Communication with Music Trials

We set out yesterday talking about our personal connections with music. I asked, "How many of you sing in the car? The shower?" "How many of you affix a song to a memory?" We all have connections to music based on our own personal experiences. Music is one of the more powerful forms of communication for many people, especially your generation.

We discussed how certain types of music are better at certain times. Studies show that certain types of music can help you sleep better, and certain types of music are better to wake to because of the physiological affects on your nervous system based on the beat of certain music. We talked about audiences: clearly classical music carries a different fan base then that of, say, Death Metal. When you set out to create your song, you MUST keep audience in mind. As part of that outcome, you will be required to do a significant write-up about what your intent was when you set out to create the song. Think about songs that have haunting lyrics or musical scores. Think about songs where the beat is so intense there is no way you can sit still... you have to move your body by either tapping your foot, moving your head, or jumping up and dancing. These are usually deliberate conventions on the creator's part.

Think about audience in this sense: If you are creating a music video of your best summer moments, you won't be seeking out a sad tune with slow, dreary beats. You will most likely be looking for songs that are upbeat, fun, catchy... Conversely, if you need to create the slideshow for someone's memorial service, you will be looking for songs with slower beats, softer tones... musical artists set out with a plan, and so should you in the creation of your song.

Part 1 of this reflection is asking you to discuss your connections to music. When do you find yourself listening to music? Do you want different types of music at different times in your life? Are you one of those people who needs music to concentrate or relax? How does music affect your life?

Part 2 is asking you to explore a few fun online things and discuss them regarding the idea that music is a powerful form of communication. These are newer technologies, and are completely changing how people engage with music. In your reflection, you will need to discuss whether you liked the site, what the pros & cons are, and how this site could change how people look at music (or could/should it??)? Think about how technology has changed music, and how these online sites change music. Below is Cameron's 1st attempt on yourspins.com, where you can take a song and remix it. What if your remix is better than the original (is that possible?)? But what if? What are the copyright issues there? Think beyond big...



Another place to explore is Jamstudio.com, which Cameron describes as "a slightly easier version of Garage Band." Is he correct? Or do you want more control? How can you share your creations on these two sites? Think about social networks and how you can quickly become a popular artist. Think about how places like MySpace have launched artists. Is it possible to become an overnight sensation online?

A 3rd place to look would be Noteflight. As stated on their website, "Noteflight® is an online application that lets you display, edit, print and play back music notation with professional quality, right in your web browser. You can work on a musical score from any computer on the Internet, share it with other users, and embed it in your own pages. And it's free for individual use." Kyle has played with this some before, and says you definitely need to know musical scores in order to do well here. It's not the same as something like Jamstudio, but if you are indeed musically inclined, this might be the site for you. If you think you've got what it takes, go for it. Give us your feedback.

In short: explore, play, and see what happens. Give us the feedback. Good, bad, indifferent. Are there other places to explore? What are they? How has all this changed music as we know it. How has technology changed music as we know it? Could you actually become a popular artist by using something so simple as one of these technologies??? Remember, your reflection will be graded using the Output Rubric (1st one when you scroll down).

Week something like 12 (we'll call it that anyways)

So, last week, we again made a charming attempt at UStream, and had yet another failure. Obviously, you cannot evaluate this as a form of communication since we have had epic fails every time we've tried , but you can postulate on how this might work, if indeed we could get it to work. Having said that, I want you think about how doing a live webcast could be a functional form of communication. What are the benefits of "going live"? What might be the downfalls, other than the obvious hurdles we experienced? How can this form of communication be used in an educational setting effectively? What purposes would it have? Can you see yourself using this form of media in an academic setting? How?

So, because we had such utter failure with our live streaming attempts, we resorted back to the weekly rubric, to which you all moaned and groaned. However, I rest comfortably at night knowing the following: I am teaching you how to build a PLN, a personal learning network, a concept surrounding the use of other peoples' learning. This is a concept that had grown exponentially because of the use of tools like Twitter, LinkedIn, and other similar social networking tools. Professionals know that this is how real learning happens, and many students are quickly learning, as well. To have power, you no longer get to be the gatekeeper of knowledge. In today's day and age, your power comes from how much you can share and with how many people. Online etiquette states that unless you source the knowledge, you give credit to the source. If people follow the "code" then you could quickly become fairly powerful, if people like what you are posting. There was a post not too long ago on Twitter that said, the ultimate compliment is to have your post retweeted. Why is that a compliment? Because your information is getting sent out all over the Twitterverse. The more people like your post and retweet it, the more people want to know about you, the original poster. The end result? You have grown in power based on your knowledge. And the converse will hold true for you. You will learn from others, as others learn from you. It's a powerful concept.

