Thoughts about using forums and blogs: My "tech work" so far has been primari...

2006-12-13T18:24:52.687Z

Thoughts about using forums and blogs:
My "tech work" so far has been primarily with discussion forums. (Forums were my doorway into using tech with my students.) I know the emphasis is mainly on blogs now, and that forums seem to have fallen out of favor, but I think they are two different tools with different purposes, each valid and helpful.

As I start working more with blogs (first by reading, then by writing my own, now by starting to introduce that process to my students), I do see the value of blogs, but not as a replacement of forums (any more than blogs are a replacement of, say, wikis).

I understand the student use of blogs as a way to develop their thoughts on a topic or topics over time, building on their own reflections, and giving them a chance to see themes develop through their writing. I also see blogs as a means of connecting with others, but secondarily. The conversation seems, at least to me so far, to be tangential to the development of personal themes and voice.

Forums are centrally about the conversation and the event or concept being discussed. The continuity on a forum centers around the topic, whereas the continuity on a blog centers around the writer.

I've found great success so far with the forums, and am usually pleased and often surprised by the thinking I see happening there. I anticipate similar success with blogs as my students begin working on the elggspaces site.

The forum assignment:
Here's the assignment:
- Students must post 300 words every two weeks over any number of posts (either in new topics or in replies).
- The subject relates to the "theme" for each course. In English 10 humanities, we explore concepts of "truth, goodness, and beauty" as we examine world literature and the cultures that produced the works. In AP English 11, we explore the concept of "American cultural identity" as we examine the literature. In both cases, we ask students to extend this conversation beyond the classroom by examining their everyday culture: TV shows, movies, commercials, websites, etc. As they examine these things, we ask them to write about 1) what they believe a given item reveals about the theme, 2) how they justify this conclusion, and/or 3) whether or not they agree with the position the given item seems to be putting forth.

Students often write well beyond the minimum requirements, and often passionately. Beyond the first few weeks, we (myself and other teachers using the forum) give them very little other guidance, and we rarely suggest a topic. The vast majority of the work comes from the students as they discuss issues with all the other students using the forums.

In addition, we have other boards on the forum that do not carry assignments with them: a "Danger! Danger!" forum for discussing convtroversial issues, a "Book Talk," "Writing Workshop," etc. We see activity on these boards, as well--particularly the "Danger! Danger!" forum.

Some examples (these are all selections from the full post):

From 10th grade:

Kathleen wondered about spelling in English in a post she titled: "Tha Wae English Iz Speld"
"The title is spelled incorrectly now, but why cant it be changed to form a new truth?
Most children who are born in English speaking countries are taught to write from a very early age. Native English speaking teens probably don’t even think about how their language is spelled very often, but I think most kindergarten, first grade teachers, or anyone who has tried to teach another person to write would agree it is very hard to teach how to write this language. Unlike most other languages, the way an English word sounds it not normally the way it is spelled...
This new way of spelling is now the truth, which is not argued with if it is found with that spelling in a dictionary. But why haven’t we wanted to change the way words are spelled again, after it was changed so long ago, to a more reasonable way? The dictionary can be changed again to create a new truth just like the Constitution can be changed with amendments. Are we too lazy to change the spelling, or are we too set in our ways and unwilling to change?"

Daniel answered:
"... People should respect our spelling and our language. It’s backed by history and culture and a lot of our words are cognates for the same words in other languages derived from Latin and Greek roots ..."

Kelsey added:
"... I think that it would take a lot more than a few years to change an entire written language though. and wouldn't it really just be more confusing to have the 'old way' of spelling a word and the 'new way'? people who disagree with changing it would keep writing the old way and new writers wouldn't understand how to read the other way. It would lead to more miscommunication than just learning how to spell a difficult word."

Another example from 10th grade: "Growing Up too Fast?"
Michelle worries:
"I just read this article at yahoo. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061125/ap_on_re_us/teen_tweens
It’s about how teenagers are becoming younger, this whole “tweens” thing. Ten year olds carrying cell phones, little girls wearing revealing and provocative clothes, some with sayings promoting gold diggers and others well, the skirt is just too short. It mentions how fifth graders are now grinding and tying their shirts up higher, it all kind of disturbing to me. It’s like people just can’t wait to grow up and are already piling on the makeup and straitening their hair so they can fit in. Any thoughts on why this is happening?"

Chelsey responds:
"Sadly, the kids they described in that article remind me of my little sister. She's only in 5th grade, but she tries to act so much older than she really is. I wonder if this change in kids' behavior is influenced by other individuals besides their parents and peers. Is it possible for these trendy desires to be sparked by the influence of older siblings? ..."

Caroline says:
"I have two younger sisters who I know look up to me (when I’m nice to them), but also, one of them really strives to be like the celebrity girls on Disney Channel. I don’t know if any of you still watch it (having two younger sisters that’s usually what’s on in my house) but the girls I’m talking about are Raven, Ashley Tisdale, etc. My sister is pretty much obsessed with being like them. ... It’s amazing to me that people, not limited to young girls like my sister, can be affected so heavily by people who they’ve never met. I wonder if those stars realize what a huge role model they are on kids."

