Task #6

I was not as jazzed about this task since I cannot imagine myself using many of the tools listed for educational purposes. I have used skype and teachertube before. Both of these tools I will continue to use in the future. I explored GoAnimate and toondoo, and although these tools were entertaining, I will probably not have students create cartoons for me in class. I also looked at some of the organizational tools. These seemed useful, but I did not find any of the tools suited me personally. With organization, I think each person needs to find what works for him or her. So, overall, I think I am a little too cool for these tools. Or, perhaps more likely, not quite cool enough...

Task #4 and #5

I hope I am not cheating the system, but it seems to me that task 4 and 5 overlap, so I am including my comments from both tasks on this post. I suspect the reason for separating the tasks was to give folks some time to explore RSS feeds, but I started doing this about a month ago. I am pretty familiar with RSS feeds, although I have certainly added quite a bit of content in recent weeks. I already had an igoogle page that featured some of my favorite news sources. But, the RSS feed seems more comprehensive, and I can add the RSS directly to my igoogle page. I love Google!

I have been attempting this summer to work some on my personal fitness and eating habits. The blog I have been looking at this summer about this topic is Mark's Daily Apple. The author, Mark Sisson, wrote a book titled The Primal Blueprint, and I actually read it. I usually find books about fitness completely unappealing (almost as unappealing as actually exercising), but I found Sisson's book pretty interesting. His blog is basically an addendum to the ideas in his book, with of course updated stories and research. He argues in both places that if people return to a more "primal" eating style, rich in proteins and low in carbohydrates, they will feel better and become more fit. This was certainly not shocking to me, but his other claim, that many people who exercise perform too much high intensity cardio I found surprising. I am no expert, so perhaps this is all nonsense, but I am going to give some of his suggestions a try and see if I notice a difference.

Although this post is probably becoming as long winded as its author, I wanted to comment briefly on the customized RSS feed from Google News. I have a close friend who works for Google News in NYC, and I am often getting suggestions from him about possible classroom uses. So, I was aware of the customized search, but I had not taken the time to set it up. I am teaching a new course next year on World Religions, and I think the feed I established will help me track current articles about the different religions. I think this will certainly help me to incorporate current events, and if I can tweak the feed so that it gets the desired results, I could even have students follow it.

So, overall, I am digging the RSS feed, and hopefully I can find some creative uses for it.

Task #3

I am feeling a bit pretentious about this task, as I sit in a Decatur coffee shop and blog about blogging. I have actually been working for about three weeks on this task and the next one, but I am finally getting around to posting my thoughts. I agree with some of the other teachers who commented that what makes the writing on blogs unique is that it is often less formal, and almost always more immediate. I suspect many people also feel a personal connection to the blogger, particularly if one follows the blogger regularly. I occasionally read blogs about sports or politics, but my blog reading is a fairly rare occurrence. I worry about the reading and writing of blogs for the same reasons I worry about texting or e-mailing: I like structured writing, and sometimes I fear all things 2.0 will negatively impact literacy and critical thinking. Yet, as John C. pointed out in one of his blog posts, good writing is good writing. Many bloggers write with clarity and precision, and certainly I am not opposed to the interactive nature of blogs. I like the idea of blogging taking a conversation outside of the classroom. Next year, I will be teaching World Religions for the first time, and I think many articles and topics could be further discussed on a blog. Furthermore, some less vocal students may voice some pretty interesting ideas if they are given time to reflect and respond. Like any other assignment, if a student took it seriously, blogging seems as if it could be a powerful tool.

Task #1 and #2: My Initial Rant

So, it seems that Task #1 and #2 are inextricably linked. My initial thoughts I composed on Writeboard:

I have seen videos like the ones shown in Task #1 (maybe the same ones). Although I agree, I often find this type of presentation too critical of traditional methods. What does it mean when it says much of what is learned is “not relevant”? I found many topics irrelevant when I was a teenager that I later discovered help me develop important thinking skills. Also, this type of wording frightens me:

“Ms. L’s class essays are turned in as blog entries, because she finds that their conversational nature encourages students to think and write in more depth than traditional formal essays or short answer assignments.”

I have not found this to be true. In fact, I think students struggle more with formal writing than any other skill. They know how to write in a conversational tone, but they do not know how to develop formal arguments. That takes thinking! Although I see value in a blog, I am not sure it encourages "more depth" in thinking and writing.

I am interested in integrating technology more heavily into my curriculum, but I only want to do so if it really challenges students and promotes critical thinking. Students know how to express an opinion, but I want them to know how to evaluate historical evidence and formulate opinions that are supported….not just to think any opinion is equally true.

(A few weeks later, fickle Cullen wants to temper his comments)
After re-reading my initial post, and reviewing the blogs of some of my colleagues, I did not want my initial comments to read like angry reluctance to join the 21st century. I am eager to learn new ways to engage students and integrate technology. I just find that articles like the ones from task #1 often fall victim to creating a false dichotomy between the evils of traditional methods and the virtues of technological advances.