Literacy Alive with Kappa Delta Pi! November 30, 2009

The Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honor Society Chapter at Camden County College has truly embraced the concept of “Literacy Alive.”  Last April, as well as in the upcoming months, the KDP members have sponsored a group of students from an underprivileged school.  The students they sponsor are part of the Cool Kids Club, which is for grades third through fifth. The KDP members bring the Cool Kids Club to the college to experience a magical world decorated with different lands, activities, and books.  This past April, the theme for this Literacy Alive project was fantasy lands.  There were six different stations:  Wild West, Under Water, Out in Space, Renaissance, DinoLand, and Jungle Safari.  At these stations, the students would either have a book read to them or they would do a craft, such as suncatchers, create a spacecraft, or search for dinosaur bones that would create a model. 

 The floor was decorated like the game, Candy Land, with different colors for the different stations.  On the door that lead into the room, there was an elaborate drawbridge with wide gaping doors, a moat, and textured paper chains to bring the bridge up to protect the castle.  The kids were also served snacks, while a special reader would have a pre-selected book and read to the children.  Once the festivities were over, the students would get to take not only their crafts home, but also a book of their very own which were purchased or donated for the benefit of the kids.  As a special treat, the Literacy Alive program was featured that night on the Channel Six News in a short five minute segment.  Thank you KDP members for creating a fascinating world for kids and showing them that reading is always filled with imagination, creation, and wonder. 

A good book is like a good friend.  You can take it anywhere and it will always make you feel better.

 

Webcams, YouTube, and You November 29, 2009

Throughout numerous online mediums, an individual has the power to communicate to an unseen audience from the privacy and sanctuary of their bedrooms.  In doing so, they are revealing themselves in a way that has never before been done.  With the aid of youtube and webcams, an individual is able to share parts of themselves that they might not normally think of.  They are able to convey messages that grow and inspire other individuals in a novel and powerful way.  This form of communication is a type of collaboration that can occur over a wide period of time and space.  There is no limit to who will see your post/video, but the point is that it is out there for people to see, share, and experience.  By creating these videos, people are uniting and receiving comfort from other people, which they do not know, because they have gone through or felt the same way at some point.  They are the extra boost that helps you get through a stressful day at work or the death of a loved one or just a difficult time.  Webcams allow you to change your personality, they are a form of self awareness and discovery and reflection.  An individual is able to experiment with their own understandings of their self.  They can tweak their identities and feel things differently so that they can better understand themselves.   

Individuals are able to break down boundaries within themselves as well as with those around them.  People can express strong values in a silent way; they are showing ways of accepting yourself as well as other people.  There is a video on youtube with a man carrying a sign labeled with:  “free hugs;” at first the crowd does not take to it, but gradually they start to give the man hugs.  Eventually other people from all over the world start using their own “free hugs” sign and they are able to connect with complete strangers on a very elemental level.  Another youtube video poster goes by the name of MadV, he wears the mask from the movie V for Vendetta so he can remain anonymous, and he has trademarked palm messages.  These hand messages depict strong values that may at times be forgotten, desired, taken for granted, or needed.  Some examples are:  love yourself, smile to strangers, be kind, forgive and forget, united, and one world, etc.  These messages are definitely breaking down boundaries in novel ways by non-verbalizing vital values that are needed today.  This is interesting because these values are felt or thought about in this powerful way, but they are not necessarily spoken about. 

It’s Time to Tweet Big! November 23, 2009

In recent review of BigTweet, a twitter application, it has been found that this application can allow readers and reviewers to leave all types of messages for their followers behind.  According to the little blurb about bigtweet, a poster could leave behind valuable links to other websites, without ever leaving the home page.  This is quickly becoming the fastest and easiest way to access Twitter.  In addition to quick URL links, an individual can also highlight text and create a shortened link without having to search out a different website and plug in the information.  It is all done on with this application.  A poster can also incorporate music, trackers for links, bookmarks, buttons, and also send messages to some of the poster’s favorite online networks.  This application would be highly useful for individuals who do not like to spend a ton of time on the computer, searching out just-right pieces of information, then carousing over several more websites so that it will fit the requirement of 140 characters. 

