Reflection

Before I took this course in multimodal literacies, I had no idea what an English Language Arts classroom should look like. Now, I am happy to say that I have a better understanding of what my classroom will be like. I think it is so important to incorporate other media, as well as textbooks, into the classroom. I loved doing the multigenre autobiographies at the beginning of the semester because it was fun and I actually learned a few things about myself and my fellow classmates. I think this would be a great way to start off the school year with students. I was surprised how much I actually liked reading graphic novels, considering I have never been a big fan of comics. I really enjoyed them and I just started reading another graphic novel, American Born Chinese, by Gene Luen Yang.

Although, I am not very good with computers I feel that they are very important to integrate into the classroom. I also like the idea of film in the class, as well. There are so many great movies out there that can be tied in with English content. I also feel like students should be exposed to a variety of texts and media. I plan on using blogs, wikis, film, and graphic novels in my classroom someday.

Persepolis and Naruto

I really enjoyed Persepolis! I thought it was such a good story and it was not difficult to read at all. It makes me feel so lucky to live in America, where there is more freedom and equality for women. I like the "coming of age" novels, graphic or not, and I think that they are good reads for teens.
Naruto was alright, but I'm just not into that ninja fantasy genre. I also found the panels difficult to read, possibly because they read from right to left and were very busy.
I think just having these books, or any other age-appropriate graphic novels, would be nice to keep in my classroom when I become a teacher. It lets students know that there is a different way to read (with pictures) and also it might inspire some leisure reading!

As for me, I think I just might take a stroll down the graphic novel aisle at Borders. I went to the Kent Free Library on Main St. and the librarian said that they don't carry any graphic novels as far as he knows! I was a little shocked when he told me this. He said that they can order them for people to check out but they don't have any there. I just thought that was strange because it seems like graphic novels are gaining more and more popularity, especially after the movie The Watchmen came out.

Second Life

Just reflecting on last week's class and the introduction to "Second Life"... I thought it was interesting so I decided to go to http://www.secondlife.com/ to see if I could bring back the avatar that I orginally created. I was not able to do so and I'm not sure why. But it was interesting to even see the home page because it literally is like a second life! I just thought it was like a little online virtual-reality game, but I was wrong. You can buy property, clothes, jewelry, etc. It scares me a little bit to think that some schools are having their campuses in Second Life. I guess I'm just old-fashioned, but I really like the idea of physically being at school. I am O.K. with computers in the classroom, as long as the students are actually present too!

On that note... I'm not sure I'd know exaclty how to handle a classroom that was set up the way ours was in Moulton Hall last week. I certainly know that that particular set up was not efficient to teach in. Our guest speaker was not really able to see what we were doing on the screens and not all of us were doing the same thing at the same time. Because were doing different things at different times, we all required individual attention from her and I felt like a lot of time was lost that way. I think that a computer lab/classroom should be set up in a way so that the monitors are more visible to the teacher. That way, the students stay on track and can't go surfing the web and the teacher can see that all students are on the same page.

New Literacies in Action

I enjoyed reading Chapter 2 of New Literacies in Action beause Parma is where I am from. It was interesting to read about the Arts Seminar and how it developed. I really like the idea of it, especially the coteaching. I think that three teachers' minds are better than just one. I thought it was so awesome that the students used alternative texts and communications to learn in this course. I would have loved to be a part of something like this! I was disappointed to read that it is no longer offered at Parma High.

I also really liked the project that Clarence Fisher did with his students, mentioned in Chapter 3. I thought it was a really cool idea to have his students work and collaborate with other students in the Netherlands. Last semester, those of us in Dr. Gershon's class were able to do something similar to this with Education students in Greece. I thought it was really interesting to be able to communicate and talk about ideas with others from another part of the world. I would love to be able to do something like this with my students some day.

Film Festival

Yesterday I went to the Film Festival. I was going to go to the Film Slam but because it was sold out, I decided to see one of the "adult films." I saw "It's Not Me, I Swear" and it was awesome! I couldn't believe how much I enojoyed it. Before the film actually started, the artistic director of the film festival came out to welcome us. He said that this film was by far his favorite one in the whole festival. At first, I thought he probably says that before every film to kind of build it up. But, I now know that he wasn't kidding because this film was so funny, yet serious at the same time. I guess it was a good thing that the slam was sold out, because I loved the film I went to! If any of you are going this week and you have the opportunity to see this one, I highly recommend it.