For example, last night on Desperate Housewives (yes, I'll admit to being a junkie of that show), one of the main character's husband didn't get an advertising job he interviewed for, and when his wife asked, "What happened?", his response was, "I was asked if I had ever mass marketed a campaign using Twitter? I had no clue what he was talking about." And so it goes. This is not pop culture, PLNs are main stream. After all that, what did you get from this week while you dabbled yet again in the rubric? What new ideas, concepts, tools, tricks, etc did you learn? Or did you fall into a rut and just do the same ole', same ole'? In short, what did you learn this week? Remember, your posts here will be graded using the Output Rubric (the 1st rubric on the page), so freshen up on those standards.

Photo Journalistic Integrity

This week we explored the concept of photojournalistic integrity and how easily and effectively pictures can be altered. Journalists, as well as photographers, are bound to another code of ethics that is only slightly different. The two groups of reporters are made to follow basically the same set of "rules" that are put in place with the hope that the public won't be mislead.

When photographers and reporters violate certain ethics they are often harshly criticized by their peers and coworkers. Are these criticisms fair or not? Should photojournalists be held to a certain set of standards and ethics, and if so should these standards be held to everyone who publishes photographs? For example, should commercial photographs have its own set of ethics? What about the pictures you see in fashion magazines?

Week 9 Photo Integrity Reflection

For the next few weeks, we will be examining the concept of photo integrity. You have been asked to complete the following standards for this project.

Part of this project is that you reflect every day so you can be able to use this information for your writeup at the end. This project started on Tuesday 3/24. You should have a refection from each day. You will receive credit (or not) based on your reflection. The standards for reflection remain the same.

week 7 reflection

Picture borrowed from Unshelved http://www.unshelved.com/archive.aspx?strip=20090311

Now that you've been using Twitter for several weeks, who do you feel more like, the mom or the kid?

If you used Glogster this week for 3.4 original content, what are your thoughts on this application? What are the classroom uses for this application? Can you see it being used elsewhere, outside the classroom? What are the benefits? Downsides? If you haven't tried it, I would encourage you to do just that - try it.

Some of you tried Animoto this week; what are your thoughts on this application? What is the classroom benefit? Can it be used outside the classroom for any purpose? What are the benefits? Downsides?

What other applications have you used this week? How did the 2nd week of the challenge go for you? Now that you understand the requirements and what is expected of you, how did you better manage your time this week? What other thoughts do you have?

Week 5 & 6 Reflection

OK, clarification here - MASSIVE clarification needed! This blog is ONLY for use within this class as a REFLECTION tool. If you're posting to the class blog, then it's the We're Curious blog & you should only have a text post. If you're posting an original video, then it needs to go in the class Vlog, Deep Thought. There should be LITTLE text that accompanies your video because the main forum for this arena is VIDEO (thus the term Vlog - VIDEO blog). This blog's purpose is to help you at the end of the term go back and look at your reaction to all the different forums in which you've taken part.

Last week, you started the weekly challenge. You were asked to post reflections, post original content, and examine new areas. What were you're successes? What was difficult? What did you learn about managing the content you must create? What other thoughts do you have about the work you're doing?

We had many conversations about the content of the original work you post. My thoughts are, if you post quality content, then you will create a sound following of people who will help you grow throughout your academic and future life. If you choose to create content that doesn't contain quality, then people will not follow you, and it won't matter that you are creating. What are your thoughts on this? What is the value of the content you create? Does it matter?

One new place you were allowed to use to create original content was Animoto. If you tried this, what was your reaction to using it? Is it something you would use again? What was the benefit? Were there downsides? If you haven't tried Animoto, I would encourage you to explore and create. This is an easy online visual/audio presentation tool that could be cool for some of your classes.

Another place you explored was Blip.fm. Clearly some of you spent a lot of time here. What are your thoughts about this application? What are the benefits? How can this be used in an educational setting? Or can it? Nick suggested we could create an online radio station for the school since the school is now looking at allowing iPods at teacher discretion. Can this be done using Blip? What forum would we use to host? Should we explore this? Why? Why not?

2.2

The economy is in its worst since the depression. "The global economy is likely to shrink this year for the first time since World War II," the world bank said. This is going to be bad if we keep going on the track that we are going. we might get to be like the great depression if we don't try to fix our economy now not later. http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/09/news/international/global_economy_world_bank/index.htm?postversion=2009030907

Week 2-Hannah-

2.1

Last week I went with my best friend to a Nickelback and Seether concert. It was such an adventure going down and one that I would rather not repeat. I had to drive in Mass and all the drivers were evil. Once we got there we realized we didn't have enough money for parking so we spent a rediculous amount of time trying to find affordable parking. Once we got to the concert I started worrying about whether my car would get robbed or not...and that was all I could focus on.
We missed the first act, but were right on time for the second one, which was Seether. I didn't like them at all mainly because they were all deathly ill with the flu that is going around. I could tell that they would rather be anywhere then where they were and that affected their performance. Once Nickelback got on it started to get better, but I didn't have anything to eat since before lunchtime so I was extremely hungry. It felt like they were onstage for five hours and I was about ready to go.
Once we got back on the road after the concert we realized that we needed gas and couldn't find a station that was open 24 hours. I started to panic because we were in a town that I didn't know anything about and it was pretty sketchy. We finally found one and headed home.
It was an interesting trip and he liked it so it wasn't a complete waste of money.

