Chapter 3: Critical Questions, Close Reading

"Research shows that when teachers use questions in the classroom, they often use closed questions, which have only one right answer…. But overuse of closed questions risks turning students into barking seals, performing the role of good student" (Hobbs, 2011).

It is funny to me to see this sentence in Chapter 3.  I traveled to Martinsburg, WV (3 hour drive in one direction from my house) with the intention of teaching educators how to begin a Jr. FIRST LEGO League (K-3rd grade) and how to use it as an instructional tool.  Somehow at some point towards the end the whole room became a debate basically on the topic of "What has gone wrong in our school system" with portions of it contributing to the lack of procedural abilities or follow through skills and concept application skills.  The above quote about closed questions is exactly one of the reasons are students have trouble taking knowledge one step further into the application realm.  As a science teacher, I can add to this quote by adding "cookbook labs" as a failed attempt to teach application as well.  Cookbook labs are very precise and the outcome is known before the lab is finished.  That is not how real science works and I think it projects a very tarnished view for students.  While some cookbook labs can be fun, what is the point in testing if you already know the answer?

Citation

Hobbs, R. (2011). Digital and media literacy: connecting culture and classroom. (p. 54). Thousand Oaks, CA: A Sage Company.

Minimum Wage Jobs Won't be Replaced by this Robot Anytime Soon
Huffington Post
August 30, 2013

1. Who is the author and what is the purpose?

Employment Policy Institute paid for the ad.  I'm assuming they can take credit as the author but I'm not sure.  Apparently the robot was part of an ad that was placed in the Wall Street Journal in August 2013 as an alternative to paying restaurant workers $15/hr.  The robot could do all the work (aka flip burgers) for a much cheaper price.

2.  What creative techniques are used to attract and hold attention.

First of all it is a robot.  It is the epitome of technology and pure awesomeness, to be honest.  Second, the minimum wage debacle is an ever increasing concern in many political stances.  Thirdly, having robots take over our jobs is a serious scare tactic.  Hello?!  Skynet!  Hopefully he won't try to take over the world and "terminate" us all, as cool as he is.

3.  How might different people understand this message?

Those who are fighting for more than the standard current minimum wage would see such a modern marvel as a threat to their income.  Employers could see the 15 jointed modern marvel as a viable alternative as stated in the ad.  Of course, technology gurus love any news that brings us closer to a technology high.  As an educator in robotics, I'm in awe myself.  This robot has more than 7 degrees of freedom (I believe).  Creating modern marvels such as this robot is something that I hope, maybe one day, one of my students is able to accomplish.

4.  What lifestyles, values, and points of view are represented?

Since it was placed in the Wall Street Journal it obviously an ad to attract business man.  The point of view comes from the fact that business man need a reduction in cost when it comes to labor.  Why mess with the needs of real people, when all that is required of a robot is an occasional upgrade in software or a possible reboot?

5.  What is omitted?  

The fact that this robot was not made to actually flip burgers.  I cannot imagine the cost to buy a robot with the amount of capacity this one has.  The kitchen set the robot is in was only an exhibition kitchen to show off what all the robot can do.  This was uncovered by the Huffington Post article that I found.  Seeing something like the picture could be startling without the background knowledge that it was merely a publicity stunt.  Especially for those fighting for higher wages.  The people who created the ad above, do not feel they are being misleading but I can't see how it wouldn't be misleading.  They created an ad from a 2009 Japanese exhibit.

The creators of Motoman claim that this robot would do poorly in a chef line of many reasons.  He cannot deviate from preset instructions meaning that if the customer wanted extra onions or ketchup it would not be possible for Motoman to decipher the instruction.  He can also not lift more than 45 lbs which would make it hard for him in cases where he dealt with larger quantities of food, possibly potato sacks.  And additionally - humidity would kill him, literally.  The fries wouldn't be the only thing frying - so would his circuits.

Deconstruction

Deconstruction

Deconstruction in this case will lead to students evaluating how technology is going to be used in the future.  Could we possibly have robots doing jobs that require minimum wage?  Possibly.  But how probable is it?  Is it really affordable for businesses to have a robot like the one above?  Not at this point in the technology game.  Maybe in the future burger flipping robots will be all the rage.  What is the economic value of the above robot in comparison to a handful of employees?  What is the limitation to robots in a kitchen?  These are all things students should really think about on a critical level before taking the ad seriously.  Especially since it was uncovered as a false ad.  A little research on my end went a long way in uncovering the truth.

Digital Story Rough Draft

17 Years in Reverse is a Digital Story based on a turning point in my life.  Within the story are example of metaphor such as a picture of our turned backs when the title pages finishes with the words"17 Years in Reverse."  In other words, we are turning to look backwards in time.  Each transition is representative of metonymy utilizing a rippling to "go back in time."


