Journal 1

Power of the Mashup by Suzie Boss and Jane Krauss

What is a mashup? In this article the authors define a mashup as, "a hybrid application that draws from multiple sources to create something new." The concept of the mashup is to take something that is already being used in the classroom, the state standards or a specifict text or piece of literature, and incorporate it with technology to engage students in a new way. The article gave two detailed examples of classroom teachers who incorporated modern technology with timeless literature and centuries-old history to create an experience that engaged students in a new and vital way. In the examples given in the article, one of the teachers incorporated Google Earth with Voltaire's Candide, creating Google Lit Trips, while the other incorporated MP3 players with Australian history, creating the iHistory Podcast Project.

Another key element of the article, beside the concept of combining new technology with old classroom standbys, was the concept of teachers sharing their innovations with other teachers. New ideas are easily shared with internet technology. Many teachers who might be reluctant to spearhead a mashup themselves find it much easier to incorporate something that is tried and true into their existing curriculum. The innovators themselves benefit, as well; their work is improved and expanded upon through collaboration with others.

Questions:
1. How could a mashup be incorporated into lower grade levels where children might not be as tech savvy? It is important to remember that children are becoming more familiar with technology at a younger age than ever before. It is important not to underestimate children in grades K-2. Visual images, particularly 3D images like maps and video clips, will make events and stories come to life for children in the lower grades.
2. How can you overcome a teacher's reluctance to try new technology? As stated in the article, the fact that new ideas can be shared so easily via the internet will encourage many teachers who are reluctant to try something new to instead try something that may be new, but has also been tried and tested by their peers.

About Me

My name is Michelle Nakamura. Although I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, I've lived in San Diego County since 1968. I went to kindergarten at Cubberly Elementary in Serra Mesa and then went to the O.B. Free School (what can I say, my parents were hippies) until sixth grade. For sixth grade and beyond, it was back into the public school system. Ocean Beach Elementary, Collier Jr. High (now Correia Jr. High) and Point Loma High School. After high school I went to UCSD and graduated in 1987 with a B.A. in Political Science. I've spent the majority of the past twelve years as a stay-at-home mom. Five years ago I began working part time as a Parent Educator for PUSD.

I would say that I have a functional level of computer experience. I can use Word and Excel, I can download photos and sync my iPod, but I feel like I am just scratching the surface and that there is a much bigger world out there that I've yet to discover. I was just laughing with my husband over the fact that we didn't even get our first computer until 1997. That computer was a PC and all of our computers since have been PCs. I know that I depend on technology daily. I love the immediacy of the internet - your child has a question, you've got an answer in seconds.

The part of the COE Mission Statement that speaks to me every time I read it is the idea of a commitment to student-centered education. I think the current environment on our campuses is taking us away from student-centered education - there is little room for differences in learning styles or personality. I believe that standardized testing and No Child Left Behind (in some form) are here to stay, but there has to be a way to allow some children to learn outside the box. I am enrolled at CSUSM in hopes of pursuing a Masters in Communicative Disorders and hadn't read the COE Mission Statement before so it did not influence my decision to enroll.