Our most recent assignment(s), the revised paragraphs and the newsletter were more difficult than I expected. Nonetheless, I learned some more things that Microsoft word can do. It also made me realize how much I hate Word 2007. I just don't get it. The layout is confusions and about 98% different than Word 2003. I wish they would just go back to that platform.
Either way, it was sweet learning about the column break in Word. For some reason the word on my computer does not do that. I cannot recall any teachers in my high school making newsletter but I'm sure a time will come where I will have to make one.
Also, revising and adding comments to the paragraph was cool. It reminded me a lot of Google Docs (which is an AWESOME way to peer review papers). Now that I know Microsoft word can do similar actions I will definitely use it more as I continue down my long and winding road of academia.
Dave Slaga
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Rubric Assignment
The rubric assignment was so awesome because we were able to use and learn Rubistar. What an awesome tool! It was very helpful and easy to use and I am sure that I will implement it in my future classrooms. This class is nice because I am learning about so many different tools for teachers that are available online.
David Slaga
David Slaga
Thursday, January 15, 2009
EDMT 330
This blog will now focus on EDMT 330.
So far I am enjoying this class. In fact, I am enjoying all of my classes this semester.
Right now I am in my second phase of pre-student teaching at Ypsilanti high school.
Questions:
1. This assignment was easy because I already had created this blog for a previous class.
2. There was nothing difficult about this assignment.
3. I learned nothing new through this assignment. However, I expect to learn much more through future assignments.
4. I will definitely try to incorporate blogs in my future classrooms.
5. I would like to learn more about the dangers of blogs.
6. I can learn more about this through research!
YEAHHH!!!!!
So far I am enjoying this class. In fact, I am enjoying all of my classes this semester.
Right now I am in my second phase of pre-student teaching at Ypsilanti high school.
Questions:
1. This assignment was easy because I already had created this blog for a previous class.
2. There was nothing difficult about this assignment.
3. I learned nothing new through this assignment. However, I expect to learn much more through future assignments.
4. I will definitely try to incorporate blogs in my future classrooms.
5. I would like to learn more about the dangers of blogs.
6. I can learn more about this through research!
YEAHHH!!!!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Blog 17: "What is Style?" Part 2
Style is a blend between Peter Cushing and Billy Dee Williams.
No.
Sort of.
My previous post on Style - way back in September - is written too poetically (blah) to describe what Style actually is, or what it can be. Style (in regards to writing) umbrellas much more than some dude/chick free-associating with a thesaurus. To have style one must know the rules and how to break/bend them. In this class we read Strunk and White's 'Elements of Style' and Joseph M. Williams' 'Style: Toward Clarity and Grace'. These praised publications really helped me sketch what good writing is, what good writing ought to be, and - finally - how to write well - or better, depending.
If someone were to ask me what I learned in English 328 I would tell them that, after taking the course, I learned the importance/benefits of technological literacy in (and out of ) the classroom. Furthermore, I learned many new (to me) grammar rules that I would otherwise turned my nose at.
As I prepare to be a Secondary School teacher (scary thought), I will use some of the content from this course in my own classroom. For example, we learned that technology can sometimes breed motivation. I want my students to experience low-end types of technology in order to encourage motivation and implement course work.
No.
Sort of.
My previous post on Style - way back in September - is written too poetically (blah) to describe what Style actually is, or what it can be. Style (in regards to writing) umbrellas much more than some dude/chick free-associating with a thesaurus. To have style one must know the rules and how to break/bend them. In this class we read Strunk and White's 'Elements of Style' and Joseph M. Williams' 'Style: Toward Clarity and Grace'. These praised publications really helped me sketch what good writing is, what good writing ought to be, and - finally - how to write well - or better, depending.
If someone were to ask me what I learned in English 328 I would tell them that, after taking the course, I learned the importance/benefits of technological literacy in (and out of ) the classroom. Furthermore, I learned many new (to me) grammar rules that I would otherwise turned my nose at.
As I prepare to be a Secondary School teacher (scary thought), I will use some of the content from this course in my own classroom. For example, we learned that technology can sometimes breed motivation. I want my students to experience low-end types of technology in order to encourage motivation and implement course work.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Blog 16: Peer review recap, part 4
What was the most useful aspect(s) of peer review? What parts of the process did you find least useful?
The most useful aspect of peer review is getting some insight into your work. It's nice to hear what others have to say - even it it's somewhat negative - as long as it can be used constructively, it's okay with me. The least useful aspect was receiving positive comments without any critical comments.
What do you think you have learned this term about responding to others' writing?
This term I learned that it is crucial is be as concise and constructive as possible when responding to others' writing. We're all in this boat together, we should be working together to recieve the grades we deserve.
What do you think you have learned this term about making use of your classmates' advice?
I was taught a long time ago that you should use your own discretion when recieving feedback - that is to say, only use the suggestions you feel will be useful or beneficial. I thought recieving advice on my papers was extremely useful, but there were some I didn't necessarily agree with - which is OK. In fact it's good because it opens your mind to new directions your paper may or may not take.
Anything else about peer review?
It's is very useful when used appropriately. I enjoyed learning about and using Google Docs and plan to use it in the future.
Thankyou,
David Slaga.
The most useful aspect of peer review is getting some insight into your work. It's nice to hear what others have to say - even it it's somewhat negative - as long as it can be used constructively, it's okay with me. The least useful aspect was receiving positive comments without any critical comments.
What do you think you have learned this term about responding to others' writing?
This term I learned that it is crucial is be as concise and constructive as possible when responding to others' writing. We're all in this boat together, we should be working together to recieve the grades we deserve.
