Haiti still lacking hope after over a year

Its been now over a full year since Haiti was struck cold and unexpectedly by a massive earthquake, leaving their streets in a rubble, millions of people homeless, and many,many people dead from the destruction and tragedy. Now, over a year later, the people have and are still suffering, from the hurricanes, to the election upheaval, and to the threat of cholera, and just recently in what I've read in today's article in the Boston globe is that many of the people left out in tents to live in are going to be forced to be kicked out of the places they are camping, leaving people with no place to go. People from across the world have been trying to help, some companies sending in prosthetic legs for amputees, but for now, there's not much that can be done for those already losing the minor things they have. For more on this story visit

Boston globe Haiti

Chrysler's Comeback Cars

Chrysler's comeback cars are Charger, 200, T&C, Challenger, and Durango. Chrysler promised to create and manufacture old-designed cars to the market, but in the past three years the company's has gotten old. Arrival of Hyundai, Ford, and other top automakers has made Chrysler embarrassed. Finally after Chrysler's failure, they made a new plan to make better cars. Earlier this fall, a few months after their brand new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was launched, reporters have been told that Chrysler has finally stopped going with same method. And they are finally launching new models rest of this year, and some in 2011. They've made total of Eight brand-new or significantly-updated models this year. They've remade Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge 200, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge 200, and Dodge Durango. Well of course if you've mistaken, Dodge is a sub-company or another brand name company of Chrysler. Jeep is another sub-company of Chrysler. Car-testers and reporters have already named the new Charger one of "Top Drives for 2011" just after few hours of their visit. But there is a great improvement made to this model because it's much faster, aggressively-styled sedan which is much more expensive than before. The Charger is still based on the last-generation of Mercedes-Benz E class and it's speed and engine is similar to that of brand-new Mercedes. So far Chrysler has made a great comeback this year and for 2011.

Bullying at B.H.S

In this video B.H.S (Burlington High School) talks about bullying. They talk about what the new rule for bullying at B.H.S is and how it's effecting their kids at their school. They think most important of all, is to stop bullying as soon as possible, especially for the seniors because their going to be headed off to college next year and they're old enough to take responsibilities for their own actions. Also bullying doesn't always have to deal with physical fighting there have been verbal threats too and that's what B.H.S. is working on.

12 men arrested in UK

In the news recently 12 men were arrested over a terrorism plot in the UK. The men were arrested in early morning raids on three cities to protect the public from a possible terrorist plot over the holiday season. All the suspects were detained in London and range in age from 17 to 28. They will be questioned on suspicion of commissioning, preparing or instigating acts of terrorism. Police say that the arrests are the most high profile anti-terror raids in Britain since April 2009, when twelve men were arrested over an alleged plot to bomb a shopping center in Manchester.

Debate Over Sudan

Southern Sudan, which is mostly animist and Christian, will be having a vote on whether or not to secede from the mostly Arab and Muslim North. Due to the frequent civil wars in the North, Southern Sudan is likely to vote to secede. The vote is required by a peace accord from 2005 which ended more than 20 years of civil war. Leaders from North and South Sudan, as well as from Egypt and Libya, are meeting to discuss what will happen should the South secede. Egypt and Libya both view Sudan as their back yard, and do not want any violence to occur during the secession, as it would cause a large flow of refugees into their countries. The Sudanese government has been acting violently towards the South, though there hasn't been any combat. North Sudanese leader al-Bashir said that the loss of the South would be bad but would not be the end of the world, and that, should the South secede, he is going to Islamize the North, making Islam the official religion and Arabic the official language.

The article can be found here

The MFA trip

Last Friday, the AP European History class went on a field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts. On the trip, we examined how European art changed through time by see art from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque era, impressionism, and finally modern art, such as Picasso.
The trip began with a breakfast at Au Bon Pain at Northeastern. I myself had a cup of clam chowder.
We first saw late Renaissance art, including work by such artists as El Greco and Velasquez. Next, we stepped back in time to view art from the Middle Ages, which was much more flat and two-dimensional. We then saw Baroque art, which included more secular themed art such as still-life's and landscapes. The Impressionist room was excellent as all ways, with art by painters such as Degas, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Monet. Finally, we saw some modern art including the world famous painting Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? The trip ended with some free time, in which we were able to explore. Many of us went to the new Art of the Americas wing, which was amazing. Finally, we as a class had a great time, especially because now we have a whole new supply of in-jokes.

