Thinking Maps: The 8 ways of thinking

Did you know there are only 8 different types of thinking? Thinking maps were created to give visual depictions to the ways people problem solve and think. Many students are a visual learners and we can project images in their heads right away when presented with a subject. Thinking maps are and alternative method of processing information and creating outputs of that information. Example: If you are told to think of an Elephant, you will instantly begin to picture an Elephant. The same is true if you are told to not think of a Giraffe (You pictured a Giraffe, didn’t you). These thinking maps have a direct link to photo visual literacy as they direct thoughts into images and allow the individual to process the information.

The Circle map:

Defines the context of a subject, the subject is placed in the middle and is surrounded by things that describe the subject within the circle.

The Bubble Map:

Describes attributes or adjectives of subject, each adjective is connected to the subject with a line.

Bubles that are placed closest to the subject can relate more to those that have a stem that is further away from the subject.

The Double Bubble Map:

This map is used to compare and contrast two or more subjects, the two subjects have similarities that connect them. They also have qualities that differ from one another. This map is very similar to Venn diagrams.

The Tree map:

Is used to classify and group information. It takes a subject and breaks it down into smaller sub-categories and groups, like different types of animals.

The Brace map:

Teaches the relationship of a subject broken down into its parts they analyze the relationship of the subject. Brace maps and Tree maps are very similar, in their breaking down of subjects. One is used to show structure and the other is used to show the relationship of somethings parts.

These are good to use when breaking down the parts of an essay, it can be broken down into and introduction, body and conclusion. These can be further broken down into a thesis statement and opening sentence; supporting paragraphs; and restatement of thesis and closing ideas.

The flow Map:

Illustrates how a sequence or event has occurred. It defines a sequential order of events.

Multi-flow Map:

This is used to analyze a cause and effect. A sequence of events leads into one a cause and the results are its effects

Bridge Map:

This is used for analogies and the relating factor of two subjects.

Citation

http://www.thinkingmaps.com/

The Google Generation

The first thing I did when I started this assignment was search the words ‘digital’ and ‘literacy’ to find some ideas on what to write about. The younger generation of today is sometimes referred to as the Google Generation because of how often they use search engines to find information. Google is used whenever somebody need something whether it is to settle a bet, find plane tickets, book at hotel or even figure out the speed of sound in km/h.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP0LPTFQ1Qw

This video goes on the talk about have we have lost all privacy with Google Maps & Earth, and with how easy it has become to find information. Information that we didn’t even know was online.

Is The Internet Ruining Our Lives?

There is no easy answer to whether or not the internet is actually ruining the lives of people today. However, we can clearly observe the effects it is having on certain aspects of our everyday interactions and routines. For instance, we can see a trend of people who are spending hours upon hours on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook instead of being outside or making friends in real life. So in that respect, the internet has definitely caused some decay in our social skills. On the other hand, it allows us to access information much quicker and more efficiently than previously imagined, as well as contributes to increased literacy rates among children so there are some real valuable benefits to be had and that is why there is no easy answer and you must judge for yourself. Is the internet ruining your life?

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/97275/is_the_internet_ruining_our_lives_pg2.html?cat=15

Generational Digital Literacy

In today's modern world, being technologically literate is a huge asset and can be the difference between success and failure. The degree to which people are literate with the technology of today varies from person to person but there are also some fairly consistent trends between generations. Generally speaking, older generations are marginally slower to adopt and efficiently utilize new technology than younger generations such as the tech-savvy iGeneration. Growing up with the technology contributes greatly to the ease of use we witness in the young generations and their digital literacy. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-02-10-igeneration10_CV_N.htm

Choking on an Information Overload

Moderation and Self-regulation literacy are often over looked as a vital segment involved in the new era of digital literacy. Much like mentioned in an in-class handout, the internet is the latest unmonitored and unrestricted addiction. This common practice of inhaling so much information was first recognized as a growing trended by David Lewis who coined the term “information fatigue syndrome – IFS”. This term was developed to describe the physical and mental reactions to overwhelming amounts of indigestible and incomprehensive information. According to various studies and Mr. Lewis, the affected individuals are bombarded by multiple sources of records and statistics such as: email, fax, files, web sites, facebook, blackberries, blogs and journals. In reaction to this sum of data people can become less productive as well as have an increase in self-doubt, stress, anxiety and sleeplessness. In order to avoid such dramatic outcomes from what is perceived as a harmless past-time, the experts suggest leaving work at work and enjoying other past times or hobbies that don’t involve a screen.
Information about Dr. Lewis and IFS found at these web sites: http://paginaspersonales.deusto.es/abaitua/konzeptu/fatiga.htm, http://www.gdrc.org/icts/i-overload/infoload.html

Heavy Rain, Choose you own adventure

As a child, I loved to read the choose your own adventure books in my school library. The books never followed a traditional linear form of literacy, reading from left to right, Beginning to end. Instead, the reader turned to different pages based on the choices provided. There would be several outcomes that would result from your personal choices within the book.

Heavy rain poses the question "How far would you go to save the one you love?" a film noir-style thriller set in an interactive visual medium (video games). It follows the path of 4 unrelated characters connected by the high profile murders of a serial killer, known as the Origami Killer.

