Students Using Edmodo

     The number one reason the students liked using Edmodo to publish their writing is what I expected it to be. They liked sharing their stories with us, Fairmont State students, and with their fellow classmates. They also liked getting feedback or as one student wrote, "it is fun having FSU students add to the story." Their favorite writing activity seemed to be the collaborative writing project. I remember when I was young and I thought it was so exciting to speak with older girls, so I thought it was really cute when one student wrote "I loved it because we got to talk to older people."
     I learned a lot through these collaborative projects. The main thing I learned and will always make myself remember is that you have to switch things up to keep students motivated to learn and do well on their work. This group of students seemed excited and interested while doing the projects. On Skype, I remember their teacher mentioning that they didn't complain once about having to write. Using the internet, collaboration, or both is a great way to switch things up.
     I would definitely incorporate a collaborative project using a microblogging tool into lessons for my students. I am a third grade teacher and there are many other elementary schools nearby where I know teachers. I talk to a third grade teacher at one of these elementary schools and ask her if she would want to collaborate. We discuss what our upcoming lessons are, and we are both going to be teaching about writing with descriptive words. We create a project where both of our classes will get on a microblogging site and write a story with as many descriptive words as they can think of, and which of course make sense. The next day each class will look at the other classes' stories. They look to see where more descriptive words can be inserted, and if they want to, add on a couple more sentences. They write these as a comment to the other student. Similar to our collaborative project, the students can get new ideas and be creative.

Magazine Cover

Comparing pictures of Obama at the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Obama looks a little bit down and confused in this picture. He looks very concerned though. The picture sends a message that he is thinking very hard on how to fix the problem. He is in control since he is actually working on the problem instead of goofing off and having fun. His facial expressions send all of these messages. Those who were upset about the oil spill would probably relate to this picture better than the other one. Since he is more serious in this photo I feel more confident in his ability to respond to a disaster. I can't really tell, but I think there are books in the background. They send the message that he is hard at work and studying to find a solution. His serious attitude sends a much better message than the picture below does.

At first glance, Obama looks like he is up and working hard to fix the problem. He has his team and they are focused on the problem. He looks in control. When you take a closer look they are all laughing. It looks like he is not serious about the issue at all, so he is really not in control. People who were very concerned and upset about the oil spill may have gotten angry about this picture. He does not seem concerned at all. If I wasn't told this was a picture focusing on the oil spill, I would've thought him and his buddies had just taken a boat ride and were just having fun. Some of them even look like they just got done playing golf. His nonverbal gestures tell a lot. It shows that he's very laid back, but in this situation he should be contemplating what to do. The background seems more serious with the American flags and guards. The people do not fit the same tone as the background.

Relationship between media literacy skills & traditional literacy skills...

     When first thinking of relating these two, I see them as almost exactly the same. A piece of literature online is just like reading a printed book that hasn't been printed yet. When looking for the date of publication, author, or title you may have to search a little harder instead of just looking in the first couple of pages. When I first thought about it, the skills were all in all the same. After I read more of "Teaching Media Literacy" by Jane David and heard others' ideas it had me thinking harder about the topic and considering other opinions. The biggest difference between the two is that students have to examine online information more carefully to see if it valid since anybody can post information online, but there are skills that can be taught and learned that deal with easily determining validity. If a student went to a library they could assume that all the information was correct, but they would never know what was valid online unless they had the skills necessary to determine this. Information is easier to find online rather than going through page after page in a book. Learning, for most students, is more interesting and keeps their attention if online. The downfall may be that all students do not have internet access outside of school to work on homework. Also, students may have internet access at home but their parents may have no skills whatsoever, so if the student needs help with an assignment their parents couldn't help. Parents almost always can assist with book work if willing. I strongly feel media literacy skills will get students much further in the future compared to traditional. As I always say, my opinion may change or stay the same after I have had experience in teaching both media literacy skills and traditional literacy skills.

My digital story on teaching ...

Digital Storytelling

     I think, in some ways, digital storytelling can promote the same kind of learning that comes from writing an essay or research paper. This is only if the teacher uses them in the correct way. Digital storytelling can help students retain the information faster and easier compared to writing on paper. That is, the skills that can be attained through this method. After watching the "Power of One" video, I realized the student has to do the same amount of research as they would have to do for a research paper. It is just like they are reading their paper aloud instead of turning it in on paper. The student can express themself more clearly through a digital story by adding pictures, showing emotion in their own voice, and adding music to help set the mood. This also helps engage listeners. The teacher who had his 4th graders make a video on global warming seemed like he incorporated many of the same teaching techniques used for writing an essay or research paper. It also made the students get excited about learning--an effect teachers don't usually get from students writing papers.
     I also think there are some skills that need to be developed through writing that can't be developed through digital stories, so I would not recommend to make all assignments digital stories. These skills could include things such as formatting and documentation types. Written assignments may teach grammar and punctuation better. I have just been introduced to the concept of digital storytelling, so my idea on it verses traditional writing may change after I learn more about it. Right now my feelings are mutual. I think there are pros and cons for each method, and I will use both of them in the classroom.

-Kelsey Atkinson