NO mobile devices

Based on what I have read in your responses, it seems like your mobile devices seem to be the most distracting in your education experience. Do you think cell phones/mobile devices should be banned in class as a result of the distraction levels?
Why or why not?

Man on Wire Questions & Response

What are your reactions to the documentary Man on Wire? Were you engaged with it? Why or why not?

What kind of techniques were employed in the making of this film that were present in some of the other documentaries we have watched in class?
Click here to see a trailer.

Unplugged

Unplugged Article

The new media literacy is a repertoire of competences that allows people to understand and analyze media like phones, computers and ipods. I think the school should teach new media in school, because it's very important moving forward in ours life and the technology is not going to stop growing. Technology doesn't distract me too much in class, but when my friends text me I have to text back or else i'll feel bad not responding them. My learning is not being impact by technology distraction so far, my grades are still good. Some of my friends technology distraction has effect them in so many ways, because their social skills have gone down and their grades are awful because they don't pay attention in class and they prefer texting over homework.  The media has not effect my non-school activities at all because I still do sports and hang out with my friends and family. Well since the media has not effect me a lot, then I'm probably not going to use many strategies that Unplug mention, but I'm definitely going to shut my phone more often and stop checking my Facebook from my phone to see if my life changes or not. 

New Media Literacy

New media literacy is an organization which is trying to create set of skills that are necessary for living and interacting with modern technology, such as play, production, and judgment. It can be argued that it is necessary to learn these rules to survive in our world today, one which is plagued with multitasking and a lack of focus. I think that it is important to learn media literacy, but only to a point. In school, we should teach students how to use media, but we should also teach our students how not to use media. Seeing as we are all hypocrites to some regard, we all antagonize media while secretly indulging in it. In fact, we should teach how media can be useful, while also teaching how not to waste away our lives. If I was a teacher, I would not personally teach media literacy, but I would think it was important to do so. Media activities I might set would include programming and other aspects of computer science. I find that I am often distracted by media. I will often stay up late, not only because of the amount of work I have, but also because I have procrastinated. The effect this has on my work is that I perform worse without lots of sleep, but i haven't seen any direct correlation yet with my media procrastination and a shift in grades. The computer can be very helpful when it comes to non-school activities. For instance, I play fiddle and have found many tunes via Youtube. Also, social network sites like facebook allow group correlation for clubs. I definitely think I will use the suggestions in this article, particularly the idea of taking a leap of faith by unplugging. I would love to see what would happen.

TECHNOLOGY Respone

Technology Time-OUT Response

1. New Media Literacy is made for people to analyze, evaluate, and create messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres, and other forms.

2. Yes, I think teachers should teach about new media and there different uses by demonstrating how to use it in proper way. If t

eachers teach about new media kids will use in a good way, if teachers don't show the right way kids will misuse it.

3. If I was a teacher I'll teach kids about media and what is the right way to use it. I would teach them the limitation of them. Like when or when not to use it.

4. Media really doesn't effect my non-school life. I

don't really misuse media, all I do is play some games.

5. I think I wouldn't use any of these ideas to unplug media usage in my life. First reason is because I am a master of my own mind and second media is not really plugged in my life.

Is it time to unplug ourselves from the media world? Or should we start teaching our students about media literacy. Media Literacy is a repertoire of competences that enables people to analyze, evaluate and create messages in a wide variety of media forms. It often times will encourage people to ask questions about what they watch or hear. It's important to teach students this because learning how to interact with technology is becoming a huge issue today. Our teens are depending to much on technology which is becoming addictive to them. By setting up classes in school we are studying how to interact with new media, and it will give a better understanding to us and the teens of today's world. Seeing how teen's react to this study will show us how new media is effecting the way teen's learn with new technology. When school starts for me (which ends up being at 7:30) I don't find my self distracted by my own devices, but I can relate to the "rabbit hole" that we find our selves in when logging into to Facebook. Sometimes when I find myself sitting at home bored logging into Facebook and takes up most of my time. Or just chatting with someone though text can be fun, and before you know it your day has gone by and you haven't even left your house once. How sad! Some of the suggestions mention by the article Unplugged should be used. I already try to go out as much a possible and keep my phone off because, "it feels so good" to feel care free for once and just enjoy the time your having with the real world.

