I've decided to focus my praxis paper on utilizing technology, and allowing students to express their knowledge through diverse outlets. It sounds neat and tidy when I put it in that short sentence, but the paper is overwhelming me. Right now I'm glad to have my student to focus around, but there is still so much that is making it into my paper.
Working to edit and define my ideas is an arduous process. I want to talk about different kinds of technology, the type of technology that would have helped Jaime the most, why technology needs to be brought into the classroom, how to make the use of technology meaningful, and I was thinking about including why I would use multimedia portfolios.
Any suggestions on what you want to hear? What will help me focus my teaching? I need your help, or else I fear my paper will be a lot of pieces with no true synthesis of my ideas.
You could use as an example that scene from "The Class" where the teacher lets the boy express himself with photos instead of writing. The character (whose name is escaping me) felt so overwhelmed with writing words, and instead felt empowered and valid when choosing a form of expression that was more true to how he thinks. I think this could translate to a lot of situations. It isn't maybe so much about the teacher making people use a technology, but allowing them to.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of discussing how to meaningfully use technology in the classroom. I think a lot of teachers get caught up with the flash of technology and forget to tie it into something important in the curriculum. I think this discussion in conjunction with your student's areas of improvement could be interesting. I'm not sure if this will help, but my co-op uses a website called animoto that combines quotations, sound, and images to make meaning. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mackenzie. Technology is already so essential in our lives, and it will only increase in strength, so I think it wise to use this topic.
ReplyDeleteI would really love to hear discussion about video- especially the rise of film and video chat, and how the written world can likewise be incorporated into video.
Alex Rummelhart
I'm feeling the same way--realy overwhelmed, but what may help you it is putting your student first. Make the focus her needs, and then go off of that and explain how the other things you want to talk about may help her. You may not be able to go into specifics about each piece of technology, but providing examples of how they may have helped your student will bring a focus to it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've got some good ideas to start with! You could of course talk about the blogs and how that experience has been for you - I think some other people are writing on that topic as well...and I'm temped to abandon my own project and jump in on it too!
ReplyDeleteI think it might be cool to compare the group aspect of the blogs with the writing groups and our class discussions, to see how technology maybe impacts group dynamics?
ReplyDeleteIt's always hard for me to turn my different ideas into one, shining mineral instead of conglomerate, the ugliest rock of them all. I know you're a great writer though, and I'm sure you'll do wonderfully. As for suggestions about what to explore, I'm fascinated by a program called "Prezi." I also like the idea of students performing what they write. Instead of just submitting a poem, have them read it aloud. Instead of spending a week writing a narrative, is it easier for students to turn the event into a YouTube video or comic strip? There are so many possibilities- best of luck.
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