Make the Most of ‘It’ – A Digital Story

For this assignment I created a digital story using Storybird. With our school moving to one-on-one IPads next year, I thought this was a neat way for students to share their stories in a creative fashion. I must admit that creating this story was at first tedious. I had to learn how to view the artwork and then determine which pieces met the criteria of the story I had created. This process required a level of critical thinking which will be beneficial to students; for, they too must judge the best fit for their story. I would also like to add that I selected the illustrations of Nidhi Chanani (a contributor on Storybird), who is an artist and designer who was born in Calcutta. Being that I currently reside in India I felt a connection to her work. If I had any suggestions for the creators of Storybird it would be to add the option of including music or narration. If you are an educator, read what your colleagues are saying about Storybird.

This digital story provides students with some quick tips about living a balanced life while meeting the requirements of their education and taking responsibility for their learning. Specifically it provides a strategy that allows students to prioritize their assignments and maximize their learning. I found the quote by Denis Waitley befitting, “Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives. One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us; concentrate our energy.”

http://media.storybird.com/embedplayer/bin/StoryplayerEmbed.swfMake the Most of 'It' by kbrown08 on Storybird

Aha Aesthetics!

Artistic while articulate is what the eye likes and perhaps for some what the brain needs. Increasingly more our society is becoming stimulated by visuals around the clock. With the invention of PPT in the late 1980’s presentations went from boring overheads to on screen sensations especially with the inventions of moving texts and the ability to add sound. Now that more than three decades have gone by there is a need for presentations from mundane to marvelous. Presentations need to be subtle and sleek while at the same time articulating a fact or facts that are appealing and attractive which has been termed “Presentation Zen.”

No longer should audiences be subjected to how many words one can fit on a screen. Rather, audiences should be inspired by the information one presents. Another way to achieve this is through PechaKucha. Other than a fun word to pronounce, PechaKucha is what I define as picturesque knowledge. Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham created the 20 x 20 (20 seconds per slide to total 20 slides) presentation format in 2003. They realized that architects as they put it “talk too much” and thought this problem was not only specific to this profession. Good PechaKucha can be described as “presentations uncover the unexpected – unexpected talent and unexpected ideas.”

With the unexpected comes the uncertain, meaning one does not always know what goes into creating a work of art whether it be a composition, movie, or art. Kevin Kelly sums it up perfectly, “It is easier to read a book than to write one; easier to listen to a song than to compose one; easier to attend a play than to produce one.” The required products for this course taught me that creativity required one more important aspect, time. In further reflection of the courses presented so far for this certification, creativity cannot be compromised whether referring to copyright and licensure.

As the society continues to increase visual influence whether it is for school, business, and/or social networking, it is imperative that we view with critical thinking skills. So far this blog has posted articles on digital citizenship and cyber safety. A new introduction to the information gained is media literacy. The Media Literacy Project of New Mexico has outlined the following components of media literacy skills:

- Develop critical thinking skills
- Understand how media messages shape our culture and society
- Identify target marketing strategies
- Recognize what the media maker wants us to believe or do
- Name the techniques of persuasion used
- Recognize bias, spin, misinformation, and lies
- Discover the parts of the story that are not being told
- Evaluate media messages based on our own experiences, skills, beliefs, and values
- Create and distribute our own media messages
- Advocate for a changed media system

The above mentioned skills are those that should be infused in digital citizenship programs for students and adults. Why? I go back to the statement that our society seemingly is on a course to increase visual media and we have to be equipped to filter fact from fiction thus equaling more aha moments.

Photography Citations:
Image: savit keawtavee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: Dino De Luca / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Can you D.R.I.V.E.?

In May I will be presenting at a conference for educators who work with students who have learning differences.

The Proposal

• Define differentiation and tiering
• Identify strengths and challenges in planning and implementing differentiated instruction.
• Identify important aspects and concepts of differentiation and tiering
• Consider options for differentiating and tiering assignments

The Plan

Phase I: Participants will define their definition of differentiation and tiering then receive a working definition. 
Phase II: Participants will receive information on ways to present lessons that invoke critical inquiry with the ability to infuse differentiation. 
Phase III:  Participants will be asked to reflect and later share on a recent lesson and apply newly learned differentiation and tiering techniques. 
Phase IV:  Participants will be grouped to apply differentiation and tiering techniques to topics that applicable to must curriculum.

The Preview
Click here:

Are you seeing crystal C.L.E.A.R.?

“Great leaders are those who ‘look out the window’ when things go right and attribute their success to the hard work of their team.  While when things go badly they ‘look in the mirror’ and consider what they personally could have done differently to have created better results.” – Jim Collins.

I am sure administrators at all levels have had their mixture of both window and mirror days and as we continue to learn and grow in this digital age, it is imperative that we keep our window and mirrors free from the smudges that can occur as a result of missteps in cyber-space.  What you are about to view are suggestions to get your message as an educational leader out crystal C.L.E.A.R.:

(Communication, Literacy, Etiquette, Access & Security, and Rights & Responsibilities).

 

Standard I: Educational leaders are committed to creating a culture of clear communication.

