Reading #9

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). Then 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. 

"In the organization of learning in the digital-storytelling activity, the children were the central decision makers in choosing a story around their interests and ideas."
When I was first introduced to this activity, my initial response was how this could be related to math.  But after more reading and understanding, I began to realize this activity is to help me as the teacher get to know my students.  Each kid has a lifestyle that is different to that person.  Teachers have the privilege of coming in contact with many personalities.  We also can affect the students in a positive way. 
When this project would be assigned, the students get to choose what information they want to share in order for others to get to know them.   Giving students a sense of choice is one way to really relate to them.  I need to make the students feel important so that they want to learn and better their future.  The digital story activity is one tool that can help do that. 

Resource:

This quote I found when I Googled the phrase "giving students choices in the classroom."  This is related to my quote I chose from the text.  Good teachers will impact students.  Getting to know the students is a great practice that will show the students how much the teacher cares about them. 











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

Digital Storytelling and Reel Works

 

God if a forest

 

1.What do you like about the digital story?

I liked hearing the different viewpoints of people on religion.  I have never taken the time to ask individuals what they believe and I feel after watching this video, I did jus that.  I was able to relate to some people about their beliefs and I was also able to get a feel for what other people think.

2.What did you learn from the digital story?

I learned that people are more diverse than what we think.  Each person has a good guess about his or her neighbor, but until that person asks, he or she doesn't really know.

3.What surprised you about the digital story?

The big thing that surprised me was when the girl did not know her boyfriend had different beliefs.  I feel that is something that should be talked about in a relationship.  Because if the relationship pursues and marriage takes place, then children may be affected by the different beliefs. 

4.How did the digital story provide an example of how digital storytelling can build self esteem, help young people voice an opposition to social problems,  or create an alternative to stereotypes of adolescents typically portrayed in mainstream media?

Religion is a big controversy.  This digital story addressed the opposition to different views on religion.  It also seemed to build the overall main characters self-esteem.  This story used the voices of young individuals to obtain the viewpoints necessary to make this digital story connect to the audience. 

PSA

Reading and Discussion 8

◾What do you think about the concept of relocalization?
I like the idea that relocalization helps build some communities. I agree with Katie's view on the topic. I feel everyone should put in effort and take a role in order to help maintain a better community. It truly takes a team, a group of people to build and grow. Also if more people do the job or take responsibility, the whole nitpicking and blaming others for something not done right might decrease. This would allow for more positive feelings and a sense of belonging to exist.
◾Where do you stand on neoliberal policies for education reform?
After reading the attached page, I do not agree with most of the neoliberal policies. I would be the first to admit that I do not know a lot about government issues. But it seems that neoliberalism has too many hidden agendas. According to the Global Exchange, a view of Neoliberalism is to cut public expenditure for education. This is just one of many negative views that Neoliberalism has.
◾How did using a public relations firm create tension between the goals of critical media literacy and having students create promotional videos?
The goal of the critical media literacy was to show the students the media and help them understand the messages they run into on a daily basis. The firm wanted the students to create powerful media using the techniques they were intentionally learning to breakdown.
◾Do you agree with the researcher that Ellen's PV should be consider an example of critical media literacy? Why? Why not?
I agree because Ellen seemed to grasp the concept of critical media literacy. She was able to use the tools to not only break down the media, but put together a PV that showed her interests while promoting the school. 


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


http://www.globalexchange.org/resources/econ101/neoliberalismdefined

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Week 7 Reading

Identify three ideas you will use to inform your PSA of the need to teach critical media literacy in school.

1. "Long-range studies have shown increases in youths' digital literacy habits in a relatively short time period."
     It is obvious that students are growing in technology use.  I would like to help teachers see the fact that we need to incorporate technology in order to help better reach our kids.  If we are not willing to help teach digital literacy, then how can we expect the kids to perform great in the future.  We need to incorporate the tools that kids will be familiar with.  This can help connect the comprehension of the material to something relating to the students.