Wiki

I have never heard of a "wiki" before yesterday's class. I think the idea is really cool because as teachers, we will need resources like this! I am doing "Of Mice and Men" and I am happy I picked that novel because I have actually read it! It has been a while though, so I might have to skim it over again for ideas. I haven't read a lot of the novels on the wiki, so I am happy that I will be able to get a feel for each one when this assignment is completed.

Today I am going to work and I am hoping it will stop raining.

Film

I noticed a few others have posted the link to the film-related article that was due last class. I forgot to post mine, so here it is http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118000636.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 It is about the Jonas Brothers and how their movie is doing. I have yet to see the film, but I might just wait till it comes out in video stores!

I am really excited to go to the Film Festival. My two friends and I are going to make a day out of it. We are going to the Film Slam in the morning, then shopping at Tower City, then eat at the Hard Rock Cafe. My one friend is from Michigan and hasn't ever been to Tower City! I haven't been downtown in a long time either, so I am excited! I am also excited for Spring Break. I am sure all of us need it!

Speaking of film... Stephanie Schmitt, I tried to post on your blog today but something on my computer is not set up right, I guess and I couldn't figure it out. Anyways, I wanted to say that I remembered that you included "The Outsiders" in your presentation and last night I rented the movie. I remember my 6th or 7th grade teacher had us read the book and then watch the movie! I would have never remembered that, had I not seen it in your autobiography.

Creative Writing

Yesterday I gave my presentation on "Little Brother" in my Creative Writing class. The assignment was to focus more on the way Cory Doctorow writes rather than the actual story. I discussed the tone and point of view that he uses. I like that it is Marcus's story and he is telling it himself. It's not coming from some distant narrator. Doctorow makes the story realistic because he does such a good job writing like a teenager would write/talk.

After my presentation, I was curious to check out Cory Doctorow's blog online, http://craphound.com/. He writes about his latest columns for the "Guardian" and new pieces that he is working on. I thought it was cool to read what he is writing outside of "Little Brother." He still kind of writes in a similar way. When I read the blog, I kind of feel like I'm reading Marcus's story all over again.

Muti-modal Autobiography

It was so fun to watch everyone's autobiographies! I noticed a lot of us read the same books and watched the same shows as kids. It seems like everyone read the Berenstain Bears and watched Nickelodeon. It is really cool to think that we all had something in common, way back when, and didn't even know it. I really liked how some people put pictures of themselves from the past on their videos. I wish I would have thought to gather up some pictures of the past!
I was thinking about how nice it would be to do this project with my own class someday. Someone mentioned that it would be a great way to get to know your students and I couldn't agree more! Not only for me to get to know them, but class mates would get to know each other as well. I found a lot in common with everyone in the class. I think this project would be useful to help students relate to one another, when they might not have otherwise.

Little Brother

So last night I finished "Little Brother" and I have to say that I loved it!!! I was only going to read about fifty pages, but I just couldn't stop and finished it. The book was just so intense and emotional for me. I'm giving a presentation in my creative writing class in a few weeks and we are to chose a piece of writing and explain why we like it/why we don't. I'm definately using "Little Brother" because the way that Cory Doctorow wrote the novel had me laughing and crying at the same time. He used such vivid imagery when he was decribing how he felt when he was being interrogated. I also am a big fan of romance novels and I especially liked the little love twist between Marcus and Ange.
I was browsing youtube and I thought I would type in Little Brother and see what comes up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf03XpxCj4g This video is kind of funny to me because it is half about some guy who is a dumpster diver (and reminds me of Zeb from the novel) and the other half is about Cory Doctorow's project where people can upload videos and "how to's" for building technology that is "liberating". He says that "Little Brother" inspired him to put this together so anyone can learn how to use technology in a way that is beneficial to privacy. It was intersting to watch and also humorous because of the random cuts of interview with this dumspter diver. Check it out if you have time!

Privacy

I really liked how the issue of having facebooks, blogs, and myspaces as teachers was brought up today in class. Its actually kind of coinciding with "Little Brother" because Marcus is all about privacy. I feel exactly how Marcus does when it comes to people snooping around. Even if you have nothing to hide, it is kind of eery to think someone is watching you! Unfortunately, that is what one of the major downfalls of using the internet is; unless you know how to protect yourself, what you do online can be seen by others.
I was really nervous when my past professors told me I should delete my facebook and myspace because future employers would be scouting me out online. I honestly think it is a good idea to monitor what you put online and make sure you use the privacy settings, but I don't think we should have to delete everything all together!
Teachers need personal lives just like everyone else, but like Dr. Kist said, we are upholding a certain image as teachers. Some districts and schools are a little more strict about that "image" than others. I might have to consider deleting my facebook when I do start teaching, but for now I see no problem with it as long as I protect myself.