Blog Post #8

THIS IS HOW WE DREAM PART 1&2
In these 2 videos, Richard Miller talks about how writing has changed. Writing started with books and print, going to the library and reading information. From the way writing used to be to what it is now has changed dramatically. He explains how we use the web to research. But not only using the web to research, but being able to view live footage from across the globe, connecting to people from all over the world. In the workplace, people are using the internet to make visual representations, so others can not only read about it but actually see the process. He talks about Digital Composing. Another example is in iTunes, people are accessing academic lectures. Mr. Miller presents to us how ideas belong to us as a culture, how educators should be sharing ideas freely for others to get behind the scenes and learn how it is being done. An example he uses is an online publication made, only posted to YouTube. He says within three months there were 9000 views and people were embedding it into their blogs. So what lies ahead? Major changes are in the process of being made. What has already happened and what is yet to come in technology is making lives easier and broadening one's sense of the world around them. I, personally, think it will be fascinating to be able to see in my lifetime, but not only to see it, but to put it to use in my own classroom.
This is how we Dream-Part 1
This is how we Dream-Part 2

EDM310 IS DIFFERENT
We had to watch 2 videos made by students in the EDM class, The Chipper Series and EDM for Dummies. Both of the videos were very creative. Basically, these videos are about how we need to not only do our work, but turn them in on time. It is extremely important to be on a schedule, not only for the instructor but for the student as well. It keeps order in our lives. Another message from the video was that ultimately it is our responsibility to complete the assignments assigned to us and there is a reason why we have to do what we have to do, to go beyond the surface and broaden our sense of learning capabilities. Also, EDM for Dummies is about students in EDM who are having a hard time in the class and don't know where to turn but once they figured it out, they enjoyed what they were learning. For my videos, I would like to maybe be in a classroom setting, teaching a group of students or maybe do a game show of some sort. The more creative you are with your visual aids the more it might reach out to another student and inspire them to do the same, not to mention the more enjoyable the assignment could be.

CRITIQUES OF SMARTBOARDS
In Bill Ferriter's, "Why I Hate Interactive Whiteboards" and Michael Staton's, "Why Smartboards Are A Dumb Initiative", both basically argue that the Smart Board is a waste of school resources and time. Michael Staton states that there is nothing new being brought to the table. Teachers still stand in front of the class, the teacher still controls the content, and guide the students through the lesson. "It doesn’t enable social feedback, doesn’t reduce teacher workload, doesn’t make lesson planning more efficient. It just makes the whiteboard a little more attractive." Bill Ferriter actually gave his away because it was useless to him. He says that basically it is a show off ploy to supervisors and parents, so that the school isn't shown up by the one down the street. Both argue that it doesn't make the instruction any easier and there isn't anything on the smart board that they can't teach with the resources already provided to them. Now on the other hand, I found a blog of an educator named Dr. Mary Ann Bell. In her post, Why Use an Interactive Whiteboard? She swears by the smart board. She states that the smart board is a powerful instructional tool that can adapt to all age groups. Some of the things she boasted about were: it can involve the student's in technological learning, notes can be saved, great demonstration tool, colorful, clean, it can accommodate different learning styles, it is interactive and kids are drawn to it.
In my opinion, it is a cool toy if the school can afford it. Is it a necessity? I don't think so. But they are a good resource to provide interaction in the classroom and I don't believe that they should be discouraged from use. There are many different styles of teaching and many different styles of learning. Every educator has individual preferences on what is useful to them. I personally would like to have one in my classroom.