Transcript Slide 1

TESOL 2008
Creating and Maintaining A Classroom
Community through Writing Online
Mary Lee Wholey
Miriam Horne
Concordia University
Continuing Education Language Institute
Montreal Quebec
APPROACH TO WRITING AT A2
• Series of Writing Tasks Leading to Research Paper
• Focus on A Variety of Critical Thinking Skills
• Awareness of Audience and Purpose
• Practice in The Process Approach to Writing
• Emphasis on Developing Editing Skills
Collaboration
Students work in pairs as well as in small groups
as they need classroom practice and
encouragement from each other and teachers.
They are working within a framework of mutual
respect and cooperation.
To be relevant, learning processes need to
recruit, rather than attempt to ignore and
erase, the different subjectivities, interests,
intentions, commitments and purposesstudents bring to learning”
A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies: Designing Social Futures
The New London Group
Multiliteracies
• Instruction is a process that learners undertake
• The instructor is a designer of that process
• Responds to the learner’s own interaction with the material, with
the instructor and with each other
• The task or learning activities focus the learner on the important
elements of the instruction. Gives a chance to try out ideas and
reflect on how an individual point of view affects others.
• Helps foster individual expression at the same time cohesive
classroom community through individual/collective exploration
of issues.
The Blog
An effective tool both for accomplishing academic
goals in writing and for developing self-reflective
writing that can be shared with others.
Gives every member of the class access to their
writings; establishing an immediacy that can be likened
to conversations.
Purpose of the Project
1) Students become aware of themselves as
writers summarizing and reacting to their
reading as well as responding to their
classmates’ summaries and reactions
2) Increase the opportunities for reaction and
opinion writing on a variety of topics
3) Open a channel for communicating and
connecting with each other in a different
context
4) Establish a new way of communicating with
the teacher
The hidden agenda
Along the way
they begin to build an awareness of
themselves and others as members of
a community of writers.
A Community of Writers
• Develop a sense of themselves as writers with
something to say
• Aware of themselves as writers with an audience
and a purpose.
• Benefit from different perspectives in the
feedback to their writing
• Develop a shared sense of belonging to a group
of learners
A Community of Writers
“Weblogs provide an excellent tool where literacy
advances for both individual expression and
collaborative learning.”
“The Educated Blogger: Using Weblogs to Promote Literacy in the Classroom. By David Huffaker
Sample Blog Writing
Making connections for themselves and to each
other:
a) Actively engage with topics in course
b) Examine process of their research
writing
c) Reflect on their writing process
Engage with Course Content
Responses to Lecture on Communication Patterns;
Meaningful learning; An on-line conversation
I personally enjoyed the lecture this morning a lot. In the lecture,
the different communication patterns in Male and Female were
focused on from the point of view of linguistics and pragmatics.
The word of pragmatics was new to me, but I understood well
thanks to the lecturer's explanation, how we chose word.
The lecturer explained about the Cultural difference in
communication pattern with an example of Japanese and
American students' discussions. What I found when I heard the
situation of Japanese students.... ?
as one of Japanese, is... let me see, well, yeah it all
depends. …because people in Japan care about the others'
feeling so much. That's why ! I can't say 'No' directly to anyone,
that's why I don't wanna disagree with someone's opinion....
Eriko, post on Feb. 8, 2007
The Beginning of Relationships
• Richard said: u know, it's kind of fun that mr. scott use
japanese as an ex. because as one of ur classmates, i will
think ........is eriko speaking like this? does she have this pattern?
ya, i can find some patterns from the communication between u
and me......for ex. u rarely say "no" to people. sometimes it might
be polite but also it might make u some troubles especially u r in
north america now. i think the culture is quite different. anyway,
just a suggestion,saying no sometimes might not be a bad
thing.........hahahha!!! February 8, 2007 2:59 PM
• Maggie said...
