OK - So before I begin I want to state that my goal from now on is to keep my blogs shorter so people will actually read and respond to them. If they don't, then what's the purpose of writing them (other than getting a grade for class of course?)
The first article I read for a summary response was a general one on using technology in a Language Arts classroom. I was reading the article for quite a few paragraphs when I came across the words "word processor". Then I paused and said to myself, "Whoa ... wait a minute .... no one uses that term anymore! When was this article written?" It was only then that I decided to look at the date of the article, which turned out to be 1998. Um yeah, I was a high school senior when this article was written, and I just celebrated my ten year anniversary of HS graduation this past June. Ten years MAY not seem like a lot to many of you, but in the world of technology it's more like a CENTURY. Not sure if you agree with me? Stop and think for a second as to how far cell phones have come in the past THREE years and then you'll get my drift. A couple of years ago, I never would have believed someone if they would have told me that the letters on our phone would one day be used for more than just remembering phone numbers (and who remembers numbers anymore anyway with the ability to save phone books right in your cell?) and now look - texting is the next greatest health problem for thumb doctors. And what about checking email on your phone? Like I ever thought THAT would be possible. Now I think everything and anything is possible, and I am still banking on the fact that one day we'll all be walking around with bar code tattoos on our wrists that we scan when we want to pay for items, pay our bills, "hit the time clock" at work, or be tracked by UFOs. Mark my words for when this actually comes true. You read it here first. If there wasn't already a book out about the topic of bar code tattoos, I would have written it. I still believe it was my idea that someone ripped off. Ok, so I'm off on a tangent now... back to the article.
Despite the fact that the article was technologically archaic, it had many great ideas. There were games that I could use in my classroom such as thesaurus games using either online or Microsoft Word thesaurus resources where students would have to find crazy ways to say simple phrases. This reminded me of our "Word of the Day" activity from one of Dr. Baines' classes back during my undergraduate days. I have forever remembered the term hirsute proboscis because of this activity. (I'd tell you what it means, but I'd rather you use an online thesaurus to find the answer out for yourself.) It is my hope that if I incorporate this fun thesaurus activity in my room, that students will forever remember some random term or phrase of their own.
The article also talked about using emails and web sites as forms for student writing. I agree with the latter of the two, but I sort of "professionally poo-pooed" the former since I think emailing would cause more of a problem due to its private nature. There would be no possible way I could be aware of what every student was writing and sending to other students, and if they started writing things that weren't school-appropriate it would be MY tail that would be in trouble. So I wrote in my response that the idea of blogging is much better than emailing, since blogs are public and viewable by everyone.
Well, I better finish this blog since I sort of promised it would be shorter than my previous post. Hmmmmmmm, maybe that was just my way to trick you all into reading this one? I guess you'll never know!
Until next time ....
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You amaze me with your writings. I agree that ten years in technology is a long time. Here I go aging myself, when I was in school we were learning how to write programs and boot the systems. Yes boot! We did not have computer class in highschool. I took typing becasue of the cute guys. Computers have truly speed past us with their made up worlds where millions are spent for nothing that you can touch, but only see and dream of and look at games. As a child we would sit down and play board games. My family still does, we love to get together and play games. My dad is the greatest at finding fun hands on games for my boys. Thank you for sharing, I do read you long blogs.
ReplyDeleteAll of the ideas you mentioned really involve some sort of publishing and when writing is going to be published, it tends to be authentic. I can remember having my English students write reviews on Amazon.com as an authentic writing activity.
ReplyDeleteLavendar,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment about how far technology has come in recent years. I think that is what contributes to my frustration sometimes because just as I master one technology three new ones come along and replace it. I think your students would love blogging as a way to write and connect to their peers and to your class assignments. Good luck with that!
Barb