Final Portfolio

Well, I can't say that this was an easy class for me but I learned a whole lot! I am glad I had the opportunity to take it. Here is a link to my final portfolio. I hope you like it!

Think Aloud

Scratch

I would like to use this activity from SCRATCH. Here is the link:

I didn't make significant changes. I changed the size of the sprites, the color of the mouse and the background, and added a surprise sprite.

Here is the link to the revised game: Revised Scratch

Thoughts About Blogging 5th Graders

I thought that blogging with 5th graders was fun and it was an activity that all have enjoyed. I was surprised that the students were so good at something that I am just learning about. I think the students enjoyed being able to express themselves, give thier imput, and observe what college students are doing as well. This was a positive experience and I think that this should continue in the future.

Convergence Culture Video

I had some problems viewing this video and found the content somewhat dry but as far as I can tell, the convergence (or coming together from different directions to reach the same point) of technology, the media, and the consumer has had great impact and has thus led to a shift in our culture and changes that were impossible to fathom even a few years ago. Though media and technology are changing very rapidly, the consumer is right there waiting, even eager, to be a part of it. How does this impact our educational system? Look around! I have started student teaching this semester and the relationship between student, media outlets, and technology is almost a necessary, symbiotic one. I don't think this will change any time soon. If it does, it will only be to a higher degree. Schools (libraries, etc..) can limit this relationship in a number of ways, including (perhaps not intentionally) having a limited number of technological/media type outlets or by simply limiting,blocking,or banning the type of resources and materials that they do not want the children exposed to.

Website Evaluation/Validation

I decided to evaluate the website DHMO . I accessed it on Thursday, October 22,2009. It seemed fairly credible to me. The information was recently updated, it contained legitimate links to credible organizations and so forth.The only thing that caught my eye at first was the fact that they were asking people to send money or buy things to "support the cause." It looked to me like the organization was an official part of the Environmental Protection Ageny. As I proceeded to investigate the EPA, I found good credentials. However, after googling the organization (DHMO) and finding some information on Wikipedia, I discovered that the whole thing was a hoax. Although I did become skeptical when I found a link on this page that spoke of how the EPA denies DHMO's claims (which is what really led to further investigation),this page would have really fooled me if I hadn't looked further into it and discovered the truth.I found out that the hoax is designed to illustrate how the lack of scientific knowledge and an exaggerated analysis can lead to misplaced fears.However, this kind of thing is very dangerous for students who may have been doing research and did not bother to go below the surface and discover the truth.

Magazine Cover