http://youtu.be/fitTn23tFTU
Iconoclast1967
Rubrics
Very knowledgeable about chosen current technology and provided an insightful and in-depth analysis.
Very knowledgeable about chosen earlier technology and provided an insightful and in-depth analysis.
Thoroughly described the differences and similarities
between the two technologies and used each to highlight aspects of the
other.
Utilized multimedia and technology in a creative and inspiring but also relevant presentation format.
My goal is to express myself knowledgeably about current technology in order to provide an insightful and in-depth analysis of both current technology, and older technology. In terms of the older technology I want to consider 8mm films and in so far as the new technology is concerned, a website: iCivics. The civics game has as its goal to provide a fun and educational experience for the next generation of citizens. They want to demonstrate that participation is important and they promote the ideas of democracy. Although the age range is essentially K-12 they do seem to overlook some of the intricacies and complexities of the actual government. For example, the three branches of government are not precisely three equal branches currently. I would have preferred that they demonstrated the concept of the Imperial presidency and how the two other branches, the legislative and the judicial, have been superseded.
The student has some choice however and can move through various aspects of the site at their own pace and by choice. The site does seem to favor the view that participatory democracy is the ideal political state. Not surprisingly, it has been endorsed to promote Common Core principles as funded by Bill Gates. The site states:. "Overview:The Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) initiative, provided grants to 19 organizations for implementing proven and emerging technology-enabled instructional and assessment materials to improve students’ mastery of Common Core-aligned content for grades 7 through 9." In addition, the "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation contracted with the nonprofit research institute SRI International for an independent evaluation of the NGLC Wave II grants." Along these lines, one other site examined, the Khan Academy, also complies with the politics of Common Core: "We're working hard to ensure our math content rigorously and comprehensively covers the Common Core Standards, a set of math standards that most of the states in the U.S. have adopted." In short the iCivics site is a very engaging site in that the design is clean and clear and indeed bright colors and interesting graphics are sprinkled throughout. The student will learn because not only are they memorizing facts and reading they are actually experiencing the dynamic process of democracy. They state their intention clearly enough: "democratic action," which is code for progressive politics.
What do you think are some of this technology’s goals?
The goal of the technology is to allow the student to manipulate the data in such a way that they actually understand the promoters of the living Constitution and the progressive ideals advocated by the organizers. In the exercise to Know Your Rights clients come in to interact with the lawyer who may or may not have the expertise needed and then go to trial: it's an interesting approach.
What does the user “do” when s/he uses the technology?
The student may choose four main exercises in which they have to interact and think through the issues within that module. It means they have to think while making decisions based on their understanding of the Constitution.
Does the technology direct the learner toward a specific goal or is it more open-ended?
The learner is directed towards participatory, direct action progressive politics. It is similar to the Greek notion of direct democracy, as the Founders had written a Constitution to head off such a direction.
How does it seek to engage and/or motivate the learner?
The learner is engaged and motivated by moving through various modules. The student is given a semblance of choice in that they could move from preselected silos and categories of thinking.
How might the learner learn from it?
The learner might see themselves as oppressed (Pablo Freire) and the learner may raise their consciousness. The designers of the site seemed to intend that the learner understand that activism is the route to pursue.
Who was/is its intended primary audience?
The audience of the older technology was school-age in high school kids. I will anticipate part three by contrasting it with the newer technology.
The intended primary audience of young people are those without a knowledge about American history and a constitutional background. There is no discussion of America as a Republic, or a description of the Res Publica.
What were/are its goals?
The older technology had as its goal to stimulate thought and to encourage conversation and discussion
The new technology goals are to be engaging and relevant while acquainting a student with the living Constitution as one that can be interpreted and expanded upon.
Based on your personal experiences with it, did the technology meet its goals? Why or why not?
Yes, the older technology met its goals because it is very memorable even after several decades.
Yes, the new technology meets its goals in that it is well-designed, attractively arranged, and well laid out to involve a younger, impressionable student to enjoy.
Did it have other potentially unintentional effects (either positive or negative)?
The older technology had unintentional effects in that it was bombastic and it turned some students off.
Insofar as the new technology is concerned the following is one of the more intriguing passages in the game. The game actually shows you how to violate the Constitution of the United States of America. It is an unabashed appeal to the unbridled use of tyrannical power. The site states:
"Do you like running things? Branches of Power allows you to do something that no one else can: control all three branches of government! You'll have the power to write any laws you want about issues you choose. Careful, though, there's a lot to juggle when you're playing all three branches. Good luck!"
There is no instructive background to explain a figure like George Washington for example who actually refused the title of Excellency. It appears to take the history out of its context and with no readings or learning objectives that have to do with the times and the culture of the day it is difficult to really grasp why the Founders wrote the document that they did.
Are their approaches similar or divergent?
