Teaching Secondary Language Arts II
Roberta F. Hammett,
Instructor
LLED 412, Teaching Secondary Language Arts II, one of the courses in the secondary language arts block program at Penn State, includes introduction to and exploration of various computer technologies and their educational applications. Among the many different enterprises in which students engage are:
This introduction provides links to the various CD-ROM reviews written by LLED 412 students. Whenever possible, publishing information is provided for the CD-ROMs, along with a short description of the program.
New
Voices/New Visions 1995. Review by Angie Balestrini.
Produced by Joshua Mack. S. Burlington, VT: Voyager
(www.voyagerco.com).
This CD-ROM presents the results of an invitation to international computer artists to demonstrate their work in film, design, poetry, music, writing, and other genres. This selection of the competition winners "push the boundaries, brillantly demonstrating the computer's potential as an artistic tool."
The
Tragedy of Macbeth. Review by Jennifer Freed.
Edited by A.R. Braunmuller. Commentary By David
S. Rodes.
S. Burlington, VT: The Voyager Shakespeare
This CD-ROM includes the text of Shakespeare's play with links and explorations of video clips, audio recording, and background information, analyses, commentary, and textual explanations.
The
Tragedy of Macbeth. Review by Mauricio Molina.
A second review of the same CD-ROM.
If
Monks Had Macs.... Review by Steve Bercik.
Created by Brian Thomas and friends. S. Burlington, VT: Voyager
(www.voyagerco.com).
The description in the promotion material seems an accurate: "A hearty stew of interactive books, games, art, music, and more." This "stew" contains Walden, The Scarlet Letter, Kennedy assassination investigation materials, and more interactive games, puzzles, and adventures.
The
Complete Maus. Review by Sharon Myers.
Written by Art Spiegelman. S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
The Complete Maus is a parable of events in Nazi Germany told in graphic (comic book) form. The novel is based on the experiences of Spiegelman's parents, who are Holocaust survivors. The CD-ROM includes the novel and a wide variety of other resources.
Understanding
McLuhan. Review by Katie Ferris.
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
This extensive introduction to one of the most influential critics of the media provides a fascinating exploration of the man, his work, and the commentary of others on his theories and warning.
Who
Built America? Review by Nathan Estes.
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
Described as "a definitive social history of the United States," this multimedia CD-ROM includes primary source materials and archival film footage and photographs. Included also are games, quizzes, and puzzles.
Our Secret Century-Volumes
1 & 2. Review by Amy Oriss
Created by Rick Prelinger
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
Consumerism and capitalism are the themes of the first two volumes of this series of 1950s films created by government and private agencies to influence post-war attitudes and values.
Our Secret Century-Volumes
3 & 4. Review by Caitlyn Hanisek
Created by Rick Prelinger
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
See also:Our Secret Century-Volumes 3 & 4. Review by Amy Vinglish
These volumes explore the role of media (particularly social guidance and public safety films of the 50s) in the intentional constuction national identity, social concensus, values, and behavioral norms.
Our Secret Century-Volumes
5 & 6. Review by George Pecchio
Created by Rick Prelinger
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
Volumes 5 and 6 of this twelve-volume set of "archival films from the darker side of the American dream" explore youth and other social issues. Like the other volumes in this set, the CD-ROM uses films created as educational and public informational 'propaganda.' Questions are thus raised about American ideologies and social values.
Our Secret Century-Volume 7.
Review by Erin Barch.
Created by Rick Prelinger
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
This review looks at volume 7 of a two volume-set. (Volume 8, Tireless Marketers, deals with dadverising and its growth into movie theatres and television broadcasting.) Volume 7, Gender Role Call explores gender role stereotyping in the 50s archival films Prelinger has located, restored, and compiled on CD-ROM discs.
Comic Book Confidential
by Ron Mann
Review by Bill Fidyk.
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
This "history of comic books and their creators" is a documentary that provides a variety of kinds of experiences with comic books, the artists that create them, and the varied social issues to which they are linked.
Ephemeral Films by
Rick Prelinger.
Review by Kri Meadows.
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
This CD-ROM, which portrays "the dawn of the American consumer age," is a collection of films produced between 1931 and 1960 for educational and advertising purposes. Material is included that provides opportunity for critique of the assumptions and values that underlie the films.
Poetry in Motion
by Ron Mann.
Review by Koreen Slocum.
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
This CD-ROM contains video performances of their work by several contemporary poets, including Allen Ginsberg, Michael Ondaatje, and Anne Waldman. The poets also discuss their work.
American Poetry: The Nineteenth
Century by John Hollander.
Review by Ben Johnson.
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
As the name suggests, this CD-ROM is a multimedia encyclopedic anthology of 19th century American poetry.
Truths & Fictions
by Pedro Meyer.
Review by Geoffrey Renaud.
S. Burlington, VT: Voyager (www.voyagerco.com).
This CD-ROM explores digital photography--particularly in relation to the "truth" of photographic representations.