I have really enjoyed this weekend and I have learned far more than I ever imagined. All of my Lesley classes seem to be following this pattern as a matter of fact; the outcome far exceeds my expectations. I have learned to love Photoshop and will now beg my husband to buy it for me so I can have it for future use. I also love the fact that I now have my very own web page so to speak on blogger.com. I am very proud of all of my accomplishments. I believe that the last blog entry I wrote expressed my frustrationswith Photoshop, but fear not!! I have found my creative outlet at last!!! Hooray!!
I plan on using the blog material that I have learned so that I can create a classroom website so I can enhance the communication between my parents and myself.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Photoshop Fun
Last afternoon we began learning how to manipulate photoshop. We started out small and basic and on Sunday, we began to get down and dirty. I started out by playing with all of the tools and seeing what kind of outcome I would get. I eventually would mess it up far beyond recognition and end up deleting the whole thing. I am still in this unhappy spot. But a few things that I did like were the filters effects and I also like using the reverse color effects. At the end of the morning I did discover the backgrounds and the frames which was cool. Hopefully, I will find some creative outlet that will make all of my frustrations disappear. :)
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Reflection of Article
In the article by Judy Van Scoter, she discusses how digital images can be used to enhance the young students' learning. The article begins by introducing us to a typical classroom of students who are making observations of patterns using things like blocks and stickers. As a teacher looking in, this seems typcial of a normal day. However, a new twist is involved, one that is not seem very often. These particular students are using digital cameras to record their creations.
Van Scoter states that providing students with digital images of their work is a good way to increase students engagement and enhance their skills and curiosity of the subject. Naturally students are always curious about the world around them and putting a camera in their hands lead to motivatiog and fun outcomes. It also provides children with looking at things from another persepective or even someone elses viewpoint. This is something that they do not get from simply creating a pattern with blocks that will only be knocked down before lunch, never to be seen again.
So using the images is a way to record and assess a students' learing and progress. Van Scoter suggest that creating a portfolio of a childs' work allows the teacher to visually see the progress over time. Imagine how successful the student will feel after looking at something that visually shows their growth.
It is also a great resource to use for showing parents events that are happening in the classroom. Using the digital images to display a class field trip allows the students to share with their parents which opens communication doors. Putting the cameras in the students' hands is even more powerful. It can present opportunities for students to revisit events that happened in the classroom and when students are willing to revisit something it creates new learning expericences that might not have come about at the first reflection.
Van Scoter states that providing students with digital images of their work is a good way to increase students engagement and enhance their skills and curiosity of the subject. Naturally students are always curious about the world around them and putting a camera in their hands lead to motivatiog and fun outcomes. It also provides children with looking at things from another persepective or even someone elses viewpoint. This is something that they do not get from simply creating a pattern with blocks that will only be knocked down before lunch, never to be seen again.
So using the images is a way to record and assess a students' learing and progress. Van Scoter suggest that creating a portfolio of a childs' work allows the teacher to visually see the progress over time. Imagine how successful the student will feel after looking at something that visually shows their growth.
It is also a great resource to use for showing parents events that are happening in the classroom. Using the digital images to display a class field trip allows the students to share with their parents which opens communication doors. Putting the cameras in the students' hands is even more powerful. It can present opportunities for students to revisit events that happened in the classroom and when students are willing to revisit something it creates new learning expericences that might not have come about at the first reflection.
My Goals for the Weekends to Come!!!
I feel semi-comfortable with technology. When I learned about this class, I got a little excited to further my knowledge of it. My technological knowlege is not something that I go looking to improve upon or even something that I want to work with on my free time, but I am realizing that in order to provide certain things for my students down the road I am in the market for some more education in the field.
One goal for me persoanlly and as a teacher, I would love to have a class website to open up more opportunity for more communication between me and my parents. We have e-chalk in Richmond County where I do have somewhat of my own class page, but I will admit that I do not keep it up at all. It might be more of a personal thing as well. I just do not like sitting at a computer for hours on end. It almost feels like a waste of precious time to me when there are so many more pressing matters to attend to. But if I can learn how to do things quickly like updating and changing and posting in a quick manner, I feel that it would be beneficial to my students and parents and probably make things easier for me as well.
I would also like to learn more about using my digital camera!!!!
One goal for me persoanlly and as a teacher, I would love to have a class website to open up more opportunity for more communication between me and my parents. We have e-chalk in Richmond County where I do have somewhat of my own class page, but I will admit that I do not keep it up at all. It might be more of a personal thing as well. I just do not like sitting at a computer for hours on end. It almost feels like a waste of precious time to me when there are so many more pressing matters to attend to. But if I can learn how to do things quickly like updating and changing and posting in a quick manner, I feel that it would be beneficial to my students and parents and probably make things easier for me as well.
I would also like to learn more about using my digital camera!!!!
Reaction to film
Last night, our first night of the technology class, we watched the movie entitled Born into Brothels. The movie was very touching and definitely pulled on some heart strings. I immediately got attached to the children of the film. I loved watching their interactions with each other and their teacher. They reminded me of my students in the way they spoke about each other and to each other. It made me realize that children are just children no matter what part of the world you are in. They played with the resources that were available to them like flying the kites on the roof tops or just stood around to converse with each other and eventually just end up making up a game or singing and dancing. Children are just children.
Another touching part of the movie that struck me deeply was how intelligent these children were. Even with barely any education and a life in ghastly conditions, these children of the brothels were so strong willed and their the intelligence, especially when looking at a photo critically, astounded me. Even me, at 25, with an abundance of privileged experiences and higher education, I do not think that my thoughts could be that advanced.
It was a great introduction into the world of photography. It helped me to understand that even the most simple of pictures could be amazing in themselves. I also learned the importance of showing real life in photographs. Taking a quote from the boy that traveled to Amsterdam because of his accomplishments, he stated that even though a photo may be heartbreaking to look at, it is still just life and life in itself if true.
Another touching part of the movie that struck me deeply was how intelligent these children were. Even with barely any education and a life in ghastly conditions, these children of the brothels were so strong willed and their the intelligence, especially when looking at a photo critically, astounded me. Even me, at 25, with an abundance of privileged experiences and higher education, I do not think that my thoughts could be that advanced.
It was a great introduction into the world of photography. It helped me to understand that even the most simple of pictures could be amazing in themselves. I also learned the importance of showing real life in photographs. Taking a quote from the boy that traveled to Amsterdam because of his accomplishments, he stated that even though a photo may be heartbreaking to look at, it is still just life and life in itself if true.
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