Podcast #2

In my classroom I could use podcasts to describe (audio) how to get students to describe artwork without actually seeing what it looks like. Yes the visual is important but I think it is equally important in an art setting that students be able to talk about and explain their artwork without just saying “this is it.” Vocabulary is equally important and I would love to instill that idea to my students as early as possible.
I could give an example of what I would like them to create by just having them listen to me describe shape, size, textures, colors, elements, materials used, and the design of the actual product (our next project). I would not tell them specifically (the name) of what we are doing so they could go home and listen to the podcast and come in the next day with ideas on what the next lesson may be. I think if I give them this space to think creatively than maybe they will incorporate the same openmindedness in the art project we will be working on. I do not expect my students to just do the projects I give them. I want them to challenge me as well so in order to challenge me I think that giving them some idea about something, than they have to give a little bit of creativity in order to go above and beyond my requirements.
For my students to use podcasts, I would love for them to create podcasts reviewing their work. Considering I believe that the art vocabulary is just as important as the students finished project, I think that having them describe their final result verbally will be a great challenge. I think that having them describe the elements, time, research, an effort put into the project that they would be interested in listening to each other’s in order to understand why and how they all created what they did.
The 21st Century skills that are being addressed by myself would definitely be life and career skills due to the fact that I am using the podcast in order to influence my students which are my career. Also, I think that learning and innovation skills are definitely being challenged because I myself have to learn more than my students in order to teach them how to use these forms of technology. The media/information and technology skills will be challenged because I must reassure my students that I know what I am doing and show them that it is easy to create and fun to do even outside of school. I will show them examples.
The podcast itself is addressing innovation skills and information/media and technology skills because it is a form of technology. Not only is it a form of technology but it is a learning process. I cannot assume that my students have internet access so therefore they know exactly how to use or create a podcast. I need to make sure I at least give some sort of lesson on creating podcasts before I assign them a project to make their own. Learning how to create on is innovative in itself. Media and other podcast will be reviewed in order to give my students the ideas and creative drive they should have. Hopefully I inspire my students to want to make podcasts on their own not only to review their own work but others as well. I think for an early first assignment of a podcast it is a good tool to teach them how to talk about their own artwork because they created it. They know most about it and can talk about a guided criteria I assign them.

Podcast #1

A podcast is a series of media files, either audio or video, that are usually downloaded through web syndication. Web syndication is when website material is made available to multiple sites. Basically this has to do with web feeds. Many use the internet to view or listen to podcasts and even use webstreaming. It is kind of like a broadcast through out the internet.
How to Create a Podcast:
1. Choose a subject matter that you are very passionate about. Make sure you have a lot to say and can bring to the table.
-Listen to existing podcasts in order to get a feel of how they work/do not work.
2. Try to come up with some sort of schedule for when you are going to maintain your podcast, when you are going to come up with new parts for you podcast, and how long it will be.
3. Choose which site you are going to use in order to create your podcast. Some websites offer different things such as either being free, or the length you can upload, etc.
4. Make sure you have your equipment readily available. You need a computer of some sort, internet connection, microphone (whether your computer has a built in one or you go ahead and purchase one), and lastly the correct kind of recording software needed to be able to upload the file(s) you create.
5. Make sure you set up your microphone correctly, select the correct input source for Audacity. Next, check the sound input levels. Changing this could be the difference between the recording sounding distorted or too low.
1. Make sure that "Enable Meter Toolbar" under the "Interface" tab in the application preferences is checked.
2. Choose "Monitor Input" from the pull-down menu next to the microphone icon under the right-hand meters.
3. Speak or play music at the loudest volume you think you'll use while recording.
4. Watch the sound levels (the red meters on the right). Make sure that the little gray slit ("clipping indicator") on the far right doesn't light up red at any point.
5. Adjust the input volume using the Mixer Toolbar's right-hand slide control -- the one next to the little microphone icon. You want the input to be as high as possible without lighting up that bar. If the indicator lights up at any point, you'll need to lower the input volume, click on the bar to clear it, and test again.
Information gathered from http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-make-a-podcast
6.Edit your recording to your liking. Make sure you are saying what you want to say, the message is clear and concise, and that it is easily understandable.
7. You could save the file(s) as mp3(s) in order to make it easier later on for you to post.
8.Create an RSS file (You'll need an RSS file in order to deliver your podcast to your audience, unless you choose to use a hosting site that automatically generates a blog or feed for you.) This is also only if needed. Not entirely necessary.
9.Find a host for your files. You could either host your podcast on your website server, internet archive, or podbean. All are great solutions. You either need to log in or sign up in order to use any of the three.
10. Publish. You could either publish to your blog, or a website, iTunes.
Here is how you would do it if you want to publish to iTunes.

