Techlearning blog

Thank you Amanda and Nick. This digital story was powerful. I have tears in my eyes to know that teenagers can produce such a thoughtful multimedia product.
Gratefully,
MJ in Virginia

The video was liberal, misguided...may speak volumes about her public school education...but I have to say it was a technically good piece, and it was well delivered. And, I agree that it appears to be a synthesis of some thought.

Doug: thanks for your comment, and the power of this network allows all to have a voice, including those who disent. I would encourage you strongly to produce your own video about your views, and contribute to the conversation. I'd personally be interested in your perspectives on why this is liberal, and especially, why you consider this misguided. I consider her message to be about reestablishing some of the values that have been misplaced. Feel free to continue this discussion here if you'd like. Again, thanks for you comments...

David

Well, David, here is my take on this well-done piece. The quotations are paraphrases, not exact quotes.

Why it is liberal:
--"this land was not always the land of opportunity"
To me, this statement is just not true and connotes a fundamental misunderstanding of the history of the U.S. and upper North America.

--"made freedoms seem unfair and biased"
This is a natural, heartfelt statement; nonetheless, it is a popular statement that those who are far left believe.

--"cliche justice and freedom"
Freedom and justice are not cliche, and I see the author is making that point, too, but my take is that the point in being made under the idea of a united human race (which is a laudable goal) but unrealistic and, yes, liberal

--at the end, "find America"; this assumes that the U.S. was at some time more of a touchy-feely place to be, that it was or was envisioned by our founding fathers to be egalitarian...

Why I think the project is misguided...
I don't know the details on the project except what is in your post, but this great project and social-studies-based projects can have an effect to further promote intellectual hash (even though the student is putting the material together in a unique way), which I don't think is good teaching at that level.

But let me say, digital storytelling can be good stuff, and I like much of the work you've pioneered. I think we as educators need to be especially careful of the power of images and erroneous information.

How do I know the project was a complete success? Doug's comments to your post are proof enough for me. This project sparked some political debate which "educators and students" can dissect and argue over its meaning. This is an ideal project because it sparks further learning.

Getting kids involved in projects that spark debate on political issues is extremely powerful. I disagree with Doug on his principles and I completely disagree with his statements on why this project was misguided.

On the other hand... I completely agree with Doug that we as educators need to be very careful with imagery but with a different take. I began my career teaching Social Studies and I have witnessed first-hand how awful "many" of my colleagues in this field can be. Ferris Buehler's take on history teachers is not far from the truth. Additionally, our social studies curriculum is rife with the creation of demagogues and patriotic drivel.

I highly suggest everyone who wants or does teach social studies to read James W. Loewen's books (especially - Lies My Teacher Told Me). Our history TEXTBOOKS are full of powerful imagery and erroneous information.

Just because a student presents some political thinking that doesn't align with the "main stream" or "Conservatism" doesn't mean we should criticize the teaching methods...

I highly applaud your student and everyone involved in presenting these students a fantastic educational opportunity.

Scott: thanks for your comments-I know the kids will appreciate your support and insights. David

David--I read your post and what caught my attention first was how even though your are the Media Center Technology Coordinator, you had a recent opportunity to work with the students and see some success. This point is what I want to comment about. I have just started a position as Media Center Director and I would agree with you that you do not see some of those successes and when you do you are proud as an educator first, that you could help them and then you are proud as a Media Center Specialist. I have seen at times few progressions as Media Specialist in the student. They come in, type, research, and then they leave. The success is then seen in the classroom and not in the Media Center. You had the opportunity to help the student and see the success of the "video" and no one can take that away from you. Kudos. I hope to see more of that myself in my job in the future.

Excellent display of what creativitiy and beauty can come from the use of technology. Way to go!

This was not only beautifully done, but is just what Americans all need to hear! I am fighting back the tears.

I think you've done an excellent job at moving your students into using 21st century skills to respond to a thoughtful question/prompt. Not only did Amanda, Nick, and the rest of your class gain important insights, but now many other folks can carry on a significant conversation as a result of this project.
I teach Enrichment (gifted ed) in elementary school, and this is just the kind of work I think students need to be doing. The point is not whether everyone (responding) agrees with the viewpoints presented, but what is learned and understood as a result of the conversation.
Amanda's viewpoint is valid, and it's obvious she is conscious of good and bad attitudes about America and its citizens. Her movie and Nick's music show that students can and do excel when challenged appropriately!
Please keep sharing!

Dave,
What an awesome presentation! This young lady put effort and thought in her presentation; and, because of that, added so much value to it. It was so much more than "just a social studies assignment". Thank you for sharing. Even though Doug didn't agree with the concepts in her presentation, he added to its value because it created in him a need to comment. I don't agree with him, but that's my right. Thank you Amanda and Rick for your work and to you Dave for posting it! I've added you to my bloglist so I can come back here to see what else you're doing!

Let's keep the focus on the goal of this assignment: "to create a digital story..." I think we're back to the debate on taking off points for misspellings on a science test when the goal is that they understand the concepts involved. That was a beautiful, touching piece composed by Amanda. Along with her A, I'm sure she learned another valuable lesson. Isn't that the point?

The beauty of public schools is the very freedom she is referring to: an openess to a variety of perceptions and being encourged to process it. I think that's called critical thinking and a priority request in business right now. Thanks, Dave, for your educational savy.

I must say that Doug makes some very good points. We as educators must provide young minds with both sides of all issues- Not just our "own" views and allow our students to discuss and debate, ultimately coming to their own conclusions--That's critical thinking!! Many adults today are merely parrots--parroting what they hear, yet can not go in depth with you on their views because they have not themselves thought through these very same views. That's scary!! Althogh I thought the student's presentation was good--- I would have liked for her to go more in depth, ie. --contributed more personal experiences that led her to her beliefs- as presented, I must agree with Doug that it appears to be a mimicking of liberal views--her own????

Cheryl: interesting post, thanks. You should know that this young women is Hispanic, and her views are her own, and developed from her experience as a Hispanic. They are not a "mimicking of liberal views" as you express, but a sincere perspective of what she believes. Digital storytelling is about providing voice, and not intended to be a thesis. Had you seen the original work (written)you would have seen the depth. And just for the record, the last time I checked-it was NOT a crime to be a liberal in the United States.

Ideals of true America were decided in world wars. Americans are proud because there forefathers were brave and intelligent. True Americans are captains of our planet. Anyone who doubts US future is a trouble maker. American true strength lies in foreign countries. Future of USA is brilliant and eminent.