i noticed that you have many friends here, and i know you've
been here for just several months, so i guess "never say no" helps
you gain friendship. but anyway, i agree with Richard, sometimes
you need to learn how to reject requests otherwise you may put
yourself in difficult situations. but please, don't say no to me ^_^
February 8, 2007 3:37 PM
Engage with Course Content
• Discrimination
1. Extended Definitions
2. Video: “A Class Divided”
3. Reading: The Curse of Being Different
by Robert Adler,
in The New Scientist,
Jan. 13, 2007
Comment on the Following:
“Oh, great sprit, keep me from ever judging a man until I've walked
in his moccasins.“
Experience Directly Related to Topic:
I understand the effects of discrimination on children very well because I was
experienced during my childhood. I don't want to use such a strong word to
my family, but I have to say that I was discriminated by my grandmother for a
very long time. The only reason… because I am a girl, the only female
grandchild in my family…. I was so confused and felt being hurt. I thought
it's my problem, I'm not good enough to get my grandmother's attention even
though in fact I did excellently. For a long time accumulating gradually, it
became my behaviour. When I do anything I decided to do, I demand myself
exactly. …
In my case, although I successfully treat my problem and get many surprise
by discovering myself, it's still a very stressful and painful experience that a
child should not suffer. When I saw this video, I was shocked. It's really the
most efficient way to teach people understanding discrimination through
experiencing it by themselves. Posted by Helen.
Revealing themselves; Connecting to others
•
Tomas said…
I had an experience very similar to
yours, for some years I annalysed
some features of my behaviour and
personality that made me suffer and
made me loss my self confidence,
somehow, I changed somethings
after a period of reflexion,
introspection and reading and
thinking a lot...I guess it´s
something normal during the
transition for being an adult...well,
what I wonder Helen is...Do you
think that your grandma was
discriminated during her childhood
the same way she did against you?
March 6, 2008 6:25 PM
• Helen said...
Tomas, may be you are right!
My grandmother probably was
discriminated by others because
of her gender so that she
thought it's normal to do this to
me.
Anyway, I forgive her. I do get
some other benefic from this
experience. It's all over...
March 6, 2008 8:44 PM
Teacher Blog
Responses to Course Content
We really enjoyed the lunch which gave us the opportunity to chat with you
on another level than in the classroom!!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend. There are a lot of colds and the flu going
around. Try to be careful: eat well, drink fluids and sleep enough.
By the way, I have been reading your summaries and must say that you
certainly have understood the concept of a summary. However, since this was
a first draft there is of course room for improvement in terms of clarification,
grammar points and cohesive devices. We'll be working on that on Monday
and/or Tuesday.
See you on Monday, Lili
Examine the Process of Research
Writing
At the Start
• Make a rough plan for the research topic.
Start with your list of questions from the
brainstorming and the readings you have
done so far.
• Bring in your plan on Monday.
Lili
THE PLANNING PROCESS
I had a good plan for research project about e-commerce. However, I thought
that was too general to research so that I focused on more specific subject,
which is the Enterprise Resource Planning System. So far, I just started
reading the books and gathering articles, monographs, and papers …but
honestly speaking, I am really struggling for paraphrasing, summarizing, and
organizing.
I know the reason that I spend too much time for planning to do something
well when I think that is very important for me so that I afraid to start to do it
without planning and considering deeply.
In addition, I am a programmer so when I program something, I do not
program it without the map of process for it because the process of planning
and analyzing as much as detail is the most important rule to avoid reprogram or re-design.
It is an obsessional habit. I hope I will finish in on time with satisfaction.
I welcome who has a good advice or tips for me. Could you comment for me
Thanks you….
POSTED BY SEO,JEOUNG-HWAN AT 3:04 AM
Sharing Perspectives on the Writing
Process
• amporn said...
•
hello my buddy....
I am also a programmer. we have
things in common. I think, you had
better start writing because the plan for
writing program and writing paper are
different. We can use the same logic to
plan, but it does not need to be long. It
is not a big big big project. Planing to
write program is essential and we have
to be very specific to make a plan,
otherwise the process of writing
program can not be develop organizely.
So, Just start it my friend. If you need
help for paraphrasing or summary, i am
available after class....Good luck
FEBRUARY 26, 2007 10:01 AM
• Seo,Jeoung-hwan said...
Thanks you for your advices. Now
I have started to write my research
but still cannot ㅜ.ㅜ
FEBRUARY 26, 2007 6:28 PM
liliconcordia said...
• look at you plan quickly and just
free write! We will work with you
from there. Your intro was fine.
Hope to see you in class soon
Mid-Way: Writing Drafts- Progress
• Post from Teacher:
You have all been working hard and you need to continue to do so....in this
last English course before you go out into the big world....university, work,
travelling, etc.!!!
SOME REMINDERS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE RESEARCH PAPER
1. Write something everyday and send to us whatever you have written even if it is only one page.
In other words, don't wait till you have finished the section to send us your work.
2. Send only the work you haven't already given to us. For example,if you gave us(or sent us) the
first two pages of a section, don't give or send them again along with the next few pages.
