First, I would like to say that I made a tactical error with picking the pink background. That will be remedied ASAP.
I would love to see blogging in my senior English lit class. The students are mostly boys, remedial readers who have had little sucess in school before this class. This class is part of our Reading Team's "Response to Intervention" (RTI), where students were placed in classes according to their reading levels. I would like to create a blog-- more like a Ning-- where students can reply to the class blog posts and response to each other, without the really annoying and long response strings. My kids have very little patience for anything academic, so the posting would have to be quick and dirty, if you will. Something that the kids could learn fast and impliment just as quickly. I would like to use this for their Senior Capstone projects (these are their "Capstone" experiences-- a <15 hour project, 5-8 page research paper, and presentation to the community). I would like to allow my students to gripe about the project in a place where their headaches can be worked through. Beyond that, I'd like the students to network with one another. I think the value of that boils down to them needing to remember that there are more than just them in this project. Also, they like the social aspect of the web and are more willing to "buy in" to such a project.
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Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteWell, I love the pink, and your profile picture! A nice glimpse into your personality.
Through some very informal conversations with a colleague, actually talking about the observations and experiences we have had with our own male children and reading, there is some interesting information available on the issues surrounding the reading practices of males. I will post a journal article that I found on the classroom Shared Documents page for you that states that even at the 5th grade level males view reading as a feminine activity. The article also identifies strategies to help improve the preference to read in males. It suggests that teachers need to discover entry-point books that meet boys’ personal standards and keep them engaged. The American Library Association sponsors the Alex Awards, and provides an annual list of Alex Award winning books, which honor ten adult books with special appeal to teens. You can find out more on the List of the 2009 Alex Awards at www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/alex. I hope this is a new resource for you and that you might find it helpful to you and your students.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteIf found your use of the blog as a "griping experience" about their capstone project extremely interesting and I believe something which could be very beneficial/therapeutic to the students. We have a similar requirement for our students which we call Project Dreams and I think the students would really enjoy letting off some steam in a read/write format such as your suggestion. I was wondering if the students are required to complete their capstone project in your class or are they supposed to do it outside of school? I ask this because I was wondering how you would be assessing their use of the blog if they are only using it to network with one another? I would be concerned that students (especially remedial students) who are normally reluctant to take part in a read/write assignment would be motivated to take part in a Blog/Ning which could be somewhat optional? Or, do you only mean to use it as a networking resource and do not intend on using it as an actual class activity/assignment?
Thanks for your idea!
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI also teach relectant readers (freshman and sophomore). It sounds like you have developed a good plan for your class. Most activities that require a computer interest even my most reluctant and unmotivated learners. The idea of working on a computer should spark some interest.
The only problem I foresee is your students understadning that the blog is not the same as MySpace, and therefore requires a different posting style. In our text,
Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts (2009), it was suggested that students be introduced to blogs first, and given the opportunity to read and possibly post to already established blogs, preferably about topics that are of interest to them (wintin acceptability for school, of course). I think this would be a good way to familarize the students with the world of blogs. Richardson (2009) even mentions that most blog posts are short, which might be even more motivating to reluctant readers and writers. I don't want to sound negative but I have found that many of my relectant readers like to complain about assignments. It seems like its their "outlet" for frustration and a strategy to put off completing their work. Giving them an official outlet to post their gripes as part of the assignment would be just more way to create interest in the assigments. This also provides a valuable learning experience- the students can learn how to work out their frustrations in a productive way.
Linda
Richardson, W. (2009). Weblogs, Wilis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for classrooms. California: Corwin Press.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteLove the pink- make s a statement :)
Wow- we teach the same group of kids- lots of reluctant boys!! As you said, quick and dirty is sometimes the only way to get them to buy in sometimes. I think this is a great way to tag their interest and to get them started. I know my boys see anything new as difficult, so I think introducing it as something quick and easy with definitely be a plus. Once you get them going I thin you might be able to expand the requirements a little. I think letting them express their opinions as well as answering questions about the assignment is a sure-fire way to catch their attention!
Good Luck!
Mandy :)