2. "So teachers have much leeway in their instructional approaches to teaching digital literacies, but obstacles still remain."
     This is a powerful message to teachers.  We have a lot of options available to teach the content we are told to teach.  We should remain strong and focused that way when we approach the obstacles mentioned in the article, we can think back and realize we have leeway and should not feel pressured to do things one way.  Teaching digital media literacies can be incorporated into our instruction and should not be an obstacle we have to overcome.  Even though technology is "new", we have many approaches available to introduce the information to the students.  

3. "Many teachers are still unclear about the import of integration and instruction."
    It is important to emphasize that in order to push the teaching of the digital literacies, instructors need to know how to incorporate the technologies in their instruction.  Teachers need to be trained on all the options they have to integrate the literacies in their content or field of study.  

Find an article that helps you understand how to implement critical pedagogy into your classroom setting. In a blog posting, summarize what you learned about enacting critical pedagogy in your own classroom and detail what like about critical pedagogy and what concerns you. 

"Critical Pedagogy and Teaching 
Mathematics for Social Justice"

    The biggest thing I learned from the article is that in order to implement critical pedagogy into my classroom, I need to be open to change and allowing myself to grow with each group of students I see.  One reason I see as a second year teacher is that students who are in my math classes want to know when they will use certain "skills" in their future.  If they feel it is irrelevant, then they do not want to put forth the effort to learn it.  In order to help teach them, I would like to try to pursue the idea of pushing my students to think logically.  
    I want to grow and make the "continuous journey", as mentioned in the article, in learning to teach Mathematics with critical pedagogy. I need to be open to changes and willing to learn different approaches to tie in the concepts to more meaningful relationships with the students.  
    My biggest concern with this is not reaching every student who struggles with making connections.  Even with all the practice and training I might, I must not lose sight of the fact that not everyone will learn to love Math like I do and I need to be patient with the students who truly want to understand but yet have difficulty.  

References:

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

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

Week 6 Reading

1. What instructional moves (i.e. group formation, topic selection, scaffolding the process, assessment) did the teacher that you might replicate in your own teaching practices that involve critical media literacy?

A big move I liked was the topic selection.  Even though the instructor did not care too much for the topic, he allowed the students to proceed.  I feel this was due to the fact that the students in that group were able to back their information with facts and other suitable criteria.  I also like that once the group had finished part of their project they had to go to the teacher for approval. 

2. What do you think about the student created PSA? Did it seem creative? Do you think it could serve as a legitimate assessment of writing ability? Do you think the topic would be appropriate for school? What if the students chose a pro-choice stance?

I like the topic and I agree that the PSA was creative.  It showed that the students were interested in it and were willing to perform any research required to complete the announcement.  I do not think it would serve as a legitimate assessment of writing ability on all levels.  Writing for a service announcement is different from writing in a blog or an informal essay.  Therefore the PSA would only serve as an assessment for writing PSAs. 

I do feel the topic is appropriate for school.  Students have the right to voice their opinions and if they prove it or back up their opinions with appropriate research, then they should have the freedom to share their information.  This would also allow for arguments to come up about pro-choice. The more the students conduct research, then the more they will be prepared to support their argument. 

3. Do you share the researcher's concerns that the PSA reproduced dominant or mainstream media representations of girls and social class? Why or Why not?

I agree with the concerns to some extent.  The researcher backs up the opinion and the concern, however I believe the message can be viewed, and should be viewed, in a way that can relate to more than one social class.  The message is important and needs to make people of all backgrounds aware of the “issue” presented in the PSA.  I do not feel it was the intent of the students to present something that would cause “media representations of girls and social class.”

4. What concerns do you have about engaging students in critical media literacy?

I am concerned that while students would have the freedom to develop their own opinion or viewpoint, they would not get the necessary guidelines to help achieve something in a safe or secure way.  Students need to know media literacy, but they should be made aware of the rules or legalities that come with media literacy and publication. 

5.  What topics might you use for a PSA that would help you meet your curriculum goals and content standards?

This is hard to do for math, but I think I would have the students create a PSA that deals with budgets or funds of a levy that they would like to pass.  This would require research and appropriate presentation in order to persuade the audience. 

6. How would you implement the construction of a PSA in your own classroom to include aspects of critical media literacy?

If I were to pursue the above topic mentioned, I would allow kids to choose the type of bond or levy, or any other budgeted expense and create a presentation to enforce their view.