Photo Analysis #2

Photo Analysis

Observation:  President Obama has a look of concern, stress, uncertainty, frowning, pursed lips, not making direct eye contact with camera, head lowered, shoulders slumped, casual dress, gray hair prominent, looks unshaven, stacked books?, window in background, or sitting outside? Looks like same shirt as in other photo.

People:  President Obama

Objects:   possibly books, trees, greenery, window?

Activities:  Sitting

Inference:  The president is pondering a stressful situation, or watching a video or newsclip.  Also, if it is the same outfit as the other picture, it's possible that he is viewing the devastation caused by a tornado in Alabama?  In addition, he may have just been asked a question that was difficult to answer. 

Questions:  At what point in his career was this photo taken?  Why was it necessary to blur the background images? Did the photographer capture this to make you feel sympathy or empathy?

Searching google images/yahoo images, etc.. may lead you in the right direction.

Photo Analysis #1

Photo Analysis

Observation:  President Obama is the central focus of the picture which gives the perception of being the most important.  His sleeves are rolled-up making him seem at ease.

People:  President, diverse group of men, guards,captain of ship, crew, possibly secret service

Objects:  ship/ferry, American flag, concrete dock, binoculars, body of water, logo on ship possibly (AL -Alabama), concrete barriers, ship equipment

Activities:  departing ship/ferry, conversing some "mouths open", "spotter" with binoculars, gait seems determined

Inference:  The president has departed from a ship/ferry and is surrounded by a group of men.

The overall mood depicted seems to be focused, but relaxed, and determined to reach destination.

The group seems to be leaving or arriving in area that requires "work" boots/shoes.

Questions:  What is the status of the others in the picture?   Who/What is waiting at the end of the dock?

I actually searched google images for a picture of the president in Alabama, and I saw a picture of him in the exact outfit touring a devastated area of Alabama after a tornado.

Link to Course Syllabus

Add this link to your "Favorites" -   https://sites.google.com/site/educ2201tuesthurs/home

Polleverywhere/Wordle: 21st Century Skills

Sink or Swim? Double Journal Entry #1

Quote: " Despite the academy’s developing repertoire of theoretical approaches to media education, there is a strong disconnect between those who call for media literacy and current educational policies within US public schools.  In many ways, the recent focus on standardized testing, teaching to tests, and widespread use of uniform curricula leave little room for cross disciplinary approaches to media education.  In addition, the history of media education in the US has traditionally been under-funded and ignored by policy makers and educators alike (Goodman 2003)."


Reaction:  My initial reaction to this article was to place myself on a "rubber raft with a few patches" realizing this is my overall mindset of what is occurring in today's classroom in relation to media literacy.  As a teacher I want my classroom to be centered around 21st Century skills, students implementing critical thinking skills, sharing ideas and perceptions, debating issues and participating in collaborative activities.  However, the ideology of forcing students to embrace standardized testing as an acceptable way of measuring their abilities is instilling a belief or perception in students that if they are not proficient in certain content areas that their success will be limited.  Are we as a society going to allow our kids/students to sink or assist them in obtaining the necessary skills to be highly effective digital citizens?
Teachers need assistance and professional development to guide them in teaching students how to critically analyze and truly comprehend their role in a world saturated with media. 
Media Literacy v/s Critical Media Literacy:  Some aspects of media literacy include the ability to read, comprehend, write, communicate, design, publish and create a product.  Critical media literacy skills include the ability to critically evaluate, analyze, validate, and make informed decisions.
 
Reference: "Critical Media Literacy." I Resist n. pag. Web. <http://www.iresist.org/media.html>.

Critical Media Literacy is Not an Option

http://ucla.academia.edu/JeffShare/Papers/124672/Critical_Media_Literacy_is_Not_an_Option
I connected with this article due to my beliefs of the continuous struggles we face in helping our students develop into 21st Century learners.
Share, Jeff. " Critical Media Literacy is Not an Option (Jeff Share) - Academia.edu ."University of California, Los Angeles - Academia.edu . N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Aug. 2011. <http://ucla.academia.edu/JeffShare

Animoto video:

Ebb and Flow

Taking the Plunge: Educ - 6810

As a participant in the course, I plan to focus on educational advancement and achievement.  Creating media literacy projects to use in the classroom that genuinely focus on content standards, student engagement and collaboration will certainly be beneficial in a 21st Century classroom.

Introduction: Setting Sail

My life as an educator, mother and wife consistently presents challenges and offers many opportunities to change course.  This year, I've been given an opportunity to embark upon a new challenge directly related to my role as an educator.   After spending 17 years in the public school system, gaining experience in teaching grades 1, 3, 5 and 6, coaching basketball, track and cross country, my new role as Professional Development Coordinator/Teaching Assistant has begun at Fairmont State University.

My philosophy of teaching is largely based on a Constructivist approach.  Teachers are facilitators, the student is at the center of learning and accepts the responsibility of learning, and collaborative efforts are encouraged.  Inquiry-based activities are used to hypothesize, collect data, investigate and create final products that represent real-world situations.  Much like a compass guiding ships at sea, a teacher has the responsibility of guiding students through their individual life-courses.