Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Media Literacies Response

This is a quick response week:

1) Any struggles/challenges in completing your powerpoint this week using Google App?

2) What modifications, if any, do you see needing to be made in order to use any Google App with your students?

3) Pose one question that you have from your section of the white paper.  Please do not answer it.  Just write one question or wondering that may have come up during your reading.  Thanks

16 comments:

  1. 1. My only struggle with Google App was on my first slide. For some reason, the text insisted on being italicized. I deleted the whole selection and tried again but it was still in italics except for the first two words. I'm not sure why this happened and it fixed itself on the other slides.

    2. Most students (at least that I've taught) are fairly well-versed in Power Point so I feel the transition would be fairly smooth. They might just need a quick 3-5 minute tutorial explaining any minor differences before they start.

    3. Of the three examples mentioned on the last slide (Transmedia Navition 4) which example do you think would be most effective in generating student interest and engagement?

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  2. 1. I wanted to import my slides from my personal powerpint to the google apps powerpoint, but i couldn't click on the button under the insert menu. So, I hate to copy and paste each piece of each slide into new slides. But that was the only struggle I had with Google Apps.

    2. There would definitely have to be some training for the students to understand how to use it. However, other than that I think that the students are technology saavy enough to do explore and figured it out themselves. There would obviously have to be a rule or a setting so that each of them couldn't change the background and theme a thousand times.

    3. How would you make multitasking a opportunity for deep learning?

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  3. 1. I decided to create my slides directly in Google Apps (rather than making them in my PowerPoint and then moving them over). This worked out just fine. The only issues I encountered were that the Google Apps PowerPoint was running a little slow and that I was unable to format some things exactly the way that I wanted to.

    2. I think that students typically have a pretty good grasp of technology, so they would probably not have too much trouble navigating Google Apps. I do think a introductory tutorial would be necessary in order to show them the uses and purposes of the program. I think it would be important to clarify whether editing should be done directly in Google Apps or in a seperate application (Word or PowerPoint) and then moved into Google Apps.

    3. What are some specific examples of how play can be incorporated into the classroom to engage students in meaningful learning?

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  4. 1. I had any problem to create and use Google Apps. But in order to avoid disconnection of internet while I'm working with PPT, you know how frustrate it is, so I made my original PPT first, and then I did 'copy and paste' it.

    2. Students are IT generation, so they are pretty good at using PPT in the classroom. But I haven't tried this Google App to my teaching or assignment for their group work. I think I need to give more instruction how to use this work, for example, I couldn't find out how to automatically lay out the title instead of writing the heading. Because when I removed all the heading from the slides, only my first slide displayed the title and rest of them had no title. So they need this kind of detail instruction before they launch their work.

    3. How can we guide them if they just create their own website for their specific interest group(just chat or sharing pictures etc) rather than networking with the bigger group as an educational purpose? What will be the discerning process for them?

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  5. I have never used Google docs before, and was excited to try it. I had no difficulties creating my PowerPoint slides. I found the slides to be much more simple than the version of PowerPoint I have on my computer, which was fine for our purpose. I did find myself getting obsessed with formatting and changed some formatting on other students’ slides. I hope that was okay.

    My students are in kindergarten, so I don’t think they would be able to use Google docs very effectively. I believe older students would be able to use the program after seeing a teacher model using it and working with it in the classroom with a peer. I think there would have to be ground rules if elementary students were creating a multi-student PowerPoint (can students switch the theme, can students edit slides other than their own, etc.). I also realized using this program you can delete slides very easily. I would encourage students to save a copy of their work in case someone accidentally deleted valuable information.

    Does observing other students role-play have any benefits or must students actually participate in the performance?

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  6. I didn't have to use Google App this time since I needed to share the task with Amiee who did put powerpoint into Googl App. However, last semester I had a chance to learn this during a course, I felt that as long as some instruction is given it is not so difficult to use it. Modeling is necessary for students to start, then they will figure it out easily.

    How can we distinguish multi-tasking from distraction?

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  7. 1. I was surprised at how easy this was to use! I was going to create my slides using Power Point and then copy and paste them--but I realized that it was easier to just create the slides directly in Google App. The only issue I had was that the font changed when I clicked on a different slide--but it was an easy fix.

    2. My only concern with using Google App with students, would be making sure they do not mess with the other slides. I think there would have to be a discussion about having integrity, etc.... But as far as using the program, I think it is very straightforward and students would find it very accessible.

    3. In what ways are we already using appropriation in our classrooms and/or lives?

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  8. 1.) I thought it was actually pretty cool to use goggle apps. The only issue I had was trying to format the bullets and sub-bullets. It wouldn't let me do it. So I had to just work with bullets. I thought it was fairly easy to do.

    2.) I think that with my students I would first have to make sure that all had access to a computer and the Internet. If not all of the students had access, then I would have to schedule time to let them use the library computers. I think that they would be able to use the application with ease. I think that it would also be important to talk to the students about only working on his or her own slide and not touching other students' work.

    3.) What is it that children lack that doesn't allow them to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate accounts?

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  9. 1. I had a bit of a problem accessing the Apps site. I am still learning the USD e mail system and “misplaced” the e mail with the link in it. I tried to duplicate Christine’s steps to get to Google Apps but to no avail. Fortunately, after a few deep breaths I was able to recover the e mail and access it via the link. Without the link, I don’t think I could have found the site. Once there, it was fairly straight forward. The only challenge was that apparently several of us were working at the same time. I got some weird messages about not being able to edit because someone else was on the same page. Somehow one of Trevor’s pages ended up before mine!