Who Watches The Watchmen?

2.1
I do.
On March 6th, the movie Watchmen premiered. It was directed by Zack Snyder, and starred (among others) stellar performances by Billy Crudup, Jackie Earl Haley and Patrick Wilson.
Critics have widely agreed that the movie was almost meticulously faithful to the all-time bestseller graphic novel, Watchmen.
The movie also boasted an admirable soundtrack, featuring "Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel, as well as covers by My Chemical Romance, and lyrics by Bob Marley.

I LOVED the movie. Being a turbo-nerd myself, I actually read the comic. Although some things were omitted or altered, Snyder made up for his losses well.
One recurring criticism was that the movie, although initially exciting, dragged on too long and became rigorous and plodding.

I have news for these critics: SO DID THE BOOK.

I have pity for those with an attention span not enough to appreciate something as truly interesting and profound as this. I wonder if these critics could even recount to me the plot of the movie?

~Peter

2.3 Cameron

Twilight, one of the most popular books and movies of 2008 was a huge hit in my eyes as well. Though many people may disagree because it is about vampires and love, it is much more than just that. Stephanie Meyers, the author of the hit series of Twilight, including the other books New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn is a creative writer which makes this book all the better. Her style of writing keeps you pulled into the story making it a page turner type of story, a book you just don't want to put down. I typically am not a reader, but I have to say this was the first book I have accomplished reading that was not assigned as school work, and the book was over 600 pages! Currently I am making my way through the second book in the series, New Moon, which do not meet my expectations to the follow up of the mega hit, Twilight.

2.3 John Miller

Recently I read the book To Kill A Mockingbird for my Freshman English class last semester. When reading this book, I found that it uses many of the essential literary terms that are needed to make a book noteworthy. The book has many accounts of the theme coming of age, like how the main character Scout matures throughout the course of the whole story. She goes from a young, naive child to a world wise young woman. I think that I can make a connection with this story because I am going through a stage in my life in which I learn many of the things that I need to become an adult. This book has given me many lessons that I will most likely use to better my life in the future.

China's lunar probe lands on moon

I recently read an article about China's first lunar probe landing on the moon in a controlled collision on Sunday. This marks the first phase in China's three stage moon mission, in which the probe will collect mineral samples in 2012. China is only the third nation in the world to do such a thing, the other two being the United States and Russia. I think that this is a great forward step for the country of China and I am very happy for the people and their government.

Winter Storm Rampages Up East Coast

There is a crazy crazy snowstorm going up a lot of the East coast today. In the Carolinas and Georgia especially, there is a troubling amount of snow--these states are generally unprepared for snowstorms.

My brother and his girlfriend, who live in Atlanta, told me that there's a lot of snow where they are, and it's really pretty, but they only have like three inches.

"It is important that our crews have access to the roads from curb-to-curb in order to plow the snow," says Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty.

All public schools in Boston were cancelled today! Lucky them!

The Northeast (that's us) is expected to receive 5 to 15 inches of snow today.

Half-day? Maybe? Possibly?

!

A woman struggles to walk her dogs in the raging snow!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/weather/03/02/winter.weather/index.html

New Challenge Responses 2.2-Hannah-

2.2

I recently read an article about the arrest of two men who beat an Ecuadorian immigrant to death. The men assaulted the two brothers after a party last year. "Police say Jose Sucuzhanay, 31, and his brother Romel Sucuzhanay, 34, had left a party at a church on December 7 and were embracing each other to keep warm in the cold." The men who beat them proceeded to shout anti-gay and anti-immigrant sentiment at them. Jose Sucuzhanay was beaten in the chest and ribs and died from his wounds. His brother escaped with only minor injuries. The brothers' mother was expected to arrive in New York within the next five hours from Ecuador.

