This is where I will be spending Christmas. I found this information online. Very similar in all Caribbean Islands.
Christmas is a very social time in Trinidad and Tobago with most people having parties. Both
children and adults go from house to house between neighbours and relatives for food and drink.
The radio stations play Trinidadian Christmas carols and songs as well as traditional and contemporary carols from the U.S.A.. A special Trinidadian music, Parang, is also played. Parang is an upbeat Venezuela-Trinidad hybrid.
Most people paint and make repairs to their houses and hang new curtains and decorations (especially lights) for Christmas. Often, this is the time that most people buy new electrical appliances and furniture. Most families spend Christmas Day at home with friends and family members.
The Christmas day meal is usually prepared throughout mid-December, and into the new year! The traditional Trinibagonian Christmas meal include apples and grapes, sorrel, ponche-de-creme (a version of egg nog), ham, turkey, homemade bread, ginger beer, pastelles (a version of tamales) and local wine.
Trinidadian Christmas fruitcake is traditional and is eaten in most homes. The fruits (such as raisins and sultanas) in the cake are usually soaked in cherry wine, sherry and rum for several months before Christmas!
New Years Eve is known as 'Ole year's night' in Trinidad, and thousands of people gather together in the Queen's Park Savannah in the capital of Trinidad, Port of Spain, for an amazing fireworks display.
Thank you to Angel Maharaj for her help in giving me information on Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago!
http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/trinidad_tobago.shtml
Monday, December 22, 2008
Second Life Experience
I did not like it at all. First the depictions are not anything I would use even if I wanted to "become" another person. Secondly, as I was using it there was someone who just stood in front of me and would not move- really freaky. And then someone started to fly- oh my goodness!
If I were to use it again it would be for group discussion. I think it is an interactive way to conduct group studies without everyone being in one room- it would actually look like we were having face to face dialogue- otherwise this is not for me. Way too creepy!
If I were to use it again it would be for group discussion. I think it is an interactive way to conduct group studies without everyone being in one room- it would actually look like we were having face to face dialogue- otherwise this is not for me. Way too creepy!
Cell Phones in the Classroom
From: sanbals,
1 day ago
This was my outline for my other class project. I am interested in your thoughts about having cell phones in class. I do not have a classroom of students so the dynamics would be interesting to me.
Thanks!
SlideShare Link
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Social Networking Tools
Why is Facebook so successful?
I believe it has become successful because people are looking to connect. There are people who are reclusive and this allows them to have some freedom and communication with the outside world. It has also successful because it is versatile and can be used for socializing as well as an educational resource
What's the gain?
The gain is that people are networking and connecting at all levels. It takes socioeconomic, racial and gender bias' out of the equation and allows people to "talk" to each other without reservation.
What is the loss?
The loss is basic human contact. Even though there is some human contact via these social medias, it does replace the "warm and fuzzy" feeling of genuine face-to-face discussion. Also depending on how Facebook will be used, privacy is completely lost.
What can educators benefit from it?
Like any social media there is some good. Educators can you the social aspects of Facebook to their benefit. Knowing that their students "connect" on Facebook, they can use Facebook for class discussions, group projects, etc. It provides a "meeting space" or extension for students to enhance the classroom experience.
I believe it has become successful because people are looking to connect. There are people who are reclusive and this allows them to have some freedom and communication with the outside world. It has also successful because it is versatile and can be used for socializing as well as an educational resource
What's the gain?
The gain is that people are networking and connecting at all levels. It takes socioeconomic, racial and gender bias' out of the equation and allows people to "talk" to each other without reservation.
What is the loss?
The loss is basic human contact. Even though there is some human contact via these social medias, it does replace the "warm and fuzzy" feeling of genuine face-to-face discussion. Also depending on how Facebook will be used, privacy is completely lost.
What can educators benefit from it?
Like any social media there is some good. Educators can you the social aspects of Facebook to their benefit. Knowing that their students "connect" on Facebook, they can use Facebook for class discussions, group projects, etc. It provides a "meeting space" or extension for students to enhance the classroom experience.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
My experiences with Social Networking
To date, my experiences with social networking have been enlightening but I am still skeptical about the exposure this brings to someone's life. For example, I would love to share the interactions and experiences with my daughter that I have filmed, but I would NEVER put her image or anything about her on social media sites for fear of exposing her to unwanted attention.
I have come to learn that although I find my life quite boring and nothing much to talk about, there is someone, somewhere that has something in common and would start a dialogue; someone who I would probably never speak with in day to day life.
