In an English classroom, it is extremely important for students to hold discussions about themes, symbols, and passages in a text. For my classroom, I want students to hold meaningful discussions, where new ideas are brought to the table, not just students regurgitating what classmates have already stated. I want my students to come prepared and show an understanding of the text and the ideas the author is trying to convey. I also want students to revisit the discussions at a later time because some of the material discussed is important to reflect on before new discussions begin. I would like to find a technology that can help me accomplish my goal of having students hold great discussions and also revisit them later on.
I plan on using my FlipCam to videotape discussions that I will then post to a class blog. Students will already have learned how to formulate good discussion questions and how to converse with one another. I will use the blog as an avenue for students to re-listen to key portions of the discussion and reflect with one another. I will also pose additional questions, possibly adding to a great point made in the discussion, and have students post responses to that.
For my solution, I don’t think it will work if I consistently have students revisiting discussions and posting responses. I think it will be utilized once every six day rotation (my school’s schedule), or if some great discussion points are unfinished because of time constraints within the class.
I plan on using the Shared Inquiry methodology for the discussion aspect of the project. Shared inquiry is part of the Great Books foundation and is a pedagogy that I have begun getting training on. For the shared inquiry method, a small passage or section is chosen from the text, and students come up with a how/why question involving that text. After that, the discussion begins, and students must use the rest of the text to support their argument. Once the initial question is in play, other questions may be asked that go off the first one, or new questions when students feel they have discussed it thoroughly. TeacherTube has great examples of teachers that have videotaped discussions and lessons, although my dreams for my lesson are not on there. I was able to look at several examples and see what I should do with the videotape.
During this course, I will work more on the posting on the blog and responses to videos because I am not in school with students. I will look for a discussion online and have peers work on that, possibly reflecting and responding to questions posed on the blog.
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Christine - Involving students in a discussion, especially high school age students, is a huge challenge. They may know the answers that will lead to a great discussion, but are often dissuaded from participating for a variety of reasons. Posting a video of the discussion on the blog is a good idea because, like you stated, it will give students a chance to reflect on what they have learned before moving onto a new discussion. It can also be used for students who may have missed a day or more. Using this method once every six day rotation is a great idea because otherwise it becomes ordinary and student interest will undoubtedly sink.
ReplyDeleteThis idea has growth potential built right into it. I could see a video of the class discussion first, then as they become comfortable with the format and process of posting a blog, an edited video of just the key discussion points, then maybe point-counter point discussions by individual students to other students blogs. You could really take this in any direction. I agree with Duane in holding back every six days. They might take it for granted and become bored with it. The whole idea is well thought out.
ReplyDeleteDave Crewes
Christine- I think sparking discussions in class is a great way for students to learn. It is important that students know how to formulate and lead a great discussion for it to work. I think they would be able to look at the recording and tweak themselves as well. I think they would enjoy being videotaped, but be uncomfortable watching the playback.
ReplyDeleteChristine,
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read your problem I thought you were going to take the easy way out and say that you were going to make your students participate in a discussion board. I was thinking that would be fine, but not that innovative (not to mention that your class meets synchronously). I LOVE the idea of recording class discussions, then later choosing the best parts of post online. Will it be too much work to watch discussions for each of your classes? Or maybe it won't be, since they may have fewer "worksheet" type assignments since they're discussing :)