a. How do you think this video is relevant to Secondary Social Studies and English education?
The way that the speaker presented the word "whatever" I believe is the most relevant to Social Studies and English education. Basically he took the word and framed it in both an etymological and chronological context. He took us through a timeline of not only what was going on in America, but how it affected the definition of a certain word. Taking this idea further we can even do what the speaker did in his classroom and explore more words and how they have changed over time. Since I'm an Secondary Education English major I would be more apt to examine the etymology and definition change, however juxtaposing it to a chronological timeline the way the speaker did would really put a lot of sense and meaning behind it. Another way this video could be relevant is the way in which the speaker talks about the implementation of this new technology. Historically he guides us through a few dates and ideas which have been landmarks to technology. However, more importantly he talks about how this new technology is beginning to fashion a new language. Famous Youtube videos people across the world recognize just when you begin to talk about them, and also the way that these videos have basically trademarked there own words is a fascinating way to relate the video to English and Social Studies. I found the video at least in a LACK standpoint most applicable to the community-centered aspect. This is because in the way he presented it he seemed to market Youtube as a social tool, and creating a new unique community many people across the world associate with.
b. What does the term ‘recognition’ refer to in the video and how could this concept be important in teaching and learning?
The term 'recognition' in the video refers to the idea that we as people in a narcissistic manner crave and desire self identity and communal recognition. It also speaks to the fact that our society does not give us said 'recognition' automatically. This could be important to teaching and learning because as a teacher if I understand that my students are looking for 'recognition' then I can cater my classroom to understand and emphasize this aspect. For example, I can begin to recognize them in my classroom community. I can also aid them in the understanding of their individual self identities. As the video talks about, self identity is gained through conversations with one another. By providing a classroom environment for my students thats heavily conversation based and also provides room for individual recognition I can then relieve my students of this need for the video's concept of 'recognition'. In the LACK framework I suppose this would be most related to the learner-centered aspect of it. This is because it provides me with a belief the students have about themselves, and will allow them to construct their own meanings to a belief and cultural practice they take place in.
02/10/10
After viewing the first grade classroom blog you recommended for us I knew exactly what to do to enhance the post quality on my blog. First, I created a post about cat massage... I was only considering putting links on it until I realized what else I could do. I then found a good video, and also directed people reading the post to the Kittens section of my pages. I think this will increase the sense and meaning behind the excellence of cat massage. I also think this will increase the rate of cat massage literacy people will experience. Not only can they read up on cat massage by following the links, they can also navigate my blog better, and they can also see live cat massage in action. I think that this is a quality model to follow for a post because it has all elements. Ways I could improve it however would be if I could perhaps find a cat massage simulator, but thats for another time.