All in all my experiences have allowed me to put some of my negative connotations abouts social networking to rest. I see the benefits of this from an educational standpoint and have enjoyed exploring my options of communication with people all over the world.
I have come to learn that although I find my life quite boring and nothing much to talk about, there is someone, somewhere that has something in common and would start a dialogue; someone who I would probably never speak with in day to day life.
All in all my experiences have allowed me to put some of my negative connotations abouts social networking to rest. I see the benefits of this from an educational standpoint and have enjoyed exploring my options of communication with people all over the world.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Locating Communities
How do we find an audience?
I think there is always an audience. The beauty of the internet and having social media is that there is someone in the world that finds you and your life interesting even if you do not.
How do we find an audience that we wish for?
I think if you network within in broader topics you may find a niche and will get to the audience you wish for, however there really is not filter for this. You have to take the bad with the good when it comes to using the web.
What is the difference between a blogger on youtube and JoshLeo?
In my opinion, I felt like I was experiencing someone's diary with Josh Leo. I don't feel that way with YouTube. I see YouTube mostly as entertainment although there are many educational benefits to you tube. I felt more like I was experiencing something with Josh Leo.
I think there is always an audience. The beauty of the internet and having social media is that there is someone in the world that finds you and your life interesting even if you do not.
How do we find an audience that we wish for?
I think if you network within in broader topics you may find a niche and will get to the audience you wish for, however there really is not filter for this. You have to take the bad with the good when it comes to using the web.
What is the difference between a blogger on youtube and JoshLeo?
In my opinion, I felt like I was experiencing someone's diary with Josh Leo. I don't feel that way with YouTube. I see YouTube mostly as entertainment although there are many educational benefits to you tube. I felt more like I was experiencing something with Josh Leo.
Feedburner
I am not exactly sure what I am suppose to do with this but I did sign up.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Dkrblog
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Dkrblog
Online Video Part 3
How small should our file be when we upload to the internet?
I am not sure, but usually if an upload takes more than 2 minutes something is wrong and I abandon the upload.
What are common compression standards?
I found this website which was interesting and gave some explanation of compression standards regarding jpeg and mpeg files. There is a lot of technical information regarding what compression standards mean. http://www.vmspdg.com/Compressionstandards.php
What is the legal situation when we publish video, audio images?
I stay way from uploading images that are not my own. I think a lot of the legal situation is similar to piracy, trademark and copyright laws.
I am not sure, but usually if an upload takes more than 2 minutes something is wrong and I abandon the upload.
What are common compression standards?
I found this website which was interesting and gave some explanation of compression standards regarding jpeg and mpeg files. There is a lot of technical information regarding what compression standards mean. http://www.vmspdg.com/Compressionstandards.php
What is the legal situation when we publish video, audio images?
I stay way from uploading images that are not my own. I think a lot of the legal situation is similar to piracy, trademark and copyright laws.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
My YouTube- using MovieMaker
This is a You Tube movie I had to create for a class this summer. I used Movie Maker to do this but it is a bit sketchy. This is NOT my job. The person did not want to be on camera for this interview so I decided to 'act' as the interviewee and used MovieMaker to ask the questions.
http://www.youtube.com/ITFinalProject
http://www.youtube.com/ITFinalProject
Friday, October 31, 2008
Ghost Droppings- Roberts Office at Halloween (Cross posted from blip.tv)
This is my attempt at cross posting from blip.tv
My co worker participated in a spin on "secret Santa" for Halloween and this is the result. His "Santa" decorated his office.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Online Video Part 2
How can we minimize input while maximizing output?
Use less resources that do not require as much memory but what your produce should convey the "heart" of what you are trying to express to your audience.
What are good resources for sound and music?
I use ITunes for music but for a cost obviously. Microsoft Office does have sounds you can use, but the quality is not that good. I also Google for the sound I need (like a drum roll, etc) and I can usually find it that way.
www.sounddogs.com is a good source for sounds.
Use less resources that do not require as much memory but what your produce should convey the "heart" of what you are trying to express to your audience.
What are good resources for sound and music?
I use ITunes for music but for a cost obviously. Microsoft Office does have sounds you can use, but the quality is not that good. I also Google for the sound I need (like a drum roll, etc) and I can usually find it that way.
www.sounddogs.com is a good source for sounds.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Preparing our media
What equipment do we have?
I believe it depends on what your needs are, how much money you are willing to spend and wants vs. needs. I have equipment that can assist me with social technology but I am not sure when or if I will need everything I have.
