Artifact 3

CONTEXT: I engaged in a media ethnography project in the Integrating Media and Technology course under the supervision of Jeff Goodman at Appalachian State University. This project zeroed in on the influences of the mass media on students and was finally presented in a Microsoft PowerPoint format.

IMPACT: During this project, I collected, analyzed, and then presented information of the influences of the mass media on fifth grade students at Crossnore Elementary School in Crossnore, NC. By researching this topic, my understanding of the power of television and popular opinion was broadened. Therefore, when in the classroom, I can better assist my students in using critical thinking skills to judge media techniques. This will enable them to become media-literate citizens in our society.

ALIGNMENT: The Media Ethnography project meets goals IVB, VB, and VID of the National Technology Standards for Teachers, and INTASC standard VI. By taking collecting student responses during interviews, I demonstrated skills of data collection. By creating a PowerPoint presentation, I illustrated skills of effectively communicating my findings to others (IVB). When I analyzed the information I gathered, I demonstrated the skills needed for reflection on the impact of technology and media in schools. When reflecting on the student responses during the interviews, I realized that my role includes encouraging students to think critically about the material presented in media (VB). I also learned that the students’ physical, mental and emotional health is often related to influences of the messages in media. Advertisements frequently send messages of what body types are acceptable including size, height, and eye/hair color. Realizing this impact will help me encourage students to see positive and negative uses of media (VID). I showed how technology is an effective way of communicating information to other by creating a PowerPoint presentation. I used inquiry techniques during the presentation to engage my peers in discussing various viewpoints, therefore demonstrating that I value learning environments that are based on inquiry as well as enhanced by technology (INTASC VI).