Final Project Storyboard

Follow this link to view my Storyboard for my final project: Storyboard Link

Brainstorming my Media Literacy Autobiography

I would describe myself as a “one who is seeking a hidden treasure”.

Coming from a small rural town and attending a small rural high school where technology was few and far between; I was not introduced into a technological society until my first semester of college and needless to say the transition was a struggle. I had come from a paper and pencil society and way of life and now everything was being submitted by a thing known as “uploading”. I had my own “folders” and “links” for each class I was enrolled in and with that also came the online testing labs and on snow days, online lectures. I was overwhelmed and most of the time stressed to the max over whether I had actually submitted an assignment correctly. Each assignment submission was usually followed by an e-mail to the professor asking them to please notify me immediately if there was a problem with how I submitted the assignment; or if I even submitted it. It took that first semester to break me in… and just when I thought I would never be technologically inclined or reliant; it happened.

As I progressed into the field of studying education, I soon became almost obsessed with technology and learning the new skills and programs that could possibly make the stresses of teaching a little easier. Soon after that, I was assigned a Digital Story assignment that sparked an abundance of lesson ideas and classroom activities that could be integrated using Digital Story telling.

Since that assignment I have found myself on a constant search to find and integrate new pieces of technology into my life, as well as, my classroom. Today’s society is ever changing and technology goes hand in hand with the change. Students and teachers must keep up to date to ensure preparation and full societal participation. The power of technology is endless and can be abundant in numerous ways in the real world and the classroom. Students should be taught and enlightened of these skills inside so they can embark on their technological journeys and experiences outside as well.

My Digital Story

Link to Digital Story: My Digital Story

This digital story embraces the coping process in which I took after the passing of my grandfather.

I believe that this digital story can be used to provide support for others. The loss of a loved on or someone close to you is difficult at any age and all of us grieve differently. Some people find death and loss a hard subject to talk about and, or, explain. When in most cases, talking and explaining the emotions that one is feeling can be the best coping mechanism. A digital story is a great way to portray the emotions felt with a loved one’s death without having to feel as if one is in a therapy session. We all hurt, we all love, and we all grieve... each in our own way.

Storyboard for Digital Story

Follow this link: Storyboard for Digital Story

Chp. 9 Thoughts

Leadership and vision are critical components of the process of bringing digital and media literacy into secondary education.

I agree with this statement 100%. Digital media and literacy can only go as far as a teacher wants it to go in their classroom. If a teacher does not wish to incorporate such subjects and advances in his or her classroom it’s just that simple..it’s not going to happen. The vision and leadership role in incorporating such forms of learning are key. A teacher must want to push the limits in their classroom and that involves work, and in my recent experiences time.

Some programs reach only the best and brightest students in a school district.

I agree with this statement, but I also disagree with the truth it holds. It is true that many programs only reach the best and brightest students. Although these select students may express more potential to take part in learning experiences such as digital media, it is something that ALL and EVERY student can benefit from. Digital media programs will only be used to their full potential when every student has the opportunity to experience them. The educational world is only hurting itself by setting limits to these program offerings and benefits to students.

Much of the best work in digital and media literacy occurs as a result of productive collaboration between classroom teachers, media specialists, and library media professionals.

In my personal experience I can agree with this statement. Many of the best classroom integration's of digital media have come from collaborations, and, or, conversations with my peers. Also, many of times our school system schedules meetings with media specialist to come in and train the staff on new media technology and resources that teachers can use in the classroom. I for one try to take advantage of these meetings. As the text states, most  of the best work comes from collaboration. 

Aspects of Life

Describe a positive scene from your childhood.

Sundays- Every Sunday without fail I would attend church with my grandparents. My grandma was very involved with the church and therefore had to be there very early. She taught Sunday school, was the choir director, and also was a trustee and founder of the church we attended. I never was a fan of getting up early; fortunately neither was my grandfather. Therefore, every Sunday morning consisted of a routine that I will never forget. My grandfather would wake me up, fix us breakfast, and we would watch Sunday cartoons before heading to church for the regular service.

Describe a negative scene from childhood.

My grandfather was my absolute best friend growing up. He taught me to hunt, fish, cut grass, love, and how to be a genuine all around good person. When I was six he was diagnosed with cancer…twice a week I would attend his chemotherapy treatments with him. Two years later, he passed. The cancer took his life. Not only did I lose my grandfather, but I lost my best friend.

Describe a particular event from your teenage years.

Describe a particular turning point in your life.

Making the basketball team—I had always been involved in youth sports growing up. Little did I know that after my grandfather died sports would be my saving grace.. In middle school I tried out for the basketball team and remarkably made it. With making that team, I made a family. The impact of this would turn out to be a crucial turning point and milestone in my life.

Describe an important memory from anytime during your adult years.

Landing my first teaching job-- I have never been more excited, yet nervous for absolutely anything in my life. This is and was something that I have wanted and have been striving for my whole life. I had studied for five years in college, been through student teaching, and now I was going to walk into my own classroom and actually be responsible for students... it was surreal.

Chp. 8 and Journalism Revived TED Video

Even as a Physical Education instructor, my co-teacher and I use a current event (almost) every day prior to the start of class. The drug problem in our area has become an epidemic. Therefore, every day we read the drug arrests and court cases from the local newspaper to our students and have a brief discussion about decision making.

As our book says “news makes the unknown known”.  Many students today are unaware of what is going on or happening around them. For example, many of my students were unaware that drugs existed in their area; let alone did they know that they were being sold in their neighborhoods, playgrounds, and even within their schools. Therefore, simply reading one article of the newspaper each day has opened student’s eyes to a WHOLE new world and world outlook.

Students how now become motivated with the news and the drug arrests/drug problem. At the beginning of the school year students were waiting for us to read them the articles or tell them what the latest news was on that particular day. Now, students are coming to us. Students are now taking time and reading the newspaper for themselves. We have students that watch the news and follow the local newsfeeds on social media to keep up. They are taking pride in being aware and informed about what is happening around them.

Students are also now reading newspaper articles and following feeds from other counties within our state to track their drug issues, as well as, what they are doing to help stop the problem. Students are coming to class and sharing the news and issue thoughts on a daily basis. We started the year off allotting five minutes for our teacher led current event and we have now progressed to a fifteen-minute student lead current event discussion.

Place-based education, authentic learning, newsworthy, and most definitely student motivation can all be seen and have taken place numerous times in this evolved start to Physical Education class.