Energy Conservation Project Conclusion

Everything we do has an impact on the world around us. Whether it’s drinking coffee, driving to work, buying groceries, or reading our favorite books, we are consuming energy and resources. For my research project I examined my book buying habits and the resources go into creating a book. I discovered that in 2006, there were 3 billion books sold in the US and that each of these books uses trees, water, and energy to produce. I also learned that only between 5%-10% of the paper currently being used by the book publishing industry is recycled paper. I am now more aware of what it takes to produce a book and how small changes, like using recycled paper, can make a significant difference. I have also discovered other options to purchasing books, like downloading ebooks or checking them out from the library.

The technical aspect of this project was more of a challenge; I had to re-familiarize myself with Excel, learn how to upload a PowerPoint presentation to the Web, and figure out how to record myself giving my presentation and then post it to Google Video. I learned that I am a novice when it comes to technology, but with a little persistence I can acquire skills that will be useful when I want to integrate technology into my classroom.

Although I gave my presentation to an audience of one I still felt nervous. I find that when I am in a classroom I become more comfortable presenting information to my third and fourth hour classes after having “practiced” with my first two classes.
Here is how I would evaluate myself presenting my energy PowerPoint:

Strengths:
I spoke clearly
I appear to be reasonably calm
I did not read every slide

Weaknesses:
I don’t appear to be very enthusiastic
I say um a lot
I did not have a smooth ending
I used my hands in a nervous way

This project has opened my eyes to the small ways we impact our environment and the small changes we can make to reduce that impact. I have come to appreciate my library more and have become more curious about the use of ebooks as an alternative to buying paper books.

Educational Philosophy

The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means to an education.
~ Emerson



Making this imovie presentation was a challenging and rewarding process. Having never used imovie before it took several hours of "hands on learning," before I possessed the necessary skills to design my final presentation.

I believe learning is a process, one that involves failures and successes, as I recently experienced with the making of this presentation. I also believe that education should connect students with the world around them; they should have the opportunity to acquire the tools and skills needed to be successful participants in the global community. Discover more by watching my movie.

Energy Conservation Project PowerPoint

Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life." ~Helen Exley

For my project I researched an aspect of one of my passions…reading. I love to read and I love to buy books. There is no better feeling then sitting in a café on a snowy afternoon lost in a good book, or going to a bookstore with time to waste and money to spend. Although there may be other things out there that have greater impacts on the environment, such as plastic bottles and paper cups, the book publishing industry, and the consumers of the books they produce, does leave a significant footprint on our environment. In 2006, there were over 3 billion books sold in the US. I estimated that I purchase about 120 books per year. Each of these books uses trees, water, and energy to produce. One of the biggest factors in reducing the environmental impact of book publishing is the use of recycled paper. Unfortunately, only between 5%-10% of the paper currently being used by the book publishing industry is recycled paper. To learn more about the book publishing industry and how you can make a difference view my PowerPoint and spreadsheet.

Energy Conservation Project

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~ Chinese proverb ~

I am a bookworm; I love to read books and I have a lot of them. I have never given much thought to the resources being used to produce the books that I love so much.
For this project I would like to track the number of books I buy over the course of 1 month and then research what resources are being used to produce those books.
I hope to keep this simple by doing the following:
* Keep of log of the number of books purchased during the month of October
* Research the resources needed to produce 1 book
* Determine the amount of resources I use when I purchase x number of books.

Digital Anthropology

Reflections of a Digital Anthropologist

I have worked in the Anchorage School District as a Substitute Teacher for about 9 years and have been able to experience the technological differences between many of the schools. I think Romig Middle School, the school where I am doing my internship, lacks many of the technological tools available at other middle schools in the district. There are no Smart Boards in the school and many teachers are still using old overhead projectors.

There is, however, a forward thinking attitude among many of the staff members that has moved them to find creative ways to acquire new technology and to utilize what technology is available. The school is also fortunate to have a very knowledgeable and helpful “computer guy.” When I needed grading software installed on my computer I felt very comfortable asking for his assistance; he also took the time to answer many of the questions for this assignment.

I am looking forward to the upcoming school year and discovering ways that I can incorporate technology into my lessons. I know that although I am a novice in the area of technology there are many great people at Romig who are willing to help me in my quest to learn new things.

