Research Paper

Well, I started my paper this week. I found a lot of good information on the web. There are many scholarly articles that I must purchase in order to read. I wonder if Montclair has some of these articles, and maybe I have access to them for free? I definitely should look into that. I did find a paper written by our own Dr. Dana Cammack, titled " Toward a Theory of New Literacies Emerging From the Internet and Other Information and Communication Technologies." I was able to download this.

Anyway, I am a bit disappointed about not meeting this week. I always look forward to class. I like listening to everones ideas and having discussions. The lunches with my friends after make it very enjoyable as well. I do hope to utilize my time wisely and work more on my paper and project, but you know something always comes up. I guess time will tell.

Thoughts about You Tube

I am a novice to this site. I spent a little bit on it lately and really don't like it too much. Many random people sharing some crazy videos. I think it could be good to share information, but I found myself watching pointless videos. I wasted a lot of time. I guess having the access to the information makes it a great web site. So many people are able to share their own videos as well as their opinions, once again collaborating. I did notice that people were meeting from You Tube. It's definitely a way of social networking. I guess this would also be considered an affinity space along with My Space. Here people can share many different activities as well as common interests. I need to spend more time on the site.

Hopkin Green Frog

Who is Hopkin Green Frog? It is a stuffed toy frog that an autistic boy lost. He created a flyer and posted it around Seattle looking for his toy. Someone got hold of the flyer and put it on the internet. People were interested in helping to find the frog. Someone even called his house to find out about the entire situation. Sounds crazy to be concerned about a frog. The interesting part for me is thinking about the power behind the Internet. Something can spread at such a rapid rate and get so many people involved. I guess this is a meme at work. Some new concept that spreads like wildfires.

We have the capability to do so many things now and accomplish so much. The internet could be used to do so many good things for the world. I definitely need to be a part of something good. Imagine what we could actually do with this technology?

SNOW DAY

Well, I am praying again for another snow day. They say Suffern could get 8 to 14 inches. I would hate to drive in the snow, so I'm wishing for the day off. This week has been very draining and I could use a break. A nice 3 day weekend is just what I need. The GEPA is over and I am very relieved. I only hope my students pass. If not, I must remember that I did all I could. I planned, taught, and retaught, so they should have remembered something. We will see in June when the results come back.

Reading

Yes, I like to read, when I have time. I don't get enough time to read a lengthy novel, but I do love to read magazines and read the newspaper daily. During the summer, I find time to read 3 or 4 books at the pool and beach. When I do find a book that interests me, I can't put it down. I usually finish a good book, depending on length, in two days. My life is so full, which is a blessing, it is just hard to find free time for leisurely reading.
I allow students in my class to pick any books they like during independent reading. I don't like to assign novels, due to a lack of interest from my students. I often read the books in my classroom library and then share the ones I enjoyed with my students. This tends to motivate them to read.
Technology will definitely have an impact on reading. People no longer need to go to the library for a book. You can read from the web. People are reading more than just printed material (books, newspapers, letters), they are now reading from the computer, telephone,( emails, instant messaging). I think technology can only have a positive impact on reading.

The Matrix

I just finished watching the movie and doing some research on the computer. I didn't realize that there was so many web sites devoted to the movie. I found one website that had a virtual world that you can join and become characters from the movie, reminds me of those students on another website that we read about. The movie was good, better than I expected, but a little scary. To think, our lives could be that way is a bit bazarre for me. It also makes me think by creating the computer, we have created a monster. Could it possibly take over?????