Tech Task #9 RIP A Remix Manifesto

For this Tech Task we had to watch a video that looks at mash-ups and copy write issues.

http://www.nfb.ca/film/rip_a_remix_manifesto/embed/player

 

One of the questions asked if we thought that if someone manipulated an existing song enough if they can eventually claim it as their own creation?

This is a tough question, I think that for myself, I would feel guilty claiming a song as my own creation if it was any kind of mash up or remix. The reason I feel that way is because it would be impossible to create my creation if it had not been for the artists who originally created the song in the first place. I think that sharing music or remixing different pieces of music together is cool, but I don’t think taking credit for someone else’s original songs seems right. If I was the original artist and someone rearranged my song or added to it and then started making money off it, I would feel ripped off or taken advantage of. If the remix was just shared I don’t know if I would have the same negative feelings about this.

I think that the current copy write policies seem very extreme and restrictive. I really like Creative Commons Licensing, I wish more things could be shared on the internet under this kind of licensing because I know how helpful Flickr and Compfight have been for me. Another point that was made in the video was how a writer can reference any author or document in their paper, as long as they give that person credit. Most of our essays in university are based on other peoples work and research, our role is typically to analyze their work, critique it and conclude with what we like and what we don’t. I think that if this is allowed in writing, it should be allowed in every area. I know that there’s a difference between plagiarism and referencing, maybe if remixes and mash-ups were created in a similar way it would be a good thing. I would have to research this issue more I think to better understand it.

Tech Task #10

For Tech Task # 10 we have compared Schoology and Edmodo as both of these are very common and excellent blended learning tools. We have summarized our comparison by answering a variety of questions. Please see below for our analysis!

1. These tools are designed to set up an online learning community accessible to teachers, students and parents, organizing assignments, quizzes, blog posts, units, grades and updates about what is going on in the classroom (agenda, fieldtrips, news, etc.)
2. Our favourite features of Edmodo are: similar interface to Facebook, easy to navigate, interactive as students can post as well, newsfeed, students can see who the group members are and connect with one another. Our favourite features for Schoology are similar to Edmodo but also structured and organized, ability to create multiple courses and resource folders. Both have great Help menus and are Google friendly (eg. Google docs)
3. From what we could see, some features missing are: connecting with other teachers and schools is limited in Edmodo and found it more difficult. Whereas in Schoology you can connect and share with other educators and add your school colours to identify you. Another feature that would be great to have would be more themes (which you don’t get unless you upgrade)
4. We liked both tools because they are set up similar to Facebook, which makes them user friendly. Widgets on the side bar and menu are visible and easy to navigate through like our wordpress blog sites.
5. Both learning management systems are great for blending learning for parents and students. Edmodo we feel would be great for elementary years whereas Schoology would be more useful for high school students. Schoology seemed more sophisticated and challenging in comparison to Edmodo- both sites would require parent involvement for grades K-3 due to literacy component. Parents have a window into the classroom but are only an observer at the same time. This is great for the teacher because if the parents have comments or questions the dialogue doesn’t occur on these websites.
6. Yes, we could see ourselves using these tools as they are organized and lets the teacher be accountable for what is being learned in the classroom. For example at teacher-parent conferences, the teacher could pull up this site and make reference to what assignments, quizzes or blogs have been completed by their child in the class. It is also a great way to document learning, as it is located on the Internet and not on paper in a binder on some shelf. We also feel that the account settings allow these tools to be private and only viewed by teacher, student, and parent upon approval. On the other hand if we want to share with administration or other educators we have the option for them to be members as well. Schoology has more detailed options when it comes to a Profile page which is great for middle years and up– to share with the teacher their interests, learning preferences and what goals they have for a blended learning experience.

 

- By Amanda, Mary Alice and Brittany

Tech Task #8 The Door Scene

Here is our Tech Task #8, The Door Scene!

Tech Task # 7 Music Mashup

Here is my Tech Task #7. I made a music mashup using the introductions from some of my favorite songs. Here it is!

 

Tech Task #6 Digital Story Telling

Here is the link to my Tech Task #6

I had never made a digital story before this! I was really nervous at first because I did not think I would be able to create anything that would look very good. However, I had no idea how many digital story telling tools are available. I used GoAnimate for my story. It was actually very easy and it was not time consuming. I was also pleased with how the digital story turned out. The idea I used for my story was based on my internship experience. I was teaching the grade one students basic addition facts up to 20. One of our lessons was this exact “How Many Apples” question, where there are 13 apples and some are red and some are yellow. Students had to think of different amounts there could have been for each color of apple. For example, someone might have answered, “There could be 4 red apples and 9 yellow apples.”.

I think digital story telling is an excellent teaching tool that can be incorporated into teaching. If I ever end up in a grade one classroom again, I would definitely use this digital story for my Set. I think digital stories have a certain type of appeal that many children will appreciate. Creating sets for lesson plans that are basically a cartoon has the potential to really grab the audiences attention. I think it is also more likely to keep students engaged for the development and closure of the lesson. Thanks for showing us how easy this is, Alec!