3. Don't forget to attribute (in text references: eg.(Meyrs, 2004)at the end of a paraphrase or
Meyrs (2004) points out....... or when quoting a sentence or a passage, "...................." (Meyers,
2004, pg 15).
4. Even if you are not sure of the exact form, you need to put in the references as you are writing.
Mid-Way Reflections
As a survivor of this extremely stressful experience, I
have many useful tips that I want to share with you
guys...
At beginning of this project, I knew it's not an task that
can be dealed with easily. I'm very interested in the way we doing
the research paper. Every steps that we prepared for the paper
including how to use library and how to find the articles is so
intersting that I'm very active to participate in all the activities.
But Lili and Adrianne show us the research paper that be done by
others before, I'm dumbfounded. It seems like a very formal real
assignment that is given to an university student. I wondered
how it can be done so perfectly and completely.
Anyway, we have already started
.
• Searching articles on database, finding
books in the library, I did everything as the
schedule planned, but I felt perplexed. I
didn't feel that I was getting into my topic.
Of course, the part of the reason is my
topic is a big one which is difficult to find
the point I need focus on.
• When I was doing research in the library, I
was so exciting because I thought I found what is
exactly I want to talk about: the relationship between
stress and memory… but because memory topic is
related with biology field which I'm not familiar with, I
gave up memory topic, instead of it, I choose stress as
my topic. …
I thought so at that time, it's not very difficult to read
all the materials and to use notes to order the logic and
then papers will come out naturally. But when things
are really going on, sometimes they are not like what
you think they should be.
When I finally got starting to write my paper, the more I wrote,
the more I felt confused.
To my surprise, I found it's very hard to get into my topic without the clear
explanation of memory and stress, if I want to explain it clearly,I have to do
both topic toghter!
But I still thought I could find a solution because it was too late to
change topic, so I continued to write until Tuesday evening, then, I really
felt if I want to do a good job, I have to stop working, something
wrong with the process. It's a serious situation.
• For this reason, I decided to rebuild all my work so that I was
abstent two whole days in the library. I know the dangerousness of
doing this in university, but I want to give myself a chance to focus on the
thing I'm interested in this time. I read a lot about stress and memory,
although it has many technique parts that really drives me crazy, I told myself
that it's not that hard, I can and have to handle it because it's my choice that I
have responsibility.
• I found a big problem which lead to that I couldn't get into my
topic is because too much technique parts I couldn't really
understand without helping of rudiments. Therefore, I went to
google and found many nonprofessional articles to help me get general ideas
and to be familiar with some important technique vocabularies. And then, it's
much easier to understand journals. I turned off my mobile phone and not to
check my E-mail so that I can do my job quietly. After two days hard working,
I finally figure out my problem. I felt that I'm ready to go to school because I
don't know what I can say with teachers when I'm not really figure out my
problem. (I'm really sorry to Lili and Adranne...)
• When I talk with Lili and Adranne, I found it's really
helpful when discussed with teachers, and I thought what
they told me that when students have trouble with their tasks, it's
better to ask help form teachers and professors, is right. They are
experienced and much more professional that students, they
understand what you are trying to do so that they can help you
get an easy way of your task. It's saving time. Obviously, I'm
not good at asking for help. That is because I have already
used to the education model in China. In China, one class has
too many students so that it is impossible to help every student
in the class for a teacher. I'm trained to figure out own problems
by myself from childhood, so I am not even realized that I need
help. I do get a lot of knowledge when I deal with the problem
alone, but it spent too much time which in fact is not necessary
to spend on and it's not allowed to do this in university. Thanks
to this extremely stressful experience, now I know what need to
do when I face the similar situation next time.In my case,
research project is not finishing yet. But I'm trying to do a good
job. I hope that I can get a happy ending~~~
Coming to the Finish Line
THIS WEEKEND IS DEDICATED TO FINISHING UP YOUR RESEARCH
PAPER.
•
1. Remember to send us your drafts. Don't wait to finish your entire paper before sending to us
whatever you have done throughout the next couple of days. We especially need to see anything that
is still a first draft so that you have time to correct.
2. When you have finished correcting, you can send to us what you have corrected
and eventually the entire paper.
We (Adrianne or Lili) will edit and send to you the corrections electronically or in person as quickly
as possible. Don't wait for our corrections. Just keep on sending as you finish little by little.
If you live in the downtown area, please let us know). We will give you a time to meet us on Sunday to
talk over your corrections. But even if you do come on Sunday, remember to send your drafts to us
today and perhaps tomorrow morning, so that we can suggest corrections before we see you.
