Hybrid Classroom

@TeachPaperless

2009-11-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

I would have tweeted this post, but there are going to be too many characters.
Admittedly, in the beginning I was daunted by my Social Media Course. I signed up for "Neuroscience for Educators." To my disappointment, this elective was canceled and I was forced to sign up for "The Creativity Challenge" (umm...ew) or "The Paperless Classroom." I thought that the second option sounded practical enough and enrolled.
While I am in the admittance mood, I was discouraged initially by my instructor's (Shelly's) enthusiasm. I thought he was a quack. A quack that plays World of Warcraft (well I was right) has like 956840956849056890548690548690 online accounts, doesn't interact outside of cyberspace, and was attempting to brainwash us all. This initial impression lasted for a few class meetings...(maybe more than a few...)
In all seriousness, I am glad I learned to use these tools to my advantage. (Yes, Shelly, you may tweet "I told you so") Twitter, blogs, and many other awesome sites (shout out to delicious!!) are totally a part of my classroom experience now. I really wish this class would have lasted a bit longer actually (although I am not bitter about being out of class early for my birthday this week...YES!). We were finally working together--planning as professionals.
I am a fan of the practical. I think the social media movement is fine and potentially perfect for the classroom. However, if I could offer any advice to Shelly it would be this: 1. Say hi to your grad students upon their entry to the classroom. They can see you (you are "online" and "visible" so to speak.) A tweet would suffice :-). 2. Spend more time talking about how this stuff relates in the classroom! I felt like we didn't spend enough time with that. This class would totally have drawn everyone in earlier had you shown us a lesson day one, day two, day three...you get the idea. We are teachers, dude. 3. Keep it up. The world is waiting.

Review: Library of Congress lesson plan

2009-10-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

I had an opportunity to check out the Library of Congress website selection of lesson plans. I read over this one. I thought this was such an amazing cross curricular lesson plan. Music, history, and language arts teachers could easily collaborate on this lesson. It meets standards in each category.
As an English teacher, I was particularly intrigued by the usage of research. While this assignment is particularly guided, it still reinforces some media literacy. Student are also required to interpret and understand media.
I enjoy lessons that demonstrate to students how all of their courses are interrelated. The songs written by historical persons demanding reform are just as important as the articles written by other people in that time period. Retrieving the main idea from any text is a crucial skill. I am impressed by the way in which that is incorporated into this activity. It is also interesting how the students are required to present an argument in the form of a song. This skill may seem simple, but is actually a rhetorical tool.
My only concern about this assignment is that the creator did not use more technology for students to publish their work. Why is everything a worksheet? This activity is cool and innovative, the products could have been greener. Why not have students blog their songs--they could create an online song book and include the pictures that they chose to go along with them. Why not show the world the awesome products!!??
I could see myself doing something like this with the other teachers at my school.

Who waits for reincarnation anymore? (Second life post)

2009-10-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

Currently thinking: that was pretty cool.

I sat in for a lecture (the first one was free) on Second Life. It was hosted by Giovanni Tweak.

What does this mean for education? It means that the global community that everyone is always referencing is real. It is finally here. I can learn pretty much anywhere without having to rent a crappy apartment, buy a plane ticket, fill out an application...I can just go. Then, I can go back to my life. I don't have to take weeks off of work (although I would like to). How cool is that?

To participate in this lecture a person needed to have skype and sound, which makes sense. I definitely think I'd like to take in more lectures this way. What if one were able to get a degree from a college that was only on Second Life...like a S.L. university? Think of how much time and travel could be saved! Of course, if a degree is to be earned there have to be some minor changes and added security, but I'm optimistic. I can see myself using this more over the break.

I don't think I would use SL for field trips with my students.. I am still a fan of actually being there when I can. I am, however, becoming a social media advocate. (Not that I am keeping score, but I think that's 1 point for my nerdy professor.)

Well, I'm off to fumble around SL for a while longer. TTYL

Paperless English Lesson

2009-10-08T16:19:00.000-07:00

State Standards Addressed:
1.1.3. Students will confirm understanding after reading, viewing, or listening to a text.
1.2.1. Students will identify the contributions of literary elements in classical and contemporary texts.
1.3.1. Students will write effective informative or expository texts
Student Objectives:
Students will demonstrate their understanding of the elements of plot (exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) by diagramming the plot of a narrative poem and blogging to defend their choices of climax and conflict.
Modalities used:
linguistic, musical
Materials Needed (including links):
Headphones
Computer lab
www.blogger.com
www.twitter.com
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/grandtheftautosanandreas/childrensstory.htm
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/plot-diagram/
www.google.com
http://theliterarylink.com/flowers.html

Timeline: One 40-50 minute class period.