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Article Review 3

Tools for the Mind
By Mary Burns

Overview
In her article “Tools for the Mind,” Mary Burns argues that schools are using technology primarily to teach low-level skills instead of skills that will deepen student learning. She states that the most commonly used applications are “show-and-tell applications” – PowerPoint, Word, Publisher, and Web editing which fail to promote deep, complex, or even developmentally appropriate learning. Burns advocates the use of developmentally appropriate and challenging tools, such as spreadsheets and databases, which she believes strengthens analytical and critical thinking skills.

According to Burns there are two strategies for change. First, it is imperative to teach critical thinking first and technology later. Students need to become creators of information and ideas, not just computer users. Second, the focus should be on curriculum instruction, and assessment. Teachers need to be able to “ask questions that prompt real understanding of the true potential of computers in instruction.”
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Article Review 2

The Educator's Guide to the Read/Write Web
By Will Richardson

Overview
The Internet world has been changing from a place where people consume information to a place where people are publishing information. In this article the author discusses the tools people use to publish their ideas and how these tools are changing what it means to be “literate.” Some of the tools discussed in the article include blogs, which allows anyone to create a personal or group Web site, Wikis, which are Web sites that anyone can edit, and Really Simple Syndication (RSS), which enables people to subscribe to various feeds of information. These tools bring new questions for educators: should our curriculum change, should the concept of literacy be revised, and how do we best use the writing that this new writable Web provides? The author challenges teachers to rethink their role as content experts in order to act as guides to better help students navigate the vast amounts of information on the Web.
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Futuring

A. How would you “grade” or assess Fox Becomes a Better Person, and School Train?

My first impression when viewing School Train was “this makes my head hurt!” I then showed it to a few “older” people who felt the same way; a few of them had to ask more then once what the assignment was about.

Before assigning any project to my students I would have clear guidelines in place about what was expected of them. I would give credit for the final product as well as the storyboard, or the “rough paper draft,” of the project. For this project the students’ goal was to demonstrate that they understood the meaning of a metaphor. I would assess them in two areas:

• Media (music, visual, editing)
• Content (structure, spelling, clear ideas)

I thought the students did an overall good job with the media layout. However, I would question their choice of music and ask them how they determined what type of music to incorporate into their final product. In the area of content I thought they also did a good job. They made several connections that showed their understanding of a metaphor.

To assess Fox Becomes a Better Person I would again have clear guidelines and expectations in place. I would also assess the entire process as well as the final product.
For this project I would assess the following items:

• Storyboard. What did the creative process look like leading up to the final product?
• Assignment understanding. Did the student understand the assignment and meet the requirements?
• Presentation/Performance. How well did the student convey their ideas?


B. What impacts could the developments portrayed in epic2015 have on your classroom, particularly with respect to things like podcasting?

I enjoyed watching the predictions in epic2015 and it will be interesting to see if any of them become a reality in the near future. However, I don’t think we will have to wait for the future to receive sensational, shallow and false news, just turn on the TV or grab a copy of the latest gossip magazine and you will find it. I have always believed in the need to dig deeper into where information originates. It is crucial that we ask where information comes from; what institution published it, who wrote the piece, what else do we need to consider about how the information is presented?

I am new to the world of podcasting; before this class I had never heard a podcast. However, after doing a little independent research into what podcasting entails I think they could become useful tools in the classroom. Students could have the opportunity to be creators of information and would have access to other work from students around the world.

C. How might you use Sabrina’s piece as a model for something you would do with your own students?

In the media piece SabrinaJourney I was intrigued by Sabrina’s personal growth. Throughout the piece she asked the essential question “do I belong here?” In the end she had an answer to her question.

I would create a similar project for my students that would last the duration of the year. Students would examine what they know about themselves at the being of the school year and ask how they want to grow as learners. Some questions might include:

• I struggle with reading; how can I improve my reading skills?

• I think I am a shy person; how can I become more active in class?

• I am good at helping other people; how can I use this skill?

Throughout the year students will have opportunities to reflect on the progress they have made. The end product will be a media piece that demonstrates personal growth and answers the question posed at the beginning of the school year.

Article Review 1

Listen to the Natives
By Marc Pernsky


Overview
This article examines what it means to be literate in the 21st century and how educators can better communicate with students in order to provide students a relevant education. The author advocates selecting teachers for their empathy and guidance abilities and putting engagement before content. Educators are encouraged to engage students in a dialogue about how technology can be used in the classroom and which technologies could best be applied to the lessons. The overall message is to embrace the technology that our kids are using and include them in the learning process.

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Challenge

I am looking forward to the challenge of learning something new!