Thanks Danielle!

Danielle was the one who organized the whole Google spreadsheet for the group project, so I just wanted to say thank you for doing that. That shows real initiative and leadership; I'm 99.9% sure everyone else in the group feels the same way. So cheers, Danielle.

Reflecting On All Those Technologies

I was surprised by many of the technologies that the people in my group chose. It never occurred to me the amount of variety that existed in the word “technology.” When I first read about this interactivity, I thought to myself: “How the heck am I going to find 10 technologies? How can each member think up 10? Surely our answers will eventually converge with one another?” I felt a lot of doubts that I would find ones that would not be taken already; I was surprised at how much technology is in the world today. It was a collaborative process, this project of ours, and we communicated effectively. All of us were able to find various kinds of technology, both unique and generic. A lot of the technologies people chose are ones that completely slipped my mind. Goodreads was one that I slapped my forehead on because that’s a website that I use a lot to find out reviews on specific books that I have heard about. Audiobooks, for me at least, are in those sections of the library that I almost never pass by (I don’t think I’ve ever used one, so why hang around them?). It never occurred to me that just because I don’t use audiobooks, other people don’t use them as well. These are invaluable to learning disabled students and readers who find it easier to listen in rather than read. Many of these technologies have benefited me in classes like READ-411, where our teacher shows us Youtube videos of important material for class. Video games, the technology I listed down, are coming in handy when I go to tutor my target dependent reader because the kid plays a lot of them. And I am able to tap into his prior knowledge of the video games, having played many myself, to aid in the tutoring. This project was an eye-opener and I enjoyed reading other people’s suggestions for helpful technologies both in and out of the classroom.

Eventual Integration

Based on the comments that I have read regarding my aversion towards the iPhone, I have begun to delve a little deeper into my "issues" with the subject. The reason why I don't have one right now is not just the money aspect of the whole thing, it's how distracted people get when they have one. That is a major turn-off for me. Especially when having a conversation. Normal human contact happening and the person you're trying to talk to is nodding while looking down at their iPhone screen. I'd be fine if it was just a little occurrence, but I see people do it all the time. More and more so during talking, 90% of the time they're looking down. Even though some may argue that they're doing something important for school or family or are just browsing; it's just moments like that which give off a bitter taste in my mouth when it comes to smart phones. However, as someone pointed out in the comment section, there will be apps added eventually that will making teaching an easier profession. Last semester, in my “Teaching Inclusion in Secondary Schools” course, our professor made a point to show which assistive technologies would benefit not only inclusive students, but other students as well. She said that many of the things introduced, which included one such program (Dragon Naturally Speaking! That's such a badass name!) that synchronized auditory voicing to texts that help certain learning disabled students, will be available for the iPhone. So thinking about it now, it would be counter-productive to completely write off iPhones in the future. But in the HERE and the NOW, I don’t see myself investing in one. Not now at least. And I know that some people argue that such a tool has helped them with school duties now, I just feel like it would be just a distraction in a college setting. I have pen and paper and a computer back home, why does every single thing need to be digitalized to how fast something needs to get done. And I may be a hypocrite when it comes to patience, I get angry when laundry takes a long time, but sitting down in front a computer to do a paper appeals to me rather than jotting it down on a portable screen. I don't know how to describe, but the feeling is pretty great when doing that. Plus the screen is bigger and everything. Professionally, smart phones will give teaching untold amounts of advantages and since the upcoming generations are being born into technology, with no concepts on how things used to be except for what their elders tell them, it would be great to meet them half-way. But, then again, I like to think I’ll still have a crappy old phone even in the future when cars start to float and laser guns are being invented. To remind me of the older generation because sooner or later, they’re going to develop plentiful and fresh ways of doing things. And it would be nice to have a touch of old school somewhere close. As sort of an anchor back to reality, to humble me a little bit. So maybe when I actually become a teacher, I’ll invest in a smart phone in order to adapt with technological improvements in the field. It's that whole natural selection feeling about it all: I don’t want to be the bird that never developed a larger wing span in order to catch more food. That would mean dying off and I must say that I prefer living. But then and only then, never before. Because the people who commented on my posts, thank you for doing that by the way, have a point. That convenient technology for professional reasons are a must-have, especially with how much things are changing nowadays and in the coming future. But at the moment, I’m content with writing something down on an index card or a notebook, walking to my laptop and doing my work. And most of all, I’m content with my crappy old phone because of the lack of temptation that it gives me. Knowing me, probably the same for everyone, if I had a smart phone with all these apps and games, then I’d never pay attention in class. It all depends on how much self-control one has and knowing me, that would be a bad combo. That’s just the kind of person I am. Oh yeah, what someone said about a GPS! I do get afraid whenever I’m lost, especially when it’s someplace important that I need to be or an emergency or I'm terrified of being stranded with no gas. But most of the time I have either MapQuest/GoogleMaps (remember those?) or my brother lends me his GPS and I bring it back in one piece. Sometimes, I like stopping at nearby shops and asking the locals for some help like the tourist I am sometimes. I know it sounds corny, but the feeling of talking to someone and them giving me crappy directions on a vaguely drawn napkin always makes me laugh. And then they give me this look and then I’m like, “I like your shop.” I know, that’s pretty weird. But then if the directions are just so topsy-turvy, then I’ll call someone to help me out. But thinking about a GPS on my phone, that would be heavenly. I don’t know, one of my friends said that I was born in the wrong century. That must be the reason for my state of thinking. Maybe I’m an old man in college student’s clothing. Like I said, maybe later, somewhere down the road, I’ll get an iPhone eventually for professional purposes. Just not now. Because now’s not the time for fear doctor...that comes later. OOOOOOOOHHHH, Dark Knight Rises reference!  Ahahaha, can anyone guess who said it?

