Digital Storytelling and Reel Works

My favorite Reel Works Video is Clay Life

http://reelworks.org/videos/clay-life/

1.What do you like about the digital story?  I like that the digital story was a way for this teenager to express himself, showcase his talents and share with us what he values within himself.  You can tell he is insecure and as his girlfriend quotes he is shy, so this video was a way of bringing his true self to life where many wouldn't have known before.  I like that it is raw, but there are so many creative elements of his animations added into the mix to make it artsy and interesting.  I think he did a nice job!
2.What did you learn from the digital story?  I learned that this student is a city boy who is very much introverted, he found ways of occupying himself in a positive way and found his passion in the process which makes his video relatable and exciting.
3.What surprised you about the digital story?  I was unsure of the direction the video would take based on the title.  Once well into it I realized where the "clay life" title comes into play.  Clay is his motivation that fuels his life and future dreams.  I was also surprised he showed himself in the video at the end, which makes it that much more of an accomplishment for him as a highly introverted personality.
4.How did the digital story provide an example of how digital storytelling can build self esteem, help young people voice an opposition to social problems, or create an alternative to stereotypes of adolescents typically portrayed in mainstream media?  This is a long question with many answers, but most appropriate for this video clip, I feel that this digital story is a great example of ways more shy students with low confidence can build theirs through their own vision and digital direction, they can bring their ideas to life and create more personal stories in the privacy of their homes to share with others and grow through support and camaraderie.  Students can also more easily express their feelings and make others aware of issues that may never have dawned on us as a problem.  Learning and growing together through experience and support is the essence of life.  Finding lasting friendships and careers to enjoy.  These short clips are powerful and I think it is fabulous their young voices are being heard and supported.  Amazing stuff!

5. Do (or how do) these digital stories provide evidence of that these young people are engaged in analysis of their own culture?  In the 5 clips I watched, the issues were vast.  The issues present in the ones I witnessed were 1.  childhood divorce and the student feeling abandoned by a mother, 2.  A inner-city boy jilted by a girl who considered him below her class of eligible, 3. A young asian girl who expressed her admiration and respect for her hard-working and friendly father who runs his own store, 4. a shy city boy finding his passion and dealing with the struggles of leaving familiar behind for a career in something he loves, and 5.  a young asian girls' attempt at discovering happiness and why her mother bases hers on having money and spending it.  All of these clips showed struggles and ways these kids tried to seek answers in sharing or solving their own questions.  These methods of discovery teach kids to be researchers and reporters, which also shows them they have the tools to getting their dreams accomplished.  I enjoyed watching all of them and think this is a great idea for students of all ages in getting their thoughts and conflicts out in the open.  

6. Do (or how do) these digital stories support a healthy respect for multiculturalism and diversity?  These stories are shared in a community where they are supported by others sharing similar messages of struggle.  These testimonials bring forward issues many of us are unaware even exist.  It is crucial for human beings to continue to strive to make our world better, more knowledgable and accepting and these clips are great ways in achieving that.  Awareness is the keyword here, and what else comes to mind is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.  This is something that came up out of nowhere and now people are becoming knowledgeable and embracing ways they can make a difference.  These are multimedia stories and experience people are sharing world-wide and I hope we can continue doing good through exposure and powerful messages.  Each one of us is unique and important, we need to refocus our attention and instead of taking selfies and being as self-centered, we can turn the camera to good use and spread awareness of others and suffering that can be easily remedied through a powerful message.  That is where I hope we are headed.  Fingers crossed!

