New Literacies, Subject to Change

voice thread test

2009-08-10T19:37:00.001-07:00

Online Tutorials

2006-12-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

I've put up two tutorials that have been popular in workshops and classes--Using Audacity and Using Photo Story.

Updates and New Material - New Material and Projects in Educational Technology - NJCU :: Faculty :: Chris Shamburg

Copyright Wiki

2006-11-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

An experiment I started a few semesters ago with my Intro to Ed Tech course has really blossomed. I began to do more with Fair Use in education and asked students to create and edit cases on a Copyright in Education Wiki

Each student has to write a case in which they feel that a teacher stays within or violated fair use and then they have to comment on it. They also have to edit/revise two other cases and commentaries. My only growing reservation regards the focus of the whole project. I am beginning to believe that I should focus our time on what and how they can use media, i.e. focus on creative commons materials in teaching.

Blogged with Flock

NCTE in Nashville

2006-11-15T17:38:00.000-08:00

Here are my handouts for iBard--using audio and performance to work with soliloquies. I'll be presenting with several others in a demonstration called There's Magic in the Web.

Here's the beginning of my activity's description.

When many students turn the page of a Shakespeare play and come to a soliloquy, they hit the invisible wall of reading—a frustratingly full page of uninterrupted text in dense and unfamiliar language, usually during an already challenging reading process. Understanding the soliloquies can be a turnkey experience for students in the comprehension of plot, character, and Shakespeare’s language.

This activity uses audio technology to build on performance-based approaches to teach the soliloquies. Students begin by slowing down the language and exploring its meaning and nuance through selected dramatic and choral reading techniques. Many movies and some live performances enhance the dramatic effects of a soliloquy or speech with a voiceover or a disembodied voice. These spoken interpretations are further enhanced with music, sound effects, and audio techniques such as reverberation and echo. Film productions of Branaugh’s Hamlet and Polanski’s Macbeth offer examples of this technique...

Fanfiction

2006-11-14T13:11:00.000-08:00

The chapter in the book that I've become the most excited about is the one on fanfiction. I posted a overview of the idea to fanfictrants and got some great advice and overwhelming support from the fanfiction community, including teachers and students.

I also posted a draft of the beginning of the chapter to my livejournal account--LiveJournal is great for working in communities, especially the fanfic community.

Blogged with Flock

The Mary Sue Project

2006-11-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

I've been doing some work with the Internet, teaching writing and fanfiction. I came across this fantastic article on using a technique of fanfiction in the language arts class.

The Mary Sue Project: "The students quickly discover that fitting a new character into the story means dismantling the original prose to see how it works."

The introductory techniques and the thoughtfulness of the teacher, Lelac Almagor, make this a model of innovation.

PreK Education, Technology, and Habits of Class

2006-07-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

I found this article very interesting (as my wife and I begin payments for our kids' preschool for next year).

"The study reports that preschool programs will result in net gains of $2 to $4 for each dollar invested. The effect of positive pre-kindergarten education on students increases their chances of becoming economic and social contributors to society, the report states."

Pre-k education linked to economic benefits - Memphis Business Journal:

It reminded me of to other related readings. I just finished James Paul Gee's Situated Language and Learning: A Critique of Traditional Schooling

The section "Shape Shifting Portfolio People: The New Capitalism" discusses the habits of education and of living digitally that Gee predicts will divide the have's (have more's) and have not's.

This week I plan to begin Annette Lareau's Unequal Childhoods-- Inspired by a David Brooks Op-Ed and this description from Amazon

She also shows kids of all classes just goofing around. Parenting methods, Lareau argues, vary by class more than by race. In working class and poor households, she says, parents don't bother to reason with whiny offspring and children are expected to find their own recreation rather than relying upon their families to chauffeur them around to lessons and activities. According to Lareau, working class and poor children accept financial limits, seldom talk back, experience far less sibling rivalry and are noticeably free of a sense of entitlement. Middle class children, on the other hand, become adept at ensuring that their selfish needs are met by others and are conversant in social mores such as shaking hands, looking people in the eye and cooperating with others.

About Del.icio.us

2006-06-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

Several people have asked me why I'm so enthusiastic about del.icio.us. I've collected my thoughts and besides saying "you've got to try it" here are some big reasons..