Tech Task #5 Slide & a Message

Tech Task #4

Here is my Tech Task #4: Priceless

I did my video on getting married. Hope you like it

Tech Task #3

Here is the link to my Living Expenses Spread Sheet

Tech Task #2

I didn’t know youtube was just launched in April 2005, it has become to integrated into our culture, it seems hard to imagine society without it. Ironically, while I watched this video on YouTube and he talks about how difficult posting videos online used to be, we got a call from my Grandma in Phoenix. She wanted to let us know there would be Live Streaming if we wanted to watch 3 of my younger cousins getting baptized online tonight. Technology is so amazing! There was no way we could have been in Alberta tonight to watch in person, but thanks to the internet we were able to feel like we were there and we were able to share in their special night.

Something that surprised me is that the majority of YouTube videos feature 18-24 year olds, and that 15% of YouTube videos are remixes and remakes, which are actually illegal. Another thing I found surprising is that the most commonly uploaded videos are home videos. I never knew that over 200,000 videos are uploaded every day, with around 10,000 of those videos being addressed to the YouTube community. First time vlogging looked so awkward! For someone who isn’t really into that, it seems strange that people choose to just open up to the entire world. I can see that for some people it is enjoyable, and even therapeutic, but I don’t think it’s for everyone. I personally think it seems cheap to let strangers into your personal life, the same way I think it is cheap when people post really personal things on their Facebook status–it’s uncomfortable! I don’t want to publicly find out or know about your best friend letting you down or you children or your husband, or your marriage falling a part…it doesn’t seem classy at all. On the other hand, I enjoy reading a family members blog and following what’s going on in her life on a weekly basis. I enjoy having a community of friends that I actually see and hang out with(actually, not virtually), I don’t think there is any part of me that desires to expose myself to the whole world and hope strangers like me. Maybe if I didn’t have such an amazing family and support network of friends I would feel differently though.

One of the things Mike talked about was basically how sex sells, especially on YouTube. No matter what I want to look up on YouTube it seems impossible to not see some type of video (or several) that look raunchy. In my opinion, when Michael talks about this beautiful community being created on YouTube there’s a part of me that thinks I wouldn’t want anything to do with that community that is so openly and shamelessly sex crazed. That’s another thing that seems extremely tasteless to me about the site, and the internet in general. However, there’s obviously enough people who love it or it wouldn’t be so popular.

Obviously, YouTube also has amazing qualities and there are millions of videos that are tasteful, funny, talented, interesting and often helpful. My father-in-law is a very talented handy man, he can do everything, and anytime there’s something he isn’t sure about (like changing the oil in his new Porsche) he just “YouTubes” it!

Michael Wesch presents an interesting position, I found his video very informative and well done for the most part. Thanks!

Tech Task #1

a) Hello! My name is Amanda. I am currently in the Facutly of Education and I am a fourth year student. I just completed my Internship semester in a grade 1/2 split class and absolutely loved it. I’ve always liked school and have very much enjoyed my University experience.  However, I am really looking forward to experiencing what it will be like to teach my own classroom of children. Academics aside, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I love playing games, being active, and dancing.

b) I think technology is amazing. I believe that if it is used and understood properly, it can be a very effective tool to use both personally and professionally. Sadly, I am not quite as “tech savy” as I would like to be, but I am hoping that by the end of this course I will be closer. My primary uses for technology at this point are for communication purposes (via text messaging, e-mails, and Facebook), and academincs (writing assignments, researching, UR courses).

c) I think technology in the classroom can be very helpful in enhancing students learning if it is used properly. However, I have not had very many opportunities during my own K-12 experience, nor my Internship experience to see it being used in such a way that I could see the positive results and benefits. I am not opposed to technology being incorporated into the classroom, but at this point I would feel ill prepared to do so. In University, most students who bring a lap top to lectures spend all of their time on Facebook, Twitter, solitaire or e-mail. I think there are positive ways Facebook and e-mailing can be used to make learning and communication easier within a class–I, personally, find UR courses very helpful when professors post course information and updates on it regularly. If a Facebook page could be created to use in Grade 6-12 classrooms, I can see benefits similar to those of UR courses being available to students and teachers. I also think discussions that are written (via, a forum or comment) give every student in the class a chance to respond, including students who are normally too shy to participate in classroom discussions.At the same time however, I think face-to-face conversations are extremely important and if anything is lacking in this generation I think it is those actual person-to-person relationships.I think too many people have become comfortable with e-mailing, texting, and “Facebooking” to serve in lieu of real life conversations and interactions with people. I do think however, that technology has the potential to enhance learning and be a very beneficial tool in the classroom; I am hoping that by the end of this class I have a better grasp of how to provide that balanced approach in my teaching career.

d) I hope and expect that by the end of this class I will have a more well-rounded understanding and knowledge about the benefits of using technology in the classroom. I also hope to have a repertoire of strategies and ideas as to how I can incorporate technology into my classroom in a meaningful way. I hope to become more technologically able and informed during this class and I hope I learn valuable ways to use technology both as a professional and on an individual level.