PEEK-A-BOO!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
My Course Reflection...
I can't believe that our last class is this week! Wow... it seems like only yesterday we were meeting in the IT Lab with Dr. Lee for the first time (quickly migrating to the seminar room in 2-17) on January 20th. Now, we are at the end of the road, at least for this course. We've had quite a journey since the beginning, and the memories of each class flicker in my mind like a photo album of visual learning.
This class reminded me of my undergraduate education at Rowan University as a Communication: Radio/TV/Film student, wherein I would study various mediums of mass media and their effectiveness and overall impact on people through sight and sound. Exploring the spectrum of visual communication in this class has proven to be nothing short of sheer enlightenment. I enjoyed each class and the learning that transpired from conversation and instruction.
Our first class together was long, but very informative and enlightening! Following that class, we were given the assignment of reading "The Visual Literacy White Paper" and completing a summary of the article, thus commencing our readings of various articles of or relating to visual design. I learned much from these readings and my perspective has been enhanced. It was a lot of fun identifying visual symbols to represent who I am as a person. Furthermore, I think that I have changed as a person as a result of this class.
In regard to my teaching, I have begun to incorporate more visual literacy techniques and strategies to promote student identification and utilization of images as symbols and metaphors. It's important for students, especially within the realm of language arts to be able to comprehend information that is abstract in nature. Imagination is a key component to learning, and I believe that we should do more to engage students in educational opportunities in which they can explore their creative side. I have a wealth of new ideas and a newfound perspective on this as a result of my coursework for this class.
Overall, this class proved to be interesting and worthwhile. I really liked the different types of projects that we were assigned, because I feel like I took different things from each. However, I did feel that the article summaries were a little much. I think that the class could have benefited more through collegial conversation as opposed to written summaries. Nonetheless, it's just an idea. I can't believe it's over, but as with most things in life, as one door closes - another opens. See you next week, Dr. Lee!
This class reminded me of my undergraduate education at Rowan University as a Communication: Radio/TV/Film student, wherein I would study various mediums of mass media and their effectiveness and overall impact on people through sight and sound. Exploring the spectrum of visual communication in this class has proven to be nothing short of sheer enlightenment. I enjoyed each class and the learning that transpired from conversation and instruction.
Our first class together was long, but very informative and enlightening! Following that class, we were given the assignment of reading "The Visual Literacy White Paper" and completing a summary of the article, thus commencing our readings of various articles of or relating to visual design. I learned much from these readings and my perspective has been enhanced. It was a lot of fun identifying visual symbols to represent who I am as a person. Furthermore, I think that I have changed as a person as a result of this class.
In regard to my teaching, I have begun to incorporate more visual literacy techniques and strategies to promote student identification and utilization of images as symbols and metaphors. It's important for students, especially within the realm of language arts to be able to comprehend information that is abstract in nature. Imagination is a key component to learning, and I believe that we should do more to engage students in educational opportunities in which they can explore their creative side. I have a wealth of new ideas and a newfound perspective on this as a result of my coursework for this class.
Overall, this class proved to be interesting and worthwhile. I really liked the different types of projects that we were assigned, because I feel like I took different things from each. However, I did feel that the article summaries were a little much. I think that the class could have benefited more through collegial conversation as opposed to written summaries. Nonetheless, it's just an idea. I can't believe it's over, but as with most things in life, as one door closes - another opens. See you next week, Dr. Lee!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Contemplative Pause...
"The greatest need of our time is to clean out the enormous mass of mental and emotional rubbish that clutters our minds and makes of all political and social life a mass illness. Without this housecleaning we cannot begin to see. Unless we see, we cannot think. Nothing can take the place of thoughts. If we do not think, we cannot act freely." -Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander (New York: Image) 77 and 79.
Contemplative Pause...
Contemplative Pause...
Throughout this week... PAUSE.
TAKE A BREATH and LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART.
What is one thing
that you can do
in this moment
to spring clean?
Friday, March 25, 2011
SIGNS
The Free Dictionary defines a sign as "something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality."
I have my own personal definition of the word. A sign is a conveyor of information. It's a beacon of truth in the sea of reality. Signs provide us with direction and guidance throughout our travels in life and help us to best understand the terms and conditions of our journey. It is the sign that allows us to steer clear of certain things that may cause us trouble and misfortune OR conversely send us en route to clarity and progress toward our goals and objectives.
Signs have a great purpose in society as an agent of information to people that identify with them to conduct themselves accordingly or simply best understand their environment, but as the times change and the environment is altered, the overall importance of certain signs diminishes. While these signs might have held significance and pertinence in yesteryear, their relevance is now obsolete or unnecessary altogether.
Here are a few examples of signs that are going extinct
and the signs that are being born as a result:
"Dead End" signs are now being replaced by "No Outlet" signs, which is widely considered more politically correct. 
While the comedy-tragedy masks still serve as theatrical signs for performing arts, most people tend to relate the Hollywood sign with anything relative to entertainment. 
This is a hand sign signifying peace or victory (a rude hand gesture when shown back side out) has been in use for a very long time; some saying that it’s use as an obscene gesture dates back to medieval times. Yet, this timeless hand sign has faded to make room for other hand signs of more controversial nature.
This hand sign - once a sign of good luck - is now seen as a symbol of ROCK N ROLL!
I'd imagine that as time goes on, signs will continue to change as necessary. One thing is for sure though. As long as people need information, signs will be EVERYWHERE.
Nic's Discoveries: SOCIAL LEARNING COMMUNITY
C4LPT: "Social Learning Community – Analysis of s successful start up" from @alc47 http://bit.ly/fwb28L
"In just 3 weeks, Jane Hart’s (www.c4lpt.co.uk) new Yammer based Social Learning Community (http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/community.html) has exploded..."
This is GREAT! I hope social learning continues to grow and expand, so that the hearts and minds of students and teachers alike can be enriched by the insights and imaginations of others.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
100 Awesome Open Courses and Lectures for Digital Artists!
LIVE TO LOVE. LOVE TO LEARN. LEARN TO CREATE!
100 Awesome Open Courses & Lectures for Digital Artists!
100 Awesome Open Courses & Lectures for Digital Artists!
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