 

This application would be useful when an individual would like to post something very quickly, especially when it has a ton of other resources, such as music and links, incorporated into the body of the text.  Future literacy motivators would probably use this when they want to post something that they happened across, but do not have the time.  This of course falls under the category of educators as well, because they often, do not have time to spend one or two hours searching out information.  They need it now!  Or they at least need do it all quickly.  BigTweet allows an individual to provide multiple pieces of information and media in a quick, efficient manner, which is rather strenuous when simply using the regular twitter page and profile.

To access “BigTweet,” sign into Twitter, use the secure login to BigTweet that uses the OAuth protocol; no registration required, for more information about logging in/using BigTweet, visit the BigTweet website:  http://www.bigtweet.com/home.html, under Features.

How Much Do You Tweet? November 23, 2009

After reading different articles and familiarizing myself with Twitter I find it very interesting that so many people are obsessed with it. If you are following people with the same interests as you it is fun to see their daily routines and activities. However, I am not quite sure why they like to update every thing they do all day long. Twitter is a social network that allows people to express their thoughts and feelings and is definitely not a place for people that are reserved. People portray who they are to the world through their tweets. Also, it is unique that one tweet can start a conversation between many different people. The progression of Twitter over the years has presented many different accessible features to the public to enhance their main page.

I personally like twitter to follow the celebrities I like. I find this interesting because their accounts are really theirs and it is not a fan updating different information/pictures about them. In addition, their twitter page is their own space to show the world who they are off the red carpet by expressing themselves through their writing.

Below is a video that I found on YouTube that I think is interesting. This girl makes up a song about twitter to the tune of Rockin’ Robin and in the song describes what twitter has to offer. It is funny to me that some people make videos about twitter and other social networks for fun. Unless, a person has a lot of free time, it is a very time consuming process that I would never par take in. If you are interested in listening to this girl sing about twitter, then click the play button below!

 

Right On About Reading! November 22, 2009

Speaking as a future teacher, I feel it is extremely important to be familiar with different programs that promote literacy and provide great resources for teachers and students. It is not a surprise that students learn differently and need individual instruction. As a future educator it is imperative to help children succeed in every way possible. Introducing different interactive programs into the classroom presents successful educational outcomes. Rigby Reading is a great website that provides advanced and effective learning solutions to meet every individuals needs. A spotlight program relating to Rigby that I like is called Literacy by Design. This literacy program gives teachers insightful examples and explanations about how to better instruct students in a differentiated classroom. It presents educators with different strategies to help improve students’ reading, comprehension and grammar. These strategies can also be incorporated into other subjects in order to enhance learning in the classroom. To learn more about this program, visit http://rigby.hmhco.com/en/literacydesign_comprehension.htm

Since I am an elementary education major studying for my reading certification, I think this program will be beneficial to both me and my students in the future!

Does Twitter Damage Your Social Skills? November 22, 2009

Many people who don’t use social networking websites believe that they are a waste of time. To someone who doesn’t use Twitter, it seems pointless to constantly be tweeting about everything you are doing. Does it really matter if your friends know that you had bacon and eggs for breakfast or that you’re about to go to the grocery store? Does updating your page really consume your whole life? Does your social life in the real world suffer?

Social networking sites were actually intended to do the opposite. Through Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and other outlets, users can meet or connect with people they wouldn’t otherwise. Communication is simple; you can communicate with many people at the click of a mouse. Through events pages and status updates, you always know what your friends are up to. This can show you more about who these people are or even give you something to do. Though some believe that social networking sites can be harmful, if used the right way, they can really enhance your social life in ways that would be impossible without the internet.

The Impact Facebook has on the Dictionary November 22, 2009

We all know that social networking sites such as Myspace and Facebook are affecting the way we communicate with others. Instead of driving to someones’ house or even picking up a phone, people are often choosing to instant message, private message, or public message others on the web.

One way that these websites are impacting us that we may not think about is the creation of terms that become part of our everyday language. Terms such as newsfeed, blog, and wall post would not have been created if it wasn’t for social networking sites. Some words, such as “unfriend” have even made it to the dictionary. Also, These sites come up with new definitions for words we already use such as “tweet” on Twitter and “friend (as a verb)” on Facebook and Myspace. As these websites expand and new ones keep popping up, new words will continue to be created and used all over the world.

