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Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Call for Proposals
A New Way of Classroom Communication
In a typical classroom the teacher-student communication usually goes something like this: the teacher poses a question, the student answers in the form of homework, then at some point in the future the student receives the teachers response in the form of a grade (usually after the topic has passed). Sometimes a student is even blessed with a one-on-one conference. The advancing world of technology and the use of blogs are helping to shape a different, more effective type of communication in, and outside, the classroom. By using a blog, teachers can comment more quickly on a students work helping with the revision process, and it proves to be easy and open communication that is ready at a student’s fingertips. These spaces can present a place for collaborative thinking on certain topics or help with the peer revision process that is vital between students. A blog can also allow those students in class that are afraid of face to face criticism from peers a chance to voice out their opinion and receive feedback that takes some thought rather than a snide remark one might blurt out in class. Students are constantly on the Internet as it is and blogging poses a new form self-expression students are already familiar with from their experiences with social network. Participants will learn that a blog should be an extension of the classroom and should not take place of discussions that already exist as long as they are presented in the correct manner.
Bibliography
Hicks, Troy. The Digital Writing Workshop. Portsmouth: Heinemann, 2009. Print.
In a typical classroom the teacher-student communication usually goes something like this: the teacher poses a question, the student answers in the form of homework, then at some point in the future the student receives the teachers response in the form of a grade (usually after the topic has passed). Sometimes a student is even blessed with a one-on-one conference. The advancing world of technology and the use of blogs are helping to shape a different, more effective type of communication in, and outside, the classroom. By using a blog, teachers can comment more quickly on a students work helping with the revision process, and it proves to be easy and open communication that is ready at a student’s fingertips. These spaces can present a place for collaborative thinking on certain topics or help with the peer revision process that is vital between students. A blog can also allow those students in class that are afraid of face to face criticism from peers a chance to voice out their opinion and receive feedback that takes some thought rather than a snide remark one might blurt out in class. Students are constantly on the Internet as it is and blogging poses a new form self-expression students are already familiar with from their experiences with social network. Participants will learn that a blog should be an extension of the classroom and should not take place of discussions that already exist as long as they are presented in the correct manner.
Bibliography
Hicks, Troy. The Digital Writing Workshop. Portsmouth: Heinemann, 2009. Print.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Scarlet Letter
Though I haven't finished Scar Tissue yet I decided to pick up The Scarlet Letter over the weekend. It was a book that I had long dreaded reading, but knew someday it was one I must overcome. It had never been assigned to me in high school and listening to my peer’s say how everyone has obviously read it before made me feel like I was missing out on something, even though it was a something most people groaned about.
After reading it I, unlike most people, actually enjoyed it! I got right into the story and felt as if I could sympathize with Hester's alienation at some points. Although she had sinned and was forced to wear the scarlet letter on her chest, she held strong and taught her daughter from her mistakes. I also loved that one of the main themes dealt with identity. By accepting her sins, Hester then could do some soul searching to find her true self. Though this seems like an outdated text it can really help to provide students that the feeling of insecurity of not knowing who you are is okay at times and eventually you will find yourself. When they find who they truly are, it might not come with the sublimity of sunlight and the profound expression of ripping the scarlet A off of their chest, but it helps to work towards that goal.
It also helps to show how you can change the way others look at you to show them who you really are. Hester's society had characterized her as a woman who had committed adultery and that’s about it. Though she was forced to wear the letter, she had complete control over how people viewed her wearing it. She seemed to wear it loud and proud, not of the sins she committed but of how she was turning herself around to teach her daughter to do the same. Even when she was allowed to take the letter off, she refused because that would mean she accepted it as a symbol of shame and sin rather than forgiving herself and allowing this piece of fabric to become part of who she is.
Over all I actually loved this piece of work. Although my students may hate me in the future for assigning it, I think I will anyway. I am somewhat grateful that my teachers in high school never assigned it to me because I wouldn't have read it in the same lens as I did now. I wouldn't comprehend it completely and just throw this valuable piece of literature far from memory. I can't wait to read it again in a couple of years in order to see what else I can learn from it!
After reading it I, unlike most people, actually enjoyed it! I got right into the story and felt as if I could sympathize with Hester's alienation at some points. Although she had sinned and was forced to wear the scarlet letter on her chest, she held strong and taught her daughter from her mistakes. I also loved that one of the main themes dealt with identity. By accepting her sins, Hester then could do some soul searching to find her true self. Though this seems like an outdated text it can really help to provide students that the feeling of insecurity of not knowing who you are is okay at times and eventually you will find yourself. When they find who they truly are, it might not come with the sublimity of sunlight and the profound expression of ripping the scarlet A off of their chest, but it helps to work towards that goal.
It also helps to show how you can change the way others look at you to show them who you really are. Hester's society had characterized her as a woman who had committed adultery and that’s about it. Though she was forced to wear the letter, she had complete control over how people viewed her wearing it. She seemed to wear it loud and proud, not of the sins she committed but of how she was turning herself around to teach her daughter to do the same. Even when she was allowed to take the letter off, she refused because that would mean she accepted it as a symbol of shame and sin rather than forgiving herself and allowing this piece of fabric to become part of who she is.
Over all I actually loved this piece of work. Although my students may hate me in the future for assigning it, I think I will anyway. I am somewhat grateful that my teachers in high school never assigned it to me because I wouldn't have read it in the same lens as I did now. I wouldn't comprehend it completely and just throw this valuable piece of literature far from memory. I can't wait to read it again in a couple of years in order to see what else I can learn from it!
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