Session 1 — Shifting Literacies

asmith@lps.k12.co.us — Anne Smith

kleclaire@lps.k12.co.us–Kristin Claire

What changes have we made in our classrooms and why? Cultural changes. Permission to change, try new things, push the boundaries. Focus on BIG QUESTIONS –constructivist teaching methodology. Kids have power and control over their learning.

Less of us teaching and more of the kids learning. Empower the kids in the classroom. Learn SKILLS rather than just CONTENT. Critical thinkers, collaborators, problem solvers.

Staff development and (technology) is KEY to success. Collaborate, pedogogy behind the methods.

reading/writing/speaking/listening have to look different in a 21st century classroom. NCTE–new literacies.

BLOGS

Transparent learning environment–invite the world in. Blogs have varying levels of privacy. Blogs archive the kids’ work over their high school careers–show that for college applications, etc. Portfolio of work. Synchronous and asynchronous learning. Clock and walls don’t matter. Anytime, anywhere learning.

Blogging guidelines–what is good? What is bad? Have the kids generate the guidelines. They hold each other accountable. Fishbowl with live blogging (inner circle/outer circle). Kids who don’t normally speak up are empowered to “speak up” on a blog.

Cover it live–live blogging, check this out. Clear expectations, hold them accountable.

Blogging as a reflective piece–metacognition. Slow down and think about what you’re doing.

Scribe posting–students take notes for the class. Absent students can read, review. Kids lead that.

Podcasts–This I Believe–embeddable players.

Personal Learning Networks. Google reader, subscribe to newspapers & blogs. Kids read and respond on their own personal blogs. What mattered? How does it relate to me? How does it relate to this class? How does it relate to the world around us? AUTHENTiC. Present the PLN entries to class.

How is my classroom organized?

Personal philosophy statement. Write their own statement. Everything else goes through that “lens.” Give broad, philosophical questions, quotes to brainstorm. Respond to all literature, etc. through that lens.

Using wikis– Help them articulate their own interest and passion rather than giving the question to them.  Give examples and let them go. Welcome page must have their personal philosophy statement. Wikis can include multimedia (music, video, photo, links). It’s a living, breathing document. This portfolio of learning can include all of their classes and continue over the years.

Session 2–Powering Up the Writer’s Workshop

Mike Porter and Mary Vedra

Notes taken on PowerPoint–need more upload space.

Roundtable Discussion

Voicethread.com (comment on pictures, see K12OnlineConference 2008)

Creative Commons (copyright) Yahoo search, Flickr creative commons

e-magazines (openzine.com)