Oct. 15 reflect
How does the availability and use of digital tools affect writing and the teaching of writing?
So..I'm thinking about why writing is so difficult for many
students. Putting thoughts on paper with the intention of having
them read by peers or teachers is like running naked through a crowd of
people. It's risky behavior that makes a person feel vulnerable
and exposed. At the same time, the rush is undeniable! I can't decide if
using all of these digital tools lessens the vulnerability or heightens
the exposure. Now, it's not only a writer's words that are
being scrutinized, but the way they are coupled with images, the way a
voice enhances or distracts, what musical choices suggest....All of
these personal choices add layers to the writing and at the same time,
they uncover what I think is a deeper understanding of the
writer...which is incredibly powerful and scary.
I also think that adding the multimedia dimension could make some
students feel more empowered and less hindered than they do with just
pen and paper. Like the multiple intelligence theories, I think
the mulimedia taps into other ways of thought..visual,auditory,
kinesthetic etc. Students who are more inclined in these ways
might feel that, by adding all the bells and whistles of digital media,
their writing (which they may not be so comfortable with) will be
cushioned by what digital images, sounds, and voice will bring to their
piece.....
# - Department: Creative Writing - 10/15/05; 11:40:06 AM - Discuss
On the Wings of Multimedia: Reflection II
As a writer, I just became really excited by this idea of making a habit out of writing on my personal weblog and making my work public (or not) to a greater audience of writers. That sounds amazing! And I love the idea of being able to link with others and create a network of writers that is all based in technology! I think being connected in this intimate way would motivate me to write more.
As a teacher, multimedia scares me a bit..especially with second graders. Truly, I can't fathom using Adobe Premier with seven years olds but I'm sure that it can be done..somehow. Today I feel like I turned a corner as far as understanding the bigger picture of this program and its capabilities and many facets. I think today will be my first day that I leave more excited than frustrated by my multimedia pursuits. yahoo!
# - Department: - 10/15/05; 10:24:31 AM - Discuss (2 responses)
response to last prompt
Somehow or another I got confused. I'm trying to post this as news but I guess emailing it to you is okay too..? First of all, I wanted to respond to your response about ordering the coffee and croissant in French and getting exactly what you wanted. I really did have that experience in working in Premiere. On Wednesday, everything (well, almost) clicked and I saw beyond the clicks and buttons to the larger picture of what I was creating...It was really exciting!
I am very excited about the tech. integration into my own writing as well as into my students' writing. I work with elementary age students, however, and I'm wondering how this will all shake out with such a young group. Do I offer up suggestions to Pearson about how I think it could work or do they tell me what modifications I have to work with with seven year olds? Also, it looks like I am going to take on the new role at my school this year as Literacy Specialist, so I won't actually have my own classroom. Should I try to "sell" some of the fifth grade teachers on Pearson and Premiere and kind of organize it so it happens but not be behind the actual product (as they won't be my students)?
In response to your prompt, I think it's going to be important to really motivate people to use this manila/blog piece. I think it could be really powerful in sharing writing and "notes from the field" but, if I'm like anyone else, I'm still a little unsteady in my navigation and unsure about who's reading what etc. Maybe that will all become more clear once we have our first workshop and work on manila a bit more.
Also, I'm wondering about how we can make this multimedia project feel like more than a one time deal. I mean, after Pearson comes in this year and helps produce these pieces, how am I ever going to replicate it without the tech support and computer resources? I'm interested in workshops on modified versions of Premiere or other ways we can integrate technology with minimal support and resources. For example, my grade level has digital cameras. Let's hold some workshops on ways that I can integrate digital images into different subject areas and across grade levels--ie. social studies, health, etc. Maybe these workshops can be held my teachers who have done these kinds of projects so we get that feeling of "if they can do it, I can do it..."
Just thoughts...do with them what you will...
# - Department: - 10/15/05; 10:24:11 AM - Discuss
10/15/05 reflect
I am thinking that I need to set up a meeting with the fifth grade
teachers who will be involved in the residency so they understand their
responsibilites in their project. All they know so far is that
their students will have an opportunity to create a multimedia
presentation about a topic of their choosing. After watching Fran
and Jennifer's videos, a few organizational ideas are coming to mind:
*Set up outline for asset preparation for students and participating teachers
*Get story board templates for participating teachers
*Generate ideas for presentations based on content standards and/or writing standards for the fifth grade.
*Allow for a month of time for story board/narrative and a good month for asset collection!!!
I have not used much technology this year due to a few reasons. I
don't have my own classroom this year so I haven't had the opportunity
to work with students in this capacity. There is only one
computer in my room which limits student accessability
considerably.
# - Department: Creative Writing - 10/15/05; 10:23:18 AM - Discuss (1 response)
