For my Composition and Rhetoric class, I gave a presentation about how people turn to The Bible for justification for certain beliefs. I talked a lot about how people will say that The Bible is law and will use it to justify their prejudices towards gay people, yet they disregard what The Bible says about divorce, working on Sunday, and women being on their period. Anyways, I digress.
Over Thanksgiving my Aunt, who is a teacher, was telling us about her one coworker to always says "God bless" to her students as they leave the classroom. My cousins and I were talking about our thoughts on this. As we all know, religion is not supposed to be brought into the classroom in a public school. I think this teacher is out of place for saying this. I think it is a kind gesture, but an inappropriate setting. I know that as a student, and as a person who is not overly religious, I would not like this teacher's actions. Am I over-reacting? Am I justified? What do you guys think, future educators?
Monday, November 26, 2012
Drama Unit
I have been acting since I was nine years old. I've done tons of community theatre, I've had leading roles in high school, and I had a lead role in the SRU production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Drama and theatre always has been and always will be a huge part of my life, and I look forward to teaching it to my students.
I really enjoyed our class session last week on the Drama Unit. It was funny to hear about all of the theatre games that I used to do when I was in Theatre Arts I in high school. I think that drama and theatre is a very good way to get students involved and interested. It gets the students out of their seats and engages them in "fun" ways of learning.
While many people argue that learning and school should not be "fun," there are so many values to a drama unit. I think the largest and most important value is that it brings students out of their shells and helps them with their public speaking abilities. This could definitely be a great way to reach shy students and help them overcome their fears of getting up in front of classmates.
I really enjoyed our class session last week on the Drama Unit. It was funny to hear about all of the theatre games that I used to do when I was in Theatre Arts I in high school. I think that drama and theatre is a very good way to get students involved and interested. It gets the students out of their seats and engages them in "fun" ways of learning.
While many people argue that learning and school should not be "fun," there are so many values to a drama unit. I think the largest and most important value is that it brings students out of their shells and helps them with their public speaking abilities. This could definitely be a great way to reach shy students and help them overcome their fears of getting up in front of classmates.
Friday, November 9, 2012
No One Is Alone
In my American Literature I class we are currently talking about Transcendentalism and all of the ideas behind it. I think that it is a very important concept to grasp because it has a very peaceful message that everyone should try to relate to. Basically, Transcendentalism is the idea that we are all connected through nature and spiritual things and you can be alone without being lonely and you should try to abandon the materialistic aspects of your life. While it may be a very hard thing to practice every day I think that it is something that you should try to think about, especially when you are feeling down and alone, and I think it is a good way to run your classroom — keep everything connected and peaceful.
Graphic Novels
I think that out of everything we had read for this week, the argument for incorporating graphic novels was the most compelling.
I think there is a HUGE grey area. Obviously, there are two arguments for this case. The first argument is the one made by the author and the one made by multiple classmates: graphic novels are essential. Through the pictures, they are much more relatable and enjoyable for the students and therefore the students are able to comprehend them better and remember them better. Yes, this all fine and dandy and I do think there is obviously truth behind it. And I also think it stays clear from the people who argue that school and education should not be fun because, let's be honest, no matter how many pictures there are, if the student doesn't care about the plot, etc. they are not going to find the novel fun.
The second argument is that we should stick to the classics. The classics are what is important to the classroom, in my opinion. Yes, Maus is EXTREMELY important and is an excellent read. However, I do not think there should be a split of classics and graphic novels. Classic novels serve the purpose of teaching us about the literary greats and examining what makes a piece of literature a masterpiece, whereas graphic novels do not hold the same esteem. Until we have The Graphic Gatsby, I think that we need to stick to limiting the number of graphic novels in the classroom.
I think there is a HUGE grey area. Obviously, there are two arguments for this case. The first argument is the one made by the author and the one made by multiple classmates: graphic novels are essential. Through the pictures, they are much more relatable and enjoyable for the students and therefore the students are able to comprehend them better and remember them better. Yes, this all fine and dandy and I do think there is obviously truth behind it. And I also think it stays clear from the people who argue that school and education should not be fun because, let's be honest, no matter how many pictures there are, if the student doesn't care about the plot, etc. they are not going to find the novel fun.