Unplugged Response

Over the years kids have quickly engaged in technology to television, cellphones, computers, and video games. Children quickly adapt to all the new technology and easily know how to work them. Some adults actually need some help sometimes while working with some of the new technology and even ask there children for help. This just shows how much children know and use technology so much. In school I can't help to have my headphones in class or walking through the halls, playing games on my ipod, and the biggest thing I do a lot is text in class. In class I try and pay attention but I always feel my phone vibrating and I have to check it or sometimes I start thinking about how fun it would be to play a game on my ipod rather than pay attention so I do. Outside of school and when I'm home I am completely engaged in technology. If I'm not on the phone I'm on the computer if I'm not on the computer I'm playing video games, if I am not playing video games I am watching t.v and if I'm not watching t.v then I am multitasking and doing some of these all at once. I do not think I will unplug out of any of the things I do. I have to always check my Facebook and my phone if I don't I wonder if i got any notifications, calls, or texts. So I do not think I will change my ways and not use technology or relax with it I need it.

UNPLUGGED

Media literacy is a repertoire of competences that enable people to analyze, evaluate, and create messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres, and forms. I believe that it is important to teach new media because kids and students need to know how to use this new technology in order to be successes later in life. Yes I would teach my students about technology because it would be very helpful for them to know how to use this new technology. I would have them read articles about technology and then have them do some hands on activities to learn more about the specific technology. Sometimes I'm distracted in class by my phone in class but I don't think it has a significant impact on my learning. Media helps me a lot out of school because of it plans and things I like to do are easily set up. I can t imagine trying to do those things with out my phone or facebook. I would say I probably won't use those ideas because I feel I have my media use under control and I also would rather not feel unconnected.

Link to Def. here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_literacy

UNPLUGGED Response

New media literacy is essentially the skills that people need to use the new technology being introduced to them. It is important to teach these new skills in schools because we are living in a technology-driven world, and these skills will be necessary to function later in life, as well as now. If I were a teacher, I would embrace the idea of media use and learning about technology. Some activities that could be set up would be things like using computers to type or make presentations, as well as using the internet and other softwares typically found on computers.

As for myself, I use media and technology a lot during my everyday life, and I usually find myself using my phone during class or checking Facebook when my class is in the computer lab. These media devices can be distracting and I often find myself lost in a class discussion or not knowing what the assignment is. When I am not in school, I use media devices even more, and they are a constant presence in my home. I am never without my phone, and check Facebook multiple times during the day.

I may start using some of the suggestions featured in the Unplugged article, although some of them do not directly reply to me as I am a student and not using e-mail and other media for my job. Turning off technology like the phone or computer can be useful, as I have tried to before. I got what I needed to do done quicker and more efficiently, and it seemed kind of peaceful for short period of time.

Sources:

newmedialiteracies.org

newmedialiteracy.org

Unplugged

New media literacy is the ability of people to use new technology effectively. This includes being able to keep up with advancements in technology even if the previous advancements have not been perfected. It is important to teach teens why they feel the need t check their phones all the time. Part of solving a problem is understanding why you have it. It may not do anything but maybe some teens will be able to see how disconnecting for even an hour a day will help them reset and be better prepared to deal with real people. Cosmopolitan actually did an article on disconnecting from technology in their January issue. It showed a study on several twenty year olds who were technology free for 24 hours. They said that they became friendlier and had better, more interesting conversations with everyone, even strangers. While maybe 24 hours is to much for a teenager an hour or more a day could be healthy.

Personally I'm not distracted by my phone or technology during classes. My friends can't text during classes and since I know I'll see them later. So unless its super urgent I'll wait to talk to them. Texting is convenient but talking in person is much more fun. When I'm not in school I'm normally with my friends, and I don't need to text people I'm with. I talk to them at night but only after homework or whatever else I have to do. Unless one of my friends is having an emergency there isn't a need to respond right away to "Hey".