Warm Up:
1. Log into your twitter account
2. Log into your blogger account
3. Think about what we learned yesterday,[tweet] what do you think is the MOST important aspect of a story?*
*The previous lesson would be on the structure of plot. This lesson serves to assess and offer practice to the student.

Direct Instruction:
I will tweet the audio file “Children’s Story” by Slick Rick. I will explain to students that this song is actually a narrative poem. Ask: Could someone google “narrative poem” and post the definition to twitter? Once students have seen that a narrative poem is a poem that has a plot they will actually listen to the song and follow along with the lyrics. http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/grandtheftautosanandreas/childrensstory.htm
After they have had a chance to listen and read the lyrics they will tweet their initial reactions to the song.
Guided Practice:
Now that students have tweeted their initial reactions to the song they will go to http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/plot-diagram/. Using this website, they will do a plot diagram about the song. They may use twitter #haleeng2 as a back channel to use their peers as a life line during this activity.
Next, I will ask students to take their hands off the computers and turn their chairs into the circle (this is dependent upon the arrangement of the computer lab. Whatever arrangement you choose, make sure you can conduct discussion without having students look at the computers). We will now discuss what everyone chose as the conflict and climax. Students will be expected to defend why they chose what they chose.
Independent Practice [to be completed alone]:
Now students will do this alone. They will read Alice Walker’s “Flowers” http://theliterarylink.com/flowers.html. Next, they will blog the following:
What are the elements of the plot?
Assign parts of “Flowers” to each of those elements.
Now defend both the climax and the conflict that you chose eloquently (no one-liners please!)
Homework:
Respectfully comment on two of your classmates’ blogs

Wtf is up with the ending of the wasteland?

2009-10-01T17:09:00.000-07:00

So, the wasteland ends with this schizophrenic-sounding prayer. It includes first allusions that have sad/hopeful tones. Next, the "London Bridge is..." segment presents an element of disaster... In short, it seems that this "prayer" is a plea for some higher power to step in and address the sadness and disaster that is plaguing the land.

K. Hale
C. Dagnino

Eliot "The Waste Land"

2009-10-01T16:40:00.002-07:00

Alliteration-Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee
little life, winter kept us warm, forgetful snow feeding
roots rain
winter kept us warm

Allusion:

To be continued I suppose.

Eliot

2009-10-01T16:40:00.001-07:00

This week's twitter shout out goes to...

2009-09-16T20:39:00.000-07:00

@spedteacher. Thank you for your advice and thoughtful insights to assisting my students with IEPs.

In other news, I find myself logging into twitter because I'd like to lately as opposed to grudgingly out of obligation. Interesting...indeed. My PLN is filling with awesome people with great new ideas. If only all my students had computers...

P.S. Shelley, no need for "I told you so," but this post is like a semi nod of approval. I see the value, but I still don't share your enthusiasm for social media (C'mon, I wasn't going to acquiesce completely!)

Google lesson plan review

2009-09-10T13:51:00.001-07:00

Below is the URL to a pretty cool lesson on the crusades:

http://kthorne.pbworks.com/Flying%20Through%20the%20Crusades#Resources

First of all, I'd like to know why there is only one English sample lesson plan. In fact, the sample lesson plan isn't a lesson plan at all. It doesn't exist. Its an idea. For that reason I decided to review a social studies lesson. If I were a social studies teacher I wouldn't use this lesson for more than 20 minutes in my classroom. I kept thinking: nice map, but where is the content? I'm assuming knowing where the crusaders went is important, but recalling those locations is merely level one on Bloom's taxonomy. Calculating distance is still pretty low on Blooms. I'd like to see a lesson using technology that challenges students to think, analyze, and process.

OMG! Probably the highlight of my day...

