Story Board Podcasting

I used a wonderful site CAST’s UDL Book Builder at http://bookbuilder.cast.org to create a podcast. I used this site along with the program Audacity to create a story book in which I did a book talk on three adolescent novels. The site was very easy to use. Once I added some graphics along with my sound, I had my very own story book. It was very fun to create. The only limitation is in the amount of audio which can be uploaded into each page. Once I created the audio for each book, I had to slice it up and move audio around in order to meet the 1 mg requirement. Other than that, it was a very enjoyable experience. I plan on using bookbuilder to create more podcasts of popular reads which can be found in my school's library. I've already forwarded the site and my podcast to other language arts teachers at my school. The response has been very positive. This new way to share information may open up more collaboration opportunities. Check out my story book at http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=share&book=16784&page=1.

Twittering

I signed up for a Twitter page today. This is totally new for me. I went to the website to find out what “twittering” was all about and I was amazed at how easy the whole thing was! I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the only thing you have to do is answer one question, “What are you doing?” This is easy…..Now, I only need a following. I’m still trying to figure out the whole dynamics of twittering and I must figure out how to access Twitter from my phone, but for now, I would like for you to join me. My username is “massmedia09.” I intend to make regular postings and I encourage you to share your thoughts on what YOU are doing. It’s going to be fun!

Television as a Resource

There are a lot of ways to grasp the attention of the digital native....iPods, podcasts, twitter, FaceBook......all of these resources are great. What we cannot forget about is the electronic resource to which both the digital native and the digital immigrant can relate - the television! As educators, we cannot forget about the wealth of information that can be found on the television. Many of the programs are very educational and informative. Another plus is that everybody has one! With the television we have access and convenience. The challenge is to determine how to use the information. Some of the information is informative and some is strictly entertainment. Both types of information can be used in an educational setting. Depending on the determined outcomes, the television continues to be one of the best electronic resources for youth.

Nafzia

The video, "Digital Youth Portrait" was very amazing. Nafzia was some kid....She was smart, articulate, well spoken, social and well informed. She had some very typical teenage electronic tendencies....She awakened to her cell phone, she listened to an iPod, played video games, maintained a FaceBook page, etc. Beyond that, she seemed far more advanced from where our youth are today. I think our youth can get there, but would the average teenager rather text on the phone or look for solutions to world problems? Nafzia represents everything that is good about our youth and technology. She is representative of what can happen with the proper electronic influence. The possiblities are endless.

wikipedia vs. encyclopedia

I really liked the article, "Wikipedia, Britannica: A Toss-Up." As a school media specialist, I always encouraged my library researchers to "find additional sources" when they flocked to Wikipedia for as their answer to all things. I know, I know, ........Wikipedia is an adolescent's dream. Though I discouraged its use, I secretly loved the site! I thought I was doing what was expected of me. The ability to edit made me uncomfortable. But, like my researchers, I found the information to be concise and easy to understand. The nature of the page, which calls for individual editing, helps information to remain fluid. As information changes, the users of Wikipedia are more likely to receive current information. The fact that Britannica registered three errors, while Wikipedia registered four, is a small nuisance to me. I think I can count on its accuracy more often than not.

Number One Electronic Resource

As I spend time contemplating my use of electronics, I have concluded that I have an electronic resource that I have with me almost 24 hours a day. I use it for EVERYTHING. Of course, I'm talking about my BlackBerry. I remember watching Oprah Winfrey several years ago when she gave everyone in her audience a BlackBerry as "one of her favorite things." At the time I had no idea what this piece of revolutionary technology meant to people who used it. She commented that she could not function without hers. There was a lady who claimed that she slept with her BlackBerry because she, "......always wanted to be connected." Now that I have one, I don't think that what she said is so far fetched. When I first heard these comments, I thought that she was someone without a life. The whole thing was weird. But now.........I admit that I could not function without mine. Being able to "stay connected," receive e-mails, respond to e-mails, update information, share a calendar, etc. is a great luxury. I am hooked! I always have my BB and I am constantly looking for updates. My latest update included downloading an application for FaceBook. I can now update my page and respond to others with ease from my wonderful phone. Love it. Love it. Love it. :)

iPods

I researched iPods as an educational resource. I knew that the iPod was popular and cool and easy to use. What I didn't know was that there are numerous ways in which it can be used in an educational setting. I could have written twenty pages on all of the information that I found. I thought that I picked a resource that would be hip and new and very native.....I was surprised to find that these ideas have been circulating for years! It seems like such a revolutsionary idea (using iPods in the classroom), but I found that many colleges and universites had incorporated this resource many years ago. The public library has also caught on. There are many libraries that loan iPod kits, audio books, music files, podcasts and much more. There are several free and inexpensive resources like Storynory: iPod ready resources for kids, AudioBooksForFree.com, and Free Classic Audio Books. Educational information can also be downloaded from Discovery channel, National Geographic, NPR and PBS. The iPod is a great educational resource for any library. EVERY library should have them.

Going Paperless

I made a promise to myself when I started this class that I would give up some of my 'immigrant ways' and get with the 'native' program. To that end, I decided to make a conscious effort to go paperless. So far, I have resisted the temptation to print the syllabus, articles, discussion comments, etc. After two weeks, I am happy to say that I have stuck to my goal. Two weeks and no printing! Yipee! I am notorious for making a printed copy of something that I can access electronically. Well, no more, I say. This new way of approaching information is new, but it has worked. I hope that I can continue with this new way of thinking.....We'll see..... :)

Media Habits

Throughout this session, I am going to take a close look at 'all things media' in my everyday life. What are my favorite forms? What do I use most often? I will blog about my favorites throughout the summer. So, what are my favorites? After honest observation, I have discovered that one of my most favorite forms of media is the television. I watch A LOT of television. I watch television before work and after work. I am watching television right now. Not only do I play the television during dinner, I eat dinner IN FRONT of the television.......In short, I am obssessed. I enjoy the easy access offered by the remote control..... My 1080p flat screen HDTV...... I DVR my programs so that I can watch them later. I am a digital immigrant, but I enjoy a little technology. I'm not completely naive (though my son disagrees :). Who doesn't like a little television?

My Interview

I interviewed my 16 year old son for the first assignment and boy was I surprised at some of the answers! One thing I discovered, well I should say that one thing was confirmed for me - my son is lazy as crap! He demands the fast, instant gratification that can be given to him by his tech tools. He informs me that his attitude is typical of most adolescents. I was most surprised by the fact that he did not want more technology in the classroom. He felt that more technology would intrude on his "relaxation time" with his gadgets. He doesn't have the confidence that the teachers will effectively engage the students with new technology without seeming disingenuous. He's a great kid - very laid back and reserved. He loves his technology, yet he is comfortable with the structure of school and the teachers' teaching styles. He agrees that cell phones should not be allowed openly in school. I thought he would love more technology, but I was wrong. He says that he's comfortable with the status quo, but I don't believe him. Even after the interview, I still think that he would love more technical ways of learning- he just doesn't know it. He is unconscious to the fact that more technology is being exposed in the classroom everyday. Sure, there is a lot more that could be done, but progress is being made.