The second argument is that we should stick to the classics. The classics are what is important to the classroom, in my opinion. Yes, Maus is EXTREMELY important and is an excellent read. However, I do not think there should be a split of classics and graphic novels. Classic novels serve the purpose of teaching us about the literary greats and examining what makes a piece of literature a masterpiece, whereas graphic novels do not hold the same esteem. Until we have The Graphic Gatsby, I think that we need to stick to limiting the number of graphic novels in the classroom.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Beauty Pageants (Ew)
Today in my Composition and Rhetoric class one of my classmates presented on Beauty Pageants for young girls. We talked about the fine line there is between doing it for fun and doing it out of a sick obsession. I do believe that there are people who do it just for the fun of getting all dressed up and looking pretty, etc. However, I think that more often than not it is horrible stage moms putting their daughters through hell because they live vicariously through their children.
A prime example of why girls shouldn't do pageants and get involved in that life style: Alicia Guastaferro. While most of you probably do not know who that is, it is a girl my roommate went to high school with. Google her name and you will be shocked. This girl and her family were on Wife Swap and to say that their lives were laughable is an understatement.
Here is a link to what happened to her after all of the pageants and being spoiled. I suggest you take a read. It's very sad, but it's a lesson learned.
PAGEANTS ARE MORE BAD THAN GOOD!
A prime example of why girls shouldn't do pageants and get involved in that life style: Alicia Guastaferro. While most of you probably do not know who that is, it is a girl my roommate went to high school with. Google her name and you will be shocked. This girl and her family were on Wife Swap and to say that their lives were laughable is an understatement.
Here is a link to what happened to her after all of the pageants and being spoiled. I suggest you take a read. It's very sad, but it's a lesson learned.
PAGEANTS ARE MORE BAD THAN GOOD!
Making the Video
First of all, I think it is important to note — we filmed our video in Hurricane Sandy. Our video was shot 100% outside in the gazebo in the Quad. BAM!
Anyways, we had a great time filming our video. I did a lot of stuff like this in high school so this really brought me back to my junior and senior year. I also think that there is value in it as well. You have to read the story and understand it, and then you have to seriously think about the plot, etc. in order to storyboard it. As you film it you have to get into the characters and act the story out. I also think that video production is important to English classes. It is good to know about film techniques and all that good stuff because film is a form of literature and art and is definitely a healthy aspect to add to an English class.
Overall I had a great time doing it and it is definitely something I want to do when I am a teacher.
Anyways, we had a great time filming our video. I did a lot of stuff like this in high school so this really brought me back to my junior and senior year. I also think that there is value in it as well. You have to read the story and understand it, and then you have to seriously think about the plot, etc. in order to storyboard it. As you film it you have to get into the characters and act the story out. I also think that video production is important to English classes. It is good to know about film techniques and all that good stuff because film is a form of literature and art and is definitely a healthy aspect to add to an English class.
Overall I had a great time doing it and it is definitely something I want to do when I am a teacher.
Friday, October 19, 2012
How People Argue
For our Composition and Rhetoric class, Lynzie and I had to give a 25 minute presentation on how people argue with each other. Our professor had given us books to read, etc. and we had to add examples and provide a handout for the class.
It was interesting to learn about this stuff, because even though there is a general model for how we argue (The Toulmin Model), I feel as though we all have our own style of arguing with each other. We showed our class clips of arguments, including a screaming cat fight on the TV show Dance Moms and a much more professional Presidential debate between Kennedy and Nixon. It was really interesting to see the different styles of how people argue, and it made me think about how I argued with people.
Do you guys argue in a peaceful method? Do you end up screaming at the person? Do you find a happy medium?
It was interesting to learn about this stuff, because even though there is a general model for how we argue (The Toulmin Model), I feel as though we all have our own style of arguing with each other. We showed our class clips of arguments, including a screaming cat fight on the TV show Dance Moms and a much more professional Presidential debate between Kennedy and Nixon. It was really interesting to see the different styles of how people argue, and it made me think about how I argued with people.
Do you guys argue in a peaceful method? Do you end up screaming at the person? Do you find a happy medium?