I already turn off my phone or leave it somewhere at times. As for the internet, eh, I don't go on Facebook to much because it's boring. I use the internet to check web comics, and shop, not so much connecting with people. I think people should follow some of the tips mentioned in the article "Unplugged, Technology Time-Out". It might help people get along better with other others. Maybe even help deal with cyber bullying. Disconnecting is helpful, but most people probably wouldn't because it would mean the end of the world if they missed what was going on for five seconds.

Unplug response

Link to Article: Link

A lot of new media and technology has been added to the world in the past years and now most kids are addicted to them and can't focus on anything else. In my opinion it is not that important to teach about new media in school because nowadays kids tends to develop a quick learning to use new media and they don't need to be thought how to. If I was a teacher I would teach he kids how to use media wisely and not be completely addicted or dependent on it all the time. An activity I would set up to help them lear this is giving them a big group project but limiting them to each research only one thing so they will focus more on one thing then having to multitask to get all kind of different information. I'm never distracted by media during classes because I never find myself having to text someone during class or checking my phone every five minute the only distraction I would ever have during class is that if I'm really bored I would usually listen to music on my phone but that's it. Whenever Im not doing school work I'm usually doing something else that involves using media because there is nothing better to do this doesn't affect my school work performance at all unless I'm really distracted. I will probably try to use one of the suggestion in the article to help me focus better but I probably wont use all of it because I'm not really all that plugged in and I can control myself whenever I use media.

Unplugged Response

After reading the article i liked all the ideas but there is no way in my opinion that this will ever work as our brains are so used to the media and stuff and with all the new technology coming out that we will never get away from it ever again. I do not think it should be the top priority of schools to teach kids about new media because it is school at the end of the day and i could sit on my couch and learn about all sorts of new media through commercials on television. In class my phone will not receive a text message but when it happens i secretly respond to it and go back to learning so it dosn't effect me much. Media does not effect my non school activites at all because anywhere i go after school for an activity i do not bring my phone. Honestly i will not use any of the ideas expressed because i just don't see the point of giving up your freedoms and stopping doing things you like to do.

UNPLUGGED

After reading the article Unplugged: Technology Time-Out please respond to the following questions:
1) What is new media literacy?
2) Do you think it is important to teach new media in schools? Why or why not?
3) If you were a teacher, what do you think is important to teach kids about media use? What kind of activities would you set up?
3) In class do you find that you are distracted by your devices and how does that impact your learning?
4) How does your media use affect your non-school activities?
5) Do you think you'll use some of the suggestions to unplug featured in the article? Please explain.

UNPLUGGED

New media literacy is a type of learning that teaches students about how to use media properly and also to show how media use can be effective in your everyday curriculum. I think it is very important to teach new media in schools because I think students should be informed about the proper use of media and technology. In class I don't feel distracted by my devices because my cell phone is always turned off and even if it was on, no one texts me really, and I barely listen to my ipod during my classes except for my Study class. It doesn't affect my learning in school but at home I get distracted by media all around me such as my ipod, cell phone, T.V., computer,etc. If I were a teacher then I would tell my students not use any electronic devices during classes and suggest them to use media for educational purposes. For example: to let students use computers for projects, essays, etc. Activities that I would set up for kids:- projects done in the computers using only Powerpoint or Excel; essays using only Microsoft Word; and fun projects such as making videos, making music using Garageband, iMovie, etc. My media use helps me listen to new and better kinds of music, it also helps me to be social in websites like Facebook, it helps me be a better musician (rapper/singer) because I listen to music all the time, and it also helps me get the feedback of what happens in sports such as Basketball, Football, etc or highlight of top plays, players, and teams which I see from ESPN. Yes, definitely, I think I'll some of the suggestions to unplug because media isn't everything in my life or anyone's life because yes of course media is very helpful and fun to use but media is addictive and sometimes media turns ou to be a negative source which influences people to do bad things in life. In conclusion, media and technology is very a helpful tool for this generation, very educational, and fun but I think people should use media limited amount of time or not use at all for one whole day. People can unplug by going outside, playing sports, walking, exercising, and biking to live a healthy lifestyle because I believe anyone and even people who are addicted to media can live without media for at least one day.

