#8-Is Chatspeak destroying English?

Edu422 Journal #8
Is Chatspeak Destroying English?
Linda Howard & Greg Monfils
Learning & Leading with Technology
November 2007

IF UR CNFSD UR NT PYNG ATNSHN. Can you read this sentence? This generation of kids is now using a new method of written English, referred to as Chatspeak. It is essentially how they text-message or instant-message each other. It’s almost a form of shorthand for the English language. “You” becomes “U”, “the answer” becomes “THANSR”, and “tomorrow’ becomes “2MORO”. It’s a way to shorten the amount of letters you must type, in order to get your message across. It is also a way to hide from your parents what you are “actually” saying.
Linda and Greg have very different views on how chatspeak is affecting today’s students. Linda feels that chatspeak is destroying the students’ command of written English. She feels the more they practice this type of writing, the more likely it will become commonplace. It keeps them from expressing their opinions on a deep level. She feels chatspeak has no place in society, where effective writing skills are a must.
Greg, on the other hand, feels the students codeswitch. They are able to switch back and forth with no problem. He feels they know the difference and it is easy for them to do. He questions if we fear that Spanish class will also diminish their command of the English language. He feels it’s the teens private language, and the more we balk at it, the more they want to use it. He feels that if they use it in their writing, it’s more of a rebelliousness than a matter of ignorance.

1. Do you agree that 2 much txting mks u 1 bad splr?
I personally don’t think that chatspeak affects their ability to correctly spell words or write using proper English. I agree and think it’s just like when girls were taught how to write short-hand in school. I remember taking that class in High School, and I don’t feel it compromised my spelling. The same rings true with a foreign language. Students are able to remember how to spell words in Spanish, and then go back to being able to correctly spell in English.

2.Do you think that phone text-messaging could be a good thing?
Yes, there are many instances where being able to text a message would be a great advantage for a teen. If they find themselves in a bad situation, they could text their friend “IF IM NT THR IN 20MNS PLS CL MY DAD”, or “SOS MKT ST.”(I’m in trouble on Market Street). It’s a way to send a message without anyone else hearing it. It could actually save their life one day. I know text messaging drives many parents crazy, but we need to realize that this is this generations way of communication and staying connected with each other.

Journal # 10

Journal #10
Fitting the Pieces Together
Patricia A. Yost
L & L with Technology-Nov.

Two and a half years ago, Pennsylvania embarked on a pilot program to develop a model for successful integration of technology into the classroom. Their main objective was to help teachers and students to incorporate technology into their studies so that it would inspire higher–order thinking and learning. The teachers were provided with the appropriate support and time to learn and implement this new tool.
Each teacher was supplied with a laptop computer, and shared a video projector with another. They were taught how to create a three-minute video segment and slideshow. They were shown websites, rubric makers and online quiz generators.
What started out as an unknown pilot adventure, has turned out very successful. It has succeeded in building confidence in teacher’s use of technology, and helped teachers to try new things and incorporate them into their teaching.

1. Would I be interested in a shared database on my districts File Maker server where teachers share lessons, tips, strategies and documents?
Absolutely! I love to collaborate with my peers on new ideas or lessons that worked well for them. We can all learn from each other, and by having a database would only make it more efficient and more accessible to everyone.

2. Would be interested in being in this 3 year program for teachers?
Yes, I would love to be exposed to professional strategies for using a laptop and video projector in my class. By being shown examples of 3 minute video segments and slideshows, I would be able to replicate these “hooks” for getting my students excited about the lesson. I would also learn about interactive websites, rubric makers and online quizzes that would greatly support my classroom teaching.

Edu422 Journal #9

Art

This site discusses the new advances in computer art, and how you can apply it to your classroom.

In a discussion thread, Kevin H. challenges you to design a superhero to combat spam. He has you go to HeroMachine website so that you can design your own superhero. I went to http://www.marvelvc.com.br/Hero/ and designed my own female superhero. It was so much fun. I chose the characters gender, what she would wear, what weapons to carry, hair, helmet, shoes, symbols, ect. At the end you could print it out, or save it. Kids would absolutely love this. They are constantly drawing comic-type superheroes to use as their binder cover. This is a fun interactive design website for anyone to try. It’s really simple, and any age would be able to do it.

Benjamin Worrell asks if you feel technology belongs in the art class, and how? Many people responded with their opinions and offered valuable websites for teachers to turn to for ideas and information. Many attached copies of their work for you to view. One suggestion was to use it to virtually tour famous art museums. Other people suggested websites such as www.artsnacks.org., and ArtRage. I signed up to join these websites. ArtRage has a free starter edition package; and you can then later sign up for the full package at a cost of $25.00. At ArtRage, you actually create artwork using simulated mediums to paint using oils, sketch using pencils, and trace images of photos to recreate a painting. You are able to use oil paints, pencils, glitter, gold leaf, chalk, crayon and more.

http://TeachingBooks.net is a website that includes video interviews with artists that illustrate books. This would be great to incorporate into a writing/publishing assignment with the students. There is also a portrait painter who shows examples of her work using digital painting tools. AT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LN5JRl8_sU you can also watch a video of electronic finger painting. It seems like there are a lot of people willing to share their knowledge and passion for art technology and its place in the classroom. At Classroom 2.0, you can get your questions answered, and get the advice of your peers on the best ways to implement art into your class.

