I know I created this blog for 21st Century Literacy Online, but I am also taking another course, Merging Educational Goals and Interactive Media Projects. As part of my final assignment, I am asked to share an ePortfolio that I put together for the coruse. What better way to share it than on my 21st Century Literacy Blog?
So, if you feel like it, check out my ePortfolio at wikispaces.com.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Reflections on Learning: 21st Century Literacy
So, what have I learned over the course of....this course?
For starters, I have a blog now. I've actually set up another blog for exclusive use with my English 9 classes this coming school year. I hope to have students post assignments, questions, and responses on the blog, and hopefully I'll get them started on their own class blogs.
I've also learned to use quite a few new digital tools. I had always thought that Google Documents was a "pain in the neck," but I've learned just how convenient it really is. No more storing files in multiple places--it's just easier to upload all of my new documents to Google Docs and work on them from multiple places. I also got to know Microsoft MovieMaker well. Thanks to creating a slideshow for my infant son, friends and family have been asking me to create slideshows for them. I think I'll start a business!
Most importantly, I'm learning more about using the tools of the 21st century and applying them in my own classroom. As a digital immigrant, I am often intimidated by these new tools; however, I've grown more comfortable witih these newly acquired skills and I think that I might be a bit more savvy than I was before. I look forward to implementing my newfound knowledge and "showing off" to my colleagues!
For starters, I have a blog now. I've actually set up another blog for exclusive use with my English 9 classes this coming school year. I hope to have students post assignments, questions, and responses on the blog, and hopefully I'll get them started on their own class blogs.
I've also learned to use quite a few new digital tools. I had always thought that Google Documents was a "pain in the neck," but I've learned just how convenient it really is. No more storing files in multiple places--it's just easier to upload all of my new documents to Google Docs and work on them from multiple places. I also got to know Microsoft MovieMaker well. Thanks to creating a slideshow for my infant son, friends and family have been asking me to create slideshows for them. I think I'll start a business!
Most importantly, I'm learning more about using the tools of the 21st century and applying them in my own classroom. As a digital immigrant, I am often intimidated by these new tools; however, I've grown more comfortable witih these newly acquired skills and I think that I might be a bit more savvy than I was before. I look forward to implementing my newfound knowledge and "showing off" to my colleagues!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
We Fear Change!
Hello loyal followers!
So, I've been thinking a lot about implementing Voicethread in my Freshman English classes this year, and I'm very excited about it. I'm hoping to motivate students with something online to use as a collaborative tool. Of course, I'll "ramp them up" with individual voicethreads for their summer reading projects, but as time goes on, they will begin collaborating and commenting on Voicethread projects with other students. This could really be something to foster change in my classroom and possibly in my school! Here's a link to the K-12 Voicethread page, complete with a video that explains what Voicethread in the classroom is all about:
http://voicethread.com/about/k12/
However, I had some issues last year using Turnitin.com. A few parents didn't like the idea of their children's work posted on the internet. I anticipate some parental resistane to Voicethread. I worry that too many people out there fear what they don't understand, and I want to make sure that all students are able to particpate in a collaborative 21st Century environment. I could wait until open school night to prepare a presentation, but I'd like to begin soon. I'll send out a letter to parents about Voicethread of course, but I'd like your feedback. What should I include in the letter in order to alleviate any fears that parents might have about online digital tools?
So, I've been thinking a lot about implementing Voicethread in my Freshman English classes this year, and I'm very excited about it. I'm hoping to motivate students with something online to use as a collaborative tool. Of course, I'll "ramp them up" with individual voicethreads for their summer reading projects, but as time goes on, they will begin collaborating and commenting on Voicethread projects with other students. This could really be something to foster change in my classroom and possibly in my school! Here's a link to the K-12 Voicethread page, complete with a video that explains what Voicethread in the classroom is all about:
http://voicethread.com/about/k12/
However, I had some issues last year using Turnitin.com. A few parents didn't like the idea of their children's work posted on the internet. I anticipate some parental resistane to Voicethread. I worry that too many people out there fear what they don't understand, and I want to make sure that all students are able to particpate in a collaborative 21st Century environment. I could wait until open school night to prepare a presentation, but I'd like to begin soon. I'll send out a letter to parents about Voicethread of course, but I'd like your feedback. What should I include in the letter in order to alleviate any fears that parents might have about online digital tools?