I chose this article because I have noticed that the number of attacks on immigrants has risen quite a bit since 2000. I subscribe to a newspaper called the Southern Poverty Law Center and in it they document attacks anti-immigration groups have made and the victories of prosecuting them. It seems that every time the country goes through a rough period one section of the population is targeted and deemed responsible for it. This country was created by immigrants and to say that we should shut our borders is absolutely selfish.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/27/hate.crime.arrest/index.html

Week 4 Reflection

This week, we actually set up a Cover It Live blog to cover Winter Carnival, and Hannah got that rolling during during the Quiz Bowl & Lip Sync. Check it out, vote on the polls, and comment on the viability of this as a form of communication. How can live blogging be used where it really could be useful? Look at some of the live coverage of the attacks on Mumbai. Many people used Cover It Live to show up to the minute coverage that perhaps trumped some of the news reports because these people were able to be in the middle and doing coverage. How could this application be used within education so live blogging would be valuable?

The podcasting crew finalized their work, and presented their work. If you worked within this group, what have you learned about podcasting as a whole? Do you think this could be used successfully within the classroom? What would make it successful? What would be the drawbacks? Why wouldn't it possibly work here @ WHS? What advice would you give, based on what you know, to successfully integrate podcasting? Even if you weren't a part of this group, you should respond to the last few questions.

Over break, I want you to go and check out VoiceThread . This will be our next form of communication to explore. As well, I want you all to set up Twitter accounts. We will be looking to see how this can be used to your advantage as a student and later, as a professional. While you're playing online over break, I want you to revisit Ning. Search through the available social networks on this site, and see if any are worth us joining as a group.

You need to get people to join our discussions on the We're Curious blog, the Deep Thought vlog, and the Wiki for the world. These are starting to become populated, but we need more people to engage in the conversation. Get out there, and get people engaged!!!

Week 3 Reflection

Last week we finally connected with Belmont Middle School through Skype. You need to look at the pros and cons of this type communication - video conferencing. Avoid focusing on the fact that the students are young, but focus more on the practical application of this type of communication. How can you use it to grow as a learner, and then later as a professional?

If you were part of the podcasting crew, what are you learning, and how are you realizing this is something that should be incorporated into your current classrooms? What suggestions do you have for teachers who want to incorporate this type of technology into their classrooms?

We started a Vlog (a video log). Check it out, and see what you think about this form of communication. Do you see this being a better form of communication than just a blog? What power do you think video has over written forms of communication? Do we become biased by seeing people and seeing their facial and body expressions?

We now need to start sending the links to our blog, our video blog, the wiki, and our You Tube videos out to people so they can begin to comment on them. In other words, we need to begin populating them. We also are looking into VoiceThread, and Cover It Live as other means of viable communication. If you worked on these aspects, what are your thoughts about your experiences with them? How can we use these in an educational setting? What practical application do these have in the 'real world'?

Chatting: Week 2 Reflection

Yesterday, we tried out the chat feature as an entire class using Skype. The task that was set forth to you was to try to engage in a chat with 10 other people. What were the problems you encountered? What was successful, if anything? What features of IM do you like? What is your preferred method of IM? What are the problems with IM? How has IM changed the way we talk in everyday life?

week 1: derek's review

Last week was kind of weird. I have all new classes so it is going to take me awhile to get use to it. But last week I was really lost. I don't really know anything about computers so it was pretty hard for me to do all the activities. And we had to join many sites, which is ok but I don't think that I will be able to remember my username and password to all those sites. But I hope that I made a very simple username and password for those sites, or else i am pretty much screwed.  But the whole digital communication thing is a lot harder then I thought it would be. But hopefully I will be able to get it down. But I thought that the timeline project was pretty good. It is nice to learn about the changes in communication throughout the years and its really cool to see how far we come. The only problem that I had with the project is posting it on the website. It took a long time and was very annoying, the screen kept on going grey and it took me about half the class time to get it on. But I am glad that I figured it out. But not only did me and Andrew figure it out but we did it on our own, which is a good thing. But I think that the next time I have to post something on a website I will be able to do it in about 2.5 seconds.

Post #1

To be honest this past week was a little stressful for me. I didn't know there was so many ways to communicate with other people. I had to create so many accounts that i don't know what i can do to remember all of them. The time line was cool to see how we have evolved from the beginning of time till now. I for the most part like everything that we are doing. It gets a little stressful when I am trying to make new accounts and remember each name and password. I will probably use these sites again for different ways to communicate with people around the world but i don't think i would use a blog unless i had a career in something that would interest people.

Welcome aboard! Week 1 Reflection

This is your space to do your weekly reflection. What am I looking for in this place? Well, an honest reflection and commentary on the last week of your experiences. Given that your final exam will be more reflection/analysis of the places you've been and the communication you've attempted, this seems a logical place to examine and house that information so you can access it at the end. I would say you need at least 1 paragraph, at the absolute minimum. This past week, we looked at online timelines, Ning, and wikis. These should definitely be a part of your conversation. What went well? What didn't? What frustrated you? What went with ease? What are the practical uses of these applications? How can they be applied not only to your academic life, but also your everyday life? Are you likely to use these again? Why or why not? The grade you will receive will be based upon the depth of your response.