An Introduction to Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a concept that has come up quite frequently in previous SUNY masters classes. My understanding of PBL is that it is a hands-on way of learning that is directed by the students in order to ensure a broader understanding of concepts through a project. After watching the video, this idea was reinforced. PBL is an effective way to teach were students are given real tasks to solve in order to show what their understanding is.

In the Early Childhood Center we guide our students through several projects. Due to their age limitations the central idea must always be very concise in what aspect or area we want our students to focus, yet it is their own imagination, knowledge and drive which lets them create their own project whether it is individual or as a group.

ASF in general follows PBL throughout all grades. Whether it is in the fourth grade “operas”, where students direct their own opera whilst applying and reinforcing concepts learned in the classroom, or an Upper School Science Fair where student’s ideas are put into action to show, prove or demonstrate their understanding.

In my perspective PBL has many positive aspects due to its nature where students are putting all of their potential into a project. PBL may offer certain limitations such as but not necessarily limited to lack of attention of both students and/or teachers, information overload, disruption when students are working in teams as well as each student’s role in the team. However, though, I truly favor a PBL approach to that of traditional “tell me” teaching approach.

Internet Access in Different Countries Infograph

Magazine Cover

Who is the publisher?

Who is the intended audience; what do you (author) hope the audience will do?

What is appealing in the cover?

How are headlines, colors, and font styles and sizes used?

What are two adjectives that could describe how you look on the cover?

What are you trying to communicate?      

Representation, Bias, and Stereotype

Representation

For representation I chose a photograph of a political campaign.  The photo tells the audience how the Green Party is proposing free medicine for everyone.  How will they achieve this? Then the ad tells you to turn the page and a picture of the presidential candidate is shown.   Representation plays a huge roll in the sense that what we see is a picture of a sad, worried woman because she can not afford the medicine in contrast to the pharmacist that shows no remorse in denying the woman of her medicins.  This shows only one aspect of how things are. It is depicting a situation that has no context and therefore pushes the reader to believe what they want the audience to believe.

Stereotype

I chose this TV show ad to show stereotype.  The ad shows how a mexican man falls in love with a woman and married a country.  It shows stereotype intentionally.  There are maracas, a donkey piñata, and a sombrero.  This is already a preconceived idea of what a mexican would look like, or what you would expect from Mexico.  It is obviously a comic show, therefore the audience takes the stereotype and accepts that it is intended for a good laugh and not to offend the audience.

Bias

This picture shows bias in the sense that it is portraying both spas and washing dishes as a woman's job/activity.  It is a printed ad found in a woman's magazine therefore the ad is aimed at women.  It is directed towards women but secluding the male sector of the population who wash dishes and who enjoy spas.  I wonder what effect it would have on the consumer/reader if it was a man instead.  :)

Critically Analyzing Media

Media is filled up with symbols and for that matter these symbols have direct/indirect, explicit/implicit meanings.  One is often "fed"messages we are not aware of, this is why it is imperative not only for us as individuals, but as educators, to identify these messages and to critically analyze media.   Specially in this era, where there is an overload of information, one must have this skills to weed out what is important and to know what it is what the producer/creators are trying to make you think.

As a group we created a lesson plan for our kindergarten students.  We believe it is important from this early age to have children thinking about the ads and symbols that are around them so that they can later critically analyze this information to their benefit.

LESSON PLAN: CRITICAL THINKERS

Objectives:
Students will learn what ads are.
Students will recognize content of commercial ads.

Students will be encouraged to be critical thinkers when viewing ads.
Preparation:
Before going out on the next field trip, (TURIBUS),  teachers will show several pictures of ads to students.

Teachers will initiate inquiry through questions such as:
Do you see pictures? Which?
Do you see animals? Which? Do they look real? Are  they cartoons?
Do you see colors? Which?
Do you see letters? Big? Small?
How does this ad make you feel?
What do you think they are advertising?

Activity:
The day of the field trip, around the city, children will take pictures of ads they like.
Will discuss and reflect back in the classroom.

Culmination:
Class will be divided in three groups. Each group will create a collage with pictures they took during their field trip.
Each group will share with other two groups.

