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 “It's about engaging students with technology and using technology as a tool to teach.”

In order to consolidate our class' understanding of x-y planes and provide genuine learning experiences, we played co-ordinate plane battleship via Skype with Mrs. Durnin's grade 8 class.  As an icebreaker each class asked and answered 10 questions from their counterparts more than 600 km away.  What was immediately evident was the common experiences and concerns the students shared including high school, dress code and sports.  There was also a some friendly competition as student cheered hits and enjoyed calling out,"You sank my battleship". While my class was excited by the opportunity to video conference with another class, they were also intimidated with the prospect of having their image full sized on another class' Smartboard.  I believe it was an educational experience both for the students and myself, and have no question that Skype will be a tool I use to help students gain a greater appreciation and perspective of the world they live in.  What do you think are the benefits of Skype in the class?  How does technology improve learning?   
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Growing up Christmas was always an important holiday in our home.  While my mom was busy in the kitchen preparing a number of traditional dishes for our feast, my father was equally involved in preparing for company and making sure we were ready to entertain.  As for myself I would always help in any way possible (doing dishes, cleaning the rec room, vacuuming), perhaps spurred on by my guilt for any wrong doings during the previous 364 days, and my hope that these last minutes acts, would keep me on the nice list.   While some of my fondest memories of a childhood revolve around Christmas morning and the excitement I shared with my  brother and sister, it was the feeling that was in our house and in people's hearts that stands out.  Now don't get me wrong, I loved the wonder of what was wrapped under the tree and still remember tearing into my Atari 2600 and my new high tech Bauer Challenger skates  (see pictures below), but it was then and still now more than a gift exchange.
While we regularly attended mass together as Catholics, there was always something special about attending
Christmas mass as a family, and remembering the true reason for the season.    As commercialism continues to creep into our holiday traditions, I hope you work to keep that feeling alive in your hearts and to help spread this cheer to others.  Your generosity and hard work in our school canned food drive is sign of Christ's presence in your lives.  I wish you and all your family a very Merry Christmas, and I hope you make an effort to get to mass during the season.   What are your Christmas memories?  What traditions make Christmas special for you?  What links or videos would you include in your holiday favourites? 
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With the recent improvements in technology and the inclusion of video cameras in most mobile devices, posting videos on websites like Youtube and Vimeo has become commonplace.  Many people in the "iPhone Generation" enjoy living their lives publicly on the web and and posting videos to gain an audience.  While I can't resist some of these entertaining productions, I also watch them with a healthy degree of scepticism.  Due to green screens and advanced programs, often what you is see is not necessarily an accurate depiction of a real life events.  Unfortunately some young people emulate what they view online, with tragic consequences.  As part of our media literacy unit this month we will focus on questioning the authenticity of supposed "reality productions" and learn to critically evaluate their messages. We will also consider the role public acceptance plays in what we view in the media.    Below is a series of two videos, which detail how green screen effects can easily mislead a viewer.  The third video explains the serious and dangerous consequences of imitating without thinking. (Sorry the site  won't allow an embedded link.  Please go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeAHKMkG4us to watch.)  Have you ever seen a video you thought was fake?  How do you did decide if something you watch on the web is authentic or the result of editing magic?  Why do you think some teens ignore the serious consequences of such acts?
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While my summer was filled with socializing with family and friends, travelling and swiming in our new pool, my greatest satisfaction came from the completion of a building project.  Now to give you some background I have some handyman skills, but am by no means "Mike Holmesish" in my carpentry abilities.  When my wife and I decided to  build a sauna to extend our pool season, the easiest and safest choice would have been to hire someone to complete the job.  Perhaps inspired by too much HGTV or a need to reconnect with "my outside self", I decided to tackle this project complete with framing, electrical rough in and finishing the interior and exterior of the sauna.  In order to accomplish this daunting task I spent time each night on the internet reading articles and watching videos to prepare for the next day.    I am pleased with the finished product and have a far greater appreciation of complexity of the task and effort required.  With hard work, dedication and some preparation almost anything is possible.  I challenge you to set the bar higher for yourself (academically, socially, extracurricularly)  this year  and work to accomplish goals you previously thought were beyond your reach?   Have you ever had to work to achieve something?  How did you you feel when you succeeded?  What are your personal reactions to the videos below?   Let me know what you think...
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As a culminating activity in media literacy and my narrative writing unit, students animated digital stills into what I believe are compelling and entertaining submissions.  Below are links to the best Stop Motion videos produced by grade 8's at my school.  I am always amazed at the creativity and technical expertise students demonstrate when they  are able to create media projects relevant to their own experiences.  Which video(s) are your favourites?  What did you think student's learn through digital story telling?   Do students learn best when they can complete assignments in ways that best suit their learning styles?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21353939/ASHLEE%20AND%20HANNAH%20SMA%20FINISHED.wmv
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21353939/Stop%20Motion%20J%26K%202.wmv
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21353939/Stop%20Motion.wmv
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21353939/The%20Seige%20of%20Holzhausen.wmv
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21353939/Whiteboard%20Wonders%20-%20Stop%20motion.wmv
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Many times in teaching the greatest "moments" occur when our students surpass our expectations/limitations. While marking a question on a English assessment written in class,  Daryka Murray, a grade 8 student, provided one such moment.   Below is her response to the question:  "Think of something that you have had to work hard to achieve or learn.  Write a piece to explain who has been your teacher and what you have learned?"

