Reflection LE-4

This will be my final reflection.  I have now finished the third part of my media course.  I have learnt a lot when I look back to the very first assignment from part one to the final assignment in part three.  I would have to say that in the beginning I really didn't have a good understanding of media literacy.  I was like most and just thought about commercial advertising.  Not to say that learning about that is not great and very valuable as well.  I still think that that is where a lot of great jobs are.  I now understand that being media literate is much more than that. I feel more comfortable talking with other teachers about media and would like to share some of my learning with them.  Social networking is one aspect that I think I learned the most about during this part.  I had fun adding to my blog and think that many of my students would feel the same way when we try one soon.  I would have to say that I also have to thank the others in the course because without their feedback and ideas, I would have not thought about the assignments as much as I did.  I would highly recommend this course to all other teachers no matter what stage they are at in their teaching career.  This is one course that the information that you learn can be used right away in your classroom.  The students will enjoy it and I think you will find motivation less of a problem.  Thanks to everyone involved.

Implementing Educational Change

What is Educational Change?

Educational change is teaching content, using teaching styles and technologies that are up to date with today’s students. Educational institutes must change as society changes and should be leading the way.

Why Change?

Students are becoming more and more reliant on social media than ever before.  Hardly any student goes a day without checking their emails, texting friends and surfing the internet.  These are all skills that are also used in today’s society.  Schools should be embracing these tools and using them to help teach the curriculum as well as the skills needed to work today’s world.  Students are also becoming harder to motivate in a classroom setting.  Incorporating media into other subject areas will not only make learning fun but it will also make it seem relevant.

Will It Be Difficult?

No, educational change is as easy as becoming open to new ideas.  As teachers, we must not fear the unknown, and start looking at change as a positive advancement and be excited about trying something new.

What Does It Look Like?

Most classrooms will not look much different than your current classroom.  You will just be using the resources differently.  YouTube, Facebook and blogs can be incorporated into lessons.  Student can communicate with others before, during and after school hours.  Assignments cannot be limited to just pen and paper and the community could be more aware about the things happening in schools.

Who Can Help Me?

There is help everywhere.  Talk to other teachers that have already started the change.  Search blogs for other teachers that are going through the same steps that you are.  Look for internet sites that help teach you about incorporating media into the classroom.  Don’t be scared to ask people in the community to get involved.

How Do I Promote Educational Change?

It is easy.  Just lead by example.  Once teachers see how effective incorporating media into other subjects are they will follow.  Discuss your ideas with other teachers, share you students' work by displaying it out there for everyone to see and provide assistants when necessary. Remember you don’t have to lead educational change by yourself, you can be a guide.

Motivational Media Lesson

Motivational News

Grades

Intermediate

(Can be modified for other grades.  Posters, WebPages or displays made instead of videos)

Task:

The students will create their own news story about positive events that have happened or are happening around the school.  News stories will then be displayed of large TV in the front entrance for all staff, students and community members to see.

Background Knowledge:

- Use of computers

- Use of video cameras

- Movie editing

Resources:

- Computers

- Video cameras

- TV

- Computer program like Windows Movie Maker

Lesson Overview:

Part 1

Students will brain storm things that are happening around the school that are positive.  In groups the students will pick which story they will be covering.  They will then have to write questions that they will ask to get the information on that story.  They will also make a list of people that they will have to interview or video tape.

Part 2

Students will perform interviews and gather information about news stories.  Jot notes and pictures can be taken.  Scripts will be written and proof read and edited for taping.

Part 3

Students will set up a background or video tape at the location of the news story. Video editing will be done and final product created.

Assessment:

. Video News Report Rubric

Members of Group: ______________________________________________________

Title of Video: _____________________________________

	Level 1	Level2	Level3	Level4
Video
Organization	Audience cannot understand presentation because there is no sequence of information	Audience has difficulty following presentation because student jumps around	Audience can usually follow presentation	Student presents information in logical, interesting sequence which audience can follow
Content	Content is weak. Facts are inaccurate. Student should have research in more depth	Student is uncomfortable with information	Student is at ease with content and has an easy flow within the message	Student demonstrates full knowledge of the product and engages the audience with enthusiasm
Volume and clarity	Student mumbles, incorrectly pronounces terms, and speaks too quietly for viewing audience to hear	Student's voice is low. Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing	Student's voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly. Most audience members can hear with little effort	Student uses a clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms. Student is enthusiastic
Length	0 – 1 minutes	1-2 minutes	2 – 3 minutes	3 – 4 minutes
Participation	1 or 2 team members do most of work	2-3 members do most of work; talking; others do very little	All or most members participate but some are not very prepared	All members are prepared and participate well in the presentation
Written Copy
Grammar	Many grammatical errors that effect clarity and style	A few grammar mistakes but does not affect clarity and style	Grammar usage is usually correct and contributes to clarity and style	Grammar usage is correct and contributes to clarity and style
Punctuation	Many punctuation errors that make reading difficult	A few punctuation mistakes but does not affect reading the text	Punctuation is fairly smooth and guides the reader through the text	Punctuation is smooth and guides the reader through the text
Spelling	Many spelling errors	A few spelling errors	Spelling is virtually error free	Spelling is error free, even on more difficult words

