ECMP 355

Here is our groups video- Final summary of our learning! We came up with a pretty corny idea in order to get across what we have learned- as there have been so many useful tools introduced to us this semester that will help us further connect with our students, and enhance their learning. As being someone who has always struggled in the area of technology, I feel I have learned more than the average person my age! I often shy away from using new forms of technology as I am easily overwhelmed by them.

I also had an opportunity to learn anything I want via the internet. I chose to learn ASL (American Sign Language). I have a blog page dedicated to my learning process, you can find that HERE!
Here is also a video of my final digital artifact! (Just in time for Christmas!)

As much anxiety as blogging as caused me- I am very glad I learned how to use a blog effectivly- adding in videos, pictures and links. Additionally I learned how to problem solve, I had to learn how to re size some of my videos in order to get them to load! This class has been a struggle with lots of ups and downs, but in the end I am proud of how much I have learnt, and have gained skills that will be incredibly important to my career.

"You don't see Bono in a G-String humping cotton Candy in order to sell his music."

But guess who you do see?

Did images of Katy Perry just flood your mind? Maybe not if you haven't seen her music video "California girls". Is it necessary for Miss Perry to shoot whipped cream from her cup cake breasts in order to sell music? Is the music not good enough on its own?

"Sext up kids" is a documentary that highlights the growing problem of hyper sexualization in pop culture, or as CBC calls it, Porn culture. As uncomfortable as it is to admit, this is something I have been living a part of in an ignorant bliss as a 23 year old woman growing up in the 21st century. Something that seems so normal to me, never required me to think about it any further. Thats just the problem-hyper sexualization is the new norm and its concerning to see what CBC calls the KAGUY (kids are growing up younger) phenomena. Children are bombarded with images of females and increasingly younger females being featured in little to no clothing and do not bat an eye. Young girls are influenced to dress this way because their icons are dressing this way- and are successful because of it! The star power is enticing and it is common in pop culture to model ourselves after those we desire to be like. This is why we see girls as young as 10 wearing revealing clothing- something that will continue to be an issue as an educator.

If you are interested in checking out the documentary yourself click here! (highly recommended!)

Now I don't particularily have an issue with girls dressing in a way that makes them comfortable or happy, but it becomes more of a controversial issue when young boys are added to the mix.
And then there is pornography. With the internet at our disposal, and with our kids being technologically literate younger and younger, pornography is accessible, affordable and anonymous and kids are being exposed to it as young as GRADE 5! This gives boys an unrealistic expectation of what sex is like, and how women should act, and with girls dressing this way in order to look like their idols, we have a full blown "rape culture" or a "don't provoke the boy" problem. With all of this exposure to things that are beyond their years, its no wonder we have these issues in our young society. Young boys are conditioned to expect these behaviours, and young girls are perpetuating them, somewhat unknowingly.

With all of this knowledge in front of me, it opens my eyes to something i really haven't considered much- so how does this affect my life as an educator and a woman in society?

Like i said before, dress code will forever be an issue as an educator- educating kids to dress appropriately and WHY they should be dressing this way. I was sent home once for wearing a tank top in gym class during elementary, which at the time I felt was unnecessary. and now that i think about it, i still think it was unnecessary. My school at the time had no mandated dress code, and my gym T-shirt was due for a wash. So I wore a tank top that I had in my bag, no cleavage, no mid drift showing- just spaghetti straps seemed to be the problem. Why? I was comfortable and cool during gym class- so where do we draw that line? Each school or school district will have their own rules- but in my opinion we need to teach girls about self worth and most of all comfort- dressing for themselves! and of course our young men need to be brought back to reality in knowing that life is not like porn- a dialogue missing from schools-another point brought to life by CBC.

As I think more about how this culture relates to my life now- the beauty industry comes to mind. I take great joy in collecting/using make-up. I guess you can say it is my hobby. I am constantly wanting to purchase and try out new products- and the biggest vehicle of advertisement is Youtube. I follow various different beauty bloggers, all with seemingly perfect lives- they are rich, good looking, and smart- they seem to have it all. I find that I am often influenced by what they say- they come across as real life girls who have made it and really give off that "friend" feel by letting you into glimpses of their lives. These bloggers started out with simple make-up tutorials online-which is great! Any way to share knowledge and art I am down for. Slowly these bloggers videos have evolved into house tours, follow me for a day, hauls (shopping) and the famous make-up collection videos. These videos feature these bloggers going through their VAST amounts of makeup and showing them off-what products they have and how they organize them. Originally I thought these videos were quite harmless, until i noticed myself buying more makeup and organizing systems because them- spending unnecessary money. If I can be so easily influenced- so can younger girls. Just goes to show how easily the media influences us. I even found videos of young girls on Youtube making their own makeup collection videos-i will link a few below so you know what i am talking about!


You don't have to watch the whole thing to get the idea- this is such a guilty pleasure of mine. The bottom video features a  little girl who obviously has had the same influences I have- a classic case of CBS's KAGUY phenomenon.

Social Media in the CLASSROOM!? IT CAN"T BE!

As I gain classroom and real life experience, I notice the three different types of teachers:

1. Old School- No technology in the classroom. There is something to be said about a good ol school lecture, if the teacher is able to engage their students through discussion and exhilarating conversation, however now a days any lesson can be amped up using visual aids- this is often done through the use of SOME sort of technology. I once had a university professor that couldn't even figure out how to maximize his powerpoint presentation or use the "slide show" so that the students at the back could even see enough to take notes! As i sat in this particular class i can hear the frustrated sighs around me, some students laughing at the disconnect between professor and student, others muttering not so nice things about our professors age and ability to teach. The student in me can't help but feel that same frustration, but the teacher in me worries that one day this could too be me. These types of teachers often stand in ones memory as stale, boring or straight up horrible.

