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Learning Through Digital Media » How I Used Wikis to Get My Students to Do Their Readings

Learning Through Digital Media » How I Used Wikis to Get My Students to Do Their Readings | English Classes | Scoop.it

"We have heard the complaint or issued it ourselves one too many times: “They don’t read!”

 

But can Digital Media provide some simple pedagogical models to promote a more active engagement with that most ancient and passive form of learning: the reading assignment? In this article, I describe the use of Wikis (web pages that people can easily edit as a group) to get students to summarize, ask questions, and comment on a reading before they even meet for class. And while many new—and old—tools can be used to accomplish similar results, what is innovative about this approach is that whereas before reading and writing was something students were supposed to do individually in the isolation of their rooms or the library, now—thanks to Wikis—it is a project they tackle collaboratively as a class. The goals of this critical pedagogy are thus both modest and radical, at the intersection of old and new technologies: to use Digital Media to change the way students interact with texts."

 

Assignment provided and reflection on it's impact on student learning. A really worthwhile read!


Via Anne Whaits
Ken Morrison's comment, October 3, 2012 8:45 AM
This has been on my mind a lot lately. It frustrates me that so many teachers are ready to gather around Wikipedia like a pinata and beat it down. It is still sooooooo young. It can become something really special if we nurture it and encourage wise use. For example, the most powerful part is not the front page but by going under the hood and looking at the discussions about what should be on the front page. Helping our students find those discussions is so important. Ken
Anne Whaits's comment, December 15, 2012 1:50 PM
Thanks Ken!
slesch's curator insight, December 17, 2012 8:27 AM

Interesting use of Wiki's to foster student engagement with course readings

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Guardian Open Journalism: Three Little Pigs Advert - Video| The Committed Sardine

Guardian Open Journalism: Three Little Pigs Advert - Video| The Committed Sardine | English Classes | Scoop.it
Video from The Guardian. Great for point of view and social media discussions.
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Blackout Poetry photo

Blackout Poetry photo | English Classes | Scoop.it
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

I love this form of art and words.

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How Does Writing Affect Your Brain? [infographic]

How Does Writing Affect Your Brain? [infographic] | English Classes | Scoop.it
According to today’s infographic, writing can serve as a calming, meditative tool. Stream of conscious writing exercises, in particular, have been identified as helpful stress coping methods. Keeping a journal, for example, or trying out free-writing exercises, can drastically reduce your levels of stress.

Via Dennis T OConnor
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

A visual overview of the ways that writing affects the brain.

Sarah McElrath's curator insight, June 3, 8:11 AM

Love that writers' can activate other people's brains by telling stories -- readers experience it as if they have lived it first hand. Ah, the power of a great story.

Katy Del Castillo's curator insight, June 3, 9:26 AM

I totaly agree. I think and I prove with myself and my students when they write they remember more.

MyKLogica's curator insight, June 17, 9:53 AM

Muy interesante y recomendable este recorrido sobre los efectos de la escritura en nuestro cerebro.

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5 Tips for Teaching Close Reading (and 5 Things to Watch Out For!)

5 Tips for Teaching Close Reading (and 5 Things to Watch Out For!) | English Classes | Scoop.it

Close reading means starting up close and then pulling back to the larger meaning (words to sentences to full text). Tim Shanahan summarizes it well; he says that close reading “is an intensive analysis of a text in order to come to terms with what it says, how it says it, and what it means.”


Via Andrea Zeitz
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Solid advice.

Susan Wegmann's curator insight, May 16, 9:59 AM

Information about Close Reading

On K. J.'s curator insight, June 8, 5:15 PM

It's a quick reminder for teachers to remember when they teach close reading.

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Dan Brown's Inferno: a tall writer offers his historic review

Dan Brown's Inferno: a tall writer offers his historic review | English Classes | Scoop.it
Can Steven Poole decode the arcane puzzle of the bestselling author Dan Brown's latest novel in just 48 hours?
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

It seems reviewers can't resist lampooning Dan Brown! After all, it is probably too easy to poke one at a writer who uses adjectives in the way that Brown does. This makes for some amusing,snarky, reading.

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Rescooped by Louise Robinson-Lay from Transmedia: Storytelling for the Digital Age
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Rabbit Holes: Transmedia in The Lizzie Bennet Diaries | Darceny

Rabbit Holes: Transmedia in The Lizzie Bennet Diaries | Darceny | English Classes | Scoop.it

Brielleariana:  "Transmedia is such a new concept that I had to physically add it to my Word document dictionary to avoid the stupid red lines" ...


Via The Digital Rocking Chair
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

A great way to teach using trains edit storytelling.

The Digital Rocking Chair's curator insight, May 5, 11:41 PM

This is a fascinating post, coming as it does, from a fan's perspective.  Darceny is a website that acts as both a book and viewing club:  "the place to discuss Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and its modern day adaptation, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries."

Dr. Pamela Rutledge's comment, May 6, 10:15 AM
I love Word dictionary updates as tiny markers of substantive change--I had to add 'cocreation' and 'cocreator' to mine along with transmedia. Interestingly, it already knew 'prosumer.'
Dr. Pamela Rutledge's curator insight, May 6, 10:32 AM

I love Word dictionary updates as tiny markers of substantive change--I had to add 'cocreation' and 'cocreator' to mine along with transmedia. Interestingly, it already knew 'prosumer.'

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Teaching Shakespearean insults helps my students decode the Bard's language

Teaching Shakespearean insults helps my students decode the Bard's language | English Classes | Scoop.it
Sarah Swann loves to insult her students - just as long as it is in the words of the Bard
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Is the Bard really so far away from Modern English? One teachers makes links between Shakespeare and modern teen slang insults.