Edu 422 Journal entry #7

Edu422 Journal #7
The Edible Schoolyard: Seed-to-Table Learning
Roberta Furger
Edutopia

This is an article and movie about a school in Berkeley California. It was started in 1994 by Alice Waters, who wanted to improve the school lunch program. By teaching the students how to plant a garden, grow a crop, harvest it, and then turn it into organic table food, students learn the basics of ecology, how to cooperate, build a community, set a table and learn to cook. They also learn the importance of eating well, and how to prepare healthy foods.
The students also learn how to create a compost pile. They learn about the FBI (fungus, bacteria, insects) cycle.
Teachers are trained to use the garden as the center of learning. They learn how to incorporate Social Studies, Math, and Science into the curriculum.
Community volunteers also play a critical role in the project. They work in small groups of students and provide caring, guidance and adult interaction.
This method of teaching is being touted as an alternative to the typical classroom setting for those students that learn better in a hands- on environment.

1.Would you like to use this method of teaching in your own classroom?
I love this idea. Planting a seed, and watching it grow is an amazing thing for anyone to watch. By incorporating lessons into a class garden is not only fun, but they can learn to cook what they harvest. It’s a great learning experience. Most kids probably think vegetables come from the supermarket. What a great way for them to learn.

2.How would growing a garden tie into classroom learning?
By using measurements for cooking, students incorporate math. By observing the condensation on plants, they observe the “water cycle”, and by using manure to fertilize the plants, they are learning about the “life cycle.” There are many more ways to incorporate their learning experience. This is also something they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Edu 422 Journal entry #6

Edu422 Journal #6 The Threat of Security
By LeAnne K. Robinson, Abbie Brown and Tim Green
Learning and Leading with Technology

Teachers are being monitored on their use of their computers. Fear of breaching copyright laws had placed many restrictions on teacher’s use of technology. This new concern over security is fostering “fear” in many teachers, and turning them away from intergrading technology in their classroom. By establishing many roadblocks, teachers abandon the use of technology, even though studies indicate that technology in PK-12 classrooms develop more opportunities for learning environments. The increased use of security and monitoring software is having a negative effect on students and educators.

1.Do you feel that e-mail use should be monitored and restricted from staff use?
I feel that the same rules that apply to phone usage should also apply to e-mail. A teacher is at school many more hours than are required. They should be able to use the internet to check on personal things while they are there. They should be able to check on a sick child at home without feeling like they are breaking rules. Regulating e-mail usage is an infringement on staffs personal connections with the outside world and I feel it is inappropriate to monitor a professional.

2.Do you feel that all these security measures will defer you from using technology in your classroom?
I hope that whatever school I end up teaching in realizes the value of technology use in the classroom, and its importance in creating learning. Students benefit from the exposure to technology and teachers are able to access cutting edge information that can then be applied to whatever subject they are addressing that day. We want our students to be knowledgeable and exposed to the latest advances in every field. Only through the use of computers are we able to access this information in a timely manner. We must find ways to incorporate technology, and also satisfy security measures

Edu 422 Journal entry #5

Edutoia.org
Media Smarts:From consumers to Critics and Creators
Journal entry #5 Edu422

A recent study of 8-18 year olds found that students in grades 3-12 spend an average of six hours, 21 minutes plugged into some type of media each day. If you add in multi-tasking, it changes to about four hours of TV, and forty-nine minutes of video game play. Homework gets less than fifty minutes.

This digital generation is still taught that the written word is the only means of communication worth studying. There are many new companies that disagree with the “old style” of teaching, and believe that by applying literacy skills to media and technology it empowers students be both critical thinkers and creative producers using images, language and sound.

Teachers must use the students interests to aid in the teaching of media literacy concepts and production skills. It’s believed that students perform better in their core-curriculum subjects as well as improve in all areas, when exposed to media literacy.

1. Do you agree with George Lucas that it’s time to change “English” class into “Communication” class, where students learn the grammatical rules of graphic arts, film and music along with English grammar?
I agree that with the increased technology in all areas, including film and music, it would be advantageous to address communication in all areas. The problem would be coordinating all this together, and fitting it into the typical school day.

2. Do you think packages like “Flipping the Script: Critical Thinking in
a Hip-Hop World” offered by Just Think would be a useful teaching
tool for students?
I think it sound like a fun way to teach students. Like the article
says, “ They either love hip-hop or they hate it, but they have
opinions about it, as opposed to some piece of 19th century literature
they get in English class.”

ed422 Journal entry #4 9/20

Journal #4
Edu422
Taken from Edutopia.org
Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams
By Diane Curtis

Because of the advancements we have made in technology, students with special needs now have many new and innovative options available to them. Through the use of computers, children now have alternative ways of communicating.
Oakland California, has created a special school for children with a range of disabilities. The students are enrolled in a program known as TACLE. Their goal is to design whatever device is needed to help disabled students reach their potential. The students use unique computers designed with pictures to help the students communicate. A student Adrian wears a headband that senses his eyebrow movements, to move a cursor on the monitor that shows what he is trying to express. The computer then verbalizes what the student is trying to convey.
Assistive technology is exciting for all those involved with learning disabilities. Over the last few years, they have made great strides in the technology involved in creating these devices.
For students like Lukas, what seemed impossible has become probable. Lukas wanted to play a musical instrument. No problem. Except he has extremely limited use of his arms. An instrument was adapted that included a joystick that electronically instructs the valves of the instrument to open and close. Now Lukas is part of the school band.

1.Do you think that adaptations should be made for students with disabilities?
Yes. Students gain many benefits by being included in all activities. Playing sports, or a musical instrument allows the student to excel at things they thought they were incapable of. This not only boosts their self-esteem, but helps create a well rounded citizen.

2.Should we continue to explore new ways to accommodate students with special needs?
Absolutely. Every child should be given whatever tools are needed to help them succeed in life. Many students today lead normal lives because of the improvements made in technology. Students that were unable to speak, can now be heard through a voice in their computer. I think that technology will change the lives of even more students with disabilities, as they discover new and more innovative ways to tackle the obstacles many students face.