Final

Ernest Yeager
EDUC 6310
Educational Philosophy


While it is true that the point of education is to teach kids, it should be much more than that. Education is about growing and learning new information that can be applied to improve oneself. It is important to realize that becoming an educator is not just teaching kids but helping them realize what their strengths and weaknesses are. I plan to help students understand what they can do well and help them make decisions that will help their future.


A topic commonly used to address the true purpose of education is critical pedagogy. “In general, critical pedagogy supports pedagogical theories and practices that encourage both teachers and students to develop an understanding of the interconnecting relationship among ideology, power, and culture…(Stinson, 2012).” I feel the meaning behind critical pedagogy involves a sense of humanness. I as the teacher need to show that I am human and make mistakes. The mistakes that I have made and make help to shape me into the person I am. By being a positive example I can help to ensure the students gain the ability to work hard and find self-gratification so they can gain as much knowledge as they can from my class.


The student’s role contains many aspects. First the student needs to develop a level of respect for him/herself, parents, and teachers. Students need to appreciate the fact that they are getting a free education and should take advantage of it. I want to help teach the students how to do that. In order to grow, students need positive role models to help guide them. The student needs to have a safety zone and understand that while the teacher is there for them, they are ultimately responsible for their own education. I will not hand a student a passing grade if he or she does not earn it. A sense of accomplishment and achievement needs to be tied into the purpose of educating children.


In education it is necessary that the teacher is a flexible individual. Within my first year of teaching, I soon realized that events may not go as planned. I need to reflect on my teachings and determine what I can do better in the future to help create a smoother road. Many times students will not want to learn the material needed and will try to make me lose focus. When this arises, I want to enforce the discipline necessary to ensure proper learning for everyone.


Educators must also incorporate new ways of teaching. “Educators find numerous reasons to introduce medial literacy as part of the curriculum (Hobbs, 2011).” In order to change with the times and reach students at their level, I need to be willing to adapt new technology resources. My goal is to learn what it takes to reach students effectively. This may involve teaching critical media literacy in order to help them understand the media that they occur in their everyday environment.


“Technology plays an important role, not alone but as a constantly changing set of socially situated tools for literacy, for making sense of the world, and ourselves (Avila, 2013).” Teachers need to help students understand the community around them. The role of the teacher within the community should be based on their educational ties. As long as my students will benefit and gain understanding, I will engage within the community to help guide my students.

Resources:


Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.


Hobbs, R. (2011). Teaching Media Literacy: Yo! Are You Hip With This? Retrieved from http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/teaching-media-literacy-yo-are-you-hi


Stinson, D., Bidwell, C., & Powell, G. (2012). Critical pedagogy and teaching mathematics for social justice. International Journal of Critical Pedagogy, 4(1), 76-94. Retrieved from http://libjournal.uncg.edu/index.php/ijcp/article/viewFile/302/263

5 Links

*http://eyeager1256.blogspot.com/


*http://www.youthconnectionscoalition.org/pdfs/MS7LessonPlans.pdf


*http://atr.k12.hi.us/tutorials/tutorials/digstory/ptofview.htm


*http://www.youthrelationships.org/documents/media/OSSLC%20-%20Cell%20Phone%20Savvy.pdf


*http://www.blogger.com/features

Digital Story Rough Draft

Week 14 Reading

 “The most obvious thing to say about digital stories and other kinds of signification that are mediated by new information technologies is that they offer distinctive contrasts to the primarily alphabetic texts and the forms of textual reasoning that predominate in schools and universities.”

I like how this statement offers a view on digital stories.  I feel that there is potential to the technologies being used in the classroom.  I think we as teachers to use digital technologies to help students develop reasoning skills on a whole new level. 

Another key point this quote makes is that it includes universities.  Higher education is focusing more and more on the technologies being developed.  During my undergrad, I learned of many ways that I can use technology within the classroom.  While it is important to embrace these changes, I truly believe we should not let the changes consume us.  We need to strive to keep the good from the past and enhance it as technology continues to develop.

This picture incorporates all the ideas and keypoints addressed in digital storytelling.  

1.     1.  How does digital storytelling support academic literacies?