Denise Lombardo's curator insight, April 26, 7:20 PM

Great post with helpful links to resources. Resonates with how I love to introduce kids to Shakespeare. The insults hook them in and give them a chance to play with the language before diving deeper into text and themes. Thanks for the scoop, Louise!

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12 Ways To Learn About Traveling Using Children's Books - Edudemic

12 Ways To Learn About Traveling Using Children's Books - Edudemic | English Classes | Scoop.it
Those children's books sitting on your shelf are like plane tickets waiting just for you. Here's a dozen ways to learn about traveling using them!
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

This is gorgeous. 

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'This wooden O'

'This wooden O' | English Classes | Scoop.it
The Globe Theatre past and present
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

A Pinterest board with pins on Shakespeare and his plays.

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Newseum

Newseum | English Classes | Scoop.it

A useful site with hundreds of newspaper front pages from around the world, including the UK's Times and Guardian.

http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/PSHE%2C+RE%2C+Citizenship%2C+Geography+%26+Environmental


Via ICTmagic
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Great for teaching media and persuasive language.

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BBC Radio 4 - Neil Gaiman - Neverwhere, London Below

BBC Radio 4 - Neil Gaiman - Neverwhere, London Below | English Classes | Scoop.it
An act of kindness catapults Richard from his ordinary life into a subterranean world.
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

This is

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Teacher's Web Tools to Teach Writing as a Process ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

Teacher's Web Tools to Teach Writing as a Process ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning | English Classes | Scoop.it
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Some great web resources for teaching all of the stages of writing.

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5 Awesome Infographics on English Language ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

5 Awesome Infographics on English Language ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning | English Classes | Scoop.it
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

This site contains some great infographics for classroom display.

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Poetry Made Easy -Black Out & Book Spine Poetry

Poetry Made Easy -Black Out & Book Spine Poetry | English Classes | Scoop.it
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

I love this idea. I'm trying out out tomorrow in a colleagues class. Looking forward to it.

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Digital Theatre The Journal

Digital Theatre The Journal | English Classes | Scoop.it
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

My best short film fix. Some amazing digital media here.

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The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby | English Classes | Scoop.it
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s third book stands as the supreme achievement of his career. The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. This 1920s tale has been acclaimed by generations of readers.
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

A Learning.st board on The Great Gatsby. Great resource.

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Photographer Takes Portraits of Her 5-Year-Old Daughter Dressed as Famous Women from History

Photographer Takes Portraits of Her 5-Year-Old Daughter Dressed as Famous Women from History | English Classes | Scoop.it
Amelia Earhart To commemorate her daughter Emma's fifth birthday, and to provide her with strong role models, photographer Jaime Moore took portraits of the girl dressed as five great women from hi...
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Inspirational!

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VATE Bookings

VATE Bookings | English Classes | Scoop.it
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Shameless self promotion! Presenting at VATE.

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Suggested by Juergen Wagner
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A MUST for any EFL teacher :-)

Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

A free webinar coming up in June.

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Firms' inaccurate use of English setting children poor example, says Ofsted

Firms' inaccurate use of English setting children poor example, says Ofsted | English Classes | Scoop.it
Report by schools inspectorate criticises firms 'that subvert standard spellings and syntax' in trade names and slogans
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Are we moving away from spelling conventions?

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What's the secret of a good genre mashup?

What's the secret of a good genre mashup? | English Classes | Scoop.it
Lately it seems like a lot of the freshest genre works are mash-ups of well-worn ideas. Whether it's "police procedural with elves" or "superhero movie with Cold War intrigue." But why do some genre mashups rule, while others fail horribly?
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Was talking about this with a super media teacher the other day. It's a great way of teaching genre. Understanding conventions.

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Rescooped by Louise Robinson-Lay from Story and Narrative
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4 Elements of Epic Storytelling

4 Elements of Epic Storytelling | English Classes | Scoop.it

"When I’m immersed in fantasy, a trance envelopes me. There’s something about great fantasy storytelling that trumps all other genres in drawing me into the world and story.

 

Call me crazy, but I think I’m onto something here. And that something is the recipe for the domination of the imagination. Much like The Hero with a Thousand Faces, I think epic storytelling has a certain formula that can produce a killer product."


Via Gregg Morris
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

The key elements of story.

John Purificati's comment, March 30, 10:47 AM
Thanks Gregg.
John Purificati's curator insight, March 30, 10:47 AM

Good insight.

Sarah McElrath's curator insight, April 10, 8:34 AM

I think these could hold true for any storytelling. Sure, world-building is something fantasy and sci-fi writers talk about, but building a unique realistic world can be equally engrossing. That world would be internal or personal, but still....

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Would you hire someone with poor grammar skills? | TechRepublic

Think grammar isn’t important in the world of IT? That misconception could cost you a job.
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Grammar is important.

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6 Awesome Writing Quotes ( Posters ) ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

6 Awesome Writing Quotes ( Posters ) ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning | English Classes | Scoop.it
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Some great classroom displays here for inspiring young writers.

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22 Rules of Story Telling every Teacher should Know about ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

22 Rules of Story Telling every Teacher should Know about ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning | English Classes | Scoop.it
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Sme great tips on teaching writing.

Karen Bonanno's curator insight, April 8, 3:58 PM

Encouraging writing through storytelling.  Everyone has a story!

Ann Vega's curator insight, April 9, 8:58 AM

Love this!

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Becoming a Better Teacher by 'Deliberate Practice'

Becoming a Better Teacher by 'Deliberate Practice' | English Classes | Scoop.it
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who had practiced one kick 10,000 times.” Bruce Lee When I was a young boy I dreamt of being like Bruce Lee. He had compl...
Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Simply repeating something is not practice. Refining and repeating in order to learn is.

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