Candace+Covington

Candace's page

Write a reflection on the following quotation: "If you don't have a good story to tell, you might as well save yourself the expensive digital bells and whistles and go back to your writing table" (Storytellers of the New Millenium). Click on your page and label it with today's date.
 * Saturday afternoon:**

April 28, 2012 Given our 21st century time of technology, It takes more than a few words to hold the interest of an audience. Video games, social networking, interactive everything has taken hold of this generation and words alone are not enough. I think a story must have visual images in order to maintain the engagement of one's audience and a purpose. Just with what I have learned in this class has enlightened me to see more clearly the need to be more technology savvey and current in my profession in order to be effective at anything. I agree with the writer partially that" If you don't have a good story to tell, you might as well save yourself the expenseive digital bells ad go back to the writng table." Instead,I think one has to know how to present the story. There are a lot of programs, cartoons and tv shows that are not very good in my opinion, but the way in which they are presented pulls in a wide range of viewers and that keeps them on the air. A writer must know its audience. In other words he must know the era of what is relevant or not in order to successfully appeal to an audience. Just forgetting about your story---no. Rethinking the story and sharing it differently is the key. If one does not have a story to tell that is worth sharing-then they are not alive in today's world.

Activity 1 As I read the article, I thought about how the reading and writing curriculum has changed in our world throughout history. The value that has been placed on the beauty of reading a good book and how it can take you to many places as well as unite people. It has been known to bring us together but it is also the easiest way to structure and control information. I was enlightened to even consider the truth about wriiting being a difficult task initially that if utilized to the fullest can free even the most silent person. I saw how a skew of any form of information can cause delays in development or the maximizing of personal potential. The article was a clear picture what is going on today with how writing has been integrated more in everyday life. I can see how the progression of growth from wriitng to test to writing to connect is useful in our generation of technology. I see the accessibility of students today being able to demonstrate actively and participate in the use of these skills through the now current social media. Stimulating and keeping alive the part of the individual that can determine the difference between information and that which is relevent. It is a clear implication of today's market of going green and being a part of the e generation. I want to learn how to utilize it more frequently in everyday life and in the classroom. I want to be able to connect with my students and allow them to blossom by becoming active participants in the digital age.

I can clearly get a feel for the saying a picture is worth a thousand words. it expresses so clearly how it can expand a simple thought.

Activity 2


 * 1) Click Reading Across a Dozen Literacies, read the introduction and focus particularly on the sections devoted to artistic and visual literacy. Be sure to follow the links exploring the nature and power of these two literacies today.
 * 2) Then click on your and reflect on insights you have gained.
 * 3) Make a list of criteria you would use in selecting an image to include in a digital story

I understand that an image can inspire multiple thoughts that could cause one to act. A finely chosen image paints a story with its image, color and expressions. It can imprint in the mind a lasting knowledge that words alone could never do. The one who controls the visual images can somewhat control the world around it. It can make reality nonexistent and fiction true. " If they don't see it, perhaps it did not happen". The criteria I would use to select a picture is :
 * The image must be captivating to the eye.
 * I would choose coloring that helps to convey my message
 * Unusual
 * Invokes a question or thought
 * Presents a message
 * it would be something that stirs an emotion
 * It would inform

My criteria would be as follows: 1. Thought provoking 2.Some of the images would not be a run of the mill image 3. Evoke emotion 4. Capture the viewers attention 5. Shocking at times 6. Colorful at times 7. Black and white at times 8. Abstract 9. Perception-bias-prejudice 10. lighting 11. Background and foreground (Depth perception)

ACTIVITY 4 Introduction: Geometry is everywhere. Shapes and patterns surround us. Everywhere we go we can discover the impact of shapes and patterns. You have been selected to save the planet from disintergration by finding the hidden message within the shapes. Your mission is to identify 4 shapes that are present in the picture. What do you see? Name the shapes With a partner pick a shape,see if you can find a picture that shows your shape. Tell as much as you can about its size, shape, what else can look like it.


 * Finding Your Way Around A Shape : **


 * Purpose of the Lesson:** This lesson will introduce students to the basic understanding that Geometry is the study of shapes and figures. It is all around us.
 * Description:** The student will be able to identify the rectangles, triangles and circles by name and its properties. Students will create a shape mobile.
 * Activities:**
 * Preparation:** Look at the picture. What so you see?
 * We will begin by having students identify some basic shapes they see in the picture and the world around them such as a stop sign or a house or even the shape of houses and books.
 * Procedure:** We will play a game where in the room are the shapes and figures?
 * Tools and Resources:** pictures, string, hanger, pencil, paper
 * Assessment:** Have students make a shape mobile.
 * Create an ad for a shape:
 * Describe what it is used for,
 * How can it help us in everyday life?
 * Find or make a picture using that shape more than once.

Kim Meier: I really like your idea of exploring shapes in our environment. The picture of the cathedral ceiling is vibrant with a variety of shapes for the students to look at. I particularly like your lesson plan in which you create an ad for a shape; very fun and an interesting way for kids to use their imagination. Question: I was wondering if your game is going to be brainstorming and answer or something that you develop along with a set of rules? Polish: Maybe you could create a fun interactive game on a Smartboard exploring shapes (if you have one) Very Nice!

Annette: (P) This is a very exciting activity and everyone can participate in it. (Q) Do you think that students will be able to work in small groups and create mobiles as a group. (P) I think it will be wonderful to have student add color instead of just using a plain pencil.