Do schools kill creativity?

Here is the link to the Ken Robinson talk we watched the first day of class:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

If you feel you didn't get to share your thoughts that first day, OR you have had new thoughts in light of our class reading/discussions, please feel free to post a comment.

DVD helps kids with Autism

Here is a link to another NPR news story, this one detailing a study and product that emerged to help address issues related to autism...what do you think about this?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99732203&ft=1&f=1001

Examples of "Literacy Poems"

Here are some of the literacy poems generated by former students:

"Sewn for the Masses"

I imagined my education as a sequin-covered gown

tailored to me

made...for me.

unique.

Representing who I am...what I will become

what I want to be

I would feel proud...competent...accomplished.

Instead they gave me rags

Sewn for the masses...designed for them...

...not for me!

I am drawing in their fabric

In their tight knit stuffy fabric

In their one size fits all fabric

My clothes are torn

I am worn

I am educated.

"Literacy is Power"

Literacy is Power

Increasing by the hour

Strong Words

Multimodal, now we get it

So important we won't forget it

Tough Language

Sahara, Gruwell, and the dog

Showed us how to do the job

Brawny Expressions

Make it fun, make it new

Bring literacy into all you do

Hefty Vocabulary

Use a video or a comic book

Encourage students to take a look

Burly Terminology

The printing press and the working class

Corresponding societies as they clink their glass

Strapping Jargon

Don't keep the gate

Allow your students to create

Stalwart Lingo

Literacy is Power

Increasing by the hour

Literacy is fun

It is imagination and creativity in one

you can write or read in any fashion

you can even make it your lifelong passion!

Make use of any kind of multimodal, go ahead I suggest you do

use the internet & pictures...your students will say 'WA-HOO!'

Literacy expands a student's world but they see it as a chore

they aren't interested and often say to their teacher 'what a bore!'

A teacher should make literacy fun, play video games & write comics

You will see your students learning and they'll lose their bad antics

A literate student means so much to parents, principals, and the public

the students will love to see they got an 'A' on the rubric!

Make literacy fun, not only for students but for your sake...

because if you don't, they'll all fail, come back and give you a headache!

"Write for Right"

Visionaries

We speak the truth

that they are afraid to face.

We're brave soldiers

on the front lines of life

Fighting for what we see as Right.

With pens as our weapons

we turn on lights

in the middle of the night

And scream.

And cry

And whisper.

And laugh

On paper

Emotions are the pallet.

We are the color-sayers

separate, yet together

we'll surpass material

And bask in the glory

of our potential.

Ode to Technology

How you make my life so easy!!

Today before I lecture I want to show a quick film

Bringing technology into the classroom

First I must let the projector warm up

What do you mean this system is not compatible to a Mac?

Well we will just use the TV and DVD player from down the hall

How you make my life oh so easy!!!

Where does the read AV cable go?

The TV has to be on channel three for it to work

Do you see anything now? How about now? Now?

I'll bet the DVD player doesn't play burned discs

How you make my life oh so easy!!!

I'll just call the tech guy and he can help

So how is everyone doing today?

You finally got it working thanks so much

Let's watch the film. Bell Rings!!! Maybe tomorrow?

HOW YOU MAKE MY LIFE OH SO EASY!!!

L anguage presented in an

I maginative way to

T each and

E ngage

R eaders of all ages, including

A dults,

C hildren, and

Y outh

Examples of Digital Texts

Here is a list of projects generated in previous semesters:

1. Les Miserables online. This website brought together collaboration in English, history, and French. http://facegrabber.tripod.com/
2. Grade 9 Science webpage. http://www.voisinlubczuk.com/EDU637/index.html
3. Creative Writing in English class. http://writingcreatively.proboards.com/
4. Underground Railroad for History class: http://www.msmardling.synthasite.com/
5. The Holocaust Free Press for History class: http://zunal.com/webquest.php?user=18136
6. Science blog covering current issues: http://scientistsofedu637g.blogspot.com/
7. Grade 9 English, Romeo and Juliet: http://benlolograde9english.synthasite.com/

Some others are not online, but available in my office. They include a set of math videos and a Yahtzee game both with the goal to teach probability.

A textbook to consider

TXTNG: The Gr8 Db8 was just published and is stirring up some controversy...here is a story as it was reported on NPR in December of 2008.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97700573

Does this sound like a book we should incorporate into our 'study' of technological phenomena?

Is the internet making us stupid?

Sort of a counterpoint to our course and how wonderful technology is (can be)...This story was broadcast on NPR in June of 2008.
Click the link, then listen to this news story and post your thoughts.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91543814

NCTE's position

Here is the link to NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) and what they have to say about Adolescent Literacy.

http://www.ncte.org/adlit

What do you think? How will you incorporate some of these tenets even if you teach another content area?

An Apple Perspective

This document was created by Apple Computer, Inc. in 2003. Does the information seem relevant to us today? Skewed? Perhaps....think about the message and the perspective and post your thoughts.

http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/galleryfiles/487/achievement.pdf

A Model Administrator?

This article appeared in TIME magazine in November 2008...how would you deal with this person as your boss/colleague? Do you think what she is doing is for the common good? Read the article and post your interpretation.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1862444,00.html

Are We Failing Our Geniuses?

This article appeared in TIME magazine in August of 2007 and it remains a relevant area of inquiry for us in 2009. When we talk about 'special education' issues, the students mentioned in this article fit the bill, but do not get included in a traditional sense. Read the article and post your thoughts.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1653653,00.html