Each slide is also set up to answer the questions in the next slide. The music is by my niece Cassidy Ford.  This aunt doesn't miss a chance to be proud.   

Storyboard for my Digital Story

Point of View

Digital Storytelling

My digital story will be told in 1st person.  This is most appropriate for my story since I'm telling the story as someone in love, a "new" mom twice, a home owner, etc...

Dramatic Question

The dramatic question/statement I'd like to pose is:

I often think back to that day, 17 years ago.  The day that changed everything that I thought was right in the world… but wasn't really.  The day that I looked at him twice and then down at the small diamond that sat on my left ring finger.  The day I made an important life changing decision.

Emotional Content

I think the last 17 years has proven amazing and has definitely answered the question that day in the Chemistry lab.  I will do the narration in my voice and with my own emotional inflection throughout the story.  

Soundtrack

There are a few songs I'd like to play depending on the picture.  The songs will hopefully be low key subtle prompts as to the time period we are in.  Mine and Aaron's get-a-way has always been the Keys.  If I could find a Jimmy Buffet song it would fit the background perfectly.  Also  I would love to being able to place Sweet Baby James by James Taylor somewhere in the story around the time James is born.  I'm not sure if I can find a free version but I will definitely look.   "Sweet Baby James" is still my son's special nickname.  You Are My Sunshine is the song I sung Michaela the day she was born.  

Economy

I will have to play with the narration and the wording.  I am notorious for being "long-winded."  A transcript before hand with less than or equal to 250-300 words per slide will help.  

Pacing

If my pacing follows my tone it should be just perfect.  I have a feeling I will have to review this part of my digital stories several times before I am happy.  

Author:  Jaime Ford

Digital Story Name:  17 Years in Reverse
Note:  each slide will have multiple pictures

Title Page

Slide 1                                                                             Narration

My best friend and I do almost everything together. We run triathlons and 5Ks, practice karate, go to WVU games together, and we love our music. On Sundays, we drink coffee, catchup on each other's busy week and we talk about the future.  We take for granted the home we've now have lived in for over 11 years.  My how it has changed as have we.  

I've known Aaron for 17 years now. He changed my life. Aaron taught me that a relationship was built on respect. Through him, I learned to communicate my thoughts and feeling with another individual. It wasn't the relationship my parents had and it wasn't the relationship I had with the person I was engaged to. It was more than that. We've had our ups and downs, our trials and tribulations but it always comes back to one thing - the love and respect we have for each other.    

I often think back to that day, 17 years ago.  The day that changed everything that I thought was right in the world… but wasn't really.  The day that I looked at him twice and then down at the small diamond that sat on my left ring finger.  The day I made an important life changing decision.

Slide 2                                                                            Narration

It is currently 2014, we have a 13 year old and 12 year old.  I work at NASA as an education specialist for student workshops and Aaron is a Instrumentation and Electronic Technician in a power plant.  My time is tied up in my graduate program and traveling for work and Aaron spends a lot of time fine tuning our son's dirt bike for competitions.  Together we coach a FIRST robotics FLL team that both our kids are a part of.  We visited the NASA Johnson Space Center and met an astronaut, run our 4th triathlon together with our son, and travel 800 miles on the Hotrod Power Tour.  We dream of the day that life slows down and we get to enjoy each other's company more often.  Maybe in one more year….

Slide  3                                                                           Narration

 It is 2012 and Aaron and I take the kids to the Keys for the first time.  We wanted to return to the place that we told each other, "I love you!" for the first time and we wanted to share this adventure with James and Michaela.

Slide  4                                                                           Narration

It is 2010.  Aaron loses a brother.  We are devastated and it takes a long time to recover.  Aaron also runs his first Triathlon in honor of his brother.  This amazes me and I hope to join him the next year.  I'm not sure though because a triathlon seems like a taxing physical activity.

Our kids are in 2nd and 3rd grade.

I also decided to go back to school and get my teaching certificate.   I fell in love with being in the classroom after a year of substitute teaching.  The weekend before I started school, I had a pretty bad accident on my bicycle and lacerated my liver.  Internal bleeding meant I spent
the rest of vacation in ICU.  10 years out of school kind of scared me.  Being in pain the first several weeks in this new experienced did not help but I knew with Aaron's support I could do anything.

Slide 5                                                                            Narration

It is 2007.  Our oldest is starting Kindergarten and our youngest Preschool.  We can't believe how fast time is flying at this point.  It seems like yesterday we were holding them in our arms for the first time.

I begin volunteering in Michaela's preschool and start thinking about what I want to do when I grow up.   Up to this point, I had enjoyed staying at home and raising herb and vegetable gardens.  I had become very efficient at making soaps and detergents, knitting blankets, and changing the oil on my car.  But what was I going to do?  Aaron and I had decided a long time ago that my career would start when the kids started school but I'm undecided.  Maybe a Wildlife Biologist for the DNR.  I begin looking at the graduate program at WVU.