Monday, October 15, 2012
Podcasts!!
So while in the cumputer lab, I got really excited about Podcasting. I think what I like most about it is that it is taking me back to high school. Even though I own a Mac and am a tech junkie, I have not used GarageBand since I was a senior in high school. My high school definitely placed an emphasis on utilizing technology; I made tons of projects with GarageBand, iMovie, and I used wikis, etc. I think that this is going to be a great way to familiarize myself with a form of assessment that I have never used. I am definitely not intimidated going into it; in fact, I almost feel too comfortable with the idea of making a podcast. I know my way around a computer, I've been on stage a thousand times (so I don't have a fear of scripting, recording, etc.) and I'm good at figuring out how to upload projects.I'm really interested to see how it pans out; I think that Lynize and I will have a lot of fun making it and I hope everyone else does as well! Just remember - technology is your friend! Be not afraid. :)
Friday, September 28, 2012
Celebrities and Their Influences
Ah, Miss Marilyn Monroe. The girl next door. Today in our Comp and Rhet class, someone in our class gave a presentation on Marilyn and the influence of her "quotes." However, it turns out that ironically many of her quotes were actually not spoken by her (you may visit here to see said quotes). But then why do we attribute them to her?
Marilyn Monroe was neither a poetic, wise speaker nor a huge diva. She was genuine, simple, gorgeous, and talented. I think that we attribute these sayings to her because of the mysterious influence she still has today. After all, many women look to her because she is considered one of the most beautiful women of all time, yet nobody had to throw a sandwich at her. She was an individual, an icon, and a human. Because of this, people try to attribute quotes to her said by Harvard professors. Do celebrities really have that much influence over us? Why do we care so much about what they think and what they say? What makes them more special than your average Joe?
Internet Safety
I get it — the internet is a vast, endless space filled with everything and anything. When you have such a broad tool, there are definitely just as many downsides as there are upsides. Internet safety is definitely a priority for all of us, and I think that as each generation matures we realize what is smart and what is not so smart to do on the internet. For instance, back when I was in 6th grade I can recall how HUGE MySpace was becoming, and how many news stories there were about predators. Maybe it was because MySpace was a very..... trashy.... social media, but I feel like you don't hear as many stories about teens making bad decisions as you used to. Ah, but I digress.
In high school, I would say that roughly 60% of the websites I would try to access on school computers were blocked for one reason or another. But why? is it because buried deep in the archives of that website there was a swear word? Who knows. But the point is that on all these sites I never got to access, there was probably very useful information — information that I will never know of (because realistically, the second I walked out of the computer lab I was never going to go look for that website again because I found a substitute).
I think that while safety is important, schools need to advance their means of blocking websites because ultimately they are hurting students. The point of the internet is for people to share information and absorb information. Should a student have access to every website out there while at school? Absolutely not. However, I think the schools need to put more time into advancing their firewalls because they are currently blocking too much. The internet is a great place and can be used in so many great ways. Schools should keep their students safe all the while maintaining access to more content.
In high school, I would say that roughly 60% of the websites I would try to access on school computers were blocked for one reason or another. But why? is it because buried deep in the archives of that website there was a swear word? Who knows. But the point is that on all these sites I never got to access, there was probably very useful information — information that I will never know of (because realistically, the second I walked out of the computer lab I was never going to go look for that website again because I found a substitute).
I think that while safety is important, schools need to advance their means of blocking websites because ultimately they are hurting students. The point of the internet is for people to share information and absorb information. Should a student have access to every website out there while at school? Absolutely not. However, I think the schools need to put more time into advancing their firewalls because they are currently blocking too much. The internet is a great place and can be used in so many great ways. Schools should keep their students safe all the while maintaining access to more content.
Friday, September 21, 2012
#YOLO
Alright, now that I have forced myself to type such a terrible phrase, I will get to my blog. Today I saw a presentation on the term YOLO (in case you live under a slippery rock [see what I did there?], that stands for "you only live once") and the effect it is having on our culture.
