https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr How can we increase student engagement through strengths and interests? en-us 2018-03-15 00:20:55 UTC 2018-03-17 19:48:26 UTC hello@padlet.com northstarguitar https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/242147441 Processes often make people uncomfortable, but the process for setting up a Padlet is a breeze. It is very simple to use and customize. I felt like the ease of this tool makes it accessible to most anyone but the most die hard technophobe. I found myself rearranging and trying different layout styles to match my communication and overall flow. And it is hard to make a mistake with this tool! If you do some thing wrong, just undo it or move it around. Also, there are some interesting settings available, like the bad word filter, which takes words like 🤬 and 🤬  and replaces them with those little boxes. ]]> 2018-03-15 00:27:07 UTC https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/242147441 northstarguitar https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/242148375 Given the overall ideas within the text, it seems to me that a combination of interest and accessibility are the first step. In other words, are the tools that are needed available to the students? Further, I saw one repeated theme in each example, that interest based projects need to be largely self guided so that the students can explore and internalize the knowledge needed on their own. In each case, students became more literate, or better at communicating thoughts and ideas in a cohesive manner, regardless of the medium. Along with this is the other vital point; students were producers, not consumers. Simple consumption of digital text does not comprise digital literacy. The creative aspect of generating a blog, movie, or magazine about something you are passionate about is essential to becoming digitally literate. The introduction to the book makes an important point: what the tool is is not really what the point is, rather, how to use these tools in ways that build up the literacy of the student is the point. I think is was poignant that all of the teachers at some point had some doubts about the possible outcomes, but as they trusted the students to follow their hearts, it became clear that learning was happening, and was immediately applicable to standards. ]]> 2018-03-15 00:33:47 UTC https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/242148375 northstarguitar https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/242148557 In the main, it requires teachers to learn to differentiate learning so that all students can find ways to increase writing skills. This is only partially addressed in this chapter, but we also see this in "Reading, Writing and Talk". We need to allow for different ways of thinking to arrive at a written product. I think in many ways it is about differences in the students process of arriving at a written text. This can be difficult for teachers who believe there is only one way to get from point A to point B. This was pretty clear in the whole essay about learning to create videos. It is not a linear production process, especially given the nature of digital tools. In essence, the students wrote their stories, but did not follow a set path to do so. In short, I believe it forces us as teachers to relax a little, and allow our kids to generate processes that work for them, even if we aren't comfortable with the process ourselves. ]]> 2018-03-15 00:34:49 UTC https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/242148557 northstarguitar https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/242148790 2018-03-15 00:36:35 UTC https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/242148790 northstarguitar https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/243112403 2018-03-17 19:29:29 UTC https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/243112403 northstarguitar https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/243113374 The thing that struck me about this reading was how the writers often phrased their actions in a way that was almost apologetic, or at least in defense of a choice. It occurred to me that perhaps educators have become too linear in their thinking. I come from IT, where cyclical or non linear thinking is vital to success, so to me, some of the processes described by the authors are natural and need no defense. I think the challenge for me will be to resist those around me who insist on everything follow a linear path. as we discuss literacy more and more, it is pretty obvious to me that literacy, like creating movies, is a not linear, recursive exercise that requires quick thinking and an ability to revise and rework until you figure it out. Following is a movie I found about systems theory and non linear thinking. It is short but dense. Maybe it can answer some questions or open up some more.]]> 2018-03-17 19:40:33 UTC https://padlet.com/northstarguitar/g4l9sdoj8dfr/wish/243113374