Slide 6                                                                         Narration

It is 2003 and we are finally able to buy our first home.  The kids have their own rooms.  Aaron becomes an expert at the "Hop on Pop" the kids love to play.  I find out I'm really good at free-hand art and begin scrapbooking.  And I long for beautiful gardens.  Maybe herb and vegetable gardens.  I'm not even sure I have a green thumb but maybe I'll try it.  Aaron and I feel like we are finally living the American dream - our first home.

Slide 7                                                                           Narration             

 In the beginning of 2002, the 3 of us were happy.  James had overcome his jaundice and belly issues and laughed all the time.  In mid January we found out that our 2nd child was on the way.

By October our family was complete.  It was a girl!  And she looked like me!  I wasn't scared this time.  I was excited.  I knew what I was doing but round 2 of having a jaundice baby with acid reflux hit hard and fast.  I knew it was temporary but it was exhausting with a toddler who was ready to play all the time.

Slide 8                                                                           Narration                                                      

We started 2001 ready to begin our new family.  We married in March, visited the Keys for the 3rd time, and had our first baby - a boy!

I remember that night like no other.  I had just begun to realize the room was cold and I was slowly pulling the wet rags my mother and mother-in-law had draped across my sweat soaked body.   It was 1:59AM.  I looked over at the table several feet away and stared in awe as the new life before me cried out tears of fear.  I thought to myself, "I can't believe it.  This is actually real."  Over the next few months I continued to be afraid of this new little life.  In fact, it took me 45 minutes to bath him the first time.  I was so afraid that I would break him.  Unfortunately 9/11 also happened in the first 3 weeks of his life which didn't make being a new mother any easier.  I constantly feared I'd have to find ways to defend him against a war.

In the meantime, Aaron was already talking about a 2nd baby.  With nights of belly issues and jaundice, I wasn't sure I was ready for a second baby.  I joked with Aaron and said, "Only if you can promise me it will be a girl and she will look like me."  He said, "Deal!"

Slide 9                                                                            Narration

 2000 was a whirlwind!  We went to the Keys for the second time and lingered there a little longer.  This time we planned for the occasion.  We went for a ride on the African Queen and swam out the coral reef to the underwater Jesus.  We talked about having kids one day and our life together.

We also graduated from WVU with our Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Science.

That summer we leased our first apartment and that winter set up our first Christmas tree.  Had 2 cats and were pretty happy.  Aaron asked me to marry him on Christmas Eve and on New Year's Eve we found out we were pregnant with our first child.  We were pretty excited.  The news was fast but it was welcome.

 Slide 10                                                                           Narration

 In 1999, we packed up my 1988 Bonneville and headed south during Spring break.  We didn't know how far we would make it but we were ready for a break from Pre-Vet school and the harsh WV winter.  We landed at a camp ground in Key Largo with $400 to our name and stayed 3 days.  On the second evening Aaron told me he loved me for the first time.  I knew I was with the person I was meant to be with.  I wondered at this point what kind of crazy life laid ahead.

Slide 11                                            Narration

Mail

In the beginning of 1998, I knew one thing.  I was in love with the person that sat across from me every Tuesday and Thursday in the WVU-P cafeteria.  I made sure I wore my best outfits that day and I sat tentatively on every word he said.  But what was even more amazing was the fact that he listened to me.  He was interested in what I had to say, as well as my beliefs and thoughts.  The more we got to know each other the more I realized we had a lot in common.  This was not something I was used to in my current relationship.  I often looked down at that tiny diamond and

WVU

    wondered if my life would ever change.

    That summer Aaron and I started writing each other a lot in secret.           He asked me how I felt about him and I told him that I did like him.
By that Fall, we were both at WVU, as was my fiancé.  I waited till

he left for his parents house and then I called Aaron and asked him on a date.  We had so much fun that night and by that evening I found myself in his room.  He taught me to two step and he heated me up a chicken Alfredo dinner.  I looked at him that night and realized that I didn't have to put up with the abuse I was experiencing.  For whatever reason, I had resided to the fact that it was normal.  I was young and naive but what would the future hold?  Would I spend the rest of my life with him or was he a stepping stone to finding my own self-respect?  That night I took that tiny diamond off my ring finger.

Slide 12                                                                           Narration

Chemistry Lab

It was September 1997 and I was busy working in the chemistry lab at WVU-P when I heard the professor say, "Aaron Ford, there is a grant opportunity for students going into the Veterinary field."  I turned my head, "A grant opportunity for Vet students?  I need to learn more about this."  And then I saw him.  Everything changed that day in a blink of an eye.  I looked at him twice and then down at the small diamond that sat on my left ring finger.  I looked around the Chemistry lab and then advanced to hear more about what my professor had to say.  I looked over at the very young  Aaron Ford and tried to figure out how he was going to fit into my life.