Tagline: From ink to eyesight.

Phrase: Film gives flesh and sound to classic literature...even the masterpieces.

Interactivity #1

    As a teacher, it is important to know that technology serves as not only an outlet for Olivia’s ingenuity, but as an escape from reality. She herself says in the video that she lives in an impoverished environment and her mother wants to move them away. Even though Olivia lacks the same privileges as certain others, she creates opportunities for herself through technology. Social networking and web design help occupy her time in between school and home life while music helps her cope with everyday stress. MySpace in particular is an important element of her life and is one of her hobbies. Olivia displays her resourcefulness by accessing technology in public facilities and using email as a means to send assignments to herself. If she were a student of mine, incorporating technology into the curriculum would be a priority. Seeing how well versed she is with computers, it would be effective if some aspects of the class were geared towards that medium so that she can stand out. Technology allows students to be proactive in their learning and forces them to think outside of the box. And if students feel in control, then learning becomes more than just easy. It becomes second nature.
    The three forms of technology that I listed in terms of learning new information are: computers, phones, and music. Through the computer, one gets the ocean of knowledge known as the Internet as well as the means to create and change material. Graphic design and video sharing are ways of using the computer to spread knowledge. When someone presents an important subject, they need visual aids such as photos and videos to get their point across. People use social networking to connect with other people in far off places and these can range from family to recently moved friends. It is how people stay in touch and, at times, rediscover colleagues. Phones have the same exact function, now that they have been upgraded from what they used to be, and can be used to communicate with people while having the same capabilities as a computer. Music is how people talk about the world without insulting anyone and if they do, they can wave it off as art with no message. Only music has messages. Musicians pour their emotions into their work and when people feel those same emotions, then that means they have done their job. Music helps people communicate with one another because it makes everyone feel good and each piece of music has a bit of culture in it. So in a sense, by listening to different kinds of music, you are learning more about the world.
    I may not be as in tune with technology as the current generation in terms of uploading videos or creating my own websites, but I can do the basics and I know the importance of it all. Like Olivia, I listen to obscene amounts of music in my everyday life and these sessions of pure jamming out depend on my mood. The emotions I feel dictate what type of music I listen to. It is a sort of catharsis that I do, that I am sure almost everyone who loves music does. Computers allow me to write papers, to research, to learn more about the world. Just by watching lectures online or a documentary film or even entertainment; I like to think I learn more every day in the smallest of ways. I have no knowledge on how to completely immerse myself into the world of technology, but I scrape the surface every now and then with my Powerpoint presentations. I do not own an iPhone nor will I ever. I own an old-fashioned one that has buttons and can slide open. For me, a computer is a computer and a phone is a phone. Some people like blending the two together, but I prefer keeping them apart. It reminds me that despite my young age, I have a bit of grandfather-ness in my veins. And I like to think this is how I get those occasional lapses of wisdom and such. As someone aspiring to be a teacher, technology is significant when educating the future youth. But I want to be one of the few who borders generations and that by having an equal balance of both technology and old school knowledge, one can still teach students.

Introducing Myself

 Limbo 1

Vincent Limbo
Professor Lisa Phillips
CURR 316 Integrating Technology Across Curriculum
January 24th, 2013
                                                                         Who Am I?
    My name is Vincent Limbo and I am an English major in my junior year of Montclair State University. I have always felt drawn to the idea of stories and how worlds could be formed from the imagination. Storytelling has always been an escape for me and this includes not only literature, but other forms like films and spoken words. I believe my affection for such things led me to pursue a career in English. I soon realized that it was not just the yearning for interesting stories that appealed to me, but the sharing of opinions and perceptions about said stories. I wanted debates over questionable ethical decisions by protagonists. I wanted to know what others thought about a particular twist of drama. I wanted to talk about stories to those who would listen. So I decided that one way of filling that void, while doing some good in the world, would be teaching. After MSU, I plan on teaching either middle school or high school in an urban area because those are places that need the most help. Especially when there are kids out there struggling with literacy and considering how important reading and and writing is, I consider teaching a noble calling. I have decided that so long as I have an audience to share my love for stories with, I will be content wherever I go to teach.
    Technology is something that both excites and terrifies me. On one hand, I know how to access the internet and to use technology so long as I am given a form of instruction. On the other, I have a hard time whenever something goes wrong with the technology that I am using or I have to use a complex tool with no prior knowledge or guidance. Over winter break, I worked as a substitute teacher in schools around my town. There were instances when the teacher forgot to leave directions on how to work a certain program or the SMART Board was malfunctioning during a lesson. I am comfortable with technology so long as it is explained to me, preferably with visual help, but it can be a nightmare if I am kept in the dark about its functions. What I want to learn from this class is how to adapt to the changes certain schools have made to their classrooms regarding the level of technology. I want to learn how to keep calm when things go wrong and I want to know what to do when those instances come up. I want to learn how to use assistive technology and other advantageous tools to better educate my classes.