Judging a book by its cover

I have always heard the saying: Don't choose a book by its cover, however I always end up doing it, at least to some degree.  This is why I believe in the importance on having a strong book cover design.  The cover should complement the book itself.  It should speak to the reader, and give an idea of what he will find inside.  It should be creative, attractive, witty.  Chip Kidd mentions in his Ted talk : http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/chip_kidd_designing_books_is_no_laughing_matter_ok_it_is.html

many examples and how he came up and the reasons behind coming up with his book covers.  I found the talk both funny and inspiring.  

Keeping Chip Kidd's principles of book cover design in mind,  I took a look at the following book covers from this website: http://bookcoverarchive.com/

These are the three book covers I chose to analyze: 

                                

The first one attracted me because of the graphic design element.   It resembles motion and there is certain depth to it.

The second one attracted my attention with its use of colors.  Bright, lively colors do remind me of India and for me it is an inviting cover.

The third one looks interesting because of the clock and more specifically because the time it is portraying.  The time is tenen to three, and the title is Wide Awake so it really makes me go back to those times where insomnia does happen.  What is it that you do at ten to three, when you can't manage to fall to sleep?  

In the end, my conclusion is that cover pages are an essential element to a book.  Even though one must not judge a book by its cover, it is undoubtedly the first element one sees.  If you do not know anything about the book, such as the author or heard nothing about the title, then the cover will attract or detract you from looking into the book further.  I love art, and the book cover has the potential of being the book's representation in a few images, fonts, colors and design. 

New and Traditional Media

In a blog post, describe how new technologies have led to the convergence of traditional and new media. Describe the differences between traditional and new media. Describe how new media has  enhanced participatory democracy. How is new media impacting the social and academic lives of teachers, and what the challenges and opportunities are for improving universal access to digital media. Evaluate the impact and opportunities provided by open educational resources in teaching and learning processes.

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-56271172/stock-photo-global-media-technology-world-sphere-clip-art.html

UNESCO's Curriculum for Teachers Media and Information Literacy excerpt: “New and Traditional Media,” Media and Information Literacy. (2011) pp. 120 – 127, talks about new and traditional media and how they meet and what role they play in the participation of individuals in todays society.   New technologies have made it possible to have a greater participatory culture as they have opened new channels of participation and access to this technology.  Traditional technologies such as newspapers, radio and television are meeting up with new technologies, or converging, at the point where now we have online news with interactive media, you can also browse the web for podcasts, and now television can be personalized to ones likes and needs.  Content has become digital.  There is digitalization of voice, image, sound and data which allows for new opportunities for interaction.  As I mentioned above this also allows for increased accessibility.

With this convergence, and increased participatory culture, society is becoming more involved in what happens around them, freedom of speech and an increase of information and discussion forums promote an enhanced participatory democracy.

New media impacts the social and professional lives of teachers everyday and in various ways.  The traditional ways we used to teach are being enhanced with new media.  Professionally, we are using our time for professional development with courses and classes that take place online.  There are many new applications and programs that aid in the development of better tailored lesson plans.  As new technologies arise, teachers must keep up and explore the tools available to them whether it is to implement a media related activity in the classroom or looking up informational videos on YouTube.  Socially, teachers lives are affected in the sense that new media allows for digital social interaction.  Sometimes the day will seem too short to run all our errands, however with the possibility going online and finding out about loved ones lives on Facebook, or Flickr seems like the option on a busy day.  Personally Pinterest has caught my attention both socially and professionally as many great ideas can come from it.

I remember when internet access was a luxury, it was like having an expensive toy that did not seem necessary in our daily lives.  I would never say something like that today.  Having digital access is a must.  It is the difference between being knowing what is going on and staying behind technically, socially, politically, and in any possible way.  There are many challenges when it comes to universal access to digital media, most importantly there is not enough budget or infrastructure allocated to this issue.  I truly believe that by opening this access to everyone, education will take a different approach and it will reach virtually everyone.  This empowerment people would be facing concerning their own education and learning process could be revolutionary.  Open educational resources could be defining tools when it comes to education.  They would be the access to knowledge anywhere, everywhere, whether its apps, games, books, courses, articles, interactive or non-interactive... you name it!