Comments for Reflections on Teaching http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org Words, Webs, and the World Fri, 23 May 2008 14:39:47 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 Comment on Overview of Defining Literacy in the 21st Century by Dee http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/12/10/overview-of-defining-literacy-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Dee Fri, 23 May 2008 14:39:47 +0000 http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/12/10/overview-of-defining-literacy-in-the-21st-century/#comment-11 What you wrote makes so much sense! I hope Faith will find teachers as dedicated as you one day!! I think the literacy issue is what I'm seeing also as we teach parents and grandparents the ways of connecting with us across the miles via blogs, web cams, emails and all the many computer communication programs. Great Grandma Deedie has big plans this next week during our visit for us to help her scan and file so we can finish up her book project about Grandpa. She told me recently she goes to the local middle school in her little town for a program for seniors where the children there spend time helping the seniors with technology. She has been learning all about power point and really enjoying the kids. She is doing amazingly well in adapting her literacy. What you wrote makes so much sense! I hope Faith will find teachers as dedicated as you one day!! I think the literacy issue is what I’m seeing also as we teach parents and grandparents the ways of connecting with us across the miles via blogs, web cams, emails and all the many computer communication programs. Great Grandma Deedie has big plans this next week during our visit for us to help her scan and file so we can finish up her book project about Grandpa. She told me recently she goes to the local middle school in her little town for a program for seniors where the children there spend time helping the seniors with technology. She has been learning all about power point and really enjoying the kids. She is doing amazingly well in adapting her literacy.

]]> Comment on Overview of Defining Literacy in the 21st Century by Rick Biche http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/12/10/overview-of-defining-literacy-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Rick Biche Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:02:55 +0000 http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/12/10/overview-of-defining-literacy-in-the-21st-century/#comment-10 I really appreciate all the work you have put into our schools and districts tech plan. Your efforts have helped many of us clarify our thinking on digital literacy and technology integration in our classes. I really appreciate all the work you have put into our schools and districts tech plan. Your efforts have helped many of us clarify our thinking on digital literacy and technology integration in our classes.

]]> Comment on Overview of Defining Literacy in the 21st Century by marshc http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/12/10/overview-of-defining-literacy-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-9 marshc Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:55:21 +0000 http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/12/10/overview-of-defining-literacy-in-the-21st-century/#comment-9 Indeed... and our schools need to provide those opportunities for our diverse student learners; students with their 'multiple perspectives', islands of competence, interests, and challenges. It is hoped that we will effect and see change in the future, in our schools. It needs to happen if all our students are to fully experience what this brave new world has to offer. Indeed… and our schools need to provide those opportunities for our diverse student learners; students with their ‘multiple perspectives’, islands of competence, interests, and challenges. It is hoped that we will effect and see change in the future, in our schools. It needs to happen if all our students are to fully experience what this
brave new world has to offer.

]]> Comment on 21st Century Literacy for All? by marshc http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8 marshc Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:02:19 +0000 http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/#comment-8 And here we see that the 'hook' has relevance to what they are involved in outside of school, whether it is IM-ing, gaming, or emailing their friends....they are so comfortable using this technology, and yes, success is there for all to experience! And here we see that the ‘hook’ has relevance to what they are involved in outside of school, whether it is IM-ing, gaming, or emailing their friends….they are so comfortable using this technology, and yes, success is there for all to experience!

]]> Comment on 21st Century Literacy for All? by Ms. Anderson http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Ms. Anderson Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:07:32 +0000 http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/#comment-7 Sylvie, "Can there be 21st century literacy for all?" I believe there can be. As Marcia and Tom have stated the "hook" will make the students become accountable and interested in their work but I believe there is more than just the hook. I believe that our team four students are thriving in the classroom by using 21st Century Literacy skills. One example being the conversations and involvement with the International Space Station in Rick Biche's classroom. The students are using the tools and deciding for themselves what tools are better suited for the job. They create and collaborate with each other to create questions for Clay Anderson as well as an introduction about Kennett Middle School. The students are excited, hooked and succeeding in the technology based classroom. Not only are they succeeding but they are all participating and learning skills they will need in the future. The students take ownership of their work and are proud of what they have accomplished. I find their intelligence comes out when they write on a blog or in Google Docs. They seem to really connect with writing when working on the internet or on the blog. It becomes meaningful to them and not a scary place anymore where they struggle. 21st Century Literacy is for all students and all students will succeed, take ownership and thrive. The key is if the teacher can make the change and let the students explore, learn from mistakes and take on challenges that come about. Sylvie,
“Can there be 21st century literacy for all?”

I believe there can be. As Marcia and Tom have stated the “hook” will make the students become accountable and interested in their work but I believe there is more than just the hook. I believe that our team four students are thriving in the classroom by using 21st Century Literacy skills. One example being the conversations and involvement with the International Space Station in Rick Biche’s classroom. The students are using the tools and deciding for themselves what tools are better suited for the job. They create and collaborate with each other to create questions for Clay Anderson as well as an introduction about Kennett Middle School. The students are excited, hooked and succeeding in the technology based classroom. Not only are they succeeding but they are all participating and learning skills they will need in the future. The students take ownership of their work and are proud of what they have accomplished. I find their intelligence comes out when they write on a blog or in Google Docs. They seem to really connect with writing when working on the internet or on the blog. It becomes meaningful to them and not a scary place anymore where they struggle. 21st Century Literacy is for all students and all students will succeed, take ownership and thrive. The key is if the teacher can make the change and let the students explore, learn from mistakes and take on challenges that come about.

