Sunday, October 20, 2013

"Technology & Pedagogy"


            As I searched through the lesson plans poetry was on my mind. As I furthered my search I noticed the overwhelming opportunities to use Shakespeare. Using Shakespeare allows for poetry and drama to combine. I felt as though when thinking about acting out a play, or writing poetry the use of technological advances are forgotten. Yes this art form was created with little modern day technologies. This does not mean plays do not need modern day technology to engage directly with the students.
            The goals within this lesson were simple. The lesson was generated to allow the students to be able to decipher from a comedic and tragic performance. The lesson called for these students to be able to notice the different qualities that separated these two forms of plays. These curriculum goals were gapped by use of technology. The teacher was solely relying on the ability of the students to grab the text and act out the lines. Adding additional forms of the text would allow for these students to better understand how to fully engage each scene expected.
            As though Shakespeare wasn’t feared enough, these students could not be thrown into the lion’s den with little to rely on. You tube videos and clips of Hollywood movies were added in my revision. Showing clips of modern day actors will draw a common ground on this topic. The literacy needed to both act out, and listen to these scenes must be built. Using newer versions of the text on a screen allow for these students to engage in the text. In English class the text can be more than enough. For this activity it is obvious more is needed. Though the text should be bale to be fully understood by the students they need a comfortable starting point.
Anthony Saraceni's Spreadsheet

Sunday, October 6, 2013

"Starting with a Pen"


            The pen allows for freedom. I feel as though staying away from the structured essay early in the marking period is beneficial. Taking an instrument as simple as the pen allows for freedom to generate ideas. Free writes, short blurbs, and journal entries allow the mind to wander. The structured and dreaded five-paragraph essay, or perfect “abab” poem forces form over thought.
            Taking such a basic, but revolutionary form of technology and giving it the ability to work freely in the students’ hands will generate creativity. Gracefully inviting the pen to the paper is a classroom exercise that can invite the reader into the world of the writer. In this case, the teacher would be invited into the mind of the student. Early in the marking period staying away from the structured essay could build a relaxed mood within the classroom. Eliminating spell-check, and Microsoft Word provokes the ability to bend the rules. The restraints can be fully abandoned in a free write.
            During a free write many instances could take place. A poem may begin. A short story could appear. Or pictures could be doodled and embedded within a description of a childhood memory. All of these instances would better represent the author compared to a forced essay. The doodles, and or short stories may show which content area they connect strongest with English. Eliminating the fear of a grade would raise the level of comfort.
            Truly, I am not discounting the structure of an essay. Being able to follow direction and format is a large part of fully mastering language and literacy. The ability to follow form is extremely beneficial for the academic life of the student. Poems, essays, and research papers embody well rounded education. I am only exploring a way to eliminate the distractions of the structured work early in a marking period. This may allow for the students to let go of modern technology and “loosen up” inside the classroom. His or her ideas can purge onto the page without worrying if the redline of spell-check is ready to derail the train of thought taking place.    
             

"History of Technology in English"

Introducing slateboard, the originator of the classroom discussion.
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