Unplugged, An Examination On Media Use

What is new media literacy?

New media literacy is an improved ability to understand and comprehend the messages in modern media. It is designated as new, different from the original 'media literacy', because as time advances, media comes at people more quickly, making it harder to understand. Also, with more technological advances, the media can create more diverting displays, making the actual message harder to find.

Do you think it is important to teach new media literacy in schools? Why or why not?

Schools should teach at least a basic form of media literacy. With a tide of fresh technology arising, the media will be more and more complicated. If a generation is to succeed in the new media age, they must be able to understand what the new media is telling them at a rapidly increasing pace, and even more complicated. If children are taught in school how to analyze and examine even the most basic media, then they will be more likely to survive in a world that is very quickly becoming media and technologically based.

In classes, do you find yourself distracted by your 'devices'? How does it impact your learning?

Not in school, no. I rarely bring my phone to school, and it's not built for texting anyway. I do have my iPod, but I generally forget about it because I can't see it most of the time. I keep it with me in case the teacher tells the class that we can listen to them. I mostly only listen to my iPod when I'm walking places, and barely use my cell phone at all.

How does media use effect your out-of-school activities?

The media isn't exactly a problem for most of my out-of-school activities, since it is actually a mode of communication for them. I a bit less tech-savvy then most of the other teenagers I know, so it can sometimes be an impediment, but I'm generally able to work. I do sometimes lose track of time when I'm on the computer because I get interested in something, but I tend to come to my senses before to long. It's more that once I focus on something, I tend to block out the outside world more then the technology itself.

Would you use some of the articles suggestions?

Personally, I think I already operate on at least a minor basis of what they suggest in the article. There are plenty of times when I have gone without using a computer, especially to socialize. This mostly happens when I'm with family, and I often have plenty of fun in places without any media whatsoever with friends.

Unplugged Technology Time-Out Response

For the most part I agreed with the article "Unplugged Technology Time-Out." New media literacy is is the ability to understand and process the media that you are consuming. It is important to teach new media literacy in schools because children are surrounded by media and have to be able to understand the media. If I were a teacher I would teach the children how to use technolgy responsbly and I would show them articles and videos on the Internet and see how the react to it. In classes I usually do not have my phone with me so media does not really impact my education while in class. Media affects my non school activities because I am influenced by it to go on the Internet or watch television instead of doing something such as reading. Besides that my non school activities are sports or hanging out with friends which media does not really affect. I am definatly going to give some of the suggestions from the article a chance and see how they work. Hopefully they will help make me less dependant on media and an overall better person.

''Unplugged technology time-out'' questions.

I think that new media literacy is the how we as people, are using the new media, including new technologies we are getting. I feel this is because many people now a days are very connected to there media such as texting, emails, and facebook. But although many people are getting caught up with it and its the source of alot of distractions, I don't think this is worth being taught in schools, because for one, I don't think its important to enough. Personally, as a student, I do agree it causes alot of of distraction from school work, mainly in homework, but despite the fact that that frequently happens to me, I know that in the end of the day, I always end up getting my task accomplished, even if media slows me down a little it. I also think teaching it in school would be useless because nobody would listen, they taught us not to do drugs in school, but still many students do it anyway, so I don't think its very likely that anyone would just ''unplug'' and coo it with the media use, even if they taught us. Although I get distracted at home while doing homework with media use and devices, in school it never happens, mainly because not many people use there devices and media in the classroom, especially Facebook and texting because its too easy to get caught, and so no, personally, and I think also for many people our devices are not in distraction in the classroom, and does not impact our learning in a bad way.

When I'm off school, I don't see media use as a bad thing at all, mainly because school is the most important thing I'm focused on and the most important thing that I try not to get distracted in, but when I'm not in school, its not like theirs anything important that media use could distracted me from, which is why I don't see it as a bad thing, and when their are important things in my way, I will either multi ask by using the media and accomplishing that task, or if the task is important enough, just focus directly on the task. I think for many people, using the suggestions in the article unplug could be useful if they tried them, but I don't think I'm as attached to my devices and media use as much as other people are because either way i still accomplish what I need to do, and media use doesn't get in my way too often and doesn't bother me.

