crazy+teacher

=Dear Student, please email me: flossytogo@hotmail.com= ( I know it is a strange email name, I set it up so my mother could email me overseas & it would be easy for her to remember, flossy is my childhood nick name!) = = I am looking forward to an exciting term ahead, I have many fun ideas to do in class, but I would also like to hear your ideas. What do you find interesting? What are your hobbies? The more that you can tell me about yourself the better I can cater for your interests and help you achieve your goals. I believe in building from __your__ existing knowledge, skills and experiences. Learning is more fun in teams, so if you have anything to share, be prepared to take over the class, (but I won’t do that to you in the first week!) = =

This term I thought it would be fun if we made digital stories. Click on the links below to see some samples. A digital story is a digital video clip, told in your own voice, illustrated mostly with still images, with an optional music track added for emotional effect. A digital story is a personal tale that may show the author’s reflections and views on particular topics or memories. Eg coming to Australia, significant events in your life: birth, death, marriage, migration, early childhood memories. Or a digital story could be a legacy, stories usually told about a person or place. Digital stories can provide us with an opportunity to leave a legacy of our family stories for those who come after us. = =

Examples of Digital Stories
[|**Legacy**http://homepage.mac.com/eportfolios/iMovieTheater16.html]
 * [|Jonathan]**http://homepage.mac.com/eportfolios/iMovieTheater27.html

family secrets & strengths http://www.acmi.net.au/dst_feeling_felt.htm Growing up in Australia http://www.acmi.net.au/mishapsandmisadventures.jsp

life long friends http://www.acmi.net.au/dst_friendship_biscuit_tin.htm

turkish migrant http://www.acmi.net.au/dst_dad_i_made_it.htm

An autobiography http://www.acmi.net.au/dscarmel.jsp

This is a sad one! http://www.acmi.net.au/irrepressiblejackstone.jsp

Hip hop http://www.acmi.net.au/storyofhiphop.jsp

Immigrating to Australia, in Italian with subtitles http://www.acmi.net.au/dsattraverso.jsp

From forced migration to politician http://www.acmi.net.au/dsaustraliaperforza.jsp

Fun at a women’s centre http://www.acmi.net.au/dskensingtonwomens.jsp

Free music http://freeplaymusic.com/

My interests are reading, scuba diving, food and travelling. I also love the media, this includes script and short story writing, and film making. Two years ago I went trekking in Burma now called Myanmar. The countryside and people are wonderful; unfortunately it is still difficult to travel freely in the country, even for the nationals. It all began went I worked in a Burmese refuge camp in Thailand during my Christmas holidays. I met many wonderful people, when it was time to go they asked if I could post some letters to their families from Australia. I decided to do better than that and deliver them personally, with photographs. As you will discover I am very much into human rights and issues of access and equity.

I have been teaching at TAFE for 13 years, before this I taught at Edith Cowan University. I was born in England; we came to Australia when I was a child. I went to University in America and here at Murdoch. Then it was off to Europe! This seems to be a compulsory activity for most children of Australian migrants. My mother is from Switzerland and my father is Irish. So I have a Swiss sense of humour and an Irish sense of timing!

I worked in London, France, Italy and the Middle East. I loved working in the Middle East, I found the culture so different and interesting. A simple daily event could often be a challenge and eye opening experience. Have you experienced any "culture shocks"? What do you find strange or amusing?

Please write back to me and tell me of your interests, what you did in the holidays, about yourself and your family and I love hearing funny stories. Do you have any ideas for your digital stories? If you do and think you would be interested then start bringing in photos to scan or digital photos &/or video for your stories.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards Robin Johnston