Friday, February 26, 2010
GarageBand
While working on my presentation I came across the correct name of the software we will be working on: "GarageBand" Not "GarageMusic" - opps. :-)
Music File Size
The last class has pushed me over the edge...my next computer has to be a MAC! They are so easy to learn. I love having all software programs right on the desktop. I would agree with Karl that the column view is the best. It makes locating information very easy. I also like how you can click-drag-drop files on the Mac. Yes, you can do that on a PC too. Although, it just seems easier to work with on the Mac's.
The part of class where we listening to the different file sizes definitely made it easier to understand how music quality can vary. I'm looking forward to using the software program called "Garage Music" (I think that's it?). Anyway, not sure what else to say except, "I WANT A MAC!"
The part of class where we listening to the different file sizes definitely made it easier to understand how music quality can vary. I'm looking forward to using the software program called "Garage Music" (I think that's it?). Anyway, not sure what else to say except, "I WANT A MAC!"
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Copyright Infringement Video
I found the video about "Copyright Infringement" to be very interesting. I have definitely been a bad teacher in the past. I was going to incriminate myself, but I'm sure everyone reading this posting can guess what I have done. Will I stop doing it? I'm not sure. There is definitely value in reading the book and then watching the movie as a culminating activity or reward.
In the past I have read books and then watched the movie and tied the two together. I have found using a Venn Diagram to compare the two versions is a great activity. When I taught fifth grade I took it a step further and had my students write their book/movie reports from the perspective of which one was better. So, again, it raises the question, "Will I stop because this activity may land me in hot water with my bosses or come big corporation?" My gut response is no. I am a type A personality. I do not like being told what I can and cannot do. Which is interesting to me that I chose to enter an field where so much is dictated to me. The truth is I do not have complete autonomy in my job. I do have to answer to my principal, my superintendent and the board of education (if my actions warranted their review of my position).
On the flip side, I do have some control. When the door closes and it is me and my twenty students. I am the one in charge. I decide how the information is delivered. I like what Karl said in class about bringing a situation out in the public if a major corporation, or one of its lackeys, were trying to stop me from using their information to enhance my curriculum. By doing this it might save my job if I were ever in a tight spot. Or it may not.
This topic is making me think more about the information that I use in my curriculum. What could be taken out that is controversial? What could be construed as copyright infringement? What do I steal off the Internet that is breaking the law? I need to think carefully about this issue because I like my job. I do not want to be a pure pawn or drone teacher that teaches to the "tests". I like Karl's comment that, "teachers are purveyors of culture and information" (paraphrasing a bit because I do not remember exactly how he put it). I know to some extent that I am a pawn in the system and lack a certain level of control in what I do in my teaching practices. Although, I enjoy getting off the "Grid", per say, and will keep teaching on the edge. What I won't do is go talking about it around the teachers lounge, water cooler or in the main office.
The last thing I have to say is I listened to an interesting news story this morning on NPR about the "Fair Use" information act. From what I learned from the news story is that it is the step-child of the copyright infringement act. Regardless, I need to learn more about both of these topics. I do not want to be a teacher that gets him/herself in trouble because I do not know the law. If I know the law, then I can decide whether or not the rewards out way the risks and consequences of being caught. In my opinion, knowing the information and the law is the most important part. Being in the dark is being ignorant and lazy on my part.
In the past I have read books and then watched the movie and tied the two together. I have found using a Venn Diagram to compare the two versions is a great activity. When I taught fifth grade I took it a step further and had my students write their book/movie reports from the perspective of which one was better. So, again, it raises the question, "Will I stop because this activity may land me in hot water with my bosses or come big corporation?" My gut response is no. I am a type A personality. I do not like being told what I can and cannot do. Which is interesting to me that I chose to enter an field where so much is dictated to me. The truth is I do not have complete autonomy in my job. I do have to answer to my principal, my superintendent and the board of education (if my actions warranted their review of my position).
On the flip side, I do have some control. When the door closes and it is me and my twenty students. I am the one in charge. I decide how the information is delivered. I like what Karl said in class about bringing a situation out in the public if a major corporation, or one of its lackeys, were trying to stop me from using their information to enhance my curriculum. By doing this it might save my job if I were ever in a tight spot. Or it may not.
This topic is making me think more about the information that I use in my curriculum. What could be taken out that is controversial? What could be construed as copyright infringement? What do I steal off the Internet that is breaking the law? I need to think carefully about this issue because I like my job. I do not want to be a pure pawn or drone teacher that teaches to the "tests". I like Karl's comment that, "teachers are purveyors of culture and information" (paraphrasing a bit because I do not remember exactly how he put it). I know to some extent that I am a pawn in the system and lack a certain level of control in what I do in my teaching practices. Although, I enjoy getting off the "Grid", per say, and will keep teaching on the edge. What I won't do is go talking about it around the teachers lounge, water cooler or in the main office.
