iPods and Pacemakers

I know this article does not relate to technology in the classroom but I did find it interesting because clearly it relates to technology in general.

"iPods can cause cardiac implantable pacemakers to malfunction by interfering with the electromagnetic equipment monitoring the heart."

An interesting fact that is stated in the beginning is that the problem with iPods and pacemakers was founded by a 17-year-old boy! Kind of ironic how we always talk about how our students could potentially know more about technology than us and here a 17 year old discovers a fact such as this one!

The article states that iPods as close as two inches away causes electrical interference. In relation to the pacemakers, iPods as close as 18 inches from an individual's chest could cause the pacemaker to misread the pacing.

If you'd like to check this article out the website is:

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1048845320070510?feedType=RSS&rpc=22

Pressure's On

I created a blog for the in-class assigntment. I knew it was something that I could do (most important aspect of this challenge) and something that could be completed and well-executed. This is something I would do on one of the first days of class. I think a class blog is a great way for everyone to stay on top of what is occuring in class. I also think it is a great way for parents to know what is happening in their children's classroom.

I stated in my class blog that I will have each student create a blog. I think this will be a great way to unite my class which is an aspect I think is important in a school environment as a whole. I would love to go as far as talking to other english teachers in the school I would teach at to get them started with a blog as well. It would be super cool (I think anyway!) for my class to be associated with what another class is learning--see the different perspectives of another class.

Chapter 5-Hobbs

The television-- a mind-numbing tube that does what for us, right? Well, in chapter 5 the most interesting fact I realized is how the television can be productive for students. In the English classroom, teachers can take how certain things are represented and use it in lessons.For example, in James Doneski's classroom he had his students discuss the topic of gender representation. Boys had to watch a show that targeted women and girls had to watch a show that targeted men. After these students read short readings, did their research, and analyzed the shows, they were able to discuss, "what they had learned about the changing patterns of gender representation in shows from TV history" (73).

Mainly my point is how now, year 2007, the English classroom no longer means reading Romeo & Juliet and learning the dry elements of theme, plot, setting, etc. In the English classroom, students can learn about 'life'--what the real, outside world is all about. Technology is clearly a fine tool to use in executing this task. Media Literacy comes down to creating a new way of thinking and going about getting our students to open up their minds as well.

In all honesty, this might be my favorite chapter. A housemate of mine is a communications major and I expressed what I learned about while reading this chapter because seeing her type of work, this seemed right up her alley. Just interesting that a communicators major found interest in one of my main books for an English class.

City Voices, City Visions

I think kids making videos to learn is fantastic! It is great how teachers are learning to take what is actually interesting to kids (videos) and using it as a form of teaching. It is smart and it works--plain as that.

One of the main aspects that I find very important in a classroom is how almost all of the usage of technology calls for collaboration. My primary goal in my classroom will to have students in a peaceful environment with tons and tons of interaction. When students are video recording or acting out skits, this goal is easily achievable.

Cheaters and iPods?- A Downfall of Technology

Often times in lecture halls, during those psychology 101 courses, kids will sometimes listen to their iPods
while the lecture is going on. This is often possible because slides
and PowerPoint are used and it is much more entertaining to listen to
Nirvana than a lecture. In this article I found on Yahoo, high schools
have started banningiPods because of the way kids can use them to cheat. Since the ear piece is
so small to begin with, hiding the wire and earpiece is something that
can be easily done: "officials realized some students were downloading
formulas and other material onto the players."-- Clearly this is the
problem.

I think the key is that eventually, "each district will
have a policy in place for technology — it keeps a lot of the problems
down." Technology clearly has its positives and negatives. Cheating is
now one of the negatives with the iPod. The result has to be limitations on when they can be used. They should in no way be banned, just regulated.

Here is the link if any of you want to check it out. What do you guys think
of this problem? If you read the article, take a look at what Kelsey
Nelson had to say--Quite interesting and I'd be curious to hear your
opinion.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070427/ap_on_hi_te/ipod_cheating

More Details on the Media Literacy Project

My group has been specifically focusing and analyzing on the show
Family Guy. Something very cool happened to Lindsay with her blog-- she got
a comment from a man in California telling us not to only focus on the
show, but broaden our focus on the commercials aired during Family Guy as well.

This is a great, simple point that we did not even think of! So, tonight when
we meet after class, Lindsay, Charity , and myself, we will be able to
further our project on the commercials as well. We can view aspects of what kind of viewers are the commercials pertaining to? Is there a reason why those commercials are on as opposed to others? What sort of commercials seemed to be missing? etc. Does anyone else have any other ideas they would like us to investigate?

Response to Will

The way in which Will engages his children about books is fascinating.
Even so much as the idea of writing books and then being able to send them
out for Christmas presents is a great idea on his behalf. He brings
writing and the aspect of books into his child's life and it actually
intrigues her. From his eagerness and enthusiasm comes his daughters--
and the enthusiasm coming from books is so commendable on behalf of Will.

Teachers should learn something from this. Even though writing, reading, and books are associtaed with school, which is associated with boredom (most of the time), it doesn't need to be that way. Taking those aspects of school and turning them into something fun for kids is the way to get students to see school as enjoyable.