Monday, March 23, 2009
A Colorful Outlook
Monday, March 16, 2009
Teen Suicide
Keep your heads up kids!
-S
Monday, March 9, 2009
Girl Power -less

Monday, March 2, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
For those of you who have already seen "Slumdog Millionaire" you may already have a better perception of its main idea than me. Do to some time constraints unfortunately I never got the chance to see it. However, the first 15-20 minutes or so that were viewed in class made me think critically on how Indians might have felt in response to the film. The depictions seemed a little too raw and I could very well understand why India would be upset about the film in relation to the harsh representations it holds. Contrary to the trailer (click the Youtube link below to watch) which ultimately glorifies and romanticizes the movie and that is not at all what I took from the short preview. The men in particular are represented as violent, aggressive, powerful, and ruthless while the women are portrayed as weak, quiet, powerless and barely surviving. There are clear lines drawn between equality. There is even a sense of fear for the children (as daring as they may seem) living in these conditions there is an overwhelming feeling that they are never truly safe. The issues this this film projects on India is more fear and disrespect than "controversial." I think India felt threatened and hurt by the director’s representations. It certainly holds a sort of power over India as I'm sure tourists have been a little discouraged to now visit the country. It is not a typical "Bollywood" film and even though Bollywood is known to be quite stereotypical I am more willing to consider its representations over the ones portrayed in Slumdog Millionaire. It just goes to show that one has to be very careful when depicting another’s culture and even though their traditions may differ from ours we should still respect their own way of life. *Keep in mind that I have not seen the entire film therefore, once I do it may change my perception towards the film as a whole.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Technology Take Over
I think it’s about time we tackle the issue of the use of media technology (i.e. laptops) in schools. We live in such an ever growing technological advanced society that even I myself cannot keep up with every latest development. As a future educator it’s a concern that I cannot properly prepare myself for the media knowledge my students will bring to the classroom as there is an overwhelming amount of information students gain access to through the Internet. It’s important to assess the advantages and/or disadvantages media technology provides in education and what are the immediate effects posed on students.

For the reason that there is an infinite amount of knowledge students can learn through computers students need clear guidelines and a basic knowledge of technology awareness in order to understand why the Internet cannot be a viable resource. “We” have only seen the beginning of what technology can do and the key is to start early. Of course parents can attempt to protect their children as much as possible but at the rate “we” are going creating awareness is essential before protection. Students today are dependable upon their computers much like cell phones (where the Internet is also accessible.) “We” have a burning desire to know every detail of everyone’s life in the midst of it happening. Desires that quickly turn into obsessions and when it overlaps with the importance of education a line has to be drawn. Many (or most) of students today carry laptops to and from school on a daily basis. This then transforms the student into an accessibly faster note-taker. However, after the first few weeks of school how many of us continuously take notes on our laptops? When listening becomes tedious and routine follows the laptop holds a world of temptations. The classroom then becomes a vulnerable place where a screen takes over student attention. “We” as students are not the only ones guilty of this behavior as more and more teachers create this sort of environment in their own classrooms. As most of you are aware teachers/professors have become extremely well in producing PowerPoint presentations. This allows the presenter to glide through their presentation effortlessly. However, it creates some type of boundary. The primary student/teacher interaction or relationship is lost. Students may even skip more classes because they rather read through the PowerPoint themselves. If we are self aware of its effects we can create a positive space for media technology in the classroom. As each student’s learning pattern is different the use of technology in the classroom pertains to a multitude of intelligences and is likely to help students achieve in areas they could not before. Hence, there is always room for improvement when it comes to student success.
-S
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The SMARTboard

Today's lab featured the new upcoming technology called "Smartboard." Personally, it reminds me of a 21st century updated chalkboard which connects to your computer. Moreover, its name does very well in describing its implication for it is a "smart" board. It allows teachers to express themselves better and possibly make the teaching process easier. In addition to facilitating the teaching process it comes with a multitude of features that pertain to almost all subject matters in education. However, it also makes me wonder, have "we" started to become rather lazy when it comes to teaching? Why is there a need or better yet, a demand, to have such advanced media technologies in the classroom? Of course it does allow for a much more interactive class and I'm sure many students would respond positively towards it. However, in sense, it almost does everything for you. This in this case concerns me the most. I'm not too sure if I like the idea of a board taking over my own creative teaching methods. It is a bit invasive while implying teachers are slowly becoming not good enough. "We" obviously cannot do what technology can therefore, "we" lack these qualities in helping our students succeed. It makes one aware of how there will have to be a requirement concerning a significant amount of knowledge towards the medium or equipment teachers will be supplied with and thought to use in their classrooms. Good luck!
-S
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Photovoice