3. Don't forget to consult your Book: Honest Work in College, Chapter 7 in particular or the
Concordia Library Information At the end of the Unit on Male/Female)
4. Make sure that you send us your Reference List so that we can help etc .if necessary.
5. In the RESEARCH PROJECT unit, (Part 1 of your materials), take a look at the
check list of what you need to do before handing in the paper. If you have any questions ask.
That's it for now...Take a look at the blog again tomorrow...may have more instructions.
Have a good working weekend. Don't stress out too much...although a little stress might
actually push you to finish!!
Hard Lessons Learned
Jarno said:
Now I am sitting before my laptop thinking...
I learnt so many things from doing research project which I really need to learn!
When I was in primary school...doing maths...I always did it over and over to
make sure that I have the correct answer...this habit has been along with me till
now. Whatever I wrote, even in Chinese, I will read it over and over to make
sure the spelling, grammar, prop words and everything. That's one of the
reasons that I have not finished it.
I don't like the situation now, all of you have done your successful wonderful
projects, except me...
From now on, I won't wait until last minute, although maybe I will, but I will
try my best...I need to change the way of doing a research project, actually, the
way of doing almost everything...
To the project itself, I really notice the importance of citation. I'll continue
throughout everything before I write a section and make something like a
outline, although everything I might change...
For my writing skills, I really do not know...maybe nothing...
But I learnt how to search different sources, it is very important to the
university...
I appreciate Advanced Two to give us such important chances to learn before
university!
I am lucky enough to have my wonderful teachers Lili and Adrianne to worry
about Jarno, care about Jarno, help to Jarno, encourage Jarno...
Support
Natasha said:
• Your message sound as a poetry ... that's really beautiful. Don't
worry about the time that you take for writing your paper. It's
the first time that you write a research paper so it will be better
the next time because you will have already got an experience...It
is the process of learning for everybody in this class so you are
not in the wrong way ;-) Jarno,you are a completist, me either.
For me, I think that asking ourselves to do things perfectly is not
too bad. Although, we always feel very tired but at least we are
working hard and learn a lot from our hard working. You don't
have enough self-confidence, you should be proud of yourself,
you are doing very well! We are slow but we will get our own way
of doing things. Don't worry.
Reflections on Blog Writing;
Expressing Ideas Fully and Freely
– I have two blogs in Chinese, but before we started writing our blogs, I'm still worried about
it because I'm not good at free writing in English and I really hate time limited when I'm writing
–
something. As you saw, the first post about skyscraper which we wrote in the lab is a mess, even
myself don't want to read it again when I finished. But according to my personality, once I decided
to do something, I will push myself to try my best. I made a big change from creating my own
blog style. I want to mark it as mine, maybe a little bit special, but that is the only way make me feel
that this is my field which I should be responsible. Change the appearance is not the only thing I
want, create my own writing style and develop the ability to say what I want to say are the most
important points that I try to get. At the beginning, it's not easy to write in a free way because I
don't have enough confidence to use the language well. With continuing of this course, the skills
which I learnt from our practicing help me to get into this project deeper. It's getting easier to do
free writing and I wrote longer and longer than before ( Although sometimes longer doesn't mean
better...). And I found that it's very interesting to read and leave comments for other classmates ( I
even get more ideas when I read other's blogs).
Blog is a real good way to show a person in a different way, and also a new way to communicate
with each other ( I love this part!) I know that the best way to do blog is to do it as early as possible
so that you can get more chance to show your idears to more people and discuss, but due to the
stressful research project I didn't do it on time...However, I tried to leave comments for your guys
early at least~~~As Jarno said, I think that keep renewing our blogs is a very good way to practice
our English and keep touch with each other, and I hope I can do it for a long time ( although I can
not promise...)
“Here are my experiences of what works with students:
Concrete tasks in the classroom
Set up tasks where students have to link to each other
Insist on feedback to other students
Encourage feedback of posts
Set tasks that require reading and linking to other weblogs”
Jill Walker
From Network Literacy Learning with Blogging and Web 2.0
Acknowledgements
• Thanks to the teachers and students of
Advanced 2 Sessions in 2007-2008
• Eriko, Richard, Maggie, Jeoung-Hwan, Amporn,
Helen, Jarno, Tomas and Natasha
• Adrianne Sklar and Lili Ullman
Contact
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Mary Lee Wholey: [email protected]
Miriam Horne:[email protected]
Concordia University
Continuing Education Language Institute
1600 Ste. Catherine Ouest
Montreal Quebec
H3H 2S7