“Sittttinggg in myyy chairrrr nowww!”
Posted on March 26th, 2009 by kylesaari
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2HAroA12w
Too big to upload as a media file.
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“What are you drawing?”
Posted on March 21st, 2009 by kylesaari
Teacher: What are you drawing?
Little girl: I am drawing a picture of God.
Teacher: Well, that can’t be, nobody knows what God looks like…
Little girl: …they will in a minute!
This Sir Ken Robinson video is one which I have seen in the past and I am glad that it is well known in education circles. I appreciate his emphasis on creativity, but nonetheless we all struggle with it, because is there really a clear definition of creativity?
A piece of creativity from one student may seem average and ‘forced’, in comparison with a student at a higher developmental level, or one who simply has had a larger number of experiences. Creativity has no rubric, is very difficult to praise and recognize, yet, is probably the single aspect in schools that is so easily to restrain. I remember in elementary school struggling with my creative side, and often a piece of work which I deemed personally creative would not measure up to other levels of creativity. Teachers want to seemingly label, sort, and organize the world, and creativity as well. One piece of work is labeled creative, others acceptable, and a few unimaginative. Well, by whose standards? Except for the teacher.
I would like to take this thought a step further and encourage teachers not only to keep open the lines of individual thought, but to realize that an average piece of work in your eyes, may be a masterpiece in his or her’s. This is a difficult thing to do as well and will be a struggle for every teacher. But, by being simply being aware and knowing our students, they can gain a certain level of confidence in their creativity allowing it to blossom at a later stage. One thing I must say, is that this is not a free pass for all work to be acceptable and outstanding since I am saying we must remain open to all levels of creativity. I think the assessment lies within the process and the value of the attempt (work ethic), and if an honest effort was put forth to try to create an original piece of work. This is troublesome for most teachers because it is time consuming, rather than having students produce work in a cookie-cutter, standard model.
But, that is where Ken Robinson’s argument lies. By allowing kids the freedom to explore their own thought, they have the chance to create personal and original work which is unique to themselves; though all at different levels of development. Schools can be a garden of blossoming thought, rather than a dark environment which prevents uniqueness from shining through.
In addition, I believe a greater emphasis is placed on creativity because it the only way to educate for the future. Ken Robinson referenced that we are unaware of what jobs will exist even five years from now. So, by allowing students to travel where their mind takes them, the thought is eventually they will land in a profession which they are suited and have a passion for. Allowing the mind to take that path? That requires of course, creativity, on the part of the teacher and not the student.
In closing, I just want to say this debate and urge for creativity is a healthy one. As long as its awareness and push exists, there will be people who are influenced and wanting to create a nurturing environment to foster thought. The day when creativity is a foreign term and their is only one correct way, is the day we should be worried.
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Virgin Screencaster
Posted on March 21st, 2009 by kylesaari
Alright…below is a graphic/link which will take you to my first ever screencast, and my uses of technology thus far related to education. Some of the tools presented I’ve found very useful (Classroom 2.0, Jing, eduBlog), and others I still choose not to use as much (Twitter, Delicious). Over time this may change either with my personal needs, or simply, because society pushes us that way. Anyways, here it is:
Well, after viewing my screencast it’s pretty obvious that I am having sound troubles with my computer. I’ve tried adjusting the volume/mic settings with no success. Basically, my quick screencast gives a glimpse of my blog which so far, has been my most useful tool. Though I have not been able to update it and post my thoughts as often and extensive as I would wish, it’s a resource which I hope to keep in the future. A blog serves as another great mean of communication with networking capability. Networking sites such as Twitter have not appealed to me yet, though it may in the future. As you saw, I referenced the Cool Classrooms site again as something which I find quite beneficial. In addition, I took you to my Negaunee tennis web page which is a tool to build a Negaunee tennis network, as well as store important information and resources. This relates directly to education and the classroom because a class web page can be operated under a template identical to my tennis one. A class roster may be kept, news may be posted, and parents would have a wonderful tool to keep pertinent information straight.
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A few more resources
Posted on March 21st, 2009 by kylesaari
In all honesty, this is one of the first opportunities I’ve had to really check out what other people have been doing in this class. If time permits, I hope to look further into some of these tools.
One application that I would find useful is one in which Don talks about. The use of a video converter, specifically, taking a YouTube video and creating a JPEG is helpful. He also talked about the .mp3 conversion which would be nice, taking a video and we’ll say, borrowing its music.
The second application which I came across was presented in Steph’s blog. This pertains to the ability to create your own avatar. Elementary students would certainly be amused by this sort of thing, and many of these can be imported into separate programs such as a ‘comic creator’. Altogther, the student’s gain a unique ownership, and something that could help them in the virtual writing process.
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Use of “Cool Text: Graphics Generator”
Posted on March 21st, 2009 by kylesaari
About a week ago, we were introduced to a diverse site with a number of useful graphic tools that can be used within the classroom. “Web 2.0, Cool Tools for Schools” is probably the most useful component I’ve taken from ED483 thus far. On this site, there is a listing of drawing, graphic design, organizational, and teacher friendly tools which can increase efficiency and creativity in the classroom.
