Introduction:
In “Skills and Strategies for E-learning in a Participatory Culture,” Simon Walker, Jill Jameson, and Malcolm Ryan discuss a learning theory called connectivism. George Siemens believes “that ‘connectivitism presents a model of learning that acknowledges the tectonic shifts in a society where learning is no longer an internal, individualistic activity.” Evidence of this theory is substantiated in the emergence of online communities and forums. The following are the forums and online communities that I will join to develop necessary skills as I design my Multimedia Montage Project.
Classroom 2.o
To start, I will join an online community called Classroom 2.0.
In order to learn more about how to develop a participatory culture in my classroom as part of my Multimedia Montage Project, I need to learn more about how to incorporate social media and web 2.0 tools. This forum is a perfect place for me to gather tips and get feedback on how to use certain tools. What attracted me to this particular community is its high activity, varied 2.0 labs, and a live classroom where you could interact with teachers in real time.
English Companion
Another online community that I will join is called English Companion. As a language arts teacher, this site will help inform my instruction in general.
More specifically, it will help support me in designing the content area specifics of my Multimedia Montage Project. I was thinking about designing my project around my upcoming unit on argument writing. I’m anticipating this unit with much apprehension because I am new to teaching this specific genre of persuasive composition. However, this year, for the first time, the state of NJ will be testing eighth graders on how to write an argument piece on the NJASK. Therefore, I must learn how to teach these new skills---FAST! Designing my project around this unit and participating in this community will be invaluable to my instruction.
Thinkfinity-Online Tools for Educators
The Thinkfinity group that I will join is Online Tools for Educators.
This group will assist me in learning how to use online tools and figure out how to work out gliches. One discussion thread already caught my eye because it speaks to a problem that I experience in the classroom. Members were discussing how to use Youtube even when it’s blocked. Getting immediate feedback on how to trouble shoot will definitely help me when designing my project, especially since many of the tools will brand new to me.
Scribophile and Teen Ink
Finally, I will join Scribophile.
Joining this online community of writers will help me learn what it feels like to actually post and share my work with the world. Steve Sabet actually pointed out a really important line in Elizabeth Daley’s “Expanding the Concept of Literacy” that I believe should shape the design of my Multimedia Montage Project. Daley states that students “want to be understood by their peers and by others who will see and experience their projects.” Far too often, my students write very meaningful pieces and the only person who gets to witness their brilliance is…me. This has to change going forward. I plan on having my students share their argument pieces on Teenink as part of my Multimedia Montage Project. However, before I suggest that they share their most prized thoughts with the world, I should see what it’s like for myself. I’ll do so with Scribophile.
In “Skills and Strategies for E-learning in a Participatory Culture,” Simon Walker, Jill Jameson, and Malcolm Ryan discuss a learning theory called connectivism. George Siemens believes “that ‘connectivitism presents a model of learning that acknowledges the tectonic shifts in a society where learning is no longer an internal, individualistic activity.” Evidence of this theory is substantiated in the emergence of online communities and forums. The following are the forums and online communities that I will join to develop necessary skills as I design my Multimedia Montage Project.
Classroom 2.o
To start, I will join an online community called Classroom 2.0.
In order to learn more about how to develop a participatory culture in my classroom as part of my Multimedia Montage Project, I need to learn more about how to incorporate social media and web 2.0 tools. This forum is a perfect place for me to gather tips and get feedback on how to use certain tools. What attracted me to this particular community is its high activity, varied 2.0 labs, and a live classroom where you could interact with teachers in real time.
English Companion
Another online community that I will join is called English Companion. As a language arts teacher, this site will help inform my instruction in general.
More specifically, it will help support me in designing the content area specifics of my Multimedia Montage Project. I was thinking about designing my project around my upcoming unit on argument writing. I’m anticipating this unit with much apprehension because I am new to teaching this specific genre of persuasive composition. However, this year, for the first time, the state of NJ will be testing eighth graders on how to write an argument piece on the NJASK. Therefore, I must learn how to teach these new skills---FAST! Designing my project around this unit and participating in this community will be invaluable to my instruction.
Thinkfinity-Online Tools for Educators
The Thinkfinity group that I will join is Online Tools for Educators.
This group will assist me in learning how to use online tools and figure out how to work out gliches. One discussion thread already caught my eye because it speaks to a problem that I experience in the classroom. Members were discussing how to use Youtube even when it’s blocked. Getting immediate feedback on how to trouble shoot will definitely help me when designing my project, especially since many of the tools will brand new to me.
Scribophile and Teen Ink
Finally, I will join Scribophile.
Joining this online community of writers will help me learn what it feels like to actually post and share my work with the world. Steve Sabet actually pointed out a really important line in Elizabeth Daley’s “Expanding the Concept of Literacy” that I believe should shape the design of my Multimedia Montage Project. Daley states that students “want to be understood by their peers and by others who will see and experience their projects.” Far too often, my students write very meaningful pieces and the only person who gets to witness their brilliance is…me. This has to change going forward. I plan on having my students share their argument pieces on Teenink as part of my Multimedia Montage Project. However, before I suggest that they share their most prized thoughts with the world, I should see what it’s like for myself. I’ll do so with Scribophile.
RSS Feed