By some, YOLO is seen as a modern day "Carpe Diem." However, I see it as the worst phrase to come to the world since Paris Hilton coined "that's hott." Carpe Diem is all about seizing the day. YOLO, on the other hand, is typically used by teenagers as a justification for doing something stupid. For example...
"Getting wasted tonight. YOLO!"
"I have an exam tomorrow? YOLO!"
"I'm pregnant. YOLO!"
See what I mean? This is particularly concerning because I think it encourages our students to act out and be okay with it. Don't see what I mean? Try it yourself. State something stupid you may do in the next week. Now say YOLO! Feel better about your actions? I knew you would.
On the very, very few occasions I found myself using this awful phrase, I really did feel less guilty about not studying for an exam, etc. But not studying for an exam is minimal compared to other YOLO cases.
What do you guys think? Does YOLO help the kids that will be our students justify making bad choices? How will this effect our classrooms? Is there a way around it? YOLO!
By some, YOLO is seen as a modern day "Carpe Diem." However, I see it as the worst phrase to come to the world since Paris Hilton coined "that's hott." Carpe Diem is all about seizing the day. YOLO, on the other hand, is typically used by teenagers as a justification for doing something stupid. For example...
"Getting wasted tonight. YOLO!"
"I have an exam tomorrow? YOLO!"
"I'm pregnant. YOLO!"
See what I mean? This is particularly concerning because I think it encourages our students to act out and be okay with it. Don't see what I mean? Try it yourself. State something stupid you may do in the next week. Now say YOLO! Feel better about your actions? I knew you would.
On the very, very few occasions I found myself using this awful phrase, I really did feel less guilty about not studying for an exam, etc. But not studying for an exam is minimal compared to other YOLO cases.
What do you guys think? Does YOLO help the kids that will be our students justify making bad choices? How will this effect our classrooms? Is there a way around it? YOLO!
Technology is Here to Stay
I've been going through everyone's blogs for this week and I've noticed that a lot of people seem intimidated, perhaps, of technology.
I'm trying to understand why, though! Technology is an amazing thing. The freshman in high school now have so many more opportunities and options than I had when I was a freshman in high school six years ago. Technology presents so many new learning styles and has a way of making learning fun.
I know there are you nay-sayers out there who keep thinking to yourself, "Well, yeah, but what about the kids who don't like technology?" Maybe I am a bit biased because technology is so prevalent in my life, but I truly, truly do not believe that there are more than a very, very small handful of kids who dislike technology. I think that their intimidation and disliking of technology comes from the fact that they may just not know how to use it properly. While I am not saying that every technology is super-easy to use, there are PLENTY out there that are!
Take an iPad for instance. In the new iOS6 software update, the teacher has the ability to deactive native apps such as Messages and Safari so that a student can only be locked into the app specified by the teacher. I think that a lot of you are afraid to give students technology because it can be "distracting" or they can use it to cheat, but there are ways around all of that.
At the end of the day, technology is here to stay. Technology is constantly evolving, constantly pushing us forward, and constantly at the center of our lives. If we don't teach students how to utilize and how to learn with technology and technological devices, then we are short-changing the students.
I'm trying to understand why, though! Technology is an amazing thing. The freshman in high school now have so many more opportunities and options than I had when I was a freshman in high school six years ago. Technology presents so many new learning styles and has a way of making learning fun.
I know there are you nay-sayers out there who keep thinking to yourself, "Well, yeah, but what about the kids who don't like technology?" Maybe I am a bit biased because technology is so prevalent in my life, but I truly, truly do not believe that there are more than a very, very small handful of kids who dislike technology. I think that their intimidation and disliking of technology comes from the fact that they may just not know how to use it properly. While I am not saying that every technology is super-easy to use, there are PLENTY out there that are!
Take an iPad for instance. In the new iOS6 software update, the teacher has the ability to deactive native apps such as Messages and Safari so that a student can only be locked into the app specified by the teacher. I think that a lot of you are afraid to give students technology because it can be "distracting" or they can use it to cheat, but there are ways around all of that.
At the end of the day, technology is here to stay. Technology is constantly evolving, constantly pushing us forward, and constantly at the center of our lives. If we don't teach students how to utilize and how to learn with technology and technological devices, then we are short-changing the students.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Gangsta Rap...