Traditional games result in “game over” screens when the desired outcome is not performed by the player. Heavy rain has no right or wrong choice, just the amalgamation of all those choices driving forward to the finale. Protagonists can die due to the actions and choices of the player, their story ends and key elements and insights may be missed that, that character would provide; if they had survived.

Thoughts can be heard by selecting the non linear projections that swirl around the characters heads. This also provides the selections of how the player wants to proceed or has perceived a situation. Ethan Mars; an architect, reports his son missing to the police. While playing at the park, Ethan blacks out and wakes up, standing in the street, son missing. Many hours have past and the details of the situation are hazy to Ethan. Police detectives ask him the time they arrived and what his son what wearing? The player must answer what they observed, the answers are swirling very fast and are hard to see, creating the idea that Ethan cannot clearly describe what happened.

Heavy rain pushes the boundaries of the industry, it focuses on the emotions of the characters and the player, making choices based on moral decisions, set in extreme circumstances. Ethan is set into the Origami Killers game, and tasked to drive five miles in five minutes, against oncoming traffic, to receive a clue to the location of his son. The player must choose personal endangerment and sacrifice to help save his son. If the task is not undertaken vital clues will be withheld to help Ethan find his son.

I am about one hour into the story and already drawn into its emotion and characters. Heavy Rain’s story is driven by the actions and emotions of the characters. Realistic facial expressions tie the player to the Characters emotions. It captures the players attention, creating a relationship to these people.

This draws me back to the “Choose your own adventure books” from my childhood and I look forward to seeing the outcome of these individuals.

Technology in My Life

Growing up in the very beginning of the “Google Generation” segment, technology has made a massive impact on my life. When I was in Grade one these strange ugly grey boxes were brought into the room that had a black and white screen less than 10cm X 10cm wide. (Of course these where hammy-downs from older grades within the public system that were probably already out-dated at that time.) This would have been my first introduction to the technology that was eventually to become a part of my everyday life. From what I can remember the main use of these computers was to play math and English games, there was no such thing as Google or Wi-Fi connections. To follow were years of “All the Right Type” programs that involved racing your neighbour and peaking under the cloth on your hands when the teacher was not looking. In Junior High, technology was further intergraded into the classroom through assignments that involved homemade and edited movies, excel modules, web site design and the change over from floppy disks to CD’s. In regards to high school, finally the answers to research projects and reports had been collected and piled at the other end of a push of a button. It was nothing to be required to type up and hand in a 4 page essay by the 4th period bell. Ever since my first introduction to technology a continuous flow of new computers and programs, each with something innovative and superior to the last, have been just at a fingers reach away. From the start we, in the Google Generation, have been taught and trained on the latest in up-to-date technology. In hind sight there are always going to be things that could have been taught better or not recognized as a valid concern until years later. Overall I know that the innovation will not stop anytime soon and neither will my learning.

According to the blog, “The importance of media literacy” by Doris Montfort, digital literacy requires the reader to use the same skills to detect manipulation that was once used in print (http://www.ifc.com/makemediamatter/blog/2009/06/the-importance-of-media-litera.php). Today more than ever, people need to question the authenticity of the sources from both books and websites. Historically, people did not have the education or the resources to question the legitimacy of the information they received. They would have to rely on unsavoury sources. Often times, this led to disastrous results. For example, Hitler, during the Second World War, used the printed medium and radio to manipulate the German people. Hitler used pamphlets, radio, and newspapers to operate an effective propaganda machine. In today society, this type of manipulation still goes on because in some parts of the world people do not have adequate education or the capability to access unbiased sources to evaluate the information they are receiving. When I traveled to Cuba two years ago, I saw billboards about Fidel Castro’s achievements, and how the country was better off with him as their leader. Is that true? I don’t think so. When you look around Cuba, people are living in substandard housing without clean water. How would the average person in Cuba know that they are being manipulated by their government? They don’t. They don’t have access to the internet, and when they do, their access is severely restricted. They are not given the adequate resources to question the leaders of their country. So does this happen in Canada? It sure does. Every day, businesses use the internet to find out about their competitors. How do they know whether this information they are gathering is correct? How do they know whether or not they are being manipulated by a person with a hidden agenda? They don’t. Business could be making important business decisions based on erroneous information. This could adversely affect their bottom line. For some businesses, this could spell disaster. That is why; businesses in Canada must check their sources carefully to ensure that they are legitimate. History has taught us how important this is.

The video, Digital Literacy in the Google Generation ,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XqRR5WJ85k focuses on why we need to be critical of digital literacy when using the Google search engine on the internet. Students often depend on Google to research their reports. They need to ensure that they use credible sources when using Google. For example when the librarian from Nait did a lecture on database research for our Communications class, she showed us a website about Martin Luther King (www.martinlutherking.org). According to Google, this website is a “valuable resource for teachers and students”. However when you research the website more closely, the author is a neo Nazi. Obviously, this website is biased towards Martin Luther King.

