Wednesday, January 27, 2010

"March Violets" Part I

In the song entitled "March Violets," there seems to be a pun on the title. I think that the first meaning is the most obvious; the author is referring to violets that bloom during the month of March. The second, and more complicated meaning, has something to do with physical marching and might be a pun for "March Violence." This seems to be inferred when the author asks "can you tell them apart?" Along with the pun, the author seems to have allusions to classic works such as The Bible and "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare. The allusion to "Julius Caesar" ends the song with "Every day is the Ides of March." I think that the author is trying to say that with every day comes some impeding doom.

More insight to come soon...

Media Technologies and Its Place in the Classroom

The importance of media technology in relationship to classroom learning is an ever growing topic of conversation for teachers. For this generation of students it seems that technology resonates with them and thus can have a positive effect on their learning. Consequently, I feel that media technology does have a place in the classroom and can be very appropriate and well received by students. I have seen it used in many productive ways. For example I have had teachers who constantly are showing clips from movies, audio files from the radio, etc. in order to support a topic in class. One memorable experience was when I had a Global Studies professor use Power Point in an engaging way (with sounds, color coding, and pictures). He enhanced his lecture rather than detracting from it. Furthermore, while I am student teaching I have also used media technology to help introduce topics to get students excited about a new unit we are about to begin.

One of my hesitations in using technology is that I feel it can be over used. For every time I have seen media technology used in a productive way I have also seen it used to students' detriment. The over use of power points and movies for the sake of "eating up time" tells students that those media technologies are not for educations sake but for entertainments sake. Another concern I have about media technology, which only became an issue once I began student teaching, is the availability of it. I teach English Language Learners who come from a modest background. Many of them do not have access to technology I can, in no way, ask them to type their reports or even do research on the Internet at home. While the idea of media technology is appealing the reality of its availability can be discouraging.

But, with thoughtful planning and selectivity a teacher can use media technology to enhance understanding and student experience in the classroom.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Hello!

To the wide community who will be actively reading this blog every week I want to say "Hello." This blog is being created for the purpose of Steven Wexler's Multigenre Literacy in a Global Context. To come are many insightful posts about this very topic. Enjoy!!