Robert adds:
"... [my sister] has shorter skirts than any little girl should have and now she wants to play with these things called "BRATZ". Personally I think Bratz are the prostitute version of Barbie. They even have little baby bratz that dress inappropriate. It makes me extremely worried as to what little girls are seeing as beautiful..."

Some other recent topics from 10th grade:
- "Red and Green are Christmas Colors": where they deal with the tricky lines that attempt to divide church and state but wear thin around the holidays, all within the context of a season driven mainly by commercialism
- "Beyond These Walls": where students consider why, if the school is a center for the fine and performing arts, the walls aren't covered with more art, and why, in general, the world of education doesn't seem to understand the importance of art

A few topics from 11th grade:
- "Self-image"
- "the pledge"
- "standardized testing"
- "Black Friday chaos!"
- "British or American English"
- "Wealth of a Language" where students hotly object to other students using "chat speak" to write forum posts

Julie starts this topic:
"Maybe it’s just me, but when I see a grand total of seven letters expected to be a sentence, I scoff. It’s hard to take a person seriously when they can’t spell out a word as simple as ‘right.’..."

Katie continues:
"I think American culture can at least partially be blamed for the epidemic of "IM speak". Our culture is always about being on the go and getting things done as fast and efficiently as possible. Why type out full words, when just a few letters will suffice? The problem I see with this is that with the advent of shortening words into acronyms and single letters, the intregrity of the meaning behind the words has also been shortened..."

Classroom Studio Model These are some beginning notes about how this mode...

2006-12-13T15:07:59.780Z

Classroom Studio Model

These are some beginning notes about how this model might work. This idea was sparked by a blog post from Clarence Fisher.

Project/Portfolio Based

Specific focus should be determined by student
The larger works should be evaluated by whether it meets the student's goals and whether it demonstrates mastery of a range of skills/understanding/etc.
Teacher should establish framework and large-scale objectives, as well as provide resources and assistance with reaching the goals

Classroom design should suit the studio approach (aesthetics are significant and not secondary, but should also be useful, functional, helpful)

Students possibly set up into groups
Open air concept (as much as possible in a small classroom space)
Multiple spaces (desks, tables, collaborative meeting spaces, couches, alone spaces)
Many artefacts in the classroom
"Inspiring" walls

Schedule and Management

Should be different from the standard procedures (but may not be possible)
Work begins as soon as kids walk through the door (no waiting on the teacher)
Variety of time uses (small groups, individual, large group steering sessions)
Lack of bells, buzzers (constant motion and work)
Longer stretches of time focused on task (not a lot of small, "10 minute" tasks, focused work times)
Studio "buzz" students often working on different things, but respectful of each other and the work that each is doing

Non-Traditional Grading

Internal:
External:
Considers both product and process

Incorporation of Technology
This should become so infused with the rest of the work in this model that the need for a "separate section" should disappear.

Resources & Inspiration

See this video at Ted Talks with designer Ross Lovegrove as he talks about his deisgn projects. The last few minutes where he actually takes you though his studio is especially valuable.
Using Online Education Technologies to Support Studio Instruction [pdf]
The Learning Studios Project
The Reggio Emilia Approach
Case for a Cooperative Studio Classroom

Eric Hoefler teachers AP English 12, English 10 humanities, and creative wri...

2006-12-13T14:55:03.857Z

Eric Hoefler teachers AP English 12, English 10 humanities, and creative writing at Woodbridge High School’s Center for the Fine & Performing Arts, Virginia.

Eric has been using forums and other features in his classes using a Joomla site: WSHSBeyond
He has recently started using an elggspaces account as well: WSHSBeyond eStudio
Eric also works with the Northern Virginia Writing Project as a Teacher Consultant and Technology Liaison.

Richard Stohlman is the Technology Coordinator at Landmark High School, New Y...

2006-12-13T14:57:46.601Z

Richard Stohlman is the Technology Coordinator at Landmark High School, New York City. This year, he is working with five teachers on several different WordPress blogs:

Charlie’s Advisory’s New York Experience - 2006/2007

Madeline Slovenz Brownstone, Ph.D. teaches technology design classes at The B...

2006-12-13T14:55:48.333Z

Madeline Slovenz Brownstone, Ph.D. teaches technology design classes at The Baccalaureate School for Global Education in Queens, New York.

Some of Madeline's students are blogging in an elgg, The PersonalLearningSpace.com.
With her Design 8 students, Madeline uses a blog, Technology Resources, Homework, and More, and a class wiki.
She is organizing her students' Future City Competition in a wiki too.
Madeline is also just about to set up a WordPress blog for her after-school podcasting club, and her students regularly participate in Lee Babar's webcast, Spacecast (10:30 a.m. Eastern, Fridays on WorldBridges.net).

Teachers Teaching Teachers 12.13.06

Thoughts about using forums and blogs: My "tech work" so far has been primari...

Classroom Studio Model These are some beginning notes about how this mode...

Eric Hoefler teachers AP English 12, English 10 humanities, and creative wri...

Richard Stohlman is the Technology Coordinator at Landmark High School, New Y...

Madeline Slovenz Brownstone, Ph.D. teaches technology design classes at The B...