Embedded Files
Introduction
Introduction
This module focused on maintaining a positive learning environment for students and how to show your true self in a distance learning environment. While in my previous experience, I have facilitated online discussion boards and participated in them, this was the first time that I created one from scratch. I wanted to be true to my sense of teaching and making sure that I focused on student relationships.
Online Discussion
Online Discussion
Discussion Prompt:
Watch the animated video as you read the text. Theresa Burroughs came to StoryCorps to tell her daughter Toni Love about registering to vote. As you listen to the video and read the text, you are going to find a clue that helps you know when and how people are being treated unfairly. This means that you will find a sentence (text evidence) that makes you think about Theresa being treated unfairly.
For this week's discussion, post your answer to this question based on reading.
What clues help me know when and how people are being treated unfairly?
TB: I went there for two years with a minister named Reverend J.J. Simmons. The white men, they would not let us register to vote. They would sit there, they had tables, and they would be playing dominoes. I didn't even know how to play dominoes, but do you know I learned to play standing there watching them? They would ask you silly questions. Like this man, I never will forget his name, Mr. Cox. He was chair of the board of registrars. He asked me how many black jelly beans in a jar? How many red ones in there? And I told him, you don't know how many jelly beans – he told me to shut my black mouth, shut up. Well, the next Monday, I told Reverend Simmons that I was not going back. I said I was not going to be embarrassed like that any more. He said, “You want to vote, don't you?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “We're going to go until the building falls down so we're going to be there every time they open that door.” He said, “Now in the morning, I'll be back to pick you up. You going.” And that is the day Mr. Cox asked me to recite part of the preamble to the Constitution. I don't really think he knew, but I recited it. He said, “You're going to pass today because we are tired of looking at your black faces.” And then he gave me my slip, that I was a registered voter. We did vote in the next election. It was a joy, but the thing about it is I didn't feel it should have been this hard. I knew it shouldn't have been this hard.
Discussion Expectations
Discussion Expectations
Initial Post
You first post is due by Friday, Nov. 6 @11:59pm
Your response should answer the question and include text evidence.
Use proper vocabulary and write 3 to 5 sentences with capitals and periods.
Responses
Reply to two of your classmates.
Your responses are due by Sunday, Nov. 8 @ 11:59pm.
Be kind.
Use proper vocabulary and write 3 to 5 sentences with capitals and periods.
Discussion Rubric
Discussion Rubric
Personal Reflection
Personal Reflection
I divorced social media about a month ago. No one cried about us breaking up or even noticed. No more Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or Snapchat. There were many reasons why I could have stayed. I followed several professional and social networks about healthy living, Buddhism and even learning how to use Canvas LMS for elementary school teachers. Those were the ways that I enjoyed social media and learned, but with the advent of so much fake news, the increased postings that were political and outright racism that I saw, I knew it was time to get divorced.
So now, how does the internet help with my learning? I do more google searches, read more on my kindle take online courses like this one. I love the speed to which I can learn something. For example, Mr. Mando had an upset tummy and we didn't have pumpkin or applesauce. Within ten minutes from my online search, coring the apples and releasing pressure from the instant pot, he had homemade applesauce to settle his tummy. That is so powerful. A few weeks ago, my husband read a post about the president and did not pay attention to the source. He got upset and showed it to me. It was from The Onion which is a satire type of news source. That can be how the internet is distracting to learning, fake news.
Unfortunately, I have seen evidence that students are using social media for their news sources and not being as discerning of a reader that I know teachers show them to do. A few weeks ago, I was watching CBS Sunday Morning and a woman spoke about how she only reads Facebook for news, no other news sources. She also did not believe in wearing a mask because the president did not wear one as seen on Facebook. This is why, it is imperative that we as teachers educate our students to be savvy consumers of information.
Since I primarily work with elementary age students, it is easier to control the information that I select to use with students. One of my favorite tools for teaching social studies was Scholastic News. Not only was the information reliable, it also had a digital version that I could use with students to do Close Reading activities. My only concern was that it was sometimes too neutral of an information source and missed opportunities to teach students how to react to controversies. For that reason, I would also use information from Teaching Tolerance, a free online resource that has reliable information. On their website, they state, "Get to know our Social Justice Standards, anchor standards and age-appropriate learning outcomes divided into four domains—Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action. The Standards provide a common language and a road map for anti-bias education at every grade level." So these would be the two resources that I would use for my collection of working with elementary students.
In this module, I continued to develop my skills in Domain 4, Competency 4: Instructional Tools, Standard A: Use learning management system and/or other online collaborative tools to organize and manage the blended learning environment. By creating my own discussion board, I am working to enhance my collaboration tools and skills for maintaining a community of learners.
*All images are from my personal collection unless otherwise noted.
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