Project Management

Like our own respective projects, the project management also had to plan what they're going to do. They called this the planning phase. They measured how much time and money they have to do this project as well like we are doing right now on our events. Also, they have a planning grade like our which they called the plan implementation.

After they have finally executed their plans, its inevitable that something wrong might happen. Also like our events, unexpected things that can hinder us from reaching our goals and due dates. However like the project management, we also have to think of new ways to reach our goals. Since we are in a group, each group member is given a task they have to do, and they also give us "status reports" that can assure the other group members that we are on the right track.

Lastly, like the project management we also evaluate our projects. We do this in class by doing the SOGC (statement of goals and choices). This ensures everyone that we had reached our goal and that project was indeed successful.

Literacy

For me, literacy means the ability to read and write. When a person can both read and write, they are considered literate. The 21st century definition of literacy requires you not only to read and write, but you must also be proficient with technology to be considered literate.

The article talks about how the definition of literacy was changed throughout the years. The 21st century definition of literacy requires learners to be proficient with technology required to do their task, to be able to work in small groups, and analyze multimedia texts such as powerpoints. It also talks about how we used to be able to support families with just 3rd grade reading level, and how in today's world you can't get a decent job without being able to understand and adapt with technology.

I agree with the article. In society today, even low paying jobs have to cope with our advancing technology because of new equipments that they might have in their jobs. I think even in 6th grade, students should already know a lot about technology to be able to pass the course. I say that because in highschool and in college, you use technology extensively even just doing small projects or presentations. I believe that technology should always be connected with our classes because we know that in our future jobs/ our jobs we will undoubtedly rely on technology to get the job done.

Group Dynamics

Every project or task that my group undertakes is divided equally. We share responsibilities although the expert in each category serves as the leader for the rest to follow, but it depends on each activity that we do. For example, I know Twitter best so I took care of the important decisions made. However, every time I change something in our profile, I let my group mates know these changes immediately. Additionally, our group often meets outside class hours to get the work done, and everyone tries their best to do what was appointed to us. I have no problem with any of my groupmates and I feel like over the course of time, we are slowly getting closer and closer.

In my group, I feel like my voice is heard and so is everyone else's. Everytime we make a decision, we ask each member if they are comfortable with what we are going to do. Therefore, I'm confident that our group makes sure that no one is excluded in each decision and that we try our best to fulfill each other's preferences even when just picking a meeting time and place. I believe our group works really well, and that we're okay just the way it is.

Newspaper Article

Article: The city's suffering stray animals need help

The article talks about the stray animals in L.A. , and that the city approved a "no kill" policy, which means that no one can kill animals unless they are sick or dangerous. L.A is also scheduled to open a giant animal shelter, wherein most of the homeless animals will stay. However, there seems to be a lot of problems in opening the said shelter such as lightings and proper door handles.

Reaction:
I think this is a really good idea, and that L.A is moving forward with their animal laws, which other cities should also start implementing. Animals are also living things that have rights and feelings. Just because we are considered superior to them doesn't mean they should be neglected. They deserve the right habitat, right diet, and right care. The idea of the "no kill policy" is also interesting because I don't believe that animals should be killed within their owner's leisure. If we are not allowed to kill a person, why should we be allowed to kill animals?

This article's idea can be integrated with our project by asking all the local animal shelters to cooperate, and propose a law to the city government that can also help raise animal rights. I think its great that L.A. is working as a city altogether to create a better world for animals, and we should do that as well. If everyone works together to better animal laws, I think we can change every animal's world.

Citation:
Banks, S. (2012, October 26). The city's suffering stray animals need help. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-banks-animal-shelter-20121027,0,1922425.column

Post Project for Awesome reaction

After watching the Project for Awesome videos that our class made, its evident that we all worked hard on our videos. However, not all the choices we made were effective, because some of the components we had put were disruptive to the audience. When I was watching the videos, I like those videos that introduced Project for Awesome even before they introduced their own organization. I think its important that the viewers know first why you decided to make the video. Those videos that included pathos or personal connection to their organizations or cause were pretty effective too. They make the viewers connect with what they're saying and their reasoning. Most importantly, I think the most important part of the video is to show what we did to contribute to our chosen organization. It helps to let the people know that you contributed yourself, even before you ask others to do it.

While some of our choices are effective, some weren't as much. I didn't like the videos that had background music while they're talking. I think that divides the viewers attention to the music and the person talking. Also, I think that some people should've changed their background, and not just record in their bedrooms. It makes people think you're active when you record at a pet shelter, a park, or your bedroom with lots of animal pictures.

My favorite video is Autism Speaks by Amy Cannon. I like it because she explained project for awesome first and what their goal is before she even started talking about her organization. The way she also talked, she built a connection by the tone of her voice. My least favorite video is probably Support Pit bulls by Joan Correa because her video blog and voice over clashed and it made her video hard to understand.

If I have the chance to remake my video, I would introduce Project for Awesome first before I introduce my own organization. I would speak more clearly, and try to hide my accent. I would also add more information about PETA, and tell my audience what they stand for.

10 Do's and Dont's on making a project for awesome video

10 Do's

1. Do make your video entertaining.
2. Do explain your charity's purpose.
3. Do suggest different options to help your charity.
4. Do show how the charity website looks like.
5. Do pick a background that relates to your topic.
6. Do show how you're helping in your own way.
7. Do share your personal reason why you want to help your specific charity.
8. Do tell what your charity have that others don't.
9. Do make sure you provide the audience links to your charity's website.
10. Do dress appropriately.

10 Don'ts

1. Don't put long clips or pictures.
2. Don't talk all video long.
3. Don't talk too slow or too fast.
4. Don't shake the camera while recording.
5. Don't mention non-related topics.
6. Don't make your video too long.
7. Don't speak in a monotone voice.
8. Don't mention any personal information.
9. Don't falsify any information about your charity.
10. Don't keep moving. (walking back and forth, moving from place to place)

Participatory Culture and Civic Engagement

              Whenever we're at school, you'll always here people say "I can't wait to go home so I can go to Facebook or Tumblr." This organizations/ activities can be described as participatory culture. Participatory culture pertains to a group of people coming together to innovate something. For example, a group of skate boarders perfected a trick that another group can't. Therefore, they video taped the trick and included some advices to help out another group. The important thing about participatory culture is that they don't do it for money. They do it for fun. Meanwhile, civic engagement pertains to a group of people coming together to do something for a cause. For example, they can use Youtube to engage people to donate to breast cancer by posting a video that raises awareness for breast cancer. I used to make fan fictions about my favorite novels, but I never posted it on the internet. However, I was inspired by the Harry Potter alliance and I want to do something like that someday....maybe starting today.

             Our group are supposed to raise awareness for animal cruelty. I want to do something about the vaccinations of animals so that everyone can be safe from rabies. Also, I would like to do something to raise the awareness against stray animals. For example, every animal should be registered and be given a microchip, so that stray animals can be returned back to the owner. Animals becomes a big part of ones family, and I know if my puppy got lost, I would do everything to find him.