EDM613 WK04 – BLOG COMENT: Seann Goodman

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Hi Seann;
I like the method that you used to review & critique the book “The Art of Possibility”. What intrigued me most about your presentation was that you used video as your analytical presentation device. Below is the video that I commented on for this blog entry:

EDM613 WK03 – BLOG COMENT: Nicole Bellerice

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Nicole wrote:
When I taught in an urban Middle School in Atlanta, Ga we definitely behind the curve when it came to keeping up with technology. I was there for three years and it did get a little better each and every year, but we were always considerably behind many other schools. My first year there were just about 7 LCD projectors for the entire school and about 2 slow working computers in the classrooms. We did have a computer lab, but good luck getting a date on the calendar. In my second year the principal purchased about 10 more LCD projectors, 2 additional slow working computers were placed in each classroom and 2 teachers were going to be getting promethium boards. Last year, 6 additional teachers received promethium boards and everyone else was given an LCD projector, but that was the extent of the technology in my workplace.

Graham’s response:
Hi Nicole, as a fellow Atlantan, I am too aware of the plight of our school systems. I must commend you on your stick-with-it-attitude. As they say, every cloud has a silver lining. As someone who always says the glass is half full, it is great that each year things got better for you. However, I am soo sad for these kids in the class. I could not imagine what having these slow working computers did for their self esteem. If I had been in there position, I don’t know if I would:
A: Be grateful for having access to two computers regardless of their speed
B: Toss up my arms thinking, how am I to move forward with these two slow computers

One of my dreams is to open a center for kids like you taught with the latest technology technology. Of course the technology would be Apple technology. As an eternal optimistic computer geek, I see the solutions to peoples problems through technology.

Regardless to the problem/solution discussed above, I admire you beyond belief for your dedication & stick-with-it fortitude.

EDM613 WK03 – BLOG COMENT: amy white

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Amy wrote:
It’s been a Star Wars week for me. Every year around this time I collaborate with the music teacher to do a lesson on leitmotif. I teach the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and we focus on characterization. (Everybody in this program has probably already heard me talk about this. Forgive me, it’s pretty much my favorite unit ever! We write a score for Watership Down, but it’s not the same.) So, at the end of the novel we write a song, using GarageBand, to characterize one of the people in To Kill a Mockingbird. But, before we write the song the music teacher takes a couple class periods to teach us about music and how you can create characters with music. Anyhow, he uses bunches of John Williams music from Star Wars to teach the students about the idea of leitmotif. We watch a clip of an interview with Williams discussing how he created the music for each character and it’s so relevant and interesting to the students. The music teacher begins his lesson with a 1914 seven-movement orchestral suite by British composer Gustav Holst called “The Planets” and he points out similarities to John Williams’ score for Star Wars. It is clear that Williams took some inspiration from other composers, Holst included. So not only has Star Wars become iconic, much parodied, and imitated but it borrowed from others as well. Obviously, the good vs. evil story line has been used throughout history, but did you know the music has been around for some time too? I think this is very interesting in regard to George Lucas’ desire to keep Star Wars‘ reputation intact. Which is what I found to be the point: how do you let people enjoy and participate in your creation (especially in this media-rich day) and yet keep it special and intact? In my opinion, George Lucas has been pretty nice about it. He seems to get it and actually participates in the conversation instead of letting his lawyers speak for him.

Graham’s response:
In high school I remember reading To Kill a Mockingbird & Watership Down, just barely. As far as reading Star Wars, that is another story. When I was a teen ager, I knew the movie was coming out. I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie. On the bus ride to & from Philmont Scout camp I was heads down reading this book.

Amy,
I think this is so cool that you are using GarageBand to write a musical score. Until I started this program at Full Sail University, I had always wanted to use GarageBand. My problem with using GarageBand was that I had absolutely no idea how to use this killer application. Well all of that has changed, GarageBand has become my favorite program. In fact, I am so in love with GarageBand that I took the plunge & bought Apple’s Logic Studio.

As far as favorite classical music, the Firebird Suite was replaced by Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” many years ago. I did not know that John Williams model for the Star Wars sound was inspired by “The Planets”

EDM613 WK02 – BLOG COMENT: deborah nagler

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Debra Wrote:
I finally understood why the Matrix series lost my attention. I don’t know that I would or will ever invest that kind of time in the Matrix. On the other hand, this chapter offered an important insight into the generation of learners for whom Transmedia Storytelling will become de rigueur. As Jenkins comments: “Younger viewers have become informational hunters and gatherers, taking pleasure in tracking down character background and plot points…”  (p. 133).  If our students are accustomed to this level of complexity and challenge in their entertainment, we certainly need to raise the bar in educational settings if we are to engage their interest.

Could a Transmedia Storytelling approach be applied in teaching history or science? I wonder what that classroom would look like?

Graham’s Response:
To me the concept of informational hunters and gatherers is not new. When I was in Industrial Design School, I hunted & gathered for those classes outside of my major that required me to write lots of papers. I rather enjoyed the writing based courses. When I learned how to use a word processor, I found that my grades improved.

If kids are will to be informational hunters and gatherers for movies & other media, will they do the same for school?

EDM613 WK01 – BLOG COMENT: amanda dryden

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Amanda Dryden wrote:
Okefenokee Technical College is a very small technical college in Southeast Georgia. Our primary areas of instruction are healthcare, technology, and technical. Our primiary marketing area is limited to a six county zone. With the introduction and popularity of Facebook, I felt that the college should have a web presence through Facebook as well as though our school web site. As coordinator of distance education, it is extremely important to “get the word out” about the distance education opportunities that are available for students. It is amazing the number of students that I have encountered who do not have up-to-date knowledge about distance education.

Graham’s Response:
Amanda, I can understand why you are so adamant regarding the use of some type of social marketing. Using the variety of social networking tools you would very easily be able to spread the word about your great school & its use of distance learning.