Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Digital Storytelling
When I first looked at this assignment, I noticed that I would need to use pictures in all three programs to tell my story. It took me a while to think of a story, but I decided to tell the story of how I bought my Nintendo Wii, which is based off of a true story. I really enjoyed Animoto because it was simple. I choose the pictures and a song, and the program did the rest for me. I like how I had the option to choose a song from their playlist, or a song from my computer. Being the indecisive person that I am, it was nice having the playlist. I didn't want to dig through my whole music library looking for the perfect song. It was convienent that they had the playlists by genre. I choose something that was Electronica because the Wii is a type of electonic. The problem with Animoto is that I cannot use text or voice, so I was forced to choose pictures that would clearly tell my story. I had to make sure I had enough pictures to demonstrate the plot. I was worried that viewers may not understand the full meaning of a picture and its relevence to the story. I know some photographers who artistically take pictures of everything that happens at an event. I believe that they could fully portray a story using this program alone. Since I just bought my digital camera over the summer, I do not have many pictures on my computer. I had to look at flickerCC to find addtional pictures. I also had to take my own pictures to recreate the story. But finding these pictures were also useful for the other 2 programs.
I also found the same issue with pictures on Scrapblog. The main thing I liked better about Scrapblog was that I could add my own text. I did not have to worry that viewers would miss important details of the story. If a picture I used lacked detail, I could explain what was going on through words. I also liked how they had pre-made layouts I could choose from. If I didn't like everything on the layout, I could delete certain stickers and objects. I chose the theme relating to a journey because I went on a journey buying that Nintendo Wii. Having different themes can help shape a story. Scrapblog made my pictures stand out due to the scrapbooking-like component. However, the program has a smaller selection of music. But for me that is OK, since I am very indecisive. I chose a song titled "Success" because the end of my journey was successful. Having simple titles for the music selection helped me choose a song that went along with the story. The biggest problem I had with Scrapblog was that it didn't work for a long time. I started my story in the morning at a friend's apartment. Then later I worked on it at home, but the editor would not load. I tried several times and even left it on for 20 minutes. But it would not load. Then i restarted my computer, and it still wouldn't load. Then, I tried using my neighbor's internet. It worked, but the music was taking forever to load. Finally, I gave up and decided to try again 2 hours later. Finally it worked on my own internet. I believe that it was down because many people (probably everyone in our class) is using this website at the same time. I find Scrapblog the least reliable out of the 3 programs I've used.
Finally, I used voicethread. The nice thing about Voicethread is that I could record my voice and physically tell my story. The only thing is, I am self-conscious, and I don't like my voice. But, my voice definitely helped me explain every detail of my story. Voicethread also had the option of drawing on the picture, which I found neat. Since I carefully choose my pictures and my voice was available, I did not use this drawing feature. I believe that other types of stories may have benefitted from this feature. What I didn't like was that there was no smooth transition between pictures no animation. Therefore, the video did not seem as attractive. But having voice made storytelling easier.
I also found the same issue with pictures on Scrapblog. The main thing I liked better about Scrapblog was that I could add my own text. I did not have to worry that viewers would miss important details of the story. If a picture I used lacked detail, I could explain what was going on through words. I also liked how they had pre-made layouts I could choose from. If I didn't like everything on the layout, I could delete certain stickers and objects. I chose the theme relating to a journey because I went on a journey buying that Nintendo Wii. Having different themes can help shape a story. Scrapblog made my pictures stand out due to the scrapbooking-like component. However, the program has a smaller selection of music. But for me that is OK, since I am very indecisive. I chose a song titled "Success" because the end of my journey was successful. Having simple titles for the music selection helped me choose a song that went along with the story. The biggest problem I had with Scrapblog was that it didn't work for a long time. I started my story in the morning at a friend's apartment. Then later I worked on it at home, but the editor would not load. I tried several times and even left it on for 20 minutes. But it would not load. Then i restarted my computer, and it still wouldn't load. Then, I tried using my neighbor's internet. It worked, but the music was taking forever to load. Finally, I gave up and decided to try again 2 hours later. Finally it worked on my own internet. I believe that it was down because many people (probably everyone in our class) is using this website at the same time. I find Scrapblog the least reliable out of the 3 programs I've used.
Finally, I used voicethread. The nice thing about Voicethread is that I could record my voice and physically tell my story. The only thing is, I am self-conscious, and I don't like my voice. But, my voice definitely helped me explain every detail of my story. Voicethread also had the option of drawing on the picture, which I found neat. Since I carefully choose my pictures and my voice was available, I did not use this drawing feature. I believe that other types of stories may have benefitted from this feature. What I didn't like was that there was no smooth transition between pictures no animation. Therefore, the video did not seem as attractive. But having voice made storytelling easier.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Growing Up Online
The Internet has a huge impact on kids today. It is the way they keep in touch with their friends via Myspace, Facebook, and AIM. It is also the way they learn. For example, the video shows a girl who is anorexic. She explores on the internet way that she can stay thin and tips to make purging burn less. She also finds support on the internet. Other anorexic girls praise each other on their progress of becoming thing. Likewise, the video explains the story of a boy who committed suicide. He found websites that taught techniques for suicide, and he even made an online friend who was supportive. I believe the internet can have a positive impact on kids today. It is a way they can keep in touch with their friends. Also, it is a way for them to learn things that kids are afriad to ask their parents. Topics such as dating and sexuality are very sensitive. Some kids might feel uncomfortable talking to their parents about these topics, so they can go on the internet and find more about it.