Standard II: Educational leaders are responsible for promoting digital literacy.

Standard III: Educational leaders are role models for exhibiting and expecting the use of digital etiquette.

Standard IV: Educational leaders are accountable for ensuring access and security.

Standard V: Educational leaders promote responsibility and the reward of rights.

 

To view document click here, K. Brown Final Project CLEAR

A Piece of the Puzzle

Collaboration is most definitely the piece of the puzzle that is needed in any organization who wishes to go from good to great.  In fact in May 2004, Richard DuFour authored, “Professional Learning Communities at Work.”  In his book DuFour describes PLC’s and provides an outline as to how schools and all major stakeholders can achieve the benefits of collaboration.   DuFour states, “To create a professional learning community, focus on learning rather than teaching, work collaboratively, and hold yourself accountable for results.” The one, and I believe ultimate way I can collaborate with my professional peers, is by supporting the atmosphere of creativity and collaboration.

The image chosen for this post displays uniqueness, collectivity, unity, and while yes, collaboration.  Within any organization you have individuals who possess a myriad of personality traits.  Journey if you will into this photo and meet the individuals who are in attendance at today’s PLC on Updating Technology at Anywhere School System, Universe and see how all of them use each others perspective to work collaboratively.

Mr. Mellow-Yellow calls the meeting to order and raises the discussion question for the hour, “What is needed to bring our school system’s technology up to date and what professional development is needed to facilitate this process?  Mr. Green aka GROUCHY quickly responded, “It is always changing so why bother?”  Ms. Red who is known for RESPECTING everyone’s opinion quickly retorts, “Yes Mr. Green but why not create an environment that creates powerful on-line experiences?” Mr. Brown known to his colleagues as b squared (BRIGHT and BRILLIANT) says, “Life as citizens of the web can be liberating and empowering, but also deserves some self-education.  It will be in our best interest if we not only educate our staff and students, but the parents as well.”  Mrs. Orange, Mrs. OPEN-MINDED herself, replies, “We also need to think about what the web is, and what it might become. What kinds of features and applications would we, as users, find fun, useful or even indispensable?” Mr. Lime better known as Mr. LAZY speaks his mind, “This sounds like a whole lot of work.  I mean constantly updating not only the technology but our skills too?”  Ms. Lavender, LOYAL to the cause of being a life-long learner responds, “If you are speaking about web apps, they update themselves automatically, so there’s always just one version: the latest version, with all the newest features and improvements.” Mrs. Cloud known as the COURAGEOUS one amongst her peers weighs in.  She says, “I believe that we need to make sure our students and staff have the latest technology.  We are talking about preparing learners for the 21-century and it is our job to make sure they are prepared.  And how are we going to prepare them if we do not know ourselves?”  Mr. Purple aka PRUDENT seconds her notion only after adding, “Most of us don’t realize how much an old and out-of-date web browser can negatively impact our online lives, particularly our online safety.”  Mr. Blue who is often in the land of BEWILDERMENT says with a look of exhaustion, “This all seems like so much to tackle. Where do we begin?”  Mr. Mellow-Yellow who had been keeping an account of everyone’s concerns summarized, “For the most part I believe most of us see the importance of having the latest technology accessible to students and staff as well as training.  I appreciate and acknowledge the concerns we may encounter in moving forward. Recently a website was shared with me that speaks if not confirms the concerns I heard around the room today,  I would like everyone to visit the site, http://www.20thingsilearned.com/en-US/foreword/2 and be prepared to discuss your own aha moment when we meet next week.

The exchange you just read was a fetal attempt to combine the benefits of working collaboratively with the many personalities any organization possess while addressing the wonderful world web.

Whose Job is it Anyways?

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. once said, “I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.”  So, whose responsibility is it to teach students the weight yet worth of these words – the village in which that student resides.   The first lesson of cyber-safety should of course come from home; for that is where the technology is usually housed and in most cases paid.  The article ‘Teens, kindness and cruelty on social network Sites’ offer parents a Parents Things to Do List on Cyber Safety as it relates to their responsibility in keeping their child safe or shall I say safer in cyberspace.  The article goes on to say, “Parents are the most often cited source of advice and the biggest influence on teens’ understanding of appropriate and inappropriate digital behavior. Parents are also responsible for keeping their teens safe online and offline and have a number of tools at their disposal to do so.”  The second lesson should come from school where educators can instruct students on how to use the Internet appropriately as it relates to completing assignments.  The third and continued lesson should come from the partnership between home and school as they communicate best practices, school policies, and student responsibility and rights.

My former post offered many opportunities to speak on the third and continued lesson and I often wondered if the first lesson had been skipped altogether.  The events that occur in the cyber world, mostly outside of the school day become reality during school hours.  What may have started out as a parent’s responsibility soon becomes the schools, and the school’s policies often leave students and sometimes parents speaking on the violation of rights.  I experienced countless scenarios involving not only social media gone wrong, but cases of parent’s texting or calling students during the school day.

So, whose job it anyways?  It is the job of responsible adults such as a child’s parents and school educators.  If they are not the village that teaches students how to stay safe, students will enter a village of people waiting to do them harm.

“Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself”

Perhaps you have once heard parts of these lyrics made popular in the 90’s by Ice Cube, “You better check yo self before you wreck yo self. Cos I’m bad for your health, I come real stealth.” What does this mean in laymen terms?  Examine your actions because they may potentially place you in danger without you even realizing until it is too late.

What are my personal feelings about online privacy?  You should have a choice what you wish to share with the world – sometimes too much freedom can lead to bondage which is what today’s youth may discover after the fact.  Husna Najand could not have put it better when he stated, “Privacy no longer means having control over who has access to pictures and information.  While it may not seem like a big deal now, as college students entering a tight job market, we should be cognizant of the potential drawbacks that lack of control over pictures, whether posed or candid, could present.  If you are not one of those people who read the fine print when agreeing to terms of service contracts, you should be aware that what you post publically could come back in the future to haunt you privately and professionally.”  Although there are measures in place such as COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) to help protect children today, there still needs to be another measure in place (active parenting) to help protect children and their future.  There are too many pitfalls awaiting children for adults that care for their well-being not to be protective.

I once heard a quote that is befitting when discussing teaching students about on-line privacy, “Experience may be a good teacher but the tuition is too high.”  Why not use examples of young people who have made missteps when it comes to on-line privacy to drive the lesson home?  Students today may be more willing to listen to a digital native who has experienced the pitfalls of exposing too much, as opposed to a digital immigrant who may still have reservations as to what is shared with the world.  As educators continue to teach the 21^st century learner and the technique of critical thinking so learners develop a deeper understanding through investigation and analysis, it is important that this technique be applied to what one decides to share on-line.

Your Digital Footprint – Detrimental or Forthcoming?

J.G. Holland once said, “Character lives in a man, reputation outside of him.”  Everyone has a reputation.  In some careers they come with a great cost.  As pointed out in the article, “Managing Your E-Reputation: Facts And Myths,” “Some employers will factor in the metrics of your online presence during the hiring process (mostly in communications-based positions). Nonetheless, employers of almost any field will expect that you have some sort of existence online in order to gauge your qualifications and see if you are a good fit for the company.” The actions I take as a human being help to shape and define my character and reputation.  In having experienced both the joy of being valued and hired and the responsibility of hiring an individual who values the position they are being hired for, character and reputation have played a key role in both.  It is my belief that your reputation is merely a reflection of your character.  Whether you are an employer or an employee the reflection can either be a horrendous hindrance or a huge help.

Should I have a digital footprint as an international educator?  Well sure.  I think teaching internationally gives one the distinct opportunity to highlight their experiences not only professionally but as a world traveler and life-long learner.  More importantly those I teach reflect what I know and/or have experienced in life.  If I have witnessed the possible impact a negative digital presence can have on an individual, I have a responsibility to at least share that information and offer suggestions as to how one can prevent such an occurrence.

One idea that I have been sharing with family, friends, and former colleagues back in the states is the idea of students having an e-portfolio.  It was something that was shared by Dana Watts, the middle school technology integrator as a way for students to display not only their accomplishments but growth as well as a measure that can be used to teach digital citizenship.  My wordle of citizenship includes the following words: responsibility, residency, respect, and integrity.  That being said, I have a responsibility as an educator of knowledge and citizen of the United States, to respect not only the country I live in but to those I visit to conduct myself and actions with a sense of integrity and pay homage to those who have helped shape my life.  I realize that what I say and what I do leave an imprint whether physically, emotionally, or digitally.  In fact I have taken action on the recommendation offered by columnist Kim Komando in her article entitled “Your online reputation can hurt your job search.” Kim recommends, “Start a blog highlighting your professional skills. Write posts on your field to show off your professional knowledge. List your full name at the bottom of your posts. Include links to the positive comments you found. And be sure to list your accomplishments in your bio.” Please visit http://katrinajbrown.wordpress.com/.

Thank you for visiting

Thank you for taking time to visit the site of an educator who has an interest in utilizing her gifts, talents, and skills to support the mission of life-long learning both as an educator and student of life.

Rethinking Copyright Laws

In the world of creativity the phrase, “The land of the free, the home of the brave” has new meaning.  Growing up I remember teacher’s stating whether in language arts, dance, or art to allow the creative juices to flow.  When you think about this, this requires one to exhibit bravery and the freedom to express oneself.  How does this freedom play out in a world where the new western paradigm of creativity is married to copyright laws?

Do I believe individual and/or companies should receive credit for their creations?  Well of course.  However when more focus or credence is given to copyright so that money can be collected (money), creativity loses and the benefits of creativity weakened.  If we were to stop and create a plus and delta sheet, many would agree that there are more benefits in living in a world that fosters and environment of sharing.  What we need to do is work on more ways to foster creativity and the sharing of ideas or promote the companies who already seem to get “it” such as Creative Commons.

Creative Commons, a company that sees the big picture will allow those who teach students about academic honesty another avenue to promote this important topic while encouraging creativity.  I believe that when promoting creativity whether in writing, music, art, and/or dance, it is the responsibility of those fostering this creativity to do so with the promotion of integrity.