]]> Comment on 21st Century Literacy for All? by talln http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/comment-page-1/#comment-6 talln Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:14:56 +0000 http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/#comment-6 Having read the link for 21st Century Literacy for All? I agree wholeheartedly with Marsha. I also think that we as educators need to help facilitate a way that allows teenagers towards metacognition. I recently incorporated a story into our classroom that was given to me by my professor. It was about a boy born with two eyes in a society with one eye. You might be familiar with it...anyway, it was nice to talk about how each student learns differently and told them to remember that how they learn is important to them and to let their teachers know what their strengths are so the teachers can build on them while strengthening weaker areas. I need to continue on this theme with them... I remember when I realized that I actually had academic strengths and that made me more confident in my learning! Having read the link for 21st Century Literacy for All? I agree wholeheartedly with Marsha. I also think that we as educators need to help facilitate a way that allows teenagers towards metacognition. I recently incorporated a story into our classroom that was given to me by my professor. It was about a boy born with two eyes in a society with one eye. You might be familiar with it…anyway, it was nice to talk about how each student learns differently and told them to remember that how they learn is important to them and to let their teachers know what their strengths are so the teachers can build on them while strengthening weaker areas. I need to continue on this theme with them…
I remember when I realized that I actually had academic strengths and that made me more confident in my learning!

]]> Comment on 21st Century Literacy for All? by marshc http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/comment-page-1/#comment-5 marshc Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:03:49 +0000 http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/#comment-5 Hi Sylvie-- The goal of making skills 'accessible and ownable' by challenged learners : I think one of the important 'hooks' for the age group we work with is....relevance. Kids are of course self-involved at this age. Of course we want them to have the experience of 'thinking outside the box', but before we can expect that of them, we need to start with them, with what they do know, have experienced, etc. I can see that writing poetry has direct relevance...but what about other subjects in our middle school curriculum? Hi Sylvie–
The goal of making skills ‘accessible and ownable’ by challenged learners : I think one of the important ‘hooks’ for the age group we work with is….relevance. Kids are of course
self-involved at this age. Of course we want them to have the
experience of ‘thinking outside the box’, but before we can expect that of them, we need to start with them, with what they do know, have experienced, etc. I can see that writing poetry has direct relevance…but what about other subjects in our middle school curriculum?

]]> Comment on 21st Century Literacy for All? by talln http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4 talln Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:59:57 +0000 http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/31/21st-century-literacy-for-all-2/#comment-4 Msessex, learning/teaching in or for the 21st century is a daunting thought for me. The more I start to learn about the education process and responsibilities as an educator, I cringe. Am I prepared for this? No. Am I comfortable about the amount of work ahead of me? No. Do I get excited about the possibilities? Yes. It was nice to read your entry and look forward to reading the link. It gave me an opportunity to relax about this subject, ponder and know that someone else is trying to understand and make sense as well. I believe that in short steps we can attain an even farther goal then what we originally thought. At least that is what is keeping me sane now. I truly get excited when I try new things in our room with students whether they work or not, at least I am trying to make education fun. Msessex, learning/teaching in or for the 21st century is a daunting thought for me. The more I start to learn about the education process and responsibilities as an educator, I cringe. Am I prepared for this? No. Am I comfortable about the amount of work ahead of me? No. Do I get excited about the possibilities? Yes. It was nice to read your entry and look forward to reading the link. It gave me an opportunity to relax about this subject, ponder and know that someone else is trying to understand and make sense as well. I believe that in short steps we can attain an even farther goal then what we originally thought. At least that is what is keeping me sane now. I truly get excited when I try new things in our room with students whether they work or not, at least I am trying to make education fun.

]]> Comment on Raison d’être by marshc http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/19/raison-detre/comment-page-1/#comment-3 marshc Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:09:06 +0000 http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/19/raison-detre/#comment-3 And I am blown away to be in the company of such interesting, intellectually apt, and collegial folks…. We don’t really have the time to get to know each other in school…sometimes teachers are so busy they do not get to visit the other rooms in their lives……we should all try to visit those rooms, every day. (This idea is from Rumer Godden…a foreword to her autobiography, which I highly recommend.) “[one’s] life is like a house with four rooms….” edit this on 19 Oct 2007 at 7:33 am4 marshc everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person”. And I am blown away to be in the company of
such interesting, intellectually apt, and collegial
folks….

We don’t really have the time to get to know
each other in school…sometimes teachers are so
busy they do not get to visit the other rooms in their
lives……we should all try to visit those rooms, every day.
(This idea is from Rumer Godden…a foreword to her autobiography, which I highly recommend.)
“[one’s] life is like a house with four rooms….”

edit this on 19 Oct 2007 at 7:33 am4 marshc
everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person”.

]]> Comment on Welcome to Reflections on Teaching by Rick Biche http://reflectionsonteaching.edublogs.org/2007/10/15/hello-world/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Rick Biche Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:58:00 +0000 #comment-2 Welcome aboard Sylvie! You will be a valuable asset to our discussions as we move forward embedding technology into daily practices here at KMS. Welcome aboard Sylvie! You will be a valuable asset to our discussions as we move forward embedding technology into daily practices here at KMS.

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