Media Literacy

Many students say they are "tech savvy"; however, having access to and the ability to use multi media devices does not guarantee that students are fully aware of all the responsibilities that go along with that. Many are only participating in surface exposure. It is our job as parents and educators to teach the students how to analyze the messages they receive from the media every day.

Podcast-Project Think

I subscribed to a podcast on itunes called Project Think. It is presented by students as a summer enrichment project. Each student researched a country or region and then reported on their area. I liked the format of the project which begins with a photo of the student, followed by photos of their region. The photos were very clear, sharp, and vibrant. They seemed to capture the essence of the area. If I had to select something I did not like in the podcast, it would be the length. Although very well done, they were too short. Just as I was wanting to see more, it was over. The curriculum implications of this type of project are numerous. It is cross-curricular-involving global studies, English, and speech. It is also a way for students to share their education with distant family members. Rather than telling them about a poster they made for a class assignment, and the speech they gave; they can simply direct them to the podcast. An area of improvement would have to be the background noise from the other students.

It has begun!

I knew that I wanted to begin a diary of my first year teaching experiences, but I also knew it would be a challenge for me to write in one on a daily basis. So, I was excited to get started on this assignment! I will be able to combine my experiences as a teacher with my assignments as a student into one great format. At the end of the year, I hope to have a wealth of information that will help me to evolve into the type of educator that I envision myself to be.