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The Power and Pain of Rubrics
I remember when I first started teaching at Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School in Brooklyn; I knew I wanted to teach, but I had not taken one educational class, so I didn't know how to teach. I got my feet wet during the two years I spent there, and after that I learned that keeping lesson plans is a vital part of teaching. It wasn't until my third year teaching (my first year at James Madison High School in Brooklyn) that I realized just how valuable rubrics could be. The first time my direct supervisor asked me, "let me see the rubric," my heart leaped into my throat. Rubric? What is that?
Thus began my rubric creation. I can honestly say that on more than one occasion, a rubric has saved my butt. When I create a rubric for any assignment, I provide my students with a copy before they begin. I stick to those rules, and the rubrics provide me with a formulaic tool for assessment. If a student (or, more frequently, a parent) complains about a grade, I can point to the rubric. On more than one occasion, a general homework rubric, which I always distribute in the beginning of the school year, has provided sufficient argument to support grades I have given and to set standards.
Of course, there's the down side to the rubric. First, rubrics must be constantly updated. My rubrics often change to meet unforeseen demands or to correct errors in assessment. I've also heard the phrase, "it's not on the rubric" many, many times; I can't reward or penalize for something if it's not on the rubric because I'd be breaking a written promise to "stick to the standards" when grading an assignment. God forbid I ever do that!
Still, I tend to favor the positive side of the rubric. It certainly allows me to set the standards, and it does make grading assignments a heck of a lot easier!
If you'd like a quick, easy wat to create rubrics, try Rubistar. It allows you to create a rubric for almost anything, then download it to your computer or share it on the web.
I also found this video on YouTube in which an author discusses her book about writing rubrics.
Thus began my rubric creation. I can honestly say that on more than one occasion, a rubric has saved my butt. When I create a rubric for any assignment, I provide my students with a copy before they begin. I stick to those rules, and the rubrics provide me with a formulaic tool for assessment. If a student (or, more frequently, a parent) complains about a grade, I can point to the rubric. On more than one occasion, a general homework rubric, which I always distribute in the beginning of the school year, has provided sufficient argument to support grades I have given and to set standards.
Of course, there's the down side to the rubric. First, rubrics must be constantly updated. My rubrics often change to meet unforeseen demands or to correct errors in assessment. I've also heard the phrase, "it's not on the rubric" many, many times; I can't reward or penalize for something if it's not on the rubric because I'd be breaking a written promise to "stick to the standards" when grading an assignment. God forbid I ever do that!
Still, I tend to favor the positive side of the rubric. It certainly allows me to set the standards, and it does make grading assignments a heck of a lot easier!
If you'd like a quick, easy wat to create rubrics, try Rubistar. It allows you to create a rubric for almost anything, then download it to your computer or share it on the web.
I also found this video on YouTube in which an author discusses her book about writing rubrics.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Commentary on the Commentary
So, it's nice to see that I have followers--albeit you're required to follow me! The same goes for the comments on my posts. I do appreciate the feedback, required or not--don't get me wrong. It fosters communication and provides me with some helpful feedback. Furthermore, commenting on other blogs gets me in the mood to read more. I've begun to follow truly insightful blogs about 21st century literacy, which I don't know that I would have done had this not been an assignment for a class.
That being said, I'm grateful for this blogging assignment. It's connecting me to the educational world outside of my own school building, and it's making me a better teacher. I might even start blogging for social purposes, or to polish my writing skills.
Anyway, here are some links to comments I made on other posts. Enjoy!
http://21stcentliteracy.edublogs.org/2010/07/28/video-tips-from-edutopia-bloggers/comment-page-1/#comment-79
http://langwitches.org/blog/2010/07/31/links-for-2010-07-31/comment-page-1/#comment-38223
That being said, I'm grateful for this blogging assignment. It's connecting me to the educational world outside of my own school building, and it's making me a better teacher. I might even start blogging for social purposes, or to polish my writing skills.
Anyway, here are some links to comments I made on other posts. Enjoy!
http://21stcentliteracy.edublogs.org/2010/07/28/video-tips-from-edutopia-bloggers/comment-page-1/#comment-79
http://langwitches.org/blog/2010/07/31/links-for-2010-07-31/comment-page-1/#comment-38223
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