Monthly Archives: January 2016

How to turn a page- volume I

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During a Language workshop on reading I was forced to consider my thoughts on reading.

I love reading- that is if by reading you mean: Twitter, Facebook, Texts, Messages, and Magazines (I can proudly say I’ve read over two years worth of Cosmopolitan Magazine- until a few months ago as they changed their editor and now I’m not such a fan )

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This counts right? Probably not in my best interest, 50% of the time I barely finish a whole English word in a text that’s not the best practice.

Books however… I’m not such a fan. Since the 50 shades trilogy and the new book in that collection I can’t even think about the last book I read. That sounds awful doesn’t it!

I can’t cope with the the thought of reading- even for assignments I struggle to open a book and I have no idea why! It would benefit me greatly, they’re free at the library, it’s arguably the most reliable resource available- so why won’t I pick up a book, stick my nose in it, and just read.

In school I loved reading aloud I was very confident in my reading and enjoyed having all eyes on me (not to brag but I did win the burns competition every year from p1 to p6) -but that was reading aloud- I was acting, showing off it made it fun. Being hauled up at an uncomfortable desk neck arched over a book probably held by over 100 peoples grubby fingers does not appeal to me in the slightest. My mind wanders, I daydream, next thing I know I’ve read five pages and taken in nothing (but I know exactly what I’ll make for dinner, what I’ll wear out at the weekend, and that I have to text my pal as soon as possible) so I give up.

im very disappointed in myself. Throughout the lecture I was possessed on this thought “Why can’t I just read?” The fact is I’ve persuaded myself I don’t like it and in order to get to grips with my inner bibliophile I need to get sorted get comfy and stick in.

Fingers crossed!

Eportfolio…?!

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Eportfolio…

Eportfolio?

Eportfolio!

Documenting ones personal thoughts, feelings, achievements, work, progress, experiences, and views is a daunting thought. Spelling errors, punctuation flaws, and shawdy sentence structure is just the least of your problems. Someone somewhere might delve into the deepest darkest parts of the internet in who knows how many years to come to reveal the work of a 1st year university student- the thought is terrifying! Can anything ever really be deleted from the internet? The chances are low!

That being said what could be more delightful than a fully qualified teacher looking back at the start of their learning journey, those mix matched scrambled posts that provided the foundation to the career and lifestyle they hold today. The internet their personal scrapbook- that will not wear away or tear but remain embedded in technology, to be produced from its cyber sleep for a pleasurable reminisce.

Having trawled through my peers portfolios I have seen some wonderful pieces about their lives and experiences some I can relate to myself. These pieces of work expose this person but not to criticism or taunt- these posts make them known, they tell their story and we in turn learn. The Eportfolio, a massive portal for all our MA1 course and those outwith to embrace together.

In person you can present the front of who you want to be online you can achieve this ten fold. Folk too shy to engage with a stranger will happily tap out a feedback post for them, sure this isn’t going to automatically create an undying friendship but it does form an unlikely relationship between two people that share the same goal but completely different lives.

What I am trying to say is: although Eportfolio seems like a daunting place where all personal views are read and judged (sometimes positively sometimes not), it can create a relationship between two strangers, it can inform others, it exposes the individual you are and want to be in the simplest form of text.

“The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. it lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn’t think they could learn before, so in a sense it is all about potential.” – Steve Ballmer

Animoto- the fab online resource

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Animoto is an online site that allows its user to generate videos made up of images, a piece of music, and some text. This simple method of teaching when used effectively can be a huge asset to a lesson.

Simply using three component features of image text and sound a hard hitting impact can be made provided they are relevant and effective.

In a workshop looking at different effective means of using online resources to deliver lessons and information to a class it was one of the stand out methods along with: Fakebook- a Facebook parody account that allowed its user to create an online profile that could be used as a teaching tool, and Prezi- a site that travels across an image exploring all of its different parts.

For the TDT I chose to create and Animoto on internet safety as it was easy, simple, and produced a solid final product that could be presented to group of children to warn them on the dangers of pop ups or spam emails on the computer.

https://animoto.com/play/ZsacvtHw3DCL10tq068tiQ?autostart=1

SPLASH- The Animation

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In an input explaining the vast variety of ways to create and produce animation in a class we were challenged to work creatively.

We started from 2 simple images on one sheet of paper, to several in a book, onto pivot the computer programme, and finally onto filming with plasticine models. The input not only taught the MA1 class to carry out these fab ideas but how to use them in a classroom and engage learners into working with them.

This method of education can cover extensive topic areas in an interactive way that is fun and has an end product that could last a lifetime.

Inserted in this entry is a copy of a short animation we tried in the workshop called “SPLASH”!