IM Changed My Internet

Read the article “Seven Things You Should Know About… Instant Messaging” by the Educause Learning Initiative. It talks about the power and the significance of Instant Messaging in people’s lives. Here is a story about when my life was changed by IM.

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7008.pdf

I don’t remember the exact day my family got connected to the internet, but why should I? I had no use for it. I didn’t have an email address, I didn’t need to update myself to the latest blogs, I didn’t know what a Viral Video was, I didn’t even download music. The internet didn’t really mean too much to me.

I do, however, remember the first time I used the internet to chat amongst friends. I was in my grade 6 math class. (I remember this because that day was a giant step in my own digital literacy.) Of course math was not the subject we were discussing. Everyone was talking about how they discovered how to use the popular instant messaging service MSN Messenger. They could chat, webcam, use microphones, play games and even share pictures with each other.

That afternoon, very excited, I went home, made my first email account on Hotmail and then proceeded to download and install MSN Messenger. From that moment on I could be connected to my friends and never actually see them in person. There was also the idea of self expression; I was able to create any screen name I chose, pick a font, color, and show off a personalized have a display picture. That day is still is still a vivid memory in my mind. That day, the internet had purpose.

Over a decade later, I have MSN on my computer but with its new name Windows messenger. Today I am still able to laugh out loud or roll on the floor laughing with friends from that grade 6 class. And as I look back, I figure that that was the day I learnt how to use digital technology to communicate.

The cartoon, “This Modern Life” from Wellington Grey (Miscellanea.wellingtongrey.net/2007/06/03/this-modern-life/) reflects how computers have changed our lives. E-mails, twitter, facebook, and computer games have made the computer an important part of our social life. Why spend an evening at a nightclub or a night out visiting with friends, when you can stay at home chatting with your friends over the internet. Is this a good thing? I don’t know. Although scientific evidence suggests that computer use is improving our society’s literacy rates, I wonder if there is a cost. With the growing epidemic of obesity in our society and the health costs associated, are we, as a society, truly better off?

Informational Literacy

Although information literacy is commonly overlooked as one of the five cognitive thinking strategies it is one of the most important. In today’s connected world, everyone is able to access a vast amount of information that may or may not be correct. We commonly use this skill to ensure the reliability of our sources and the second hand facts that we gather. One definition that was written by the CILIP (Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals) accompanied this photo explained that information literacy is, “knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.”
http://www.informationliteracy.org.uk/Information_literacy_definitions/Definitions.aspx

Evolution of the Internet

When the internet came into widespread use in the mid 1990’s, it was seen primarily as a tool for searching out and downloading information. Research was exciting, interesting and seemed unlimited.

More recent evolutions have seen a tremendous boom in social networking sites such as Myspace, Twitter and Facebook. With the increased popularity in blogging, the value and use of the world-wide-web has increased exponentially. Even individuals with minimal digital literacy skills have the opportunity to contribute to the literary world in much more than simple text format. Many young children know how to upload text, photos, and videos, along with downloading of information for work, school and entertainment purposes. Publishing your work is as easy as pressing the send button on your computer. Perhaps shocking to publishers, the largest encyclopedia in the world, Wikipedia, is entirely user generated and is continuously being vetted and added to by its users. The skills required to use and contribute to the web have become more and more commonplace and necessary to compete in the global workplace.

Another exciting advance has occurred in the last few years with the advent of software that trains information to find the user. In his book Redefining Literary 2.0, David Warlick describes a protocol called RSS. RSS stands for Rich Site Summary. This innovation works very cleverly in conjunction with small programs called Feed Aggregators. These two programs work in combination to scan web sites favored by the user. They are able to search out useful information and recent posts. If for example I hold a YouTube account. Based on previous videos I have searched for and watched the website’s software develops a list of videos I might be interested in. Every time I log on, I am informed of new information available in specific topics of my choosing. Facebook, eBay and many others have begun to implement this technology into their websites .The RSS button has become commonplace on major websites.

Traditional literacy referred to the ability to read and write. Sometimes numeracy (working with numbers) was included in that definition. Today, the skills required to be truly literate include not only reading, writing and arithmetic, but more importantly the ability to thoughtfully search out, manipulate and contribute to information in today’s ever-changing digital world.

ASCII Art

ASCII (as-kee) is the acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII is one of the first digital representations of the English alphabet and incorporates letters, symbols and punctuation. Used on some of the first computers and communications equipment, it was invented by Bell and designed in the early ‘60s for teleprinters (electromechanical typewriters). While most modern “computerized alphabets” are still based on ASCII, they now support many more characters.

ASCII art has been around for decades. Some of the oldest examples from the ‘60s are the creations of Kenneth Knowlton who was working for Bell Labs. One of the main reasons why ASCII art came to be was that early printers lacked the ability to print pictures so characters were used in the place of graphics. ASCII art was born.

The first known example of characters used as an image in this same fashion was in 1867 when Flora Stacey used her typewriter to make a picture of a butterfly.

I couldn’t get examples directly on this blog due to the way this website text is formatted but I can post a link.

http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=ascii+art&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=2sJhS9nNGIqsNtC3pMcB&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCoQsAQwAw