Recursive Discussions Blogging and Talking in ENG 4U

Recursive? Re= to do again Curse = to swear Cursive = a fluid form of hand writing Recursive? To repeatedly swear in a fluid form of hand writing.

Recursive? In math or computer programming recursion is the process of repeating something over again as a process of problem solving. Merriam Webster Online, Merriam Webster, n.d. Web. February 2, 2013 Decided to take this idea into the English classroom. 3

Recursive Discussions: Blogging and Talking in ENG 4U The Theory and Thinking behind Recursive Discussions and Blogging - Planning The Assignment of Blogging and Talking in the Classroom - Process Reflections on what we learned - Practice 4

Recursive Discussions: Inspiration and Theory “The Uniqueness of Human Recursive Thinking” by Michael Corballis in Scientific American English teachers use language to teach about language. Inspiration for this came from the article. Read the excerpt from the article here. 5

My Blog Theory Discussion can be recursive, iterative Blogging takes discussion outside the classroom Redefines the concept of “homework” Focus on purpose over process Bring ideas from blogging into the classroom

Blog Theory “…by their very structure, blogs facilitate what I think is a new form of genre that could be called “connected writing,” a form that forces those who do it to read carefully and critically…” Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and other powerful Web Tools for Classrooms by Will Richardson

Connected Learning in a Digital World https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ayer_embedded&v=xuV7zcXigAI

Participatory Learning Create – we are no longer only consumers of media, but creators of media Circulate – critical thinking required to decide how and where to spread media Collaborate – work with others Connect – form affiliations in communities http://playnml.wikispaces.com/PLAY%21

New Media Literacies “constitute the core cultural competencies and social skills that young people need in our new media landscape.” http://playnml.wikispaces.com/PLAY%21

New Media Literacies “We call them ‘literacies’ but they change the focus of literacy shifts from one of individual expression to one of community involvement.” http://playnml.wikispaces.com/PLAY%21

New Media Literacies “They build on the foundation of traditional literacy, research skills, technical skills, and critical analysis skills taught in the classroom.” http://playnml.wikispaces.com/PLAY%21

New Media Literacies? “new” – implies change = technology “media” – the plural of “medium” or the mode through which a message is communicated “literacy” – to be able to consume and produce messages within a system of communication How do we bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary modes?

The Assignment: Our Plan Pedagogical Intent: Classroom group discussions support blogging and vice versa Summative Blog posts and Oral presentation on a Novel

What did we do? The Process Group Blog with specific prompts for response of the novel – The Great Gatsby Individual Blogs with sections of the novel – The Namesake Continue Individual Blogs on Hamlet Transition to Individual Blogs in Summative Novel Discussion Groups Discuss Gatsby questions in small groups, then large group discussions, then group blog posts.

Teacher Blogging: Establishing Recursive Thinking Explain intent to model, to connect, to share ideas, which then would be discussed in the classroom. 17

Student Blogs

Student Blogs

Student Blogs

What We Learned Modeling and exploring other blogs helps students see the creative potential for an individual voice Establish the conventions of the form collaboratively with students Assessment of the first set of posts helps students understand expectations and the form of the medium

What we Learned Teacher blogging and student following allowed us to fill gaps missed in class discussions, extend the discussion outside the classroom, and provide links and support material for the course.

What we Learned More posting on more texts = more skill Class discussion adds depth, benefits different learners Allows students to make connections, conduct research, and represent both visually and orally

What we Learned Enforced 'commenting' can lead to community, audience, critical thinking I should have commented more as a teacher to motivate students Students care about an authentic audience and understand the representation of self in a digital medium Blogging becomes more than an assignment and can create engagement

What Students Said “By the end, I felt like I understood blogging, as it was a learning process throughout, with each new book adding to my depth of understanding. I feel like it was difficult at the beginning, however my understanding grew as the blogging progressed.” Grant

What Students Said “After we did The Namesake blogs I felt that I had a better understanding behind what content to put into blog posts and how to format the posts with links and pictures to make it more enjoyable.” Tara

What academic research says about Blogging Discourse devices like the monologue and the dialogue come together to create extensive conversations that spread through the blogosphere with an effect not unlike an echo chamber.

What academic research says about Blogging These threads of conversation use many of the linguistic features found in both oral and written forms of communication.

What academic research says about Blogging The two major forms of communication have united to produce a variety that utilizes the full capabilities of the Internet environment as a means to converse and reflect. “A Brief Overview of the Linguistic Attributes of the Blogosphere” Stephanie Nilsson

What students say about Blogging “We are there.”