Ideas needed for High School Web 2.0 Apps Class

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on August 27, 2008 at 11:29am

...a thought just flew in my head. I will not let my students do "research" and "reports" on a topic where information is readily available in books and on the Web, I tell them "it's been done". The days of "panda" reports are over in my classroom. We strive (and not always successfully) to do authentic research answering "big questions".

What kinds of projects can kids of all ages do that will not clutter the internet with more stuff? Is every high schooler in the US going to do a wiki about Web 2.0 tools or videos explaining a chemistry experiment, for example? I think we should all think of how to teach or reinforce skills with outcomes that are real, rich in content, and relevant. I saw Dan Meyer's decontruct an activity/lesson he did last year in his hs math classroom. Even though he says the activity/lesson wasn't 100% successful it seemed like a great high level activity/lesson that gave real meaning to working with datasets, graphs and charts. Oh well...the ramblings of a teacher nearing retirement.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ellen Pham on August 27, 2008 at 1:17pm

Great blog to tag, Nancy- what other blogs do you read? Also, I appreciate your point of view on research topics. Aiming high : )

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on August 27, 2008 at 4:35pm

Do you know of Jamie McKenzie? He doesn't blog but for 10+ years has been discussing this whole issue of authenitc work. His latest newsletter's lead article is call No More Cut and Paste

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on August 27, 2008 at 4:45pm

Ellen, I have 100 blogs in my reader which include classroom teachers, ed tech people, tech only, primary sources, literature and controversial, but I actually enjoy ning more---easier to follow. I do glance at Darren Draper and Gary Stager everyday or so. I like bloggers who say "Hey, wait a minute!" or "What were they thinking?" I'm kinda tired of people touting Web 2.0 with no mention of teaching or learning or thinking. I read a couple of classroom teachers who write well and have great anecdotes about kids---but most of the blogs on my list get a cursory glance.

If I think of others I'll pass them on.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gail Desler on August 27, 2008 at 1:21pm

Nancy, I wish your message would go out to every administrator: "The days of 'panda' reports are over" (state reports, country reports, etc.).

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on August 27, 2008 at 4:48pm

Don't get me started on the country reports and the powerpoints on whales. I heard a presenter at NECC several years ago say "If you want to stop plagiarism in the classroom give them assignments they can't plagiarize." Duh, N.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Davis on August 27, 2008 at 5:44pm

Nancy thanks for sharing Dan Meyer's post. I completely hear what you are saying. What big questions would you suggest that my students research?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on August 27, 2008 at 7:27pm

Check out the work on H. Lynn Erikson Concept Based Curriculum, Wiggins and Tighe Understanding by Design and Jamie McKenzie. Here are some essential guestions that stimulate the kind of learning and enduring understanding you would hope to have in the classroom.

Essential questions: (some from Erikson, some from Wiggins)
Is there enough to go around?
Are mathematical ideas inventions or discoveries?
Does art reflect culture or shape it?
Who owns what and why?
What do we fear?
In what ways do species evolve adaptations to survive changing environments?
Can you predict the future? What will happen next? How sure are you?
If "practice makes perfect" what makes perfect practice?
How can stories from other places and times be about me?
What is true friendship and how do you know?

I've got a great book of What if questions---not essential but great for thinking--let me know if you want the author, I'll send it tomorrow.
What if the South had won the Civil War?
What if Walt Disney had never been born?

Let me know if you need anything else. N.

▶ Reply to This

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5