I am happy to announce that I most likely (remember, schools change their minds all of the time) will have two sections of the Visual Literacy class next semester. I have so many ideas of how to tweak and change my curriculum. I also want to incorporate some different film studies. Plus, I have a student who is interested in starting a film club for next year. So exciting!
As many of my readers know, I am a film lover. I enjoy all kinds of films from all time periods. Yes, I even like some silent films. To me, films not only can provide an escape from life, but they can also remind us of how precious our lives are. For example, take a great film like "The Shawshank Redemption." At first glance it is a sad film, full of heartache, obstacles, and tragedy. But then, during that last scene on the shores of the Mexican village, there is such zest for life. There is passion and appreciation. Throughout the duration of the film viewers are taken on a roller coaster of emotion, are living the lives right there alongside the men of Shawshank prison. But at the end, the roller coaster comes to a stop and viewers have the chance to look around and feel contentment with all that they have. This is the power of a great film.
I have many favorites. Ask me to pick one and it would be close to impossible. I may be able to list my favorite science fiction film or comedy film but one favorite to rule them all - just can't do it.
Tell me about some of your favorite films. Why do you enjoy them? On what level do these films "speak" to you?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
A Creative Outlet
Over the past decade a hot topic in education has been the rise of standardized testing as the number one measure of student achievement. When teachers know their students are going to be measured by a test, it is only natural to want to prepare them for this assessment. The time that is now spent "teaching to the test" is taken away from other activities. Since test preparation is usually a more logical endeavor focused on academics, it is safe to say that the edification of creative thought has decreased.
Unfortunately, this lack of creativity is beginning to show in the workforce. According to Partnership for 21st Century Skills' survey on readiness for the workplace, "three-fourths of the survey participants ranked “creativity/innovation” as among the top five applied skills projected to increase in importance for future graduates." If this is the case, then why are we continuing to let creativity get lost in the mix of education?
I see the effects of lessened creative applications in school everyday. Students who are not given specific directions on what and how to complete projects spend half of their time being lost. When I tell my students I want them to "get creative," I get a slew of basic Powerpoint presentations (which lost their luster long ago). And don't get me started on the writing...
So, as much as I try to incorporate some creative opportunities in my class, I know that I can only do so much. Plus, I only see my students for an 1 1/2 each day. This means that the responsibility to build creative skills is placed upon the individual. My advice - do something "creative" every day. Play an instrument, draw a picture, take up a hobby.
I want to hear all about your creative outlets...and maybe I will see the result of some of them in class...
Unfortunately, this lack of creativity is beginning to show in the workforce. According to Partnership for 21st Century Skills' survey on readiness for the workplace, "three-fourths of the survey participants ranked “creativity/innovation” as among the top five applied skills projected to increase in importance for future graduates." If this is the case, then why are we continuing to let creativity get lost in the mix of education?
I see the effects of lessened creative applications in school everyday. Students who are not given specific directions on what and how to complete projects spend half of their time being lost. When I tell my students I want them to "get creative," I get a slew of basic Powerpoint presentations (which lost their luster long ago). And don't get me started on the writing...
So, as much as I try to incorporate some creative opportunities in my class, I know that I can only do so much. Plus, I only see my students for an 1 1/2 each day. This means that the responsibility to build creative skills is placed upon the individual. My advice - do something "creative" every day. Play an instrument, draw a picture, take up a hobby.
I want to hear all about your creative outlets...and maybe I will see the result of some of them in class...
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Reminder
It is that time of year when the "old" students come back for a little visit from the great beyond (college, work, etc.). I enjoy hearing about how everyone is doing. Most of my old students look so grown up and seem to have a new aura about them. It makes me proud to know that I had something, even if it is a tiny little something, to do with this.
But, it never ceases to amaze me how often I hear the same statements - "Mrs. S., college is hard!" or "Mrs. S., it went by so quickly, now I have no idea what to do!" or "Mrs. S., you were right to make me work hard." What I tell my students during class has not changed since I began teaching. I have always told my students they need to work harder, put more effort into everything they do, and great results will come down the pipe. I have always expected my students to work to their full potential and when they don't, there are consequences (as many of you can see now in the form of your grade). Unfortunately, these lessons don't seem to hit home until later, sometimes when it is too late.
What I am trying to say here is that these visits remind me of how insular teenagers can be. I can repeat my words of wisdom until I am blue in the face, but rarely do they make a difference now. Later though, when the world teaches you its lessons, hopefully you will remember that there was the voice in the dark that was crying out to be heard and heeded. Until then, I will continue to retain high standards for my students with the hope that it pushes them to work to their full potential.
But, it never ceases to amaze me how often I hear the same statements - "Mrs. S., college is hard!" or "Mrs. S., it went by so quickly, now I have no idea what to do!" or "Mrs. S., you were right to make me work hard." What I tell my students during class has not changed since I began teaching. I have always told my students they need to work harder, put more effort into everything they do, and great results will come down the pipe. I have always expected my students to work to their full potential and when they don't, there are consequences (as many of you can see now in the form of your grade). Unfortunately, these lessons don't seem to hit home until later, sometimes when it is too late.
What I am trying to say here is that these visits remind me of how insular teenagers can be. I can repeat my words of wisdom until I am blue in the face, but rarely do they make a difference now. Later though, when the world teaches you its lessons, hopefully you will remember that there was the voice in the dark that was crying out to be heard and heeded. Until then, I will continue to retain high standards for my students with the hope that it pushes them to work to their full potential.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Memories
I am an avid scrapbooker - have been for over ten years now. I like the process of revisiting memories in the form of photographs and text. I also like the process of actually creating the scrapbook - the coordination of papers to match the "feel" of the photo, choosing just the right words to pair with images, and reflecting on the context of the photo. I find it both challenging and relaxing at the same time.
The sharing and filing of memories has taken on a new context in the technology realm. With websites like Flickr or Photobucket anyone can upload pictures and share them with the world. I like the basic idea here but hate what is missing - the actual engagement with the memory. When someone takes the time to place their photos in a scrapbook (a basic one or a fancy one) they are giving a sense of importance to the memory itself. It is like saying, "This matters to me. I want to remember this for the rest of my life." They see all the details in the image and reflect on how mom always loved that vase in the background or dad tended to wear the goofiest shirts, but we love him anyway. When someone presses the upload button on a website they are saying...well...not much.
Don't get me wrong, photo sharing sites are wonderful ways to share memories with those far away. But, the key word here is share. There is little reflection and even less engagement.
Are our very memories falling into the abyss of the "information super highway?"
The sharing and filing of memories has taken on a new context in the technology realm. With websites like Flickr or Photobucket anyone can upload pictures and share them with the world. I like the basic idea here but hate what is missing - the actual engagement with the memory. When someone takes the time to place their photos in a scrapbook (a basic one or a fancy one) they are giving a sense of importance to the memory itself. It is like saying, "This matters to me. I want to remember this for the rest of my life." They see all the details in the image and reflect on how mom always loved that vase in the background or dad tended to wear the goofiest shirts, but we love him anyway. When someone presses the upload button on a website they are saying...well...not much.
Don't get me wrong, photo sharing sites are wonderful ways to share memories with those far away. But, the key word here is share. There is little reflection and even less engagement.
Are our very memories falling into the abyss of the "information super highway?"
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