Futuring 2008

• A. How would you “grade” or assess Fox Becomes a Better Person, and School Train?
  
  Not knowing the original criteria set forth by the teacher, I would grade Fox Becomes a Better Person and School Train, set forth by the criteria I know.
  
  School Train clearly demonstrates an understanding of what a metaphor is. The use of technology in the portrayal at times is a little over-whelming, but it is easy to understand the connection between a school and a train. The media is obviously not detrimental to the overall point, and therefore, the students have successfully attained the requisite goal of expressing their understanding.
  
  Fox Becomes a Better Person is harder to judge because I have a weaker understanding of the criteria. The traditional morals of the Tlingit I believe are present and Hannah shows great intent in her purpose. Hannah pairs the traditional manner of storytelling nicely with modern technology and respect for today’s society and that of days gone is maintained. I would grade her highly as created her own story with aspects from today (ex. the duck’s scooter and his fall-back hobby of watching T.V.) with traditional values.
  
  B. What impacts could the developments portrayed in epic2015 have on your classroom, particularly with respect to things like podcasting?
  
  epic 2015 portrays what might happen as technology continues to spiral forward. It predicts that someday soon technology could sift out information to suit each individual’s interest. To me this is a scary thought.
  
  The concept that technology, once thought to broaden our understanding of the world, could narrow the view of information that each sees is frightening. This is a concept that we need to fight against as teachers. We work to broaden students' viewpoints as well as their horizons. We need to use technology to engage their attention, and put their brains to use in a productive manner. Technology, such as video conferencing, smart boards, google searches, and podcasts can help us to do this, but we need to be aware of what we are doing, and the dangers that may present themselves.
  
  C. How might you use Sabrina’s piece as a model for something you would do with your own students?

• Sabrina Journey looks at her past to see how she has arrived at her present. She does this by following the outlook of traditional peoples by viewing her life not in a linear fashion, but by following a circular pattern. I would use her circular narrative as an example for my students and ask them to…
  
  1. Look back
  2. Examine the positive influences in their stories
  3. Make goals for their future
  4. Think about what they are going to positive participants

• We would plot their past as they know it, their present in relation to their past, and their future as they would like to see it evolve. This is an important concept for the kids I work with as teen pregnancy is a huge issue here. By asking my students to examine the big picture, maybe they will make goals that inspire them to strive for the good of the community in the future.