Reading/Discussion #1

Evidence Chart from reading

1. To what extent do you agree with Neil Postman?   I do agree that much of what we see online is "bs!" - I also feel that we need to constantly assess the validity/accuracy of the presented information as well.  It was easier to find truths in textbooks where sources had to be well documented before printing.  It is a different age now, and we develop with our surroundings and adapt as the change comes.  We hope!  It is a never-ending learning curve and I'm riding the waves.  
2. Neil Postman delivered this speech in 1969. How do you think he might feel about  "the art of crap-detection" now given recent advancements in digital technologies?  I think he may feel the same way now, but his concentration would be a wider scope to include the web.  I agree that teachers do help students find the essence from the garb of a confusing paragraph or story.  At least we try!  We may not always succeed.  We teach our students to get to the point when needed and to not beat around the bush.  
3. Then watch the video 

• What did the video make you think about or feel? It reminded me of my respect for models and their sacrifices, but also have an appreciation that they, like Cameron Russell are aware of their fortunate connections and are conscious of other struggles in the world and in the areas in which they live.  It made me surprised at how well she articulated her thoughts in an intelligent manner, b/c a model stereotype is ditziness and perhaps lack of proper education b/c of life choices and circumstance.   I think she did a marvelous job of explaining awareness to image and the power of image.  It was a different spin on a TED Talk and I liked it!  Thanks for sharing.
• How does it support Neil Postman's concerns about "crap-detection".  It illustrates hidden meaning behind what is forced in the media.  How she was just an inexperienced girl forced to portray a sexy perhaps highly experienced girl in an ad shoot for some product.  I enjoyed her photo comparisons of "shoot" images vs. the images from her own life that day or close in time as a juxtaposition of our ideas and understanding of her.  Our idea of perceived beauty and the realities of the fantasy.  It is all very intriguing and begs us to adjust how we are manipulated by media influences without realizing it.  
•  Then, tell us how this video effects your understanding of why it is important to teach CRITICAL media literacy and not just MEDIA literacy in-and-out of school. Support your response with three quotes from the reading.  It is important to teach critical media literacy so that students are aware of when they are being tricked by advertisements or media and how to not fall into the trap!  This trap includes product sales, class inequalities and discrimination to name a few.  We need to arm our students with the knowledge to navigate media in a safe way and teach them ways they can avoid being negatively influenced by content.

"There is expanding recognition that media representations help construct our images and understanding of the world and that education must meet the dual challenges of teaching media literacy in a multicultural society and sensitising students and the public to the inequities and injustices of a society based on gender, race, and class inequalities and discrimination" (Kellner & Share 2005, p. 370). 

"..media education and the production of alternative media can help create a healthy multiculturalism of diversity and more robust democracy" (Kellner & Share 2005, p. 370).

"Media literacy helps people to use media intelligently, to discriminate and evaluate media content, to critically dissect media forms, to investigate media effects and uses, and to construct alternative media (Kellner & Share 2005, p. 372). 

References

Kellner, D., & Share, J. (Sept 2005). Toward Critical Media Literacy: Core concepts, debates, organizations, and policy. Discourse: studies in the cultural politics of education. Retrieved August 23, 2014, from http://pages.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/essays/2005_Kellner-Share_TowardsCriticalMediaLiteracy.pdf

EDUC 6810 Intro (Fall 14)

I grew up in Romney, WV. I currently live in Fairmont and teach Art full time at South Middle School in Morgantown. I am motivated to learn interesting ways to connect technology in my classroom and also work cross curricularly in my lessons more effectively. I have declared digital Media, New Literacies and Learning as my degree program because I feel it is the area that will benefit me most in the future. 

The rest I will share in my video below, enjoy!


Laura Funk is..

• Why is teaching media literacy important?  So that we understand and can teach ways of conveying thoughts and ideas to others through digital sources and programs.  Also, that we learn to operate in a safe and legal manner at all times in our web profiles and projects.  

• What do you want to learn about teaching media literacy?  Tools used to convey deeper meaning, thoughts, ideas and stories in simple and visually pleasing ways. 

• What concerns do you have about teaching media literacy?  Making sure I monitor what they are doing on the computers carefully so that the content is appropriate at all times.  

• When are assignments due in this course?  Sundays at midnight for the most part.  You may include other due dates as you see fit.  
• What are the rules for late assignments?  Contact you within 24 hours of due date and receive partial credit for that assignment, otherwise no credit will be given.

• What is the best way to contact me?  Through gmail msg or chat window.

• Should you work ahead?  Not without checking with you first.