What do you think you have learned this term about making use of your classmates' advice?
I was taught a long time ago that you should use your own discretion when recieving feedback - that is to say, only use the suggestions you feel will be useful or beneficial. I thought recieving advice on my papers was extremely useful, but there were some I didn't necessarily agree with - which is OK. In fact it's good because it opens your mind to new directions your paper may or may not take.
Anything else about peer review?
It's is very useful when used appropriately. I enjoyed learning about and using Google Docs and plan to use it in the future.
Thankyou,
David Slaga.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Blog 15: Looking back at past readings, looking forward to the essay about the movie-making process
I think Strunk and White, Williams, & Ong will be particulary helpful for me when writing my essay.
Through this experience I've learned that writing is the backbone of any technological medium. You need to start somewhere. For this assignment we needed to create a video depicting some sort of grammar rule. This required us to go back to our readings (particularly Strunk, White, and Williams) and create some sort of script or outline for what we planned on filming. Surprisingly, I felt the writing part was the easiest. The filming and editing has been giving us the most trouble.
Since we are making such a low-grade video (at least our group is) it's difficult to draw strong connections between some of our readings and this project. However, we drew from 'Elements of Style' and 'Style: Toward Clarity and Grace' in that we expand on the "Omit Needless Words" rule.
Ong believes writing is a technology and I couldn't agree with the guy more. Especially in our information age... so much writing goes into everything we see on television and the internet. Albiet, TV is jammed with mostly "reality" shows now - but I would bet my tombstone that quite a bit of writing goes into those shows. Makes me think of the writers strike a year or two back. This proved that writing is the backbone to our media relations (entertainment, news, etc...) and without, there is much less direction. Writing directs so to speak.
I feel like I will have quite a bit to write about when I start my essay on this project. There have been things that went smoothly and things that have been borderline disasterous. For example... writing and filming the first scenes were a breeze but when it came to editing... one of our group members forgot the camera one day. No big deal, really... but it put a damper on our project I think. Also, our file was deleted off the school computer. Thankfully, it was saved on one of the cameras. It's been a bumpy ride, but I can't wait to see the final result.
Through this experience I've learned that writing is the backbone of any technological medium. You need to start somewhere. For this assignment we needed to create a video depicting some sort of grammar rule. This required us to go back to our readings (particularly Strunk, White, and Williams) and create some sort of script or outline for what we planned on filming. Surprisingly, I felt the writing part was the easiest. The filming and editing has been giving us the most trouble.
Since we are making such a low-grade video (at least our group is) it's difficult to draw strong connections between some of our readings and this project. However, we drew from 'Elements of Style' and 'Style: Toward Clarity and Grace' in that we expand on the "Omit Needless Words" rule.
Ong believes writing is a technology and I couldn't agree with the guy more. Especially in our information age... so much writing goes into everything we see on television and the internet. Albiet, TV is jammed with mostly "reality" shows now - but I would bet my tombstone that quite a bit of writing goes into those shows. Makes me think of the writers strike a year or two back. This proved that writing is the backbone to our media relations (entertainment, news, etc...) and without, there is much less direction. Writing directs so to speak.
I feel like I will have quite a bit to write about when I start my essay on this project. There have been things that went smoothly and things that have been borderline disasterous. For example... writing and filming the first scenes were a breeze but when it came to editing... one of our group members forgot the camera one day. No big deal, really... but it put a damper on our project I think. Also, our file was deleted off the school computer. Thankfully, it was saved on one of the cameras. It's been a bumpy ride, but I can't wait to see the final result.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
YouTube: is it good? is it bad? is it writing?"
For me, this process has more more confusing than I expected. I've heard many times that making your first video is always the hardest and I've found it to be true. Maybe it's because we are collaborating for this one. Actually, I'm sure of it. Too many people with too many different ideas to get things done in a timely fashion. Since this is a low-end video we should be more concerned with the writing part than the video part. This isn't the case for some in my group. I think the writing part is the most important part, actually. It's the "meat and potatoes" or backbone of the whole operation. Remember the writers strike? TV sucked after that (It's always sucked, but it got even more pathetic because of the strike).
I think there is a strong connection between writing in video making. Sure there are spur of the moment or "caught on tape" videos but most videos with purpose have some sort of script laid out before filming.
Furthermore I think it's a misconception that anybody can pick up a camera and make a good video. Some work needs to be done.
For example, check this guy out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo-eoFgmzlo
Some may think that this guy just sits in front of a camera and drinks, but he has a purpose. I don't think any writing goes into his videos, but he definitely thinks them out before filming. This example in particular is him challenging himself to accomplish a near impossible feat. On others he talks politics or about his favorite music as if he had an outline in front of him (as well as a 40).
Today my group finally got over the writing hurdle and we plan to film on Friday. I'm excited to see how our writing is adapted to film. It will probably be low quality, but I still expect it to be a great experience.
I think there is a strong connection between writing in video making. Sure there are spur of the moment or "caught on tape" videos but most videos with purpose have some sort of script laid out before filming.
Furthermore I think it's a misconception that anybody can pick up a camera and make a good video. Some work needs to be done.
For example, check this guy out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo-eoFgmzlo
Some may think that this guy just sits in front of a camera and drinks, but he has a purpose. I don't think any writing goes into his videos, but he definitely thinks them out before filming. This example in particular is him challenging himself to accomplish a near impossible feat. On others he talks politics or about his favorite music as if he had an outline in front of him (as well as a 40).
Today my group finally got over the writing hurdle and we plan to film on Friday. I'm excited to see how our writing is adapted to film. It will probably be low quality, but I still expect it to be a great experience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)