Blog Assignment 8

Richard Miller

Richard Miller's video "This Is How We Dream" presents the idea that writing has changed and the ways we can capitalize from the change. I see the substance of his video as being the notion that we can and should prepare for the phaseout of the physical makeup of books and other tools that we use to share written messages. We now have the luxury and capabilities to share our ideas globally, without any delay. Mr. Miller points out the value of these things in this video.

I applaud Mr. Miller for creating the conversation, and sharing his views and ideas. His dream is that our institution of education will one have these capabilities and students will more efficient because of it. I agree with him in the sense that the value of the student increases if they can share their writings instantly with the rest of the world. Without any doubt, I believe future students will be able to write with multimedia if they are taught to. Digital composition seems to be interesting, but I am one who would rather get the finished product than be the one who creates it. This really seems to fit people who are truly authors or professionals writers, such as Mr. Miller. The work that he did in response to the Virginia Tech shooting was incredible. He used information that has been recorded to the world wide web to validate and strengthen  his article, and that is cool.

The most noticeable change that I have seen in writing, has to be the fact that we are more tolerant of bad writing. It is a result from tolerating bad grammar. What I see are text messages worded 'on kno', which should be written as 'I don't know'. This is part of a comment to Mr. Miller's video; "I say will be because I believe with the way are world is changing that many unbelievable things will soon become believable." This is not meant to make anyone feel bad, but misspelling 'our' as 'are' is unbelievable. I make writing mistakes too, but the problem is that it is too prevalent when using modern technology tools to write. The kids' blogs that I read for assignment are full of writing mistakes. My frustration is building with each kids' blog that I read with these simple mistakes. It makes me wonder.... where have our standards gone?

Carly Pugh's Blog Post #12

Carly Pugh did a great job with this blog post. She writes about her idea for an assignment she thought Dr. Strange should have given. The assignment would be to create a YouTube playlist, explain how the videos relate to your teaching philosophy and what you have learned in EDM 310, and how could you use them when teaching. She provides an example, includes links of many of the videos, and she does a great job of explaining why she chose this assignment. I would definitely describe this post as a multi-media composition because she includes a video, many links to other videos, and a picture.

EDM 310 is Different

The Chipper Series is a collection of short clips featuring Chipper and Dr. Strange. Within these clips we witness Chipper as the prototype of an unsuccessful student. She makes excuses for not completing assignments, blames the instructor for her troubles in the class,  and eventually drops out of school. Chipper finally returns to school as a more promising and dedicated person only after experiencing the harsh reality of a slacker without credentials. She could not hold onto a job mainly due to her slacker attitude. No one should want to be like Chipper. So it is important that everyone is dedicated to their current situation.

EDM for Dummies is a video featuring two students of the class displaying their frustration with the class and Dr. Strange. After getting a copy of the tutorial, EDM 310 for Dummies, the students are more satisfied with the class and have really grown to enjoy the different assignments and people they come across through those assignments there is also a first hand account given by Poppy Bednorz.

I don't have any great ideas for a video that should be done. There are many entertaining and enlightening videos that cover so much for EDM 310. It is difficult to think of something that would not be an issue or topic that has videos already.

Learn to Change, Change to Learn

This is a video that features many people sharing their thoughts on the education system in its current state and what can be done to enhance it. There are some ideas that I agree with and there are some that I disagree with. The great thing about this video is that none of the ideas are beside the point nor are they weak. This a positive equation of the conversation, investigating solutions to the problem.

Hopefully, we can find the cause of the problem. What caused our education system to break, and how long has it been broken? Did we even have a great model to begin with, or were we fooling ourselves from the start? To a degree the answer to those questions may not be needed. We have technology. Once we fully integrate it into our schools, and maximize its potential, the day will be saved.