Audra


 * __﻿ Audra's Page __**

Activity #1: While reading Mitchell Stephens’ webpage (the rise of the image the fall of the word), I found many connections and truth from what he had to say about the 21st Century Digital World we live in today. He stated that “Reading is now missing from countless scenes it once dominated: at kitchen tables, on buses and trains, in beds at night, on couches, even in some classrooms,” which I found to be a powerful statement. He continued with, “When "the TV is always on in the next room," eventually large numbers of us stop yelling, put down what we were reading and go into that room. The result -- the opposite and (more or less) equal reaction to the arrival of the moving image -- has been a significant lessening in the importance of the printed word.” This is true. I see it in the world around me and at school where I teach. People are not reading printed word any more. If an individual chooses to read today, it’s more than likely something that is in digital format. This is huge for us as teachers to be aware of and understand, because it effects how our students thinking, learn, and listen. As far as reading and writing goes, we need to take this technology and use it to our advantage. It will be presented in a different format from when I learned to read and write, however it will work for today’s generation of students.

Jen says: It's really is going to be interesting since people want information fast. Technology is the master of fast. I don't know anyone who gets a newspaper and reads it. Everyone I know looks up stories online and just reads what they want. I think kids today and in the future will have a hard time reading long books without pictures, it will just be to slow. Carrie: Very true! It's a challenge to teach to children who are used to so much technology when it is totally out of ones comfort zone. To be a life long learner, you have to get out of that comfort zone and learn what may be really scary when it will benefit your students. Activity #2:

After taking a look at the “Reading Across a Dozen Literacies” webpage, I never really realized all of the different literacy that were included.

Artistic & Visual Literacy: I agree that anyone can look at or comment on a piece of art, or listen to a symphony, however interpreting and understanding it is a different idea. I thought it was interesting using my own skills to interpret the //Seven Deadly Sins, Pride// photograph by Rosie Hardy. The questions that were listed, helped me to think about the pictures on a deeper level. Amy: I also thought the picture was striking and even a bit disturbing. I found myself drawn to keep looking at it and found myself wondering about the message that was trying to be conveyed. It made me add "thought-provoking" to my list of image criteria. Jen says: I don't agree with half of what this guy says. He is over the top and does not seem to have the knowledge to back up half of what he says. As for the image "YUCK" he went for shock value (as our society seems to do constantly) If you look at the photographers other images they are just as dorky. Images can be powerful, but are not always accurate to what the author / artist is trying to say. Just take an art history class, and you will find out that the artists were often misunderstood through their art. That is the problem with reading images that are too complex. Carrie: I agree with Amy. This image was very disturbing to me.

I can see that there is a definite overlap between many of the literacy’s, especially artistic and visual. Visual literacy includes images that are not necessarily artistic in nature. Visual literacy requires understanding and identifying the important content. I had to laugh a little when I read about changing the old saying of a picture is worth a thousand words to a million or billion words. It’s so true, imagery can be overpowering, however no image can be just as powerful. Activity #4: At school, I often do a lot of problem solving with my special education kids regarding social problems that they are having with their peers. Many of my students lack the social skills when it comes to relating to peers and reading their cues. When I come across one of these situations, I would use an image such as this one to help the student relate to their problem. 1. I would start off by asking the student to describe the photo. What’s happening here?

2. Then I would ask, how do you know what's going on in the picure? What clues lead you to that? (Prompting for facial expressions and feelings)

3. After talking about the photo, I would ask my student how they would feel I they were the lonely student? Emmy: After our **Why Gender Matters** discussion several weeks ago, I was thinking that you might ask boys what they would **do**.

4. What could the girls do differently to make sure that everyone is involved? 

<span style="background-color: #ffff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Activity #5: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Rivers Know This This digital story rated 4 points for "Pacing of Narrative." She did a great job of using rhythm and voice punctuation to help the audience step into her shoes and allow us to feel the emotion that she was trying to convey.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">It's My Story Every Day This digital story rated 4 points for "Clarity of Voice." The reader did a good job of using a consistent voice quality that was clear and audible throughout her digital story. I was able to understand every word and that is important when you're trying to get your message across.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Almost Paradise This digital story rated 4 points for "Quality of Images." The author did a nice job of choosing images that created a certain atmosphere or tone that matched the different parts of her story well. Some of the images created symbolism to her cultural background.

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Jen says: Good stories, I especially agree with your last rating she really did a good job with imagery