2009-09-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

If you have ever used Google in an attempt to find ideas for your lesson plans, you will be both excited and annoyed with this: Google has a ridiculously amazing database with lesson ideas and resources: http://www.google.com/educators/6_12.html. I'm excited because I am a firm believer in merely improving the wheel as opposed to reinventing it. I'm annoyed because (other than the fact that I am completely exhausted) I have wasted so much time Googling lesson ideas when Google has been hoarding these tools. Oh, and you'll really love this: THEY ARE FREE!!

I particularly enjoyed the resources under "Docs and Spreadsheets in the classroom" in the History and Language Arts Section. So many ideas rushed through my mind as I clicked through the templates and instructions for implementing the lessons in the computer lab.

If you are a teacher or know a teacher, definitely go check it out!

Twitter isn't so pointless after all...

2009-09-09T21:11:00.000-07:00

So, I have been making an honest effort to be a part of the twitter education network. I am learning how to use twitpics and links etc and I have found it to be surprisingly easy. I've even been retweeted (or RT'd). Yay! I think that it is wonderful that I have access to so many people with great ideas. Twitter might even be as cool as Google. Don't get me wrong, I'm still no twit...um..twitterer...er...whatever.
While I like having the opportunity to reach these resources, I don't like feeling obligated to the website. Dear paperless classroom turned social media instructor: I get your point. Social media is a great new educational tool for students and educators alike. However, I don't find the compulsion--I mean--need to tweet several times every day. Kudos to the people who have the time or the desire, but I have neither. This is in no way a diss at twitter or my SM course, or the instructor. It is just the realistic feedback from a busy teacher with three preps, children I didn't birth but are mine, a full grad course load, pets, friends, a boyfriend, hobbies, and a need for occasional peace that all come before social networking in my hierarchy of needs. (Translation: I am finding your twitspectations a bit high).
I will continue to use twitter. I like what I have found and I am enjoying building my PLN. With that said, I am officially a twitfan, but I'm not a fanatwit.

"Do Good on Twitter" and other articles...

2009-09-03T16:30:00.001-07:00

Do Good On Twitter: A Review
I didn't know there were so many ways to make a difference on twitter. In all honesty, I previously saw twitter as a waste of time. Slowly, my mind is starting to change. If I had more time, I would constantly "Blame [things on] Drew's Cancer" (#BlameDrewsCancer) to help raise money for cancer awareness. I would retweet (RT) the blasts from charities that I follow. With that said, I will have to wait to change the world outside my classroom. I frankly just don't have the time.

Twitter Better: 20 ways to filter your twitter: Another Review
When I initially started using twitter I was discouraged by the amount of tweets I was reading everyday by my over zealous friends. Needless to say, I quickly retreated back to facebook. Interestingly enough, there is a way to filter whose tweets you are actually reading. Woohoo awesome, right? I suppose. I am still not quite sold on twitter. Even the non "I am eating a salad" posts I am seeing from my educated peers are still bordering boring. I'd rather "follow" a blog.

Tasty Tweets: 55+ Foodies to Follow on Twitter: Yet another Review

This particular article intrigued me because I love to cook. I am always interested in new recipes, yet I lack the patience for the Food Network. In true Twitter fashion, this article is information overload. There are links upon links to tweets from various foodies. Maybe it is my ADHD, but the twitter method over distracts me to the point where I often walk away with nothing. So many recipes, so little left of my attention span.

In short, no matter what tweets I ignore or choose to read, I still feel burdened with the idea of "checking on it." I don't have children of my own because I don't like that type of obligation. I ditched my blackberry because of its depressing ability to keep up with the daily crossfire of work emails. These articles were useful in that I now know what Twitter has to offer. The question is: will I ultimately leave these offers on the table?

What is this all about?

2009-09-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

I find myself trying to implement technology into my classroom. Yet, I feel as though I am becoming a slave to social networking. There are so many social networking outlets and so little time to check all this stuff! I am beginning to ignore all the beeps and buzzes from my cell phone because I dread having to go check and respond to something.
This brings me to my new JHU course. I initially signed up for the nueroscience for educators course, but was offered other classes instead. Naturally, I chose the one that seemed the most useful: the paperless classroom. I am intrigued by this class; however, I feel like I am quickly going to become "over-connected." I have more accounts than I need, more passwords than I can remember, and less time than ever to deal with any of it. What is a girl to do?
The first meeting of this class was interesting. Even though I had already seen the video we watched, it was just as cool as the first time I watched it.
My thoughts on this class? Too early to tell.... I just hope that social networking does not take over my life.