Del.icio.us (http://del.icio.us) is a Web based bookmarking site that lets you organize and store your bookmarks in an online account. You can add "my del.icio.us" and "post to del.icio.us" icons on your toolbar (on multiple machines and in multiple browsers).

The obvious benefit is that you can add and access your bookmarks from anywhere. However, del.icio.us has two features that make it an extra special tool.

1) Tagging--you can tag items and then organize by those tags. For example, I have found numerous links related to media. Among the tags for each item one of them is 'media'. Now when I go to http://del.icio.us/cs272/media, every bookmark that has the tag "media" will appear.

I like the site Center for Digital Storytelling so I post the site http://www.storycenter.org/index1.html to del.icio.us by simple clicking my add to del.icio.us icon that I previously installed in my browser.
I tag it with these words: media, storytelling, images, video
I want to share my links on media--del.icio.us/cs272/media. Up comes the Center for Digital Storytelling and the rest of the links that I tagged "media".
I want to share my links on storytelling--del.icio.us/cs272/storytelling. Up comes a the Center for Digital Storytelling and the rest of the links that I tagged "storytelling".

This feature has been very useful for several projects involving Web research.

Another useful feature is that you can see who else has saved a bookmark. You can view all of the links in that person's account and look at his notes and tags.

This has been extremely useful for Web searching. It is a like a smart, human directed, search engine (or finding someone with the same interests and going through his desk...with his permission).

del.icio.us was purchased by Yahoo in early 2006 and is integrated into the Flock browser

del.icio.us/cs272

Technology and Early Childhood Education

2006-06-28T05:32:00.000-07:00

I've been doing some reading on early childhood education and cognition, especially Montessori, and I've been thinking about the connection with technology. Besides having two-year old twins, I've been working with early childhood teachers for the past 5 years in the SMART Teachers Program and the Improving Teacher Quality Program at NJCU.

I'm becoming a convert to the Montessori philosophy, although I need to see the Montessori Apparatus in action. My twins will be starting a Montessori school in September, so I'm anxiously waiting for the experience.

Based on my work with early childhood teachers over the last five years--studying, discussing, visiting your classes-- and the accompanying research on developmentally appropriate practice (including NAEYC position papers and research), I've developed some guidelines for the use of technology in early childhood education. I'd like any feedback or comments that you would have:

When using technology, students should have a sense of accomplishment in a larger task
Technology should be an integral part of a larger task, one that involves collaboration, observations of the physical world, performance, or other kinesthetic or social activities.
If the activity that uses technology can be done better or just as well without technology, do it that way.
Students sitting in front of a computer working in isolation should be avoided
The teacher can use the technology in a 'sliding scale'’: doing it herself, assisting the students, doing part of it (e.g. creating a template for their use), or doing it as part of a whole class activity.
Avoid drudgery, the commoditization of labor, and piecemeal work
Avoid technology that can have too many glitches that would distract students. Though older students need to know that "'’stuff'’ happens"” when using technology, this isn'’t a valuable lesson for young children.

I'm giving a series of workshops in August for technology in early childhood education, and am developing work based on these ideas.

FYI I'm also going to incorporate the postings from my blog on technology and early childhood education into this blog. The ideas are related and I've been cross posting lately. Also, I've learned a lot from my work with technology and young children, and I think the ideas and information would be useful to a general education audience.

Book is in press.

2006-06-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

Our book Teachers as Technology Leaders: A Guide to ISTE Technology Facilitation and Technology Leadership Accreditation is officially "in press." Here is the tentative catalog description.

book catalog description

Digital Video Resource Page

2006-06-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

I just added a Digital Video Resource Page to my Web site. It's intended to get a beginner started regardless of operating system or platform. Please send me any suggestions, questions, or feedback.

Testing Flock

2006-06-17T18:27:00.000-07:00

I just installed the Flock browser. It claims to work well with social software such as blogger, del.icio.us, and flickr. I am posting this directly from the browswer. I'll keep you posted on its progress.

Audio Resources

2006-06-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a developing list of audio resources. I have several sources of mp3s with Creative Commons licenses that can be used for digital media projects without permission of the copyright holder.

I'm using my Del.icio.us account. It seems like it would be an efficient way to keep developing the list.