    2. Since I teach kindergarten, I have not previously considered using something like Power Point, let alone Google Apps. This has given me an idea that my class could create a power point as a series of shared writing lessons. We could even be “pen pals” with another French school or do a joint project using Google Apps.

    3. Standardized tests create a learning environment which focuses on attaining content knowledge in order to pass the tests. The paper proposes that content is secondary; the primary need is to learn how to access and process this content. These two goals seem at odds with one another. Can they be reconciled?

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  10. 1. I did not really have too many challenges with the powerpoint this week. I was scared to attempt to make my pages look fancy and decided to stick with what I knew best. I figured if I had minor issues making text fit into the slide, then it was best if I did not try to pull any fancy powerpoint moves.


    2) This exact assignment would work well in the high school environment and be a great way to discuss readings for the weeks or certain topics covered in class. Also, it would be a great place to post class notes in the event that students miss class or need to refresh their memories.


    3) How do we as teachers equip our students with the skills to identify which information they retrieve online is credible and reliable? What would be a good starting point? How do we prepare our students to question what they find online as opposed to accepting everything as fact?

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  11. 1. I had relatively no problems while using the GoogleApps site to create my presentation slides. I do agree with Vanessa's point that the formatting options are relatively basic, but for the purpose of this assignment it worked to meet our needs.

    2. Prior to answering this question, I had never considered using something like GoogleApps in my high school math classroom. One of the options here, though, is to make a shared spreadsheet. Spreadsheets have been shown to be a great investigative activity for students to explore the function of variable in algebraic expressions and equations. The possibility therefore exists that I could incorporate GoogleDocs into my teaching.

    3. Many parents say they are overwhelmed by the role that media plays in the everyday activities of their children. However, parents themselves are the most important resource in teaching our students - their children - how to successfully navigate and analyze different forms of media. How should we as teachers address this disconnect? Should educational opportunities for parents on media technologies be explored?

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  12. 1. I was pleasantly surprised with how easy and accessible google apps was! I am not very "technological", but had no troubles posting my slide and placing in the space that I wanted. This is something that I would definitely use again, both personally and in a classroom setting!

    2. I agree with the responses above, in that there needs to be some training as Aimee said or more formal instructions on the site for students.

    3. What are some ways that I can make after school technology programs educational and fun for my all of my students with a limited amount of resources?

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  13. 1.This is the first time i have used google apps,since i had used power point before, desinging sildes were not difficulty to me. Nevertheless, I called several friends and asked them about google apps, most of them told me that never heard of it.(most means Chinese students). You don't need to bring flash drive with you by puting all stuff online, and you can share it with friends.
    2. If students have ever used PowerPoint before,Google apps would be easily used by students. To students those who have never seen computers before, we should teach them sept by sept.
    3. Before I read the article,I got comfuesed with "cyber games" and "play" . However, I think cyber games would be good for "play" whereas education experts don't like that very much.In my section, educators seem to focus on the social interaction and opening ending assessment. According to the research, cyber games are good for finger movement and it trains your brain funtionally. Therefore doctors and musicans who are usually play cyber games will be successful at operation and shows mostly.
    My question: Do you think kids should play cyber games,even if they will easily get addicted to it?
    one more question: How do you teach or tell your boys about cyber games?

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  14. 1) I was actually very surprised by how easy it was to create the powerpoint slides on the Google App. It was my first time using it, so I had to scan all the buttons to see what they were used for. The only challenge I had was trying to change the font size on the slide. I wanted to make my font smaller, so I clicked on the button for font size, and the dropdown menu for different sizes would appear and disappear really quickly, and the font just kept changing sizes randomly. I tried clicking on it maybe 5-10 times and then it randomly chose the font size that I needed so I just kept it. I also wasn’t sure if my work was saved, so I had to click the save and close button then open a new browser to see if my work was saved.

    2) I think that students who have already used powerpoint will not have any difficulties using the Google App. However, those that don’t have any experience using it would benefit from having clearly labeled buttons to help them create their slides. For example, instead of labeling the button for adding slides with a +, that button could be labeled “add slide.” Another modification would be to add a “save” button on the App instead of a “save and close” to ensure that your work was saved without having to open up a new browser to check.

    3) My section of the white paper was Negotiation. My question is: How can we encourage students to learn about and respect other people’s perspectives and/or cultures in the classroom without causing tension between those who differ?

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  15. 1. Surprisingly, as I am a Powerpoint virgin, (well...almost) I didn't really have any problems. I found it to be a little slow at times, but I figured it out alright. It almost seemed too easy though, and I kept thinking that I must be doing something wrong.

    2. I think maybe some basic guidance or a demonstration would be fine for them. If they've used Powerpoint before, this shouldn't be a problem. And obviously, to make sure computer/technology access is something they have.

    3. I was wondering if Wikipedia is considered an example of Collective Intelligence? I was thinking about it as I was reading and then I saw it as part of the next section, and I wasn't sure.

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  16. 1. At first I was having trouble with bullets and organizing my document because PowerPoint just does it for you, but then I realized that this was set up more like Word and it was easy. Also, I had some trouble getting the text to all simultaneously change color and font type. It kept only changing half. I definitely like PowerPoint better, but this is cool that everyone can contribute easily.
    2. To use Google Apps with my students, I would want to make sure that they were aware of the differences between it and PowerPoint. I think because it appears the same at first glance, they would be confused like I was if it wasn’t pointed out to them. Overall, as high schoolers, I think they would pick it up pretty quickly.
    3. How can schools afford these technologies?

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