 Dogs can teach you a lot.  That is certainly the case for my dog Molly.   She has taught me every important lesson that I need  for life.  Patience comes first.  Sometimes you need to wait until 7 am to be let out or until 5:00 pm to eat even if you're hungry.  For her efforts I am now successful at controlling my temper (which is hard) when I need to wait for my morning bathroom time or for my TV dinner to be done in the microwave.  Next comes faith.  No matter how many times I pretend to throw the ball, Molly always jumps to catch it.  This was a great lesson for me because it brought me closer to God.  I now know that He may not answer me right away, but one day He will.  Then there's forgiveness.  No matter how many times we tell her that she's bad or leave her out for a night, as soon as she senses we're not that angry she returns to the generally happy, goofy dog that she is, and pretends that nothing actually happened.  I can now diffuse an argument before it starts, know when I  have to say sorry and when it's my time to forgive.  Finally there is love.  As soon as someone poses no threat she loves them and it's always the same amount for everyone.  I now no longer accuse my mom of loving my sister more because I understand she loves us both the same.  Dogs can teach you a lot.  I know mine has.
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Congratulations to Pierre-Luc Dusseault, who yesterday became the youngest MP elected to serve in federal politics.  The nineteen year old won the Sherbrooke Quebec riding,  demonstrating that youth can have a voice in politics when they participate in the process. 
"Dusseault ran a grassroots campaign in the university town east of Montreal. He says he always believed he had a chance."  Instead of working at a golf course this summer, he will be preparing for his role in parliament.  In addition to the prestige and attention he has gained for accomplishing this feat, he also takes home a Member of Parliament's starting salary which is $157,731.    Check out this link for the full story: 

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/pierre-luc-dusseault-becomes-canadas-youngest-ever-mp-171538874.html

The second young person which inspired me is Mike Tompkins with his beatbox musical acapella covers. Rarely is a cover version of a song better than the original, but his version of Katy Perry's Firework, takes the song, in my opinion, to whole new level.  What makes the version even more impressive is that every instrument and sound in the song, is done using only his voice.  Let me know what you think...
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Extreme Water 04/18/2011
 
As I patiently wait for spring temperatures to arrive, I find myself starting to anticipate the summer warmth and days on the lake.  I recently found this link for a device that would make anyone's time on the water unforgettable.  At $99500, it is not exactly a steal, but at least now I know what to tell my wife I want this year for my birthday.  Imagine people's faces as you went flying by on the St. Lawrence River.    If money was no object what would you like to receive?  
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Roger Ebert has grown to fame with his analysis and critical commentary on the latest  Hollywood movie releases.  I stumbled upon his blog where he laments the "dumbing down" of youth today.  In his article "The Gathering Dark Age"  he writes:

“If I mention the cliché “the dumbing-down of America,” it’s only because there’s no way around it. And this dumbing-down seems more pronounced among younger Americans. It has nothing to do with higher educational or income levels. It proceeds from a lack of curiosity and, in many cases, a criminally useless system of primary and secondary education. Until a few decades ago, almost all high school graduates could read a daily newspaper. The issue today is not whether they read a daily paper, but whether they can.”

Brett McCracken echoes these sentiments in his blog post "What's Wrong with Kids Today" when he explains:

The problem with kids today is not that they aren’t motivated to be successful and/or change the world, it’s that they aren’t curious about the world. They aren’t interested in thinking critically, deliberately, and probingly about anything, unless it spells immediate pleasure and or advancement for their life. They are utilitarians in the first place, bored by any inquiry that lasts more that a few minutes or which requires more than a few Wikipedia searches.

I have always been skeptical of individuals to try to paint "groups" with a single brush, as I believe the two previous opinions do.  There is no question that some young people are uninspired, but this is not exclusive to this generation.   From my perspective, the youth today are as capable as students in the past, perhaps more so.  Students read regularly, althought dated sources of print materials may not be the medium of their choice.  They are much more likely to publish, produce and text ideas and critically evaluate the world around them.  My greatest challenge as an educator is not to dismiss "the ways" they acquire information and learn, but to engage them in meaningful activities that allow them to use their technology to gain greater insight.   Do you think teenagers lack motivation and commitment?  How do you respond to Ebert and McCracken's comments?   Let me know what you think...



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My inspiration for this post came from an article I came across recently where a 13 year old Russian boy found a message in a bottle that had been sent 24 years earlier.  The message writer,  now married and in his late twenties, had few recollections of writing the note when he was 5.

  http://ca.news.yahoo.com/russian-boy-finds-message-bottle-24-years-20110330-035105-793.html

This story brought back fond memories of my childhood adventures at the family cottage, on Lake Huron.  There was always a fascination with the idea of sending a message in the bottle in the hope that someone would reply.  While I never received a reply to my floating correspondence, the possibility of a response was then and I guess now still exciting. Part of this interest in communicating with others came from a video shown in many schools  "Paddle to the Sea".  In the days before the internet (yes there was a time) and before Flat Stanley and Dancing Matt , this National Film Board video inspired elementary students' sense of adventure and discovery.  In this story,  a young boy carves a wooden figure in a boat and on the bottom inscribes Paddle to the Sea - Please put me back in the water.    The film documents the journey of this wooden creation from Northern Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean.  Have you ever found something interesting?  What is the modern version of sending a message in a bottle?  What do you think will be a memoriable event or story for this generation?
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