Comments:

Motivational Video - Jason McElwain

Check out this amazing video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg

Learning Reflection #2

After looking back at the second learning experience during my media course I can say that I have thought and learned about many new things.  One of the first things I learned about was the full TLCP process.  I had just learned about TLCP’s last year and didn’t really understand the whole process, since it was my first time as well as my schools. I was shocked when I found out that the process was published in 2008 and I didn’t hear about it until 2010.  I guess my board is a bit behind.  I also found that other teachers had many of the same views about the process.  While the thoughts behind them are good and they are supposed to be to help the students but I really think that my school’s goal was just to raise the grade 3 and 6 scores.  The message we all get is forget the level 1 and low 2 students because they are too far from bettering scores and forget the level 3 and level 4 students because they are already doing the job in the score department on the test.  This doesn’t sound right when you put this way does it?  But, sadly true.  The idea of looking at the weaknesses in your class and working towards them is a good idea, but it doesn’t work when you do this as a grade group of let’s say 3 classes and pick 1 focus for all of the classes.  If done properly and not just based off last year’s scores the TCLP would help each class.  I also learned some great ideas on how to use social media in the classroom.  I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a sceptic before.  I think now I will start using social media in my classroom since the benefits seem to outweigh the negatives. Let’s hope I can get others on board.

Social Networking in the Classroom

Schools have been struggling with the idea of social networking in the classroom for years.  Boards have put blocks trying to keep the students from accessing them and teachers shy away from using them.  But let’s face it social networking is a major part of our lives and the students.  Schools are supposed to be designed to help students be successful in the real world, and the real world uses social networking.  The whole idea of having access to others and sharing information is encouraged in schools but frowned upon when it is done using a computer.  Is there a real difference?

Ok, before I go any further I know teachers are going to be out there saying that you can’t monitor what is being said, what is being sent and how students are using it.  You are all correct.  But the same problems have been faced outside on the playground and even in some classrooms.  Our goal could be to teach the proper use of social networking just like we teach proper behaviour in and outside of our schools. 

Social networking can be a great tool to teach media literacy.  Students can make real life connections and will see school as being a part of the real world not separate.  I bet the majority of teachers reading this article still have their old media projects like, make a cd cover and design a brochure.  Most students don’t even own a cd and almost all information is found on line not in brochures now a days.  Teachers and schools must change with the times and media is one of the fastest changing subjects in school today. 

There are many great ideas that can be done using social networking. Students can make Facebook pages as the lead character of the books they are reading or a Facebook page of a historical figure from history class.  Social media does not have to be strictly media based it can be used to cover all subject areas.  Webpages and blogs can be created by students and media techniques can be discussed.  School will become more open to the community and parents will be more aware of what is happening in the school.   Projects and assignments can be posted, student success shared and community events relayed. Parents can become involved and information can be shared by all.  Social networking in the classroom has endless possibilities.

Don’t be afraid. Be a leader. Start something new.  Incorporate social media into your classroom - you will be glad.

Learning Experience #1

After completing the first part of my media specialist course the assignment that has stuck with me the most was about leadership styles.  I really enjoyed watching the slide show that displayed quotes about leadership.  After watching the slide show, it really made me think about my leadership style and the leadership styles of others.  I thought about past teaching partners and administration.  I also thought about past teachers and coaches that I had when I went through elementary school, high school and even university.  I thought about the styles that I like and the ones that were effective for me.   I also realized that what worked for me does not always work for others.  As teachers, we all will find a leadership style that will work for us but, we must be flexible to others that you are trying to lead.

I have been thinking of ways of sharing this slide show with others and I have found a way to do it.  I am planning to have my intermediate class present something similar at our next character Ed assembly.  We are trying to help students become leader in the classroom, school and community so I think this will be a great leadership opportunity for my students.  Who knows if it will help inspire others as well?

Here is the slide show that I have been talking about.

Qualities of Leadership