The Internet: What’s in it for you?! November 22, 2009

                How many hours do you spend on the internet a day?  That is the question I ask different generations and find that the answers vary drastically.  The uses and possibilities the internet provides us with are unbelievable.  Decades ago, the idea of how the internet is used today was nonexistent. Over time, different experiments proved that the internet can hold numerous amounts of information and can offer society a variety of programs.  As it started to develop, it attracted more and more people. When I asked my grandmother if the internet has ever been important to her, she laughed.  Born in 1925 and growing up on a farm, she was not introduced to the internet, let alone cell phones until she was a middle age woman. She lived her life without certain forms of technology and to this day is still not familiar with the internet and what it consists of. It is amazing to think that for years technology especially computers, have become a vital part of everyone’s life. Today, children are introduced to the internet at a very young age and become reliant on it as they grow up. I wonder what kind of opportunities the internet will provide people with in the future.  According to the article We Are the Web by Kevin Kelly, “A simple extrapolation suggests that in the near future, everyone alive will (on average) write a song, author a book, make a video, craft a weblog, and code a program.” Kelly explains that this idea is possible and less outrageous then those created 150 years ago.  I am interested to see if the internet will be able to handle the enhancements it will undergo over the next couple of years.  How do you feel about the progress of the internet?  What are your predictions about the internet in the future?To read more of Kevin Kelly’s article, visit http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.08/tech.html?pg=1&topic=tech&topic_set=

Twalala la la, la la la la! November 19, 2009

Twitter is something that has become a norm in society. I was always familiar with its purpose but never created an account until last Thursday. After looking through a bunch of interesting applications, I came across one I liked called Twalala. I think this app is beneficial for avid twitter users because it gives people the opportunity to control what they can and cannot see on their own page. It is a mute button for the twitter world! In addition, it is a great way for people to get rid of tweets about uninteresting topics or block annoying chatty people. It is simple and easy to control and could be the answer to many problems! However, the layout is different from a normal twitter page because the twitterfeed is the only thing aligned down the center of the page. All of the tweets from people you are following are visible and there is the option to mute or reply to that specific tweet. Also, while in this app by clicking on a person’s name, you can look at an quick overview of their twitter account. This application allows tweeting to take place but just adds the simple option of muting. In order to filter tweets, type in common words/ phrases or click the red circle to “mute” the people you choose.

Interested?! Check it out or even try it out! http://www.twalala.com/login

What’s in Your Post? November 19, 2009

The people you follow or who follow you can say a lot about the type of person you are, what you’re interested in, and how you like to spend your time.  When someone posts information about you or opens an online discussion about a given topic, these posts can say more about you than you anticipated.  One person in particular was professor of art and spreader of good energy.  This person loved to provide help through multiple channels about various types of products, online forums, and places of interest.  The posts also discusses the channels, as well as the creation of art, art in general, references on art, and discussions about artwork, artists, art pieces (self or others), and art tools (basically anything art related).  Some examples of this person’s resourcefulness and information that is presented show that this person not only loves art, but wants to be helpful to the new members using the application.  This person is not only informative, but also likes to make clarifications about anything that his/her students have questions about.  There are multiple posts that answer and pose questions for the professor.  This only further proves that this individual enjoys helping and providing enough resources in case the question was not fully answered.

There is certain information that shows what type of things you are interested in.  In one instance, there were posts that were filled with all types of helpful links.  For example, there were instructions for newcomers to the online chat discussion as well as helpful information that provided links to other discussion threads or articles/websites that an author found valuable.  When an individual posts resourceful information, it shows that the person wants to help expand the general knowledge of others, or they want to provide multi-faceted and argumentative information so that the viewers can be properly informed about the topic. In doing so, the author is showing that he/she does not want to persuade you about something, but wants to provide you with enough information so that you may contribute to the conversation, or provide a starting point so that the viewer could follow through with their own information/ideas/viewpoints.

There are also useful announcement tidbits that people post.  For example, art shows, national galleries, Paris exhibits, book announcements about famous pieces of art (Sistine Chapel), book reviews, quotes that demonstrate the different aspects of art that can be found in the world around us, museum guests/openings, reuse (environmentally friendly) openings, and alternative art examples/discussions/styles (graffiti writers).  All these examples discuss the value and importance of art that the author is trying to convey to his/her students.

What’s in your post?  Does it reflect you?