The approach of the older technology is to provoke thought and enjoyment because films in the old days were technologically challenged but very exciting for the day and age. At this time the newer technology is striving to keep up with the better produced more highly commercial products that students have access to already.
Pick one aspect of the experience across both technologies and contrast them.
One aspect of the experience across both technologies can be contrasted since the older technology, although not technologically sound, provoked a great deal of excitement and expectation among students. The newer technology by contrast does not enlighten and inform. It appears to titilate but not engender fun and the joy of learning and reading seems missing.
How do they compare? Did you find one more engaging? More thought-provoking? More memorable? More playful or structured? More motivating?
They compare in the sense that both want education to be fun. The older technology involved us because it was something very different and out of the ordinary. The newer technology is something that kids experience every day because they've grown up with and have been surrounded by technology. There's no question that the newer technology is more engaging in that the older technology was a more passive medium. We were excited by it since we really had to socialize and discuss the content to make sense of it. But considering the question of which is more thought-provoking I think you can still make a case for the older technology. I have retained the memories of Mr. Deeds and those history classes over several decades but I doubt if students today will remember technology in the same way after several decades. The older technology is more memorable because it really stood out in a day when there was much less technology. It was really something out of the ordinary. I think the newer technology is both more playful and more structured and does not allow for the freedom of thought as the older technology did. You also do not interact and socialize in the new technology. In the older technology there are no limitations of thought. You were free to think of the material as you saw fit including as I suggested in my video presentation. Some students simply laughed at how ridiculous the propaganda was. The newer technology is more structured in that there are silos of thought confining the student to certain pathways to learn. In the case of motivation they probably are just about equal in that the older technology allowed students to think what they wanted. The newer technology motivates students to be activists.
Why do you think this is the case for you? Is it likely the case for other users as well?
I see the technology as I do more simply because of the culture of the time and my age. The country is much different and therefore what is most likely be the case is that other users will have a very different experience.
What other differences or similarities struck you about these tools?
I found the older technology more engaging in that it is open-ended. Contrast the more narrowly focused iCivics site. The student has only one of four areas: Lawcraft, Election Resources, One Big Party?, or Citizen Me. What if the student had other ideas about civics? There are only four choices to pick from. If you pick Lawcraft for example, you can only be a Democratic or a Republican. Thus, you only have two choices. The student may pick from numerous characteristics to advocate within the confines of those two parties. The provided definition of liberty is misleading. In politics, liberty is freedom from government coercion; however, in the game, it is defined as "people have the freedom to do things that they want to do." Generosity is defined that "the government is providing large benefits or services to citizens." Can non-government NGOs be generous? Perhaps institutions such as churches, synagogues, or non-profits are providing benefits or services too. The difference, not mentioned in the game, is that government is collecting taxes first. The NGOs are simply generous.
Common Core References
Lawcraft and the Annenberg Foundation
To be posted:
March 28, 2015
Liberty Beats Common Core
https://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=xBPhNUkBAAA.90JQYy3n40_pLZzMVQvqMA.z9qg37U9oJCeIFdKJU0J6Q&postId=889523697381562301&type=POST
March 24, 2015
Rare to Common Core: College Degree Over 40 Years
January 29, 2015
How to Make Math Hard: Common Core
Harder Math Harder Subtraction
December 31, 2014
Conform Common Core
December 22, 2014
Governor Jindal Sues Feds Over Common Core
November 30, 2014
Common Core History Nonsense
Enochs High School principal Deb Rowe in charge in California, social studies teacher Janeen Zambo read from a breakup note to the students ab Nonsense
October 29, 2014
10 Catholic Facts Against the CommonCore
http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/Portals/0/Mail/Renewal%20Report/pdf%20for%20web%20Final.pdf
Media Fawned Over Common Core
http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/10/media-fawned-over-common-core.html#axzz3GoFkxdc0
Common Core Promotes Islam
American Common Core Pro-Islamist
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/10/common-core-promotes-islam.html#ixzz3GoG5thci
Common Core Toxic
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/07/04/public-school-teacher-has-some-harsh-words-for-common-core-and-the-toxic-culture-of-education/
PA Against Common Core
http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/08/common-core.html#axzz3GoFkxdc0
Iowa Ditches Common Core
http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/08/iowa-ditches-common-core.html#axzz3GoFkxdc0
Catholics Battle Church Officials Against Common Core
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/06/18/catholic-parents-clash-over-common-core/
10 Reasons to Oppose Common Core
http://youtu.be/na-JmnHdlZw
Common Core Data Collection of Every Child
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/05/22/Study-New-Technology-Development-Pushed-By-Feds-Allows-For-Data-Collection-on-Every-Child
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/05/common-core-data-collection-of-every.html#ixzz3GoHHhbNk
Common Core Motivator: White Privilege
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2014/05/21/teacher-involved-common-core-development-my-white-privilege-motivated-me http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/05/22/listen-to-the-audiences-reaction-when-teacher-reveals-why-he-helped-write-common-core/
Common Core Government Propaganda
https://mobile.twitter.com/ColetteMoran/status/395967716382629889/photo/1
Feds Threaten Indiana Over Common Core
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/05/07/federal-govt-issues-warning-to-state-that-wants-to-opt-out-of-common-core/
Comedian Comes Out Against Common Core, Standardized Testing – See If You Can Get the Answers to His Kids’ Homework
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/04/28/when-the-famous-comedian-who-once-said-i-really-love-barack-obama-says-this-about-common-core-it-makes-news/
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/04/comedian-comes-out-against-common-core.html#ixzz3GoHnA0a6
Another Common Core Progaganda Site
opened.io
Common Core Opponent Suspended
http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/04/common-core-opponent-suspended-for.html#axzz3GoFkxdc0
Teacher Tearfully Describes Bullying and Intimidation She Suffered for Opposing Common Core
Speaking before the Missouri Senate Education Committee, Susan Kimball said she has been “strongly discouraged from saying anything negative about Common Core by my administration and some school board members.”
