High Stakes Testing

Day 10 Post

On the final day of the class I think that I can say that I am very happy that I took this class.  It was nice to get back into the classroom and have discussions with people face to face.  I think that I learned allot from everyone and we had some great discussions.  I hope that I have the chance to take some classes with you all in the future...whether online or in person.

Thanks all!

Day 9 Post

Today we looked at he stereotypes that are portrayed in media.  The look at Disney was eye opening because they do feed into so many stereotypes that need to be removed from society...yet we allow it...no we promote it by supporting Disney films.  In many ways it is light hearted but it helps promote some very hurtful ideas.

When I looked at the way that our media portrays People in the Middle East, Muslims, and Persians, I was especially blown away.  I really truly appreciate that I had the opportunity to look at this and address my own biases about people in that region of the world.  I know that I have been influenced by the constant bombardment of negative media.  I try not to associate negative ideas about the Middle East but it is all I know.  I am just glad that I can address it within myself now.

Thanks Mary Bucy

Day 8 Post

Looking at the headlines in the newspapers was surprising for me...not so much on a regular day but on the big event days.  Looking at the amount of press that the Haiti earthquake got around the world was actually refreshing.  I wonder what the level of aide and support was from other countries around the world.

Should advertisers have access to so much information about us.  There are two side to the argument here:
1. Without that information I would get even more irrelevant ads thrown at me than without it.
2. With that information advertisers can manipulate me better.

Which do I prefer?  I think I would rather get things that are more relevant to me.  If I can avoid those AARP commercials then great.  I just need to keep in mind that I am a target.

Day 7 Post

Today we tried to finish up our BBQ style salad...with much frustration.  I really liked the concept but the execution was much more difficult than I expected.  We created a good concept and I think everyone understood what we were getting at but it fell a little short of my expectations.

On a separate note..Semiotics is interesting and irritating all at the same time.  I think that we can actually overanalyze ads so much that it becomes trivial and obnoxious.  It is important to understand the game so that we are not being taken advantage of it but at what point is our analysis too much?

Day 6 Post

Day 6 brought about some interesting questions about reality and the responsibility of ads to portray the truth about images.  Is it ok for advertisers and editors to change a photo to make it more dramatic, more appealing, or even more sinister?  Perception is reality, especially with images...so should we really expect them to be what they look like.  I used too!  Now I realize that images are just as tainted as those images of the batboy, or alien child, in the tabloids.  I think it should be mandated that disclosure must be made if an image is changed...PERIOD!  that would save us from believing something that is a total fabrication.

Media Literacy day 5

I found it really interesting to look at the way that advertisers used jingles in the past.  I find them so annoying to listen to on the radio...but I often humm along or even sing the words.  So why do I know the words to a jingle I don't even like?  I guess thats the trick...get people to listen to it and get it stuck in their head.  Use rhymes and catchy music, well maybe annoying music, attach a product and BINGO!  Where will you go the next time you need a mattress?

Day 4 post

It was interesting to see the many ways that we use maps and how information can be skewed.  Its really one of those things that isn't thought about much but can play a major role in the way we view situations or information.  I think the map site we looked at (can't remember the name off the top of my head) is really a great resource to show a more true perspective about information around the world.

Day 3/4 post

Today was an interesting look into the way media chooses to portray information.  I have always known that different media outlets pick and chooses information in a way that fits an agenda.  However I think it is important to realize that other people don't go into situations with the same amount of cynicism that I do on a regular basis.  I actually discuss issues of media bias in my chemistry class when it come to some of the big issue in science and I think the topics in this class can help reinforce some of those ideas.

CSE 612 Day 1

Day 1 of class was a little bit of an eye opener for me.  I had no idea that so few companies ran so many media outlets.  I have always known that the large companies associated with TV generally merge, somewhat naturally, with multiple cable channels, movies, and even radio.  I had no idea that they are also involved in everything from publishing to appliances to sports teams.  I can say that I am cynical by nature and tend to listen to ads with a skeptical ear, but with so many ways to get to me...how can I say what the influence really is?  I can say for certain that I am intrigued.

Welcome CSE 612

Here is my blog...hope you like the setup.  I will be happy to help out anyone who needs it.  I look forward to working with you all.