1. Sign up for an iTunes account. Though you will need to enter credit card information, you won't be charged unless you make a purchase in future.
2. Make sure to include the optional iTunes tags in your RSS file. You can find the coding for those tags in red in this article by Podcast411.com.
3. Validate your RSS file.
1. Open the iTunes application on your computer.
2. Pull down the "Advanced" menu and select "Subscribe to Podcast...."
3. Paste the URL for your RSS file in the dialogue box.
4. iTunes should begin downloading the most recent episodes of your podcast.
5. Open the latest episode of your podcast once it becomes available by double-clicking on its title.
6. If you can hear your podcast, the RSS is fine, and you can continue. Otherwise, you'll need to check for mistakes in your RSS file.
4. Go to the iTunes Store in iTunes.
5. Follow the link for "Podcasts."
6. At the very bottom, on the left side of the page, follow the link for "Submit a Podcast."
7. Enter the URL for your feed and click "Continue."
8. Complete the requested information and follow any instructions to complete your submission.
9. Wait several days, then search for your podcast in iTunes. Eventually, it should also show up in the iTunes category you provided.
10. iTunes has further instructions on updating and troubleshooting your feed.

11. List Your Podcast in Directories so it can be viewed.


I chose to blog about Nicolette Hahn Niman: Champions Siesmic Change of Our Industrial Food System podcast. The entire podcast was less than 10 minutes and talked about local food economies and the health of the animals we normally ingest. I actually really enjoyed it because it was both audio and video. It mostly talked about how people today are more interested in getting their food from local food economies due to the well being of the live stock and the condition most of the live stock is in. Many people are hoping for change and trying to find it in their diets. Everything seems to be industrialized and her ideas of change toward local markets and food sources fight to be healthier to the United States.
Some strengths would involve that it was both audio and visual(video), that it was a lengthy amount of time for the subject; not too long or too short. Also, she had strong support with details, facts, and even images regarding the live stock she produces. The use of examples was really powerful in getting her points across because being able to hear and see something speaks stronger to myself than just listening about it. Some weaknesses would include that it was kind of repetative even though it had strong points, the vocabulary needed to be learned; it wasn't just common sense. Also, there are boys playing frisbee in the background which to me seems kind of inappropriate and ridiculous for the podcast. Other than those reasons though, the podcast was interesting, exciting, and seemed rather well made.

Food Podcast

Jing

Jing is a website dedicated to webhosting, email, webspace, and other web friendly aspects. It is described as being "simple, flexible, and a user friendly product to both entry level and profession level." It has many features to take advantage of such as email, photo gallery, blog, costumer support, etc. It allows you to access your email from virtually anywhere. Also, there is chat support so if you have any questions that need to be answered quickly, you could ask on this site. It is very easy to navigate around and even has an icon that can show what is going on in the news at that time. It is secure and I really think that if I can figure out my way around it, many can understand and figure it out. It was voted the best budget choice in 2008 and seems to be pretty prestigious in many areas of being a successful website.

I could integreate this website into my class room a number of ways. I think the most useful would be to post my students work to the photo gallery and allow them to blog about theirs and eachothers work. Of course I expect it to be kept respectful but I still appreciate honestly. I will also post my own so that I can recieve feedback. I feel as though feedback is just as important from student to teacher as is from teacher to student. With students being so involved in today's technology, I think many will enjoy this idea because they can use it from home or even their lab time during school. The fact that this site is secure is incredbly important being a teacher and allowing my students to use this website because I want them to remain safe on the internet. Maybe I could post my students work every two weeks to the photo gallery and have them comment on at least 3 other student's work and also on their own. I would give them a time frame of a week so they could do it when they feel good and ready whether it be in the morning before school or at night before they go to bed. The website is very simple to understand and gives back up support. This can only help anyone using the site.

I actually look forward to executing this idea in my classroom. I think this site is so clear and concise that I might just have to use jing.com.