Digital storytelling has a lot of components.  The idea of writing and imagery can be used in English and Reading classes.  Also while students create digital stories, they are incorporating technology skills that they can use for future use. 

2.       2.Now that you have created your own digital story, do you think that using images, words and music to create a message is simplistic compared to traditional alphabetic print based argumentation?

I don’t think it is simplistic, but I think it is easier to express more than one idea.  Being raised in the technology age, I think that I can express myself easier by using music and images.  I was told that I am a man of few words.  I really don’t need words when it comes to creating a digital story.  There are multiple ways I can present myself and still make the message relay. 

3.    3.   After creating your own digital story, do you see how digital storytelling can help develop a stronger sense of agency in their own lives? Do you think this might have a positive impact on students’ academic lives? How? Why?

I think that digital stories would have a positive impact on student’s academic lives.  They are able to get engaged with school and develop something that will express who they are.  Increasing student participation is one goal for almost all teachers.  This is a great activity that will help get the students involved and get them motivated.  This idea of digital storytelling can always be modified to include lesson material and CSOs that need to be covered by the teacher.  

Week 13 Reading

“Not surprisingly, technology instruction has become a component of the vast majority of teacher preparation programs, in recognition of the need for pre-service teachers to be prepared to teach and to live in a digital society.”

When I was in my undergrad program, I learned a lot about technology uses and how to incorporate them into my teaching.  I continued to learn of different ways as I went on to get my master’s degree.  I realize technology has become a part of our world and kids are around various forms on a daily basis.  My concern is that we will soon let technology consume us to the point that we do not know how education came about.  I feel that we need to also know how to teach kids basics and to live without technology because, unfortunately, technology may not be available everywhere. 

 

This is an image that address a topic mentioned within the chapter "TPACK." I feel that I learned a lot of concepts within the diagram during my education study. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.       Why do the authors of this chapter chose to use the term "critical digital literacies" rather than just "digital literacies"

The authors want to enforce the idea that we need to understand and engage with the contexts of technology.  Instead of focusing on the importance of technology, we should be aware of how to use it and develop skills necessary for implementation. 

2.       How well did our own teacher education program prepare you to use technology in your teaching practices? Was it more tools based or literacy based?

I would say the teacher education program was a balance of both tools and literacy.  We read a lot of articles of different technologies and we also used different programs to develop projects like digital stories and lesson plan’s using a WebQuest.  I feel I have learned of the many options I have and can choose what would apply to my math classes. 

3.       What should  teachers be thinking about when they engage in critical thinking as it relates to technology use in school?

We as teachers should be thinking of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of the technology use in school.  Basically I see that I need to make sure I use the technology in the right manner and ensure the kids know how to use it appropriately. 

4.       On page 149, it is stated that students have certain rights with respect to "critical digital literacies." Do students in your teaching context have these rights? Give an example or non-example of at least one of these rights.

Yes students in my teaching context has these rights.  My students use technologies such as laptops and iPads in order to conduct research for the “Innovation Zone” in which they are learning. 

Week 12 Activity 1

Activity #1

·         Point of View: This story will be told in first person.  The message is how I found my place in this crazy world and what obstacles I overcame in order to get where I am today.  The audience will be anyone who has experienced emotional abuse and tried to find a way out. 

·         Dramatic Question: Why me? I always asked myself this when I was growing up.  I wanted to know why it was me who had to deal with this.  I didn’t ask for it, it was just there.  Why?

·         Emotional Content/ Economy: The emotional tie is that all of us are searching for something.  At this point I was looking for a way out of the hurt and pain, and I found it when I started living my life for the greater purpose. I finally surrender to a much greater life.  I did not realize that I was loved by someone who gave all that he had in order to pursue a relationship with me. 

·         Voice/ Pacing: This will be based upon the pictures and very informal. 

·         Soundtrack: Above All (instrumental)

Digital Storyboard

Week 12 Reading

1. How did the Ask Anansi game support critical literacies?
“These instructional practices combined tenets of critical pedagogy with critical and sociocultural literacies.” Students were asked to share their opinion and thoughts on topics of the world. This game supported the idea of space for questions and different ways of understanding positions and views on certain issues. The scavenger hunt helped enforce critical literacies beyond the walls of the classroom.  