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/04/teacher-tearfully-describes-bullying.html#ixzz3GoIpTjSx
http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/04/teacher-tearfully-describes-bullying.html#axzz3GoFkxdc0
SAT Dumbing Down for Common Core: Gov't to Put Companies Out of Business
SAT test prep companies out of business and aligning the test to the Common Core Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/sat-test-prep-makeover-104291.html#ixzz2v81LnhTc
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/03/sat-dumbing-down-for-common-core-govt.html#ixzz3GoIxbi2K
Common Core Principal Against Common Core
http://nepc.colorado.edu/author/burris-c-c
Click the "play" arrow for the Common Common Core audio report
Common Core audio report http://www.grassrootsaction.com/201105/offer.asp?Ref_ID=25183&p=1&CID=201107&RID=41539123 See more at: http://www.grassrootsaction.com/201105/offer.asp?Ref_ID=25183&p=1&CID=201107&RID=41539123#sthash.v8WrYqgf.dpuf
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/03/click-play-arrow-for-common-common-core.html#ixzz3GoJBcZLj
Common Core, Wrong
http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/02/common-core-wrong.html#axzz3GoFkxdc0
Panelist at Podesta Think Tank on Common Core: 'The Children Belong to All of Us' - See more at: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/panelist-podesta-think-tank-common-core-children-belong-all-us#sthash.g7hUMfGo.dpuf
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/02/panelist-at-podesta-think-tank-on.html#ixzz3GoJRWMxV
Catholic is Our Core, Not Common
Catholic Schools Standards Project known as the Common Core Catholic Identity Initiative (CCCII)
http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CatholicIsOurCore/CatholicIdentityConcerns.aspx
http://ohioansagainstcommoncore.com/2013/08/catholic-school-parents-your-revolt-is-way-overdue/
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/common-core-commotion-is-new-curriculum-catholic-school-friendly/
http://www.cccii-online.org/images/Resources/CCCII_Project_Overview_Ozar_June_2012.pdf
http://www.catholicschoolstandards.org/
http://www.cccii-online.org/images/Resources/Guidelines/CCCII-Guidelines-01-15.pdf
http://www.ncea.org/events/common-core-catholic-identity-initiative-conference
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/02/catholic-is-our-core-not-common.html#ixzz3GoJXPfty
FreedomWorks Common Core Course
Course: Activist Involvement: Common Core
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/01/freedomworks-common-core-course.html#ixzz3GoJdQir9
Fed-Up Mother Tackles Common Core in Viral Video: ‘Parents Have No Voice’
Karen Lamoreaux, an Arkansas parent who appeared in a viral video tackling some of the issues associated with the Common Core, appeared on the Glenn Beck Program Wednesday to discuss the “dumbing down of American kids.”
Read more: http://blogsmithconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/01/fed-up-mother-tackles-common-core-in.html#ixzz3GoJkWDGl
Part 1: Current Technology
Peer 1
Excellent analysis
Peer 2
Wait, was a new technology described?
Part 2: Earlier Technology
Peer 1
Movies were mentioned but not described. How were they used in the classroom? I liked the part where you talked about your personal connection to classroom movies.
Part 3: Comparative Analysis
Peer 1
It was a well written and in depth analysis between the two technologies.
Peer 2
If this was in there, I didn't see it. But then, maybe I totally missed the earlier tech?
Presentation & Communication
Peer 1
It was fun and flashy to do a movie. I expected to be really engaged, so you had that going for you. However, the message was lost, especially at the end. I wasn't even sure if you were trying to slip in some messages against some world ideologies.
I enjoyed reading your Then and Now submission.