I have a desktop and laptop; webcam, digital camera, small digital video cam, a cell phone with camera.
How much equipment do we need?
I believe people think they have a need at the time of the situation, but they then find that over time it was for an acute need and not long term
What stories are being told online?
I think the reality of reality is what is being told online. It is not scripted for the most part, but people giving insight into their normal lives- some of which we find may not be so normal
What stories do we want to tell?
I think we want to tell what we believe are common interest of human beings.
How do we tell it?
We tell the stories like an everyday discussion, These stories should have a sense of normalcy
Who is the audience?
We never know what will peak someone's interest so the audience and the demographics vary
What is its role?
The role of the audience is to invoke conversation- conversations that people may normally not have face to face.
What is the difference between video in blog, on a website or on TV
On a blog a video invokes a myriad of conversations
On a website and on TV tends to be just for viewing, no discussion normally happens unless someone is watching it with you
I believe it depends on what your needs are, how much money you are willing to spend and wants vs. needs. I have equipment that can assist me with social technology but I am not sure when or if I will need everything I have.
I have a desktop and laptop; webcam, digital camera, small digital video cam, a cell phone with camera.
How much equipment do we need?
I believe people think they have a need at the time of the situation, but they then find that over time it was for an acute need and not long term
What stories are being told online?
I think the reality of reality is what is being told online. It is not scripted for the most part, but people giving insight into their normal lives- some of which we find may not be so normal
What stories do we want to tell?
I think we want to tell what we believe are common interest of human beings.
How do we tell it?
We tell the stories like an everyday discussion, These stories should have a sense of normalcy
Who is the audience?
We never know what will peak someone's interest so the audience and the demographics vary
What is its role?
The role of the audience is to invoke conversation- conversations that people may normally not have face to face.
What is the difference between video in blog, on a website or on TV
On a blog a video invokes a myriad of conversations
On a website and on TV tends to be just for viewing, no discussion normally happens unless someone is watching it with you
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
World of Blogging
What is blogging and what can it do for us?
I believe blogging allows for the uninhibited exchange of ideas and interests. It allows for people of common mindset or even differences to freely discuss views.
I think what blogging does is it extends what the concept of conversations in social settings and allow everyone to participate in discussion whether real time or at a later moment
What is the difference between a website and a blog site?
A website is where one can go to do research and obtain information for services and other various items. A blog site is a place where ideas are exchanged on varying topics
Why did blogging become so successful?
People from all over the world can participate in discussion and exchange information with people they may never meet, but they walk away from the blog obtaining more information then they would have in their limited social settings.
What is its impact for journalism and education?
The impact for journalism is the expansion of op-ed. People are able to give real time opinions to real time issues, rather than waiting for the next hard document to be published. That being said, blogging has changed the face of what reporting truly is. People don't necessarily wait to hear all the facts to form opinions or even publish solid evidence to an issue.
For education, it has become not only a mechanism to teach but a way of socializing. It has made teachers more personable to students, but some times that line can be crossed. Unfortunately, blogging has also become a reflection of society, it is not immune to the social issues such as social shunning, racism, sterotypes, etc- if anything it has given an avenue for more of those harms and views to be expressed.
What is the specificity of videoblogging?
Video blogging is just a faster way of getting real time insight and feedback.
I believe blogging allows for the uninhibited exchange of ideas and interests. It allows for people of common mindset or even differences to freely discuss views.
I think what blogging does is it extends what the concept of conversations in social settings and allow everyone to participate in discussion whether real time or at a later moment
What is the difference between a website and a blog site?
A website is where one can go to do research and obtain information for services and other various items. A blog site is a place where ideas are exchanged on varying topics
Why did blogging become so successful?
People from all over the world can participate in discussion and exchange information with people they may never meet, but they walk away from the blog obtaining more information then they would have in their limited social settings.
What is its impact for journalism and education?
The impact for journalism is the expansion of op-ed. People are able to give real time opinions to real time issues, rather than waiting for the next hard document to be published. That being said, blogging has changed the face of what reporting truly is. People don't necessarily wait to hear all the facts to form opinions or even publish solid evidence to an issue.
For education, it has become not only a mechanism to teach but a way of socializing. It has made teachers more personable to students, but some times that line can be crossed. Unfortunately, blogging has also become a reflection of society, it is not immune to the social issues such as social shunning, racism, sterotypes, etc- if anything it has given an avenue for more of those harms and views to be expressed.
What is the specificity of videoblogging?
Video blogging is just a faster way of getting real time insight and feedback.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
