Sexuality

In today's class we dicussed sexuality, something that has started to become more mainstreamed, but there is still many people who pass judgement and are very critical of people who are anything but heterosexual. It is unfortunate that we cannot just let people live the lives they want to live and be supportive and understanding, but this is the world we live in and there is not one thing that everyone can agree on. So, where does this leave teachers? Teachers need to be open-minded towards many lifestyles and identities. It is part of the teachers job to help youth find who they are and to offer support and guidance. It is also important that they teach/model accepting behavior to people who may be different than the majority (for instance). Sexuality does have a place in education, but it is important for the right professionals to address certain topics. Youth needs this resource, who are we to deny them of it?

Suicide

Today's topic, suicide, really hits home for me. In high school, one of my closest friends committed suicide by stepping in front of a VIA Rail train. Before this, I never knew that people would step out in front of trains to end their lives, and the idea that youth can find web sites telling them about different ways to kill themselves, offering tips and addressing this situation like it's okay, like it's cool even, is absolutely horrifying to me!!!
What youth truly needs is guidance, support, and attention. This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed with teens, and resources should be provided. Teachers and parents need the tools and resources to know when and how to talk to teens and what warning signs to look for, so that preventative measures can be taken if there is a need.
It's sad to think that youth feel like there's nothing to live for, if they are turning to suicide than we must have failed.

Slumdog Millionaire

I just wanted to comment on the clip of Slumdog Millionaire that was shown in class. I had not had the chance to see this movie yet, but I did hear a good deal about it and I saw that it won an Oscar, so I thought that it must be good! But the clip shown in class was enough of a taste to intregue me to watch the whole film, it is my intention to rent it as soon as time allows!!! I found it rather interesting, with the North American traditions twisted in, such as the game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and the action/violent scenes typical of American films. It is also interesting to see how people live in different parts of the world, and the lives of the children, afterall children are a huge part of my work. I am sure that I will not be disappointed by this movie! (I hope!)

Where I Fit In

When I was looking at the pyramid of the Stages of Technology Professional Development, I felt as though I fit in there somewhere between stages two and three. The first stage being Personal, the second Professional and the third Prdagogical. I definately use technology as a personal tool for leisure and social life, and I feel that I use technology for my professional life between being a full-time university student and for my teaching experiences I have used the tools that I had available to me to facilitate work. The next stage i am still developing, that is using technology to help my students learn, as I gain experience in the classroom and with the new technologies available, like the SmartBoard for example, I am beginning to use these tools in a way that is beneficial to student learning.

Concerns About Teaching

I must admit that I am slightly concerned when I think about teaching about media and technology in the classroom. More so for technology though, because I am not confident when I use certain technologies. I do not feel as though I know enough about different technologies to properly teach about their function and use. I am also afraid of mishaps such as the one I read about previously about the substitute teacher who was convicted when a number of pornographic pop-ups appeared on the classroom computer. This was an incident that was not a result of any action that she performed, nor was it something that she had any control over, yet she faced very serious concequences. I know that I would not have known what to do either and I would have ended up in the exact same position. I just find tyhat there is not much reference or support for teachers in this area, so I find the idea intimidating. I do hope that I will overcome these feelings eventually and confidently teach about technology in my class, but it is a work in progress.

More Rants About Bush

When I read about the Bush Administration, all I can feel is anger and pity. I get angry towards the fact that their solution to anything and everything is destructive and violent, what do they think they are achieving? Didn't their parents and teachers teach them anything about conflict resolution? And I pity the citizens, the people who fight and their families, I pity them because they believe that they have the right answer, that they feel strong, that they think that they are the best. I pity them because they don't know peace and cannot celebrate it. I think it is sad that they are afraid that others might know independence, I mean, why shouldn't they? Is that a liberty that Americans alone should enjoy and not share? I just find it so frustrating and annoying to hear about, I wish that things will change for the better for them, and for the rest of us.

Exploring Media: Photovoice

In the media there is a significant amount of violence. There is violence portrayed in ads, in movies, numerous television shows, and cartoons. We hope that most adults have the capacity to think critically about the images that they see, but of course not every adult will do so. What is troubling is that children have not yet learned how to analyze and construct meaning from what is shown. Children are not shielded from advertising, because it is everywhere, on billboards, buses, television, and the web. They are exposed to even more violence when they watch regular daytime television, even in cartoons, especially in cartoons. Children find the content appealing and entertaining, therefore, it is the responsibility of the adults to monitor the programming that their children are exposed to.
In the photo I have chosen, there are two four-year-old boys, in the back yard of the daycare where I work, with their fists in the air and angry looks on their faces. But they are having fun, they do not see anything wrong with these poses or behaviors. It never fails to amaze me how violently the young children play at daycare, even despite the fact that they are reprimanded for doing so, and are reminded endlessly why it is not appropriate to engage in games of violence. Even toddlers, only 18 months old make gun shapes with their fingers, aim, and say “Pow! Pow!” And as they get older, the games get more intense, they build guns and play soldiers, bad guys and good guys, chase each other, tackle, kick, punch, bite, hit and push others. It is all fun and games until somebody gets hurt. Before this happens, children do not see what is wrong with these behaviors. And even if an adult intervenes and explains to them why their behavior is not acceptable and that it hurts others, they cannot understand the gravity of the situation, because they are desensitized by the amount of violence that bombards them day to day through the media. Violence has become “normal.”
When violence is a form of entertainment, it is no wonder that children play violently. It is necessary for parents to monitor a child’s exposure to violence and when they are exposed, to explain to the child the context and severity of the situation. Once children reach elementary school, teachers need to take part in teaching media literacy, analysis, and critical thinking. If children are made aware of the images that surround them, can dissect them in order to make sense of the messages, and make their own choices, hopefully they will be more positive choices in behavior and improve interpersonal development.