For my Composition and Rhetoric class, we all have to analyze a piece of text for the class and discuss the text. Today there was a presentation on the lyrics of the stereotypical "Gangsta Rap."The presenter argued that this type of music degrades women, promotes and glorifies drug and alcohol use, and influences the listener to be a bad person.
I think this is relevant because the odds are that many of our future students will enjoy (how that is possible I don't even know) rap music. How do you guys think that this will effect the students in our classroom? How do you try to help students who maybe struggle with drug or alcohol abuse? Do you guys think that rap makes a person bad? Comment!
PS, here are a few examples of some rap songs that the presenter in my class used...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic7KH1PpbMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa5B22KAkEk
*BE WARNED, EXPLICIT LANGUAGE IN THE SONGS!!!!
I think this is relevant because the odds are that many of our future students will enjoy (how that is possible I don't even know) rap music. How do you guys think that this will effect the students in our classroom? How do you try to help students who maybe struggle with drug or alcohol abuse? Do you guys think that rap makes a person bad? Comment!
PS, here are a few examples of some rap songs that the presenter in my class used...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic7KH1PpbMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa5B22KAkEk
*BE WARNED, EXPLICIT LANGUAGE IN THE SONGS!!!!
Week 1 Readings
My favorite reading of the week was Semali's Transmediation: Why Study the Semiotics of Representation? This reading talked about the usage of signs and the importance of them, and I found this relevant because signs are always all around us. We see signs walking down the hall, signs while driving, and signs while browsing the web, just to name a few examples.
There was an interesting question posed by Semali on page 2 of the reading — "Since signs are all around us, then why does the school curriculum not value and encourage the development of abilities other than verbal, given that only a small proportion of communication is verbal?" (Semali 2). The part about verbal communication being a small proportion of communication is SO right! How many of us really pick up the phone and call someone? How many of us would rather text someone than see them in person? Not only that, but how much news to we get from Twitter, Facebook, or online versions of CNN, etc.? There's no need to call someone to tell them news, its accessible right on your cell phone!
I'm not saying that this is right or wrong, but regardless it is just the way things work. So if this is the direction communication is going to continuously head in (because it is only going to get worse), why aren't we placing more emphasis on nonverbal communication in schools?
As future educators, it is our job to work on this. Our students should be learning the relevant ways of the world. Student's are becoming more and more visual learners and they love to learn through nonverbal means. I know when I was in high school I loved when we worked on the computers instead of listening to our teacher talk for 42 minutes. The world is constantly changing and it is our job to prepare our students for whatever the direction the world takes them in.
There was an interesting question posed by Semali on page 2 of the reading — "Since signs are all around us, then why does the school curriculum not value and encourage the development of abilities other than verbal, given that only a small proportion of communication is verbal?" (Semali 2). The part about verbal communication being a small proportion of communication is SO right! How many of us really pick up the phone and call someone? How many of us would rather text someone than see them in person? Not only that, but how much news to we get from Twitter, Facebook, or online versions of CNN, etc.? There's no need to call someone to tell them news, its accessible right on your cell phone!
I'm not saying that this is right or wrong, but regardless it is just the way things work. So if this is the direction communication is going to continuously head in (because it is only going to get worse), why aren't we placing more emphasis on nonverbal communication in schools?
As future educators, it is our job to work on this. Our students should be learning the relevant ways of the world. Student's are becoming more and more visual learners and they love to learn through nonverbal means. I know when I was in high school I loved when we worked on the computers instead of listening to our teacher talk for 42 minutes. The world is constantly changing and it is our job to prepare our students for whatever the direction the world takes them in.
Intro to Me
Hello! My name is Ryan, and to call me unique is an understatement. I am currently a Junior at Slippery Rock University and I am majoring in Secondary Ed English. My main interests are theatre and technology. I try to get to New York City two or three times a year (seeing two shows on Broadway per visit) and I am the President of the SRU Musical Theatre Society. If something has an Apple logo on it, I'll buy it. Some may see me as an "iSheep," but I just can't help myself! I'm a social butterfly that loves to make people laugh. Hope you enjoy my blog!
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