Reflecting back to Thursdays class, we had the opportunity to participate in flexible learning. In this educational model we were given several task options and instructed to complete two, and reflect on it. The tasks varied from reading and writing based activities, to more visual, and creativity based opening opportunities for all types of learners. I personally chose the visual/creative route with my magazine cover, and the quiz to asses my current standing on advertising and media. I have always had really strong feelings about the power of the media, its harmful effects on young people, and this assignment confirmed my previous beliefs of its influence. When making the magazine cover, I noticed how easy it was to make something professional looking and put anything you want on it. This resource in the wrong hands could be used to make legitimate looking covers, with dangerous messages on them. On the other hand, this resource could be used to correct damaging messages that current, published, magazine covers posses as well. For the quiz, I found that there were a lot of points in the questions that I had not previously considered, but had strong feelings about. For example question “30. Students should contribute to media projects that engage them directly in political and social issues.” really struck my interest. I feel like this is a great learning tool to activate critical thinking, and inquiry skills, while keeping information current and interesting. After completing both tasks I noticed that my feelings towards the media especially in classrooms grew stronger, and I am excited to use this as a learning tool both inside and outside of the classroom.
My observations from this class really encouraged me to consider the media and advertising as a valuable teaching tool. In a way, I feel like it would be used the same way that a text book would. Students will be able to reference the media they same way they would a text book to find examples, but they would have to come out with their own explanations. Seeing the media and advertising in this light has really made a difference in my thoughts of it’s value in the classroom. I have realized that my previous mindset (which only highlighted the negatives) was causing me to exclude it as a positive learning tool. I now see it’s potential for teaching.
I plan to take the data I collected about myself from the Digital Learning Horoscope and capitalize on my strengths when I am in a classroom. From now on when I see a media item that strikes my interest as having classroom potential I plan to save it for a future lesson. This way I will have a collection of valuable content for my students to learn from. After these activities my personal views on advertising shifted from completely negative, to critical. I will start breaking down the parts and asses its value, instead of just looking at the big picture.
My observations from this class really encouraged me to consider the media and advertising as a valuable teaching tool. In a way, I feel like it would be used the same way that a text book would. Students will be able to reference the media they same way they would a text book to find examples, but they would have to come out with their own explanations. Seeing the media and advertising in this light has really made a difference in my thoughts of it’s value in the classroom. I have realized that my previous mindset (which only highlighted the negatives) was causing me to exclude it as a positive learning tool. I now see it’s potential for teaching.
I plan to take the data I collected about myself from the Digital Learning Horoscope and capitalize on my strengths when I am in a classroom. From now on when I see a media item that strikes my interest as having classroom potential I plan to save it for a future lesson. This way I will have a collection of valuable content for my students to learn from. After these activities my personal views on advertising shifted from completely negative, to critical. I will start breaking down the parts and asses its value, instead of just looking at the big picture.