing direction.

There seems to be a culture of fear among educators about what fair use is. I think many teachers are afraid to use or publish work that contains copyrighted material because of a fear that they may be sued. However, there are some commn sense guidelines to follow when considering the issue. The legal ramifications surrounding use of music and other media are interesting and complex. I think there is a difference between remixing for personal or educational use and remixing for profit. The issue continues to be debated and will continue to change, I believe. The technological capabilities continue to evolve faster than laws and regulations can keep up with them. Ultimately, the difference between fair use and copyright infringement it is based laws and their interpretation in the courts.

Old Fashioned "Transmedia"

My sons are really into the video game Minecraft right now. In the game, you basically dig for different metals and gems, in order to build things (like houses, carts, statues, etc.). You need to find food and keep yourself safe from various dangers.  There is no winning per se, although you can die and have to start all over again.

This is what the environment looks like.

As you can see, the animation is very blocky. Everything is made up of squares. You can see the grass on top of earth formations, creating steppes or lattices.

For his birthday, he wanted a Minecraft cake - possibly a cake with a pick axe on it (the main tool in Minecraft). I asked him if he would prefer a Minecraft terrain cake, instead. He readily agreed. So this is what I baked.

With the blue, I was going for a pond effect. Nobody thought it was blue enough, so they decided that it was an area of exposed stone. This is not uncommon in Minecraft, so they took it in stride. I guess it does look a bit more stone-like than water-like.

 

My son made the Minecraft people out of Lego. 

Bad guy Creeper on the left, good guy Miner on the right.

This is an action shot, after it has been dug into.

The yellow frosting is supposed to be gold. I wanted two different kinds of cake to represent the different layers of sediment that you can get into in the game (and in real life). Carrot cake on top for soil, yellow cake below for a more rock-like layer.

Old-fashioned fun connected to the latest game craze.

Free Photos

 

London, England

Where to? London, England

Monday, October 3, 2011

Last stop: A Beautiful Memorial

The last stop will take you to the Diana Memorial Fountain.

The information posted about this fountain was written so perfect, I could not have said it any better. With that said, I will quote how this fountain was built.

"The design aims to reflect Diana's life, water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. The water is constantly being refreshed and is drawn from London's water table. The Memorial also symbolizes Diana's quality and openness. There are three bridges where you can cross the water and go right to the heart of the fountain." RoyalParks.org.


 I hope you can understand why this fountain is so meaningful and absolutely worth visiting in my opinion. Knowing the beautiful person Diana was to the world, makes this an important and historical place to see. My favorite part about the this memorial, is the thought, and meaning behind it. They truly made the fountain to symbolize the person she was and THAT is worth visiting. 

Next Stop: Let's wine and dine!

First of all, DO NOT under any circumstances, look at the prices. The Roof Gardens, is located above Kensington High Street in central London.

          This high end, and sophisticated restaurant will give your taste buds an incredible experience. I have heard from a close friend, who toured the beautiful city of Westminster, that this restaurant was (in her words), "The most elegant dining I have ever experienced. The wine tasting tour before dinner was incredible. The atmosphere of the garden surrounding me made the experience that more amazing." I viewed the menu, photographs, and blogs. I am SOLD. If I ever get an opportunity to travel out of the country, I will make sure that my reservation is BOOKED! Take a look at the pictures, I will include the website for you to also take a look at. I think you will be amazed!

The Roof Gardens offers a different scene from the buzzing streets down below. It is located on the 6th & 7th floor and has been a unique venue for over 70 years.

If you are going for a night out, a private event, or just to dine, then enter the elevator and take it to the roof top.  It offers entertainment, lounges, and majestic scenery, depending on the month.

Here is the link to get more information.
http://www.roofgardens.virgin.com/en/the_roof_gardens/about_us

The Roof Gardens, Babylon Restaurant.

The Roof Gardens, Garden.

The Roof Gardens, Dining in the Garden (one of their events)

The Roof Gardens, Club

FIRST STOP; Westminster, London UK

Westminster is one of the most visited cities in London. It's located in central London, and it has attracted visitors from all over for many reasons. My reason for visiting this city, would be to see the beautiful Buckingham Palace.

First of all, look at this place. Who wouldn't want to visit it? Looking at the Buckingham Palace reminds me of my childhood. As a little girl, being a princess was a dream I seemed to play over and over. I remember my mother telling me stories of a princess who stayed in that palace. Little did I know then that she was always referring to the beautiful Princess Diana. As I grew up, I learned to admire, the woman she was. Not just because she was a princess, ( the role I always had to play) but also because she helped people, ( another role I hoped to be able to do as I grew older). For me this would have to be the first place I visit. Its history and my fond memories as a princess would be a magical experience for me.

Before we start our tour...

Although I've never been to London, I can tell you a few reasons why I would visit. First and foremost London is a large city filled with many attractions, businesses, and is the financial heart of the United Kingdom. I feel that visiting London will give me a wide variety of different traditions, old and new. As you travel with me I hope to give you enough reason to visit this beautiful country yourself.

Greece

My dream vacation country is Greece. It is a country with a particularly rich history and famous personalities. Excavations show that the first settlement dates from the Palaeolithic era (11,000-3,000 BC). During the second millennium BC, Greece gave birth to the great civilization of the Minoans (2600-1500 BC), the Mycenaeans (1500-1150 BC) and the Cycladic civilization.

The Classical Period of the Greek history (6th-4th centuries BC) is the most famous worldwide. The peak of the classical period is the 5th century BC, when the foundations of western civilization were put in Athens. This city-state became the greatest naval power of Greece that time and developed all domains of culture, including philosophy, music, drama, rhetorics and a new regime, democracy.

 The Greek Islands are the Europeans' favourite vacations destination. Greece is a country of natural beauty and charm which welcomes every year millions of visitors from all over the world.

Santorini island is the top Greek summer destination, famous all over the world for its romantic sunset, the unique sunken caldera and the still active volcano. Connected frequently with the myth of lost Atlantis, Santorini is a particularly popular destination for honeymooners and couples.

Mykonos island is famous for its vivid nightlife, the traditional Cycladic architecture and its long, sandy beaches. This is the second top Greek destination and it is often compared to Ibiza for its
 nightlife options and party atmosphere. Mykonos is particularly among with the young. The trademarks of the island are Paradise beach, Little Venice and the Windmills.

Corfu is the most cosmopolitan and elegant of the Ionian islands and distinguishes for its Venetian architecture. Beautiful beaches and charming villages mark the landscape of Corfu while tourism is much developed there. The most picturesque spot of Corfu is Paleokastritsa but many other resorts can be found all over the island.

Rhodes is the largest and most popular island of Dodecanese, located on the southeastern Aegean. It is known as the Island of the Knights due to its rich Medieval History. In fact, the Medieval Town is the most famous part of Rhodes along with the beautiful beaches all over the island.

Greece Architecture
Greece Architecture has influenced all architectural movements of the world along centuries, as for example the movement of Renaissance and the Neoclassical style. Many of the architectural masterpieces of the world were influenced by the Greek architecture, using some elements such as the Doric, Ionic or Corinthian ancient style.

Favorites in Greece and Greek Islands

                                                             Small Boat Greece Cruises

                                                                 Romantic Greek Islands

                                                               A Private Island Hiking Tour

                                                          A Greece Sailing Adventure

                                   

                                                           
                                                               
                                                      
Athens, Greece the land was chosen by the Gods to live in. Watching this video reveals the beauty of the  Athens, Greece and its history.