The last thing I have to say is I listened to an interesting news story this morning on NPR about the "Fair Use" information act. From what I learned from the news story is that it is the step-child of the copyright infringement act. Regardless, I need to learn more about both of these topics. I do not want to be a teacher that gets him/herself in trouble because I do not know the law. If I know the law, then I can decide whether or not the rewards out way the risks and consequences of being caught. In my opinion, knowing the information and the law is the most important part. Being in the dark is being ignorant and lazy on my part.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Crash Course
I found the video “Crash Course” to be truly mind blowing. To think that we, as a nation, are creating money out of thin air to cover our debts is extremely concerning. Chris Martenson’s example of the destruction of the former Yugoslavian currency helped put it into perspective for me. To have an inflationary rate of 37% and prices doubling every 48hours would be shocking! It must have created chaos in the consumption of resources. His concrete example of the buying power, or lack thereof, when he talked about having a billion dollars and in less than five months it would be worth one cent helped me to see that we might MIGHT be headed for disaster in our country. Or, we may have already arrived. The ability to keep up with the cost of living and save money is incredible difficult.
The flip side of this video for me is that we cannot predict the future. Yes, the past can be a good indicator of where we might be going, but it not for certain. We I do keep hearing is that in the past ten years the message our country is in trouble is being communicated in many different venues and by many different groups. Maybe it is because we are in the last five minutes of Fenway Park being filled up by water and can see that we are in trouble? Maybe it is because the major recession our country is going through? Maybe it is because people believe that there is still hope of turning the economy, energy and environmental crisis around; for the United States of America, as well as, the rest of the world.
So, are we on a crash course for disaster – perhaps? I cannot say that I understand all the economic implications that Chris talked about in his presentation. Although, he presents many thought provoking concepts and topics. I’ve watched the video entirely once, gone back on two different occasions, and can see where it will need to be revisited again.
Mike
The flip side of this video for me is that we cannot predict the future. Yes, the past can be a good indicator of where we might be going, but it not for certain. We I do keep hearing is that in the past ten years the message our country is in trouble is being communicated in many different venues and by many different groups. Maybe it is because we are in the last five minutes of Fenway Park being filled up by water and can see that we are in trouble? Maybe it is because the major recession our country is going through? Maybe it is because people believe that there is still hope of turning the economy, energy and environmental crisis around; for the United States of America, as well as, the rest of the world.
So, are we on a crash course for disaster – perhaps? I cannot say that I understand all the economic implications that Chris talked about in his presentation. Although, he presents many thought provoking concepts and topics. I’ve watched the video entirely once, gone back on two different occasions, and can see where it will need to be revisited again.
Mike
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
IPad Classroom Discussion
It has taken me some time to get my post up about the new IPad from apple; however, it has definitely been on my mind. I first watched the apple press release on my own. Then picked ten minutes worth of the press release and watched it with my fourth grade class. My student's were very excited about the new IPad! They immediately asked if I was going to purchase one, which I would love to have.
I asked them the hypothetical questions, "What do you think it would be like if we each had one for our literature circles?" First, I got the typically fourth grade response, "Cool!", but after some more probing a few students gave it more thought. One child asked if we would be able to communicate between IPad's? Like they do on their DSI systems. They also asked about if they could write on the IPad's? Like we do on the smartboard in our classroom.
It was a very interesting conversation. There seemed to be no fear in their view of using the new technology in class. I must admit that my student's are used to a lot of technology in their learning this year. We were fortunate enough to have one of two new smartboards installed in my room. It came with 24 hand-controlled clickers that we have been using for quizzes, on the spot assessments and tests. It would be interesting to have the same conversation with another fourth grade class where the teacher is still using the chalkboard and overhead transparencies?
The conversation in my class sparked the question in me, "Would an IPad for every student enhance my ability to help student's learning experience?" The answer for me is a resounding "Yes". I think the IPad is an awesome new piece of technology that will slowly work it's way into the public education system. Today, I incorporated my smartboard with introducing the new Weekly Reader magazine about the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics. I captured their attention with a quick three-minute video and then showed them on Google Earth where Vancouver, British Colombia is. It would have been great to tell them to turn on their IPads and open the new electronic Weekly Reader!
Mike
I asked them the hypothetical questions, "What do you think it would be like if we each had one for our literature circles?" First, I got the typically fourth grade response, "Cool!", but after some more probing a few students gave it more thought. One child asked if we would be able to communicate between IPad's? Like they do on their DSI systems. They also asked about if they could write on the IPad's? Like we do on the smartboard in our classroom.
It was a very interesting conversation. There seemed to be no fear in their view of using the new technology in class. I must admit that my student's are used to a lot of technology in their learning this year. We were fortunate enough to have one of two new smartboards installed in my room. It came with 24 hand-controlled clickers that we have been using for quizzes, on the spot assessments and tests. It would be interesting to have the same conversation with another fourth grade class where the teacher is still using the chalkboard and overhead transparencies?
The conversation in my class sparked the question in me, "Would an IPad for every student enhance my ability to help student's learning experience?" The answer for me is a resounding "Yes". I think the IPad is an awesome new piece of technology that will slowly work it's way into the public education system. Today, I incorporated my smartboard with introducing the new Weekly Reader magazine about the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics. I captured their attention with a quick three-minute video and then showed them on Google Earth where Vancouver, British Colombia is. It would have been great to tell them to turn on their IPads and open the new electronic Weekly Reader!
Mike
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