Schools and Technology Responsibility

The sexting report(s) sadly was not a shock to me. Unfortunately, I was all too familiar with the story on Megan Meier. Months ago I heard about the tragedy through passing words. It was the type of gossip you hear and wish you didn’t. I looked up the details because I was interested and horrified that an adult could do something so disturbing through MySpace and ruin the life of a 13 year old girl. This was the first and only instance I had ever heard about involving suicide having to do with a teenager and technology abuse. I remember hearing bits and pieces of the story and being so distraught that if I did not look up the entire story, I would just be disappointed in myself for not realizing how important and serious internet chatting could really be. You always were told by your parents to be careful who you talk to, do not talk to anyone you do not already know through school or work, and never give away any of your personal information.
I never heard of another instance of the teen suicides, especially due to “sexting,” until I read/watched the videos on Hope Witsell and Jesse Logan. It is such a disappointment that the lives of these girls have been taken so young due to a mistake. I could never fathom this happening to anyone I know but until you even read about it you cannot think about it happening at all. I had to agree with the report when they said that these teens send these pictures without realizing the long term effects. They do not think that their friends, family, peers, teachers, administrators, colleges, jobs/bosses will ever see or hear about “the picture(s).” It is really sad to even think about. A thirteen year old girl is just that, a girl. She doesn’t understand how serious nudity in today’s day and age could be especially through the use of technology. Almost anyone could take a photo of one person and photo shop a body of another on it and send it around. It is incredibly disgusting the type of world we live in that this sexting is going on and these teens do not understand what they are provoking or how to deal with it.
As for schools having responsibility, this is a tricky matter. As stated in the Schools, States Review Cell Phone Bans article, there are pros and cons to letting students even carry a cell phone on their persons. It is understandable after what has been happening in the school systems over the last 20 years with school shootings and such violence that parents would want their children to have a cell phone on them in case they need to contact them. Isn’t that a parent’s right to be able to talk to their child? At the same token, cell phones are easily a distraction in the classroom either buzzing or beeping and the constant clicking of texting while a teacher is trying to educate. I remember the only reason my parents allowed me to get a cell phone was because I was constantly staying after school for clubs and sports and they wanted to know where I was; it was more convenient to use a cell phone everyday rather than call from a payphone.
Not only is cell phone use important and should not be abused but also website and online social networking should be taken very seriously. Too many kids today have personal information up on the internet for anyone to see. Of course parents warn their children about the consequences but how many really truly monitor their child’s facebook or myspace? I can’t tell you how many profile pictures I have seen on these websites were girls are dressed scantily clad and boys aren’t wearing shirts. Is that really appropriate? If they are looking for a job, do you think they are the ones to get hired? And if they are so lucky as to get hired, do you think they hold that job expressing behavior like that for the entire world to see? I think not. I think schools should really stress the severity of these sites because kids think that only their friends see what they write or send. Until something serious happens to them or someone they know, they rarely hear about an instance in which so and so had to change their phone number or move because they were being stalked due to posting too much personal information on facebook.
I think that schools should be held responsible for teaching students certain technology responsibility. In this day and age students should be familiarized with what is really going on in their society and the world they live in. They should be educated on these cases of the teen girls and what has happened to them because of sending so little as a picture. I am sure many teens are “guilty” of sexting so if the issue is brought up in schools, it could be easier to talk about if more know about it. We are taught how to use computers and certain computer programs in schools. Maybe a course on computer safety wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Children are vulnerable and easily distracted. If you tell them not to do something, they could either forget and do it or just ignore you all together and do it. I feel if schools let students know about these types of suicide stories or the laws behind sexting, students will be afraid to do it and won’t chance getting caught. Not only did these girls send a nude/semi nude picture of themselves, they could also be the ones getting in trouble even if just sending it once. Once a message/picture like that is sent, it is almost immediately that it is forwarded to a friend of the receiver. That’s how kids are. Schools should get involved if it becomes clear that sexting if affecting a student in the school. Apparently, before Hope’s death, a guidance counselor knew she was cutting/self mutilating her. How can a school know something like that is happening and not inform the parents of the child? Hope was only thirteen, she was still considered a child; don’t adults need to be told about those types of things by law? Also, the law states that the one who sends the picture could be charged as having child pornography and could have to register as a sexual offender. I am pretty sure that recently there was a case in Montclair that a teen girl send nude pictures of herself to a boy and once the pictures got out, the school knew, kids knew, and her family and friends knew. Eventually law officials were informed and the girl responsible for taking and sending the pictures had to register as a sex offender. I think it is a terrible thing that is happening in our society but if taught or learned about in schools than I feel students would hesitate to send a picture and maybe rethink what the long term consequences could be.
Schools have tried to ban cell phones and pagers but I feel this will never fully work again. Our world is too technology savvy and something new is always being invented. With new inventions comes great interest which entails leads to people wanted to buy and have. Teens are always going to be among these consumers that want what the next kid has only better. Schools should be up to date with the knowledge of technologies and aware of how students could be using such tools. Students spend about 7 hours a day 5 days a week in a school. I think it is safe to say that schools have a major impact on a students’ social life and how they use their time. Of course every student could not be as closely monitored as most parents would like but if there was a way to regulate cell phone use and how students use them, than I think it could be really helpful to the student in the long term. As a twenty one year old who is on her way to become a teacher, I think that it is incredibly important for students to understand the consequences of their actions before they even commit the action. Knowledge is power and I think if we educate these students to understand the severity of what is going on in their own cell phones and what could happen because of it, then I think we could make at least some sort of dent in their thought process before they do something that has such negative and destructive consequences.

