New Media Literacies

I do agree with NML Staff's opinion on new media and being literate on the subject. They are accurate on how being knowledgeable in this subject matter creates not only skills for the classroom and the workplace, but life skills as well. I think that in the 21st century if you are not familiar with technology there are not many job options for you. I find it nearly impossible to believe that individuals can go a whole day without using some type of personal, technological device. I know for a fact that the literacy device I am most familiar with is multitasking. It is one of my biggest attributes. I am a full time college student and work two jobs that require me to know 4 different computer systems. Time management is nearly impossible and multitasking and technology make my life a whole lot easier.

The New Media Literacies Project was created to help the younger generation become more technologically advanced. Their mission is to raise public understanding about what it means to be literate in a technologically advanced, multicultural world. They define what it means to be a part of this generation, living in this technological world. It explains what it means to have a Facebook or Myspace and what you are really contributing to by using Google and Wikipedia.

It is important for everybody in the 21st century to be technologically literate. As a college student I can safely say that without computer/internet skills I would most likely fail. I think the same can be said for many K-12 students today. The NML project is pushing to further the younger generation's technological knowledge, and I think it is one of the greatest opportunities for younger children out there.

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Networked Student

This video proves exactly what teachers just like Dr. Strange probably say everyday. Of course teachers want their students to be overachievers and go above and beyond what is asked of them; but how will students know what is above if they do not know what is the standard? I feel like I am a networked student. It is hard not to in this fast paced world we are now living in. I almost always think that I can just get the basics and go in and figure it our for myself and move on to the next thing. Although, this may sometimes work, I am still learning and still need guidance; just like every other student.

Being a networked student is not a bad thing. It is vital for students to be a part of their educational experience. Students control their learning more than their teachers do, but they still need teachers.

I think that as a future teacher the best thing I can do for my students is to make them want to learn. As long as the child is interested there are no limits as to what they can succeed. With all of the information that is available online for both students and teachers, there should be no problem finding something for everybody.


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This Is How We Dream...

Richard Miller presents a video about the future of multimedia and how it incorporates with education. He claims that the use of the internet effects everyone's lives on a daily basis. He also says that the use of the internet does change how we interact with the world around us. I completely agree. We do not have to wait 3-5 days to receive information through ground postage delivery anymore, nor is the only way we can see our loved ones who live far away through still photography. The internet has changed everything, including education.

I have to agree with others who say that multimedia expansion is no longer just a dream. I know from my own educational experiences that I would most likely fail college if I did not have access to the internet. This blog being the perfect example. I do think that I will be able to write with multimedia because I feel as though I am practically already there.

I think that as a future teacher I have a lot more knowledge about technology than most teachers that have already been in the field, mainly from this class, but also from all of my college classes. The majority of my teachers use powerpoints to present their topics, and many of my teachers allow assignments to be turned in via email. I am positive I will use these sources in my own classroom and that my students will be able to use multimedia as well. I do see technology spreading in more ways than it already has, but to say that it is not already happening and that it is still a dream is not accurate at all.

Did You Know? (4.0)

This video was very informative, yet a little disturbing at the same time. I think that the amount of text messages sent everyday is a little out of control. According to this video the average teenager sends over two thousand text messages a month! That has to mean they are spending half of their lives text messaging. That is a little much if you ask me. These days you do not have to talk to anyone at all anymore. I think the need for more public speaking classes is going to be a must.

I have to admit that I do text more than I talk on the phone. But, I know the importance of face to face communication too. I remember when I was just becoming a teenager I was allowed maybe an hour each night to talk on the phone. Now days every teenager has their own personal phone and can talk/text as much as they please. I think that with this new technology craze, teachers and parents need to stress the importance of face to face communication.

iPods and Schools

When I think of iPods the only thought that comes to my mind is music. Come to find out iPods are way more advanced than that. Maybe it is because I have owned an ipod for a little over 4 years now and the only thing I have ever used it for was music. I am a huge fan of music and own probably around 500 CDs if not more. Owning an iPod is one of the best things that has ever happened to me! Maybe I should learn to truly take advantage of this fascinating technological device.

Research has been conducted using iPods as educational aids. You can now purchase iPods with recorders. These are great because you can rewind and fast forward easily through lectures. "Middle school students can write a radio drama based on a
historical event or period and then record the radio shows using an iPod and voice recorder and then podcast the radio shows to others over the internet. High school students can conduct oral histories with a family member using iPod and voice recorder. Special education students can use video iPods when taking tests"
http://www.principalspartnership.com/iPods.pdf.

Duke University conducted an experiment by providing their first year college students with iPods. The academic uses of iPod devises by faculty at Duke fell into five major categories:
1. Course content dissemination tool
2. Classroom recording tool
3. Field recording tool
4. Study support tool
5. File storage and transfer
http://cit.duke.edu/pdf/reports/ipod_initiative_04_05.pdf


I think that iPods can be very useful aids, and there is obviously research proving that. However, I do not think that they should be required or even advertised for that purpose until there is more resources for educational purposes through iPods available.

iTunes University

iTunes U is a free online source of educational information from top Universities around the world, among other places. It offers a wide variety of information available to absolutely anyone; not just students. This site can be used in so many different ways. One of its biggest benefits is that it is college information that anyone can access for free. This is huge! "That means those whose budget won't stretch to a two-year MBA can simulate the experience at home, at work, in the gym or anywhere else they choose. And even better for money-conscious learners, the iTunes U content can all be downloaded free of charge" (http://edition.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/10/16/online.university/?imw=Y).

iTunes U is helpful for students in college and teachers at any level too. "Today’s students expect constant access to information in the classroom and beyond. Which is why more and more faculty are using iTunes U to distribute digital lessons to their students" (http://www.apple.com/education/mobile-learning/). It is nice as a college student to gain information from places other than the classroom and to receive the information you are learning in more than one way. The fact that it is free is even more beneficial to students who are already in college. Also, teachers can use this site to find multiple ways to teach the subject matter and better relate to many different students. I think that this is an amazing thing that Apple created!

Dr. Christie's GPS and Geocaching for Educators

I think that GPS and Geocaching can be useful for teachers in many different ways. First, the GPS can be used in multiple subjects. This makes it easy for pretty much all teachers in almost every subject to use this fast growing technological device. Dr. Christie provides information regarding which GPS schools should purchase. If the school system knows how to purchase the products more teachers and more students will get to use this exceptional technological tool. GPS systems can be used in math in lessons regarding money, and budgets. In science to engage in the scientific process involved in working with the GPS. Students and teachers will develop more effective skills in problem solving and collaborating with others to explore and explain the world around them.

Also, using the Geocaching game is a fun, new, and exciting way for students to learn. Instead of simply reading books and listening to the teacher explain the subject matter, using the game gets students out of the classroom and out into the world without ever leaving campus. The Geocaching game helps students develop the practical and critical thinking skills required to better understand the world around them. All teachers can use this technological game to engage their students and help take them to new levels of learning.