List from p. 169 (top 5):
1. to increase students' knowledge of the mass media in society
2. to develop students' skills in using digital technology tools
3. to modernize the curriculum and make it more relevant to students
4. to promote creativity and self-expression (thereby lowering incidents of plagiarism)
5. to help students use their own voices for advocacy and social change
Quotes from text:
p. 168: "A passionate teacher, armed with a good idea, can be tremendously inspiring to other colleagues."
I agree that passion for teaching should be the ultimate criteria for wanting a teaching career. I think that passion not only motivates colleagues, but also students. I despise math, but I had a college algebra teacher who made it fun and new because of his passion and delivery. I think delivery is the second most important criteria. If you have a great idea and passion coming out of your ears, it won't matter unless you deliver your message in a dynamic way.
p. 173: ". . . stand-alone courses in digital and media literacy are generally available to only a tiny proportion of students, not the whole population."
I understand doing DML as a separate course, in order to maintain focus and so that it won't "become invisible" in every classroom, but I think this course should be put in the core classes that all students must take because it is so important and relevant to today's students. I know when I was in high school, driver's ed was only offered to juniors and seniors. . . that seems counterproductive to me. By the time you are in those grades you probably have some experience driving--why not education the students who have less experience, and be proactive instead of reactive?
p. 179: "When it comes to cell phones, educators in some schools are discovering that policies based on respect and courtesy have a bigger positive impact than those based on control and prohibition."
I am sort of on the fence about cell phone use in class. I think they are great distractors and there is no way to filter out social media on a personal cellphone, like you can on a computer. Of course, cell phones now are like mini computers, so I can see how they could be a handy tool, but maybe just sitting the students down in front of a filtered computer would keep them on-task better. Not sure how I feel about this debate, I don't have any experience with it and teaching yet.
I also agree with you about making DML a core course but worry that it wont happen. My undergraduate is in Family Consumer Science and this course is currently being cut across the nation. I firmly believe Family Consumer Science is still a valuable course for students as well as DML. We might as a nation not be top in Math, Science and reading but I feel if we can put forth the most rounded students into our society we will be doing what is best for our students not what makes us look good in the world!
ReplyDeleteI also am still on the fence about cell phones in the classroom. I feel if there was a way that I was incorporating the cell phone into the lesson I would be fine with them but if they were not a part of the less I would prefer the students to leave them out of site. I know personally if I can see that my phone has gone off I sit there wondering what it went off for.
The cell phone quote is popular! I think this speaks for itself. Cell phones and technology in general are newer to the classroom, and we are still trying to feel out how to handle and manage them while being productive in the classroom. It's a tough call to determine exactly how cell phones fit into the learning environment.
ReplyDeleteI also chose to discuss passionate teacher quote, although I chose to site a media experience that showed me the exact opposite - sometimes an enthusiastic teacher with a good idea can become the enemy. I think it's important for us to identify allies along the way that will support us with equal enthusiasm when we decide to unveil our good ideas!
Shannon you hit the nail right on I just posted why I teach prevention it's my passion and the way we deliver the message will determine what our young people walk away with.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about the cell phone in the classroom like you I think it can be a distraction for students. I make everyone put their phones on top of the table face down and on silent. This way we show respect for each other and we can all learn and understand what is being discussed.