Fair Use

Fair use is a copyright law that has to do with limited use of something that is copyrighted. Under fair use you may use clips and pieces of either a play, movie, book, article, music, dance, and even pictures without obtaining permission directly from the person or company it is copyrighted under. My understanding of fair use seems that it is more for the public than for large companies, corporate America and so on... I really never thought much about fair use because in school you are taught to cite all your sources or the government could come after you. It really makes you think how often fair use is abused or not understood.
In the education world, fair use is all too popular. Teachers use plenty of clips, images, movies, etc. in order to convey a message or use as a teaching skill. Fair use applies to education because students can also interpret the ideas they are being taught probably better if they are exposed to something more familiar than not. They may be able to remember a war better because they saw a movie on it. If teachers use the materials and other tools they are given they can most likely capture the attention of their students better. I think that knowing the rules and regulations/laws of fair use is important though. I was always under the impression that as long as you cite something you could use it. I'm sure once I become a teacher there are times where I'll forget or something but I didn't know the severity of the matter about people being sued in a school setting because they never got permission to use a certain copyright or that they took too much of a clip or that they changed something around. I think it is important to know the rules because in education you are going to have students that want to use other people's work but they should be taught to do it the right way and respectfully. If they do not learn when in school than they may never learn until it is too late and they are behind bars or paying a large fine. I hope to imcorporate the severity of fair use in my classroom.