Ronnie

CSE 694

Just wanted to say thank you to all of you that helped me out along the way.  While I rarely commented, I read a lot of interesting things and I saw a lot more.  I loved being able to look at the different blogs within the class and use them as a preview of what I might be able to create myself.

Thanks all!

What I have learned about blogging

In all of the craziness of my life I have learned that blogging is much more time consuming that I had realized.  The time commitment needed for blogging is probably considerably more than my initial expectation and I would likely need some sort of professional development in order to truly master it.  I have been able to use many of the features with relative ease but there is still much to learn.

By looking at the research I found that there are teachers out there that are using blogs in the classroom to make classes, including science more interesting. I love the idea but I don’t know how practical it is for me being that I currently have around 200 students.  I actually hadn’t thought about the sheer volume until a few of my classmates brought it up.

Al in all I feel like I have learned a lot about the work and effort needed to keep a blog running and relevant.  The tools and gadgets are great but it is the blogger…me in this case…that is the key to success in blogging.

Promoting my Blog:

After having read several ideas on blogging and promoting my blog I came up with some things that I think are good for me and for my classroom.  I think that adding information to the syllabus is important in order to inform students of the benefits of the blog.  I like the idea of using the social networking sites as a tool for promotion.  I know my students are all on them and it would be very easy to have them add the blog as a favorite site for following.  I also think that keeping the blog updated with new information is important.  Keeping the blog relevant is crucial if you want students to continue looking at it.  I agree with many of the other students that I would not want to promote my blog beyond the classroom so I would limit it to that audience.

Learn the color spectrum with ROY G BIV

Article Review: Blogging in science

The article I read outlined the importance of differentiating instruction for students in science by using blogs that include podcasts and discussion forums.  According to the article, “Blogs expand instructional time by providing teachers with a user-friendly online format to reinforce strategies, introduce new topics and concepts, review important class points, review for tests, and provide enrichment.”(p. 61).  I addition to enriching the educational experience by differentiating instruction, blogs allow for a new way to get materials.  Teachers can upload lessons, notes and videos, as well as create video casts of lessons for students to access.  This allows teachers to take advantage of what the article refers to as the “iTunes Phenomena” by extending class time into the students home life in an interesting way.  I see blogging and discussion boards as a great substitution for traditional homework. However, it isn’t as simple as wanting to throw something together and just doing it.  Teachers need training to learn how to integrate valuable technological resources into the curriculum.

Great Points:

Blogs can extend class time

Access can be gained by most students

Blogs can be used to issue traditional classroom work

Teachers need training and time

Colombo, M. W., Colombo, P. D. (sept. 2007), Blogging to improve instruction in differentiated science classrooms. Phi Delta Kappan, 89(1), 60-63

Hmmm?

Ok...so I feel a little, slow right now!  I don't know what I am doing and I need help!  What are the assignments for this class supposed to look like. Right now I feel like the assignments link, the schedule link and the syllabus all say different things. I have a really hard time without very detailed instructions so if someone can help me out I would really appreciate it.

Introduction

When I think of who I am and what defines me as a person I have to look at my two lives.  I have a work life and a home life that are generally separate from each other...thankfully.  Every once in a while the two lives collide and I have to balance work and home but in general work is work and home is home.  This all started about 15 months ago when my son Connor was born.  At home I am Dada...the most fulfilling thing I have ever been, and I am a also husband...a very close second to Dada. I love spending time just hanging out with my wife, watching our little boy grow at what can only be described as an astonishing rate!  I have one major, non-family related obsession I live with in my home life...the Oregon Ducks!  It seems innocent enough but most people probably don't really understand the extent of the problem.

Life number two is school...at school I am Mr. White!  This is my fifth year as a teacher 4 at Tualatin High School and my first at Woodburn.  I currently teach Physical Science, Chemistry, and Forensics, but have also taught Biology and Physics in the past.  I am also a member of our contract negotiation action team as we continue working towards a contract settlement.  I love my job but have a lot of concerns about the state of education and the increased pressure placed on students and teachers by politicians with little or no educational experience or background.  I am taking this class as a piece of my MS in Information Technology as well as to ind new relevant ways of teaching.