2. How did the Ask Anansi game support academic literacies?
The game allowed students to find answers to solutions from hints and instructions. So the students were learning the content, but at their own will in order to complete the game. The students also engaged in critiquing topics and providing “counter-narratives” to stories they engaged in.

3. How did the Ask Anansi game support digital literacies?
This game allowed the students to use iPods to complete parts of the game. The literacies that were incorporated dealt with students using appropriate information. Also it helped students know when digital tools are most effective and they do not need to consume the entire aspect of learning. The book makes the statement “A pedagogy of participatory media,…, responds to the needs and interests of youth and engages them in practices they are familiar with to develop a transformative, community-driven voice.” This game reinforced the idea of involving the thoughts of the youth and making sure their voice was heard.

4. What is meant by the term "reading the word and reading the world and writing the world"? Give an example from the chapter.
This term involves individuals reading what is written, reading how it is in the world, and reinventing and “re-interpreting” the texts that exist in the world. Basically I see it as forming your own opinions based on what you have read and seen in action.
The example from the chapter is when the students were asked to create a counter-narrative from the research they had been involved in.


QUOTE FROM READING:
"Teachers must bridge the gap between school and society and play some part in the fashioning of those great common purposes which should bind the two together."
A lot of times teachers get hung up in the idea of teaching just content.  One of the things I try to do is have some type of off-the-wall discussion to allow the students to learn something other than math.  It is important that students see how they should act and what society expects after high school.  Instead of just teaching content, we should teach social concepts like modesty and manners and work ethic.  Ensuring students to a successful future goes beyond the CSOs that must be covered for some type of test. 
Below is a picture of puzzles being connected by chains.  I see this as follows: Teachers are the chains that help connect what the students knew before and what they need to know in order to cross the bridge into their next chapter of life. 

Reference

Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.

http://thegradstudentway.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/gap.jpg

Week 11 Reading

In a blog posting, copy and paste a quote from the text that have moved you in some way (i.e. surprised, confused, disagree, strongly agree) and in about 100-150 words state why you have selected the quote. Then find an article, video, podcast, blog posting, image related to what you have read and link to it or embed it in your Blog. Describe the resources and a brief explanation of how it is connected to the reading.  Then answer the following questions:

"Technology plays an important role, not alone but as a constantly changing set of socially situated tools for literacy, for making sense of the world, and ourselves."
This quote is 100% true.  Technology does constantly change the way we socialize and make sense of the world.  20 years ago I would have never thought I would have a facebook profile or submitting assignments on a blog.  These changes have affected the way I see how things can be accomplished.  Also I see how different friendships are in today's time.  Whether people like it or not, technology will continue to change the way we experience society.  It is our responsibility to stay caught up and keep the communication going while the changes occur.

This picture I chose because it emphasizes the connection technology has with the word and one day technology will help run the world in ways we can not imagine.  












1. What is the difference between an "essentialist" "traditionalist" or "autonomous" "perspective of technology and literacy and a New Literacy Studies ot "ideological"perspective on technology and literacy? Which perspective do you adhere to? Why?
Essentialist, Traditionalist, or Autonomous- "lack of attention to sociocultural factors and the context in which technologies are used"
Ideological Perspective- "literacies are embedded in different ideologies and have consequences on as they act together with a large number of other social factors, including political and economic conditions, social structure, and local ideologies."
The difference is the first perspective focuses on the technology itself and not the social factors.  The second perspective incorporates social factors as consequences that happen from the technological literacies.  Both technology and social factors are together.
I would have to relate to the 2nd perspective.  I feel that with technology, you must be aware of the social impact it has.  Facebook is a great example of how a technological literacy can affect people's lives.  
2. Give three concrete examples of how the teacher in the chapter supported "new literacy" or "critical digital literacies" practices with blogging.

1. She actively participated in the class blogs..
2. She posts images and quotes that inspire her.
3. Anne also posted assignments to the blogs and allowed her students to submit the information accordingly.

References:
Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.