Ken Robinson: Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Where do I even begin? Being an artist and also one who wants to become an art teacher, I have constantly had a struggle with the education system and the creativity involved in it. Ken Robinson makes so many excellent points that many do not speak of or think of as important FACTS. Yes facts. It has always infuriated me that the arts are always the bottom of the barrel in schools. Mathematics and Language will always be first. I think they are first because they are necessary in order to communicate with others and to maintain your lifestyle (money, bills, the economy). Its sad but I feel as though money will always rule the world. People are taught that money is the most important part of their life. It buys you your home, your health, and essentially sometimes happiness (some believe). Creativity is so important to our society and I think a lot of people do not agree. They do not think about it because the importance in money. But if you think about money it has a type of aesthetic design to some. It has color, shape, and some sort of texture due to the material it is made out of. Someone had to create it.
Our economy is in a sad state. Maybe students aren't being encouraged to be creative because of funding. Maybe it is more important in today's time to think less creatively and think more "what will give me the best job and pay me the best money" because of our suffering country. I would love to say that the state of our economy has nothing to do with creativity in schools but there is an opportunity for it to be a part of anything. States fund certain programs and certain subjects seem to always be more important than others. The day that art comes before math will be the day my decayed body comes back to life. It is a sad truth but it is just that; the truth, a reality.
Another important idea he brings up is in the next thirty years the most amount of people will be graduating from college and getting degrees. I find that really interesting because years ago anyone could get a job, some better than others of course but still a job. Now you need degrees in order to have certain jobs. You could not become an educator without one. In the years to come it seems as though degrees may not mean anything. If more people are graduating, going to school, and receving them, then what makes one person better than the other? I would have to agree with this statement entirely. I never thought about it until ken Robinson brought it to my attention that I am going to school to get an education and a degree so I could get a job but in years to come, what will it matter?
Rethinking the future seems like such a great idea to me. In five years, technology will be different. Of course it will; there is something new coming out everyday. But do you think about the fact that that will be integrated into our classrooms? Into our classrooms that seem to demolish creativity? Why is creativity taught to be completely embraced when a child is younger but almost "shooed" away once they reach middle school and even junior high. I agree that schools do help to destroy the creative streak in children. Especially being an artist I see the children I babysit becoming less creative in the years I have watched them. They ask more questions regarding what they should do rather than just expressing what they feel/think. Maybe because I am an artist I feel I haven't let the school system fail me in that way. I always challenged it by creating what I felt/ how I thought. Many a time it was not what the teacher was looking for. That will always be an issue though. Students seem to lose their creativity due to doing the assignments they are asked to the likings of their superiors. The teachers give the grades majority of the time; not the students. Why should a student be creative if there are specific guidelines that give them no space to have their own ideas. If there is a set answer for something than they give the "correct" answer that the teacher is looking for. I like when students challenge their teachers. I was taught that the teacher should learn from the student as well as the student learning from the teacher. I have to agree with Robinson yet again when he says that the school system destroys creativity. We as educators need to embrace it. Instill that creativity should never be let go or forgotten. I think it is too important to be just another mindless student that is taught what is going to be on the SAT's. Why not come up with my own ideas to have myself better understand a lesson? This world is a funny place. We seem to want to better it but the human race is always changing its mind on how to do just that.
Everyone is interested in education. This statement is so true because your life could be based on how far along you have gone in the education system. it is a sad reality that the more education you go through; usually the better off you are. Many may not be able to afford it but education is something that everyone could have access to, just in different ways.
*Everyone is interested in education.

Fad or Key?

Personally, I would love to believe that the 21st Century Skills are the "key to the future" but I would have to agree with the critics on this one. "States are are not getting: methods, assessments, and professional development that have been assessed and shown to be effective."(Flawed Assumptions..) This is true because the ideas coming from this beautiful array of nicely put together ideals sounds too good to be true but effectively, it could use some work. There are no proven methods. The skills alone seem too broad to be applied to every type of classroom. Of course every teacher wants to teach critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity but in the end is everything the teacher tries to teach really getting through to their students? We would like to believe that what we teach does, but the reality behind it is that students will learn and remember what they want. Our job is to instill important, useful information into the minds of the future leaders, presidents, workers, and society of tomorrow. Does every teacher do just that? I would have to say "no," not all do. In a perfect world these skills would be fool proof and every student would follow what the teacher lectures and apply it to the real world. Unfortunately, I cannot see how these skills in general are a key factor when they are going to be ever changing. It was said that many state have tried to adapt the 21st Century Skills but they have trouble because they end up having their standards changed and assessments overseen. Assessment in itself is a topic so broad yet so critical to a students development that I cannot express all the negativity I was taught about it.
Also, experience is equivalent to practice is an infuriating assumption. I feel most could see how this is flawed. Just because someone can read every book on teaching and every article does not mean they are a great teacher. I have had teachers that are far from perfect and I have had some that blew me away with their knowledge and assertiveness to teach. Being a teacher for twenty years can strengthen you but it can also weaken you and your goals as a teaching professional. The times are always changing and I believe that you need to stay up to date with what is going on in today's time in order to make what you teach relevant and interesting enough to your students. The skills such as technology are important but with something changing every minute, the system is going to be changing as well. These skills seem like such a perfect idea but in the end they will never be complete.
I think it is safe to say that teachers will never have the perfect, set of guidelines to follow in order to show and prepare their students the ideal way they wish. The technology is always changing, the students minds will always be different, and the material we are told to teach is always going to be different in the years to come. The 21st Century Skills aren't the only ones that I will disagree with. I think they are an amazing idea but in the end, they are just that; an idea. New ideas happen everyday such is life. The standards will always change, the material will always change, and the technology will always change. It is clear I think that the skills are a fad, but to an extent, every set of guidelines are fads because they will always be tampered with in order to make them better, stronger, and even thought of as perfect.