Media Literacy

The media literacy projects that were presented by the other groups this week were amazing. I really enjoyed doing our presentation, because each member of the group got to be creative and try different recipes and learn to use a social media site in a way we have not done before. 

However, the works the other groups did was very impressive and enlightening. I learned a lot of new things. I have used Google docs but mostly with friends, when we review each other's assignments; it just makes it easier to leave notes. However, I have never used it for a group project and don't know why. The group presentation really encouraged me to start using it for class; not only will it allow everyone to work, but it will ensure that one person does not have sole responsibility for bringing to class or for putting the finishing touches on it. 

The app that one of the groups presented was also intriguing. It would be nice if that app was available on the Android market, that way everyone would be able to work on the project on the go. However, it is nice that at least it is available on the web, so anyone can participate.


I use a lot of apps for organization, but very few for actually working with groups. My favorite app is called Wunderlist. It allows people to make lists and set due dates. However, it does have a group project option, where users can have a to-do list for group members who can all be invited and then check off jobs that are done or add new ones. This is a feature I have never used, but it would be great for group projects so each person can be assigned a different task. That person will always know what their task is so they won't forget to do it, and there will be no confusion as to who has to do what.

Media Literacy is a great topic to discuss in class. It will encourage students to share ideas which can be useful to others or inspire students to find easier ways to work with other. The presentations of the other group members have taught me a lot. I hope to be able to use some of the options they showed us, with future group projects.

Cookie Monster and Media Literacy

Visual literacy has become very popular in the last few years, as well as the idea of education being multi-modal. It is important for us students to understand how much influence and impact media projects can have on our potential students, and the best way to understand is to try it ourselves.

Click 'My Project' in post.

Next week, we are presenting our Media Literacy projects. I was initially very intimidated by it, because I wasn't really sure how it would turn out. However, after working with my awesome group, I feel very confident about our project and actually love the ideas we have been able to come up with. We started with a really simple concept and then it just snowballed into a big project. Initially we weren't sure how we would talk or teach a lesson for half an hour; now half an hour does not seem like enough time. We all have our own little projects but we are going to make sure to tie them into one another so the presentation flows smoothly.

I started my portion of the presentation and it's coming along well. I tried to make it a little interesting and fun, because as teachers we cannot just lecture students and expect them to enjoy it, or even learn from it. I am really enjoying working on this project, because it is interesting and a bit of a challenge. Although, my project is on Facebook, (My Project) I have to ensure that it does not lack in substance. PowerPoint has become the safe choice for all presentations in classrooms, even though there are so many other services and options available. Our group would like to show how the world is changing, and we have to learn to adapt to it, to better reach our students.

Horror Movies

As we discussed in class on Monday: media, art, and literature can be realistic or a bit more abstract. As we were talking, it dawned on me that a lot of horror movies try to make people feel as if they are a part of the action, instead of just being an observer. Horror films make people forget that they are watching a movie because the films can be frightening or simply have people in anticipation. As the video above for the first Paranormal Activity film shows, people were jumping in their seats because they were so caught up in the story and scares of the film. I somewhat enjoy horror films because they are interesting but often I get extremely scared. I did go to see this film in theaters and although my reactions were not as extreme, I did forget that I was watching a movie and felt scared for myself and the characters. This idea of making the audience feel a part of the film is most prominent in horror films than any other genre. It is aided with the shaky cam and other techniques which try to make the films seem more realistic. The use of such tricks could be seen in earlier films such as The Blair Witch Project and then in Cloverfield. There is also a genre of films known as "Found Footage," which tries to show that the clips being seen on screen are real discovered footage from real events. This helps even more so to make the audience feel that they are watching something real as opposed to watching a film. There are many "Found Footage" films, and a list can be found at: Found Footage Films. The list of numerous films, within the last decade, shows how prevalent this idea is becoming and that more people are looking for films that will not only scare them, but make them forget they are watching a movie and put them right in the action. 

Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike...

A couple of weeks ago, I had an opportunity to go see Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, directed by David Hyde Pierce, at the Mark Taper Forum in downtown Los Angeles. The show is very funny and the performances are excellent. This is the first high production and most professional play I have ever seen so it was just an overall wonderful experience. The interesting thing about the show that the ending of the play shows an outburst of the lead

characters, Vanya, as he becomes frustrated with technology. In the play, Vanya puts on a play but is consistently interrupted by Spike, who keeps texting or playing on his phone. This leads to an outburst by Vanya, who then delivers a powerful monologue about the problems with technology. Technology is great and has brought a lot of people together, as well as made our day to day tasks and lives either. However, there are still people out there who are so plugged in all the time that they tune out reality, which is a mistake. It is always wise, if not polite, to be aware of ones sorrounding to know what is right or wrong. I think this play ties in really well with English 495ESM. Although many people have negative perceptions of technology and media, this class is showing as well as teaching how technology can be useful in learning and teaching. People can learn many ways to use technology to better their lives and that of others. It is just important that people learn how to use the tools at their disposal, and use them properly, instead of just as a distraction or a way of killing time.