I sometimes worry about the internet's impact. I worry that kids do not know how to monitor and control themselves. Kids need to realize that the Internet is very open, and anyone will be able to see what they post. Some people do not realize that their action may hurt them in the future. For example, the video tells the story of a girl named Jess who has the online identity of "Autumn". She posted what some consider provacative pictures online, and people on the school community found them. I like how the video showed students how to handle cyberbullying. Since Internet is a huge part of the world today, teachers must teach students at a young age the consequences of their decisions online. They should also teach them how to avoid sexual predators and bullying online.
Personally, I love social networking websites because it helps me keep in touch with people I meet. For example, I had a best friend in the 5th grade. But due to the change of school boundaries, we were placed into different schools after the 6th grade. We still tried to keep in touch, and we even hung out once in a while. By high school, we were placed in the same high school, but after freshman year she was transferring to another school because she was moving. I didn't talk to her for about 3 years. Then suddenly she found me on Myspace. She told me "we used to be best friends, what happened?" Then we decided to meet one time. It turns out she still lived really close to me, but we just went to different high schools. She then told me she was moving to Italy in 2 weeks. I was so grateful that we found each other, and I got to see her before she left.
I sometimes worry about the internet's impact. I worry that kids do not know how to monitor and control themselves. Kids need to realize that the Internet is very open, and anyone will be able to see what they post. Some people do not realize that their action may hurt them in the future. For example, the video tells the story of a girl named Jess who has the online identity of "Autumn". She posted what some consider provacative pictures online, and people on the school community found them. I like how the video showed students how to handle cyberbullying. Since Internet is a huge part of the world today, teachers must teach students at a young age the consequences of their decisions online. They should also teach them how to avoid sexual predators and bullying online.
Personally, I love social networking websites because it helps me keep in touch with people I meet. For example, I had a best friend in the 5th grade. But due to the change of school boundaries, we were placed into different schools after the 6th grade. We still tried to keep in touch, and we even hung out once in a while. By high school, we were placed in the same high school, but after freshman year she was transferring to another school because she was moving. I didn't talk to her for about 3 years. Then suddenly she found me on Myspace. She told me "we used to be best friends, what happened?" Then we decided to meet one time. It turns out she still lived really close to me, but we just went to different high schools. She then told me she was moving to Italy in 2 weeks. I was so grateful that we found each other, and I got to see her before she left.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
$$$ For Grade$
Blogs read:
http://rachelsedreflections.blogspot.com/
http://angeladodge.blogspot.com/
http://johnlundy.blogspot.com/
After reading the three blogs, I have mixed feelings about paying students for grades. I believe that it can motivate students to do well and school and strive for good grades, but at the same time students will study for the money rather than the for learning itself.
Rachel made a good point that money may influence students temporarily. Perhaps if they decide to cancel this plan halfway through a student's high school career, students may no longer be motivated to study hard. Also money may influence students to study hard in high school, but it may not influence them to study higher education. Rachel also made the point that this money can be used to improve resources in the school. Many of the poorer schools cannot afford the technologies that richer schools have. Many students benefit from technologies such as Smartboards and dynamic software. Technology can engage students in active learning.
Angela also pointed out that paying students for grades may result with "greedy and spoiled kids." I know my whole life I was taught that money does not make the world go round. It seems that paying kids contradicts this moral value. Also, Angela made the point that the money comes from private donations now, but it might end up coming from taxpayers. What if the taxpayers vote against this? Like I said before, students may lose interest when that incentive is gone. Also, the future taxpayers of America are the students of today. If students learn to become greedy and soiled, are they willing to pay taxes to pay students in school? It seems like the system is flawed.
John also brought up my concern about students falling back when they have no incentives. But I really like the point he made by stating that $25 might be too much. One concern I have is, how much is enough to influence students? I bet that students will not be motivated if they were only paid $1 for a C. But $25 is still a good amount of money per grade. Perhaps students will strive for a C rather than an A with the notion that he or she will still get paid as long as he or she gets a C. Money may provide slight motivation, but maybe not motivation to achieve one's fullest.
After reading an analyzing the blogs, I believe that money may not be the best way to motivate students. There seem to be a lot of flaws with this system, and it contradicts with some moral values.
http://rachelsedreflections.blogspot.com/
http://angeladodge.blogspot.com/
http://johnlundy.blogspot.com/
After reading the three blogs, I have mixed feelings about paying students for grades. I believe that it can motivate students to do well and school and strive for good grades, but at the same time students will study for the money rather than the for learning itself.
Rachel made a good point that money may influence students temporarily. Perhaps if they decide to cancel this plan halfway through a student's high school career, students may no longer be motivated to study hard. Also money may influence students to study hard in high school, but it may not influence them to study higher education. Rachel also made the point that this money can be used to improve resources in the school. Many of the poorer schools cannot afford the technologies that richer schools have. Many students benefit from technologies such as Smartboards and dynamic software. Technology can engage students in active learning.
Angela also pointed out that paying students for grades may result with "greedy and spoiled kids." I know my whole life I was taught that money does not make the world go round. It seems that paying kids contradicts this moral value. Also, Angela made the point that the money comes from private donations now, but it might end up coming from taxpayers. What if the taxpayers vote against this? Like I said before, students may lose interest when that incentive is gone. Also, the future taxpayers of America are the students of today. If students learn to become greedy and soiled, are they willing to pay taxes to pay students in school? It seems like the system is flawed.
John also brought up my concern about students falling back when they have no incentives. But I really like the point he made by stating that $25 might be too much. One concern I have is, how much is enough to influence students? I bet that students will not be motivated if they were only paid $1 for a C. But $25 is still a good amount of money per grade. Perhaps students will strive for a C rather than an A with the notion that he or she will still get paid as long as he or she gets a C. Money may provide slight motivation, but maybe not motivation to achieve one's fullest.
After reading an analyzing the blogs, I believe that money may not be the best way to motivate students. There seem to be a lot of flaws with this system, and it contradicts with some moral values.
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