Podcasting Resource: Magnatune

2006-05-31T10:49:00.000-07:00

An excellent resource for music for podcasting is Magnatune . They are podfriendly and all of the music has a creative commons license of some type--and all are available for non commercial podcasts.
We specifically grant podcasts a waiver to use our music without paying any fee to a royalty collection agency, such as ASCAP or BMI. Because we work directly with artists, we can legally do this.

from http://www.magnatune.com/info/podcast

For more information on Magnatune, read their page Why We Are Not Evil.

Podcasting Primer

2006-05-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

There are many resources on the Internet for podcasting, but here is a succinct and useful start. The goal is to create audio files, put them on the Web, and allow subscribers to be notified of updates.

A good working definition of podcasting is:

the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. Podcasts are distributed using either the RSS or Atom syndication formats.

from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting Retrieved May 26th, 2006)

Here are some resources that can help you get started:

Audacity--the free software that can help you create podcasts.My Audacity Tutorial on My Updates and New Material (Audio Editing Using AUDACITY Software)--an anchored project that will get you started with Audacity.

When using other people's work, copyright is a major consideration. If you are using other people's work, you should familiarize yourself with Podcasting Legal Guide by Creative Commons. It's comprehensive with a brief and useful section on Finding Podsafe Content.

If you are looking for a host who will supply the space and generate the rss feed, Garageband is very good. Right now I'm looking into the restrictions and ability to use songs on Garageband for podcasting.

The songs on Garageband are on a sliding scale of copyright restrictions--from full copyright to use only in Garageband podcasts to creative commons. This FAQ has the details.

If you are looking for a source for original music, you might also want to try the CTC Music Mixer, an online multitrack music editor with a library of music tracks.

The complex part is the creativity work you do for your show. Here is an interesting podcast from NPR's Soundcheck that reviews the landscape of podcasting--It's a Pod World After All.

Blog Changes Audience

2006-05-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

Now that the workshop is over, I’m going to use this blog to communicate with my current and former students (and anyone else who reads it). As I’ve said in my classes and at workshops, I’m not a good blogger. It’s been years since I had an original idea, and I’m pressed for time with my twin toddlers.

Nevertheless, I think this can be a beneficial tool. Besides students some of the workshop attendees were interested in keeping up with educational technology and new applications on the Web, and this blog would be a good way to do that.

This week was the official start of Summer I courses, and I am teaching Graphic and Graphic Design in Education (online), Introduction to Educational Technology (online), and Special Topics: Digital Portfolios (f2f in Hopatcong). Hopefully, my students will be viewing, commenting, and blogging themselves.

Wrap up on Workshop

2006-05-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

The workshop went very well. I'm going to continue this blog, but not specifically focus on workshops.

I've posted some links related to questions from the workshop.

Some people were interested in doing more with images but were not ready to take the plunge into purchasing an image editing software. pxn8 is an online image editing software that can do a good job tweaking your pictures.

The work on audio editing and podcasting went very well. The Web site Garage Band has a podcasting feature that might be of interest to you.

Day of workshop

2006-05-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

Today is the day of the workshop

Soundcheck on Podcasting

2006-05-17T20:36:00.000-07:00

NPR's Soundcheck (5/16/06) did a feature on the varied landscape of podcasting.

Nearly a year after Apple began offering podcasts on iTunes, podcasting has become a surprisingly diverse audio genre - the Wild West of the media landscape. Thousands of companies and individuals offer podcasts on every conceivable subject. Today, we look at some of the best and worst of the medium, from those offering university lectures and stocktips to indie rock and more. We'll get a state of the podcast business and hear from a skeptic who believes it may just be a fad.

Also, I was talking to a workshop participant today at graduation who wanted some specific info on wikis. I will mention these sites in the workshop, but you can get started at Seedwiki or Wikispaces.

Introductory Quotes

2006-05-16T03:53:00.000-07:00

As I organize the material for the workshop (and check, and double check that the laptops are ready for the hands-on breakout sessions) I realize the importance of the introduction--setting the tone for the day. There are two quotes that are crucial to the larger theme of the workshop. We'll talk about them on Friday, but here they are.

If you teach him to read "It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master..." These words sank deep into my heart, stirred up sentiments within that lay slumbering, and called into existence an entirely new train of thought...From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom.

--Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Chapter 6
from http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Literature/Douglass/Autobiography/06.html

In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.