One of the applications I’ve played around with is the “Cool Text: Graphics Generator”. As I am in the beginning stages of managing a tennis site for my high school team, the inclusion of graphics and logos is nice rather than the typical 12pt. Times New Roman. Though I have not used this graphic for anything, this is just an example of what can be done within seconds on the site:
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Majesty of the Seas (Using Jing)
Posted on February 21st, 2009 by kylesaari
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25 Random Thoughts on Education
Posted on February 13th, 2009 by kylesaari
1. Success is peace of mind knowing that you did all you could, to become the best you are capable of becoming – John Wooden’s definition
2. Success is not about $$$,$$$, fame, or status
3. Emphasis should be shifted to helping each kid become what they want to become, rather than try to make everyone a clone to go to college
4. Textbook’s are a resource and not a curriculum
5. There should always be a place for the arts, athletics, and basic human survival classes
6. Students should be off the first day of the NCAA tournament, as well as baseball’s opening day, and, the day after any (and every) Lions loss
7. Technology is an answer, but not the only answer
8. Building ‘community’ is essential in any school or classroom
9. More emphasis on inquiry
10. Student centered ‘learning’ > Teacher centered ‘teaching’
11. So…just because its taught, does not mean its learned
12. Assessment should take on many forms
13. NCLB leaves nearly everyone behind – unfunded mandates are terrible, especially in education
14. We cannot replace all writing by simply typing
15. More learning must take place outside of the classroom
16. When we recognize and respect all students interests, even just for a day, that may open up your classroom to them
17. Moral values DO have a place in schools
18. Political correctness should be replaced with teachings of tolerance
19. The school year should never be expanded to an all year schedule
20. More truly can be done by doing and saying less
21. There is a need for more career counseling before college, informing students what degrees are available, and what they can do with their degree
22. Every day is crucial, because that may be the one that a student remembers forever
23. A school year represents a microcosm of life: the battle of adversity, joy of achievement, building relationships, being lead, being a leader, the entire rollercoaster of life
24. Every teacher should be required to learn how to use PowerPoint the right way
25. Helping a student ‘get it’, exceeds the reward of any paycheck
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Change
Posted on February 13th, 2009 by kylesaari
title=”Wordle: Change”> src=”http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/542369/Change”
alt=”Wordle: Change”
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Methods Reflection
Posted on February 7th, 2009 by kylesaari
Within our Methods courses thus far, we are given opportunities to work with students three days per week. The majority of our observation time takes place on Tuesday spending nearly three hours in the classroom. But, these three hours have not been nearly as fulfilling as the one hour we spend at a separate elementary school the following day. On Wednesday’s, I have the opportunity to work with one student who is not only in need of subject matter help, but more so, in need of another guiding and supportive presence. Working with students who may come from troubled homes or a situation far from ideal could often be just that, troubling. But, once the time is taken to find out the influences of why they might think or speak like they do, you can communicate in a way they understand – and in a way they need. After helping a student like this, you really realize what this profession is all about.
Listed below, are five links which provide insight on how to incorporate technology into the classroom:
http://712educators.about.com/cs/technology/a/integratetech.htm
http://www.edzone.net/~mwestern/
http://amps-tools.mit.edu/tomprofblog/archives/2007/04/786_teaching_na.html
http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/using_technology.htm
http://frank.mtsu.edu/~itconf/proceed99/Martin.htm
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Deteriorating Thought, Destroying Emotion
Posted on January 31st, 2009 by kylesaari
As technology pushes on and pushes on, I cannot help but think of “Brave New World” and “Feed”.
No, we may not be a part of a society that spends a weekend on the moon or one that takes a cruise to uncivilized territory in our space car, but we have become a society that embodies the darkening theme of each book. How far is too far? The result of a ‘sky’s no limit’ society.
The fact is, we are not becoming all to much like each book, we have already become that society. We are immersed in a virtual world of instant gratification. And, we do walk around with a microchip installed within us. An iPod, a cell phone, and wireless technology connect us to the disconnect. We can have anything, whenever we want it, wherever we want it. Instant gratification is becoming permanent gratification. The word in itself sounds strong, unwavering, a description of achievement, or almost relief.
What is its consequence?
It’s deteriorating thought process, and destroying human emotion. The word research is one which people cringe at. Research use to be a term which held endless possibly. Now it’s achievement has led to its demise. Sure, there are more doors and walls to be pushed down, but the rate in which we do it is nearly nonexistant and the challenge is no longer present.
It’s what we want, when we want it.
What we lose is our emotion. We lose the struggle and the battles along the way. We lose others as we become immersed in our own value of earthly things, and an abundance of technology is just that. As we leave our own world and enter this virtual one, we do so seeking satisfaction and are rarely ever denied it. That’s not the case in the real world, though our real world may be shifting into something new.
But in each case we must again consider the consequence, what’s being lost?
As I reflect on this, my writing and thoughts sound eerily similar to ‘the savage’, which can only affirm one thing, we’ve entered a new age much like the one previously written about – and its consequences are drastic, and often, simply unnoticed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_New_World
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feed_(novel)
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