                                                  Photo from: THIS GOOD READ

2. Hyper Tech- Teachers that use all sorts of technology in the classroom- these types of teachers are incredibly enthusiastic about technology, have vast amounts of knowledge, and frankly, these teachers intimidate me. These types of teachers are adaptable, smart and passionate. (From my experiences anyway). It can be challenging to keep up with the ever changing technologies, and everyday our students are becoming more technologically literate than we are. Its human law- young people keep up. These teachers are admired, well liked, and do a phenomenal job of keeping students engaged.

Photo from: Are you a tech savvy teacher?

3. The somewhere in between. This is the category I fall under. Yes, I was born in the 90's, yes I know how to use a computer, youtube, google, powerpoint, word etc. I have a basic knowledge of basic technologies that i use in my personal life- but now I am left wondering how to apply this knowledge to the classroom. I have always just used the bare minimum i have needed to get by- as a student teacher i am often consumed by lesson planning and keeping my head a float- let alone attempting to be innovative with technology. Yes I have my own Facebook, twitter, and Instagram accounts, but they have always been for my own personal use- and to keep up with the social norms of my peers. Let me tell you- because of the access i have to the oh so wonderful tool- the internet at my disposal- it is not hard to find examples of how other teachers are incorporating these types of media outlets in the classroom. One major observation I have made as a student teacher is that there can be a large disconnect between theory (university) and practice (actual school experience). We are often asked to make lesson plan after lesson plan with no real idea how it may actually pan out in the classroom. I am left wondering how to bridge that gap through the use of technology, so after a little research, here is just one real life example that could have actually been applied to a lesson plan that I have written in the past- rewritten incorporating my new knowledge of #edtech.



Drama 10
During my internship I had my students do a lengthy project on character development. We spent A LOT of time talking about creating original characters and how to do so. For example, we  talked about the difference between a realistic character and a stereotypical one. I had the students fill out a "profile" to get them thinking about their character and their daily lives.
This paper included: Name, Favourite foods, Best friend, Family, Occupation, Hobbies, Etc.
The students used this as a starting point to create journal entries written from the point of view of their characters. They later performed these, and then wrote scenes with another character in the class.

IF i could go back, or when if i ever teach drama 10 again, I would choose to have students create an Instagram account for their character, and interact with one another much like they do on their personal accounts. I would ask students to make sure to include photos that allowed any viewer to understand certain things about their character that was originally on that "profile sheet". Since the objective is to make REALISTIC characters instead of stereotypical ones, I believe that this exercise would allow students to interact as their characters in a way that is very natural to them. Not to mention, having to come up with and take photos of their characters life serves as an additional visual aid to their creative process. This could also serve as a mini lesson in digital citizenship, allowing students to explore interacting with each other responsibly.




English 20
Have students live tweet about a book being read in class- this could be much more productive than a simple discussion afterwards- as teachers are all too used to the familiar sound of crickets when it comes time for questions. This allows students to speak out if they are shy, have a lot to say and encourages everyone to participate- not just the few kids that are eager to speak out in class. Use a particular hashtag to connect everyones thoughts. This can also be a great way for kids to see their peers thoughts and develop ideas based on them. A much quicker and inclusive way to brainstorm/share ideas!

For more ideas on how to use Twitter in the classroom click HERE!

My First Blog Post.

Boring title right!? Seems as if a boring title is a blogger- faux pas- In the words of the wise- if you're on the edge, you're taking up too much space. I'm here to break down barriers and overcome my blogging anxiety. As we have been discussing so much in class, the blog can be a wonderful tool to utilize in the classroom. Not only is it a great way to share information, but It is also an effective way to communicate what your students are learning and their progress with their parents. One of my good friends has been teaching K-3 for the last few years and has a great blog tracking her students progress. If you are interested in checking it out, Click  Here! 

Life can be overwhelming at times- and since my life currently revolves around my education, Midterm time can feel pretty crazy. Studying and assignments seem to all happen at the same time, and now blogging on top of that can stress me out! I have always been a fan of writing, but I suppose there is that teenaged rebellion in me somewhere that is saying if you are forced to write, it is somehow harder to accomplish! Sometimes I lie awake at night thinking about all of the things I have to accomplish in a short amount of time, and instead of "when the going gets tough, the tough get going" my body utilizes more of the "immobilized by stress" tactic. Taking online classes are one thing I have never been able to overcome. I begin them, and drop them. Everytime. It never fails, but i sure do. I don't know why the thought of opening up a computer, commitming to being responsible for your work without the fear of seeing your prof everyday and dissapointing them somehow translates to me feeling physically unable to open a computer and get my homework done. It's like taking procrastination to a whole new level- an unhealthy, paralyzing level- I can't help but wonder if I am the only person that feels this way. 

The thought of constantly being on the internet is incredibly foreign to me. I am finally sick of feeling stressed over something I actually can control.  Here I am stating for all of the internet to hear- I am not going to be afraid of the internet! I am going to embrace technology the best I can so that when my pre service days are over, I can effectively utilize these technologies to assist my career and not stress me out! 

Thats all for now!