-- Eric Hoffer, Reflections on the Human Condition

Images of Workshop Location

2006-05-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

Below are images of the workshop location. It was made on Slide.com

Senate Report

2006-05-01T05:25:00.000-07:00

Puzzle1
Originally uploaded by wilhei55.

Shiela K. mentioned that she might refer to this blog during the report from the Senate Instructional Technology Committee. Sorry I can't be there, but I have a class in South Plainfield.

This blog is to introduce and to continue the work that I will present at a one-day workshop on May 19th, New Literacies: Subject to Change.

I wanted to try something that went beyond the usual talk, PowerPoint, handouts of my PowerPoint.

Steve H. sent an email out the the NJCU list regarding the workshop; please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Contact me directly or post on this blog.

I've tried to post a sample of the work that we will be covering as I develop the material. There are some resources for the ideas that Sheila is talking about.

More Podcasting Applications

2006-04-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

Two very interesting applications of Podcasting that I came across recently that have applications in education. This is in addition to the 4/6 posting for audio in education.

The educational allure of having students create a podcast is that they are up to their neck in an authentic, engaging, and language intensive (writing, revising, rehearsing, speaking) experience. Podcasts are inexpensive also... they can be done with free software (Audacity) and a $5 microphone from almost any computer.

We're going to get our feet wet with creating podcasts at the workshop. For now, here are two examples of Podcasting, one for unique travel guides and the other for workout instruction.

Let a Podcast Be Your Idiosyncratic Guide

By HILARY HOWARD

Published: April 30, 200, New York Times

Podcasts are typically attached to Web sites or blogs that provide information ranging from "show notes" (subject matter from each post), to a comments section, to photographs and news updates.

Independent podcasts like Living in Las Vegas are the most numerous of the genre. Like independent blogs, they tend to be more personal and colorful than their big-media counterparts. Lonely Planet's Turkey podcast, for example, gives vivid sound tours of calls to prayer and of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and has helpful information. But the narration and interviews have a polished, professional feel.

E! Online, Ask the Answer B!tch

by Leslie Gornstein January 21, 2006 E! Online

Subscribers can log on to iTrain.com and download fresh workouts, barked by real live celebrity trainers, once a month. The workouts, which have Mac-user-friendly names like iTread or iClimb, combine cardio, stretching (all that good stuff) and focus on different exercises depending on a customer's favorite way to sweat. The workouts cost as little as 99 cents each, or you can sign up for a subscription.

NJCU Email Announcement

2006-04-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

I see the email just went out to the NJCU faculty for this workshop. If you are coming to this site via that message, welcome. I've been working on the material for this workshop for the last four months and working with these issues for the last fifteen years. This site will give you an overview of the content of the workshop. I do want to mention here that the workshop will be interactive and have a some hands-on activities.

Post any questions here. Hope to see you on the 19th.

Chris

Blogs and the News

2006-04-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

For the last few months I've been tracking stories and example that integrate blogging and conventional news media (TV and Print). It's part of an effort to examine the role blogs and blogging can play in student research and writing. There is a lot to say and debate about this topic, but the following two stories are indicative of the integration of blogging into news reporting.

The first is a piece by the New York Times Public Editor (4/9/06) on the Times' Blogging projects.

The Times's New Blogs: More Information, Fewer Filters

BLOGGING has made its way to The New York Times. Across the paper's Web site, blogs run by assigned staffers are posting opinions and information they consider insightful on topics such as dining, wine, real estate and the financial world. And The Times has "a bunch on the drawing boards," Jonathan Landman, the deputy managing editor, told me Tuesday.

The other story is how mainstream news services are partnering with bloggers.

Newspapers Sign on to Syndicated Blog Service

by Eric Auchard Sun Apr 9, 5:23 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A syndication service that delivers commentary from 600 bloggers for use by newspaper publishers is set to launch on Tuesday, further blurring the lines that divide blogs and mainstream media. Newspapers are looking to BlogBurst to provide expert blog commentary on travel, women's issues, technology, food, entertainment and local stories, areas where publishers may not have dedicated staff, Pluck Chief Executive Dave Panos said...
In return, a select group of popular bloggers are offered wider distribution for their writings, he said. The online syndicate drives traffic to blog sites, allowing featured bloggers to make money from resulting online advertising fees.