New Media Literacy

New Media Literacy is the ability to understand as well as produce the meanings and messages transmitted to you through various forms of technology. These meanings can be found in T.V. shows, movies, advertisements (both on T.V. and online), videogames, and many other places where technology meets culture. It is very important to teach new media literacy in school, as no matter what, technology will inevitably advance, and it is highly important that new generations learn to interpret and produce what they see and use in those technologies.

It should have it's own classes, as well as be incorporated into regular classes. classes like video production, and various other classes like computer programming, should be available,but technology should be used and understood in other classes. English classes could have blogs, sciences classes could assign reading of online articles, students should become adept at understanding media, I guess I'm saying our media literacy rate should be high. At the same time it should be taught how to not become addicted to technology. English classes should assign some classic novels and have writing assignments that are, well, written. Science classes should keep in class experiments and history should stay relatively detached from media use. Teaching new media literacy is important but the media itself should not override academic and other priorities.

I often find that instead of taking the notes on the board in class I pull out my phone and respond to the text I have just received. It's exactly like the article, Unplugged: Technology Time Out, says, the more primitive parts of my made see the unread text as a high priority, a threat even, and all other tasks are overridden by the need to respond to that text. Even outside school, I find that, I want to do my homework, but I have an email that I haven't read that. It becomes my top priority and well, the email is about Facebook. Next thing I know I'm on Face book and Youtube and have completely disregarded my homework. Sometimes I even skip activities like hanging out with friends to stay on Youtube or watch T.V. or play a videogame, though this is very rare.

I think that no matter how one views it, media is inevitably going to expand, and at a relentless rate. It is important to teach new media literacy, as it may eventually be in the future what literacy is today. It is also a priority to teach good media habits, as not to completely lose ourselves to technology. Either way, media and technology are going to form a large part of our culture.

Unplugged

New Media Literacy is when people are introduced to newer versions of certain technology such as cell phones, BlackBerrys, and other communication devices. It enables people to analyze, evaluate and create messages in a variety of forms. I think that teaching new media literacy in school could be good in some ways and bad in some ways. A good thing is that students who are interested in stuff like that will be able to learn about it and be educated in it. A bad reason is that some students might think of it as a way to just use their phones and ipods in class. During my classes my phone is usually off and I don't really text during class so it doesn't impact my education during class. In a way my media use affects some of my non-school activities. I usually hang out with friends after school so it doesn't impact that. However when I go home I'm influenced to play videogames or go on the internet. I might give some of the suggestions a try to see if they work out and if it makes me less dependant on media.

New Media Literacy

New media literacy is being able to understand and analyze the media you use and how it affects you. I do think it would be helpful to teach new media literacy in schools. A lot of kids I know need help learning how to manage their technology use. As long as it didn't become too ridiculous, like telling you all your video games will turn you into a crazy murderer, that would annoy a lot of students. Just as long as we learn interesting, useful things how to understand our culture through our movies, commercials, music, and websites. Plus knowing how to turn your phone off and get work done is a useful skill of any of us. Maybe teachers could even take it too, so they can understand the internet culture their students are plugged into.

I don't use my phone in school, I get very little service and I don't really text anyways. My iPod actually helps me work because I like to have music to listen to. When I use computers in my art classes I listen to music also. The only time I get to use computers is in art class, and I find my work in those classes more important that what's up on Facebook. Devices just don't distract me that much in school.

At home I can be a little more distractible, when I do homework on the computer I counter this by taking short brakes that I don't let run on for too long. Sometimes in personal actives I would rather use media, but just the computer. I can spend a lot of time on the computer, but I will eventually realize I've done everything I needed to do and get off. I might use some of the suggestions in the article to help me get my non-school activities done. Probably the ones that have to do with answering and checking email, I always have email organization problems.

(Note: above is my dream computer.)

Top Test Scores From Shanghai Stun Educators

Read this article and comment below on thoughts and reflections:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/education/07education.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage

Short Films & Student Videos

What did you find?

PARENTAL RULES

Now that you have started to reflect on your own media usage, please discuss media use and rules in your home.
Do your parents have rules? If so, what are they?
What kind of media behaviors occur in your home?
Do you break the rules? Why?
Please check grammar and spelling before posting.