Becky+S.+Early+Adopter

=__Flipping into Canvas__=


 * Posting content that is intentional and relevant, not just "there to be there".
 * Filling Canvas with kid generated learning tools, not just those from me.
 * Insuring that videos reflect what's necessary, not just nice

= = = = = = =[|Our Glog]=

=That's so cool! = =I must focus! =

Early Adopter: Inquiry & Design Challenge
Destination Postcard:  Then... Now.

Name: > >
 * Campus: Stratford
 * Grade Level(s): 9th
 * Discipline: English
 * Topic: digital reflective journaling for goal setting and self-discovery
 * Draft a focus question and subquestions, that include student learning, and be prepared to revise these throughout the challenge
 * Search for existing resources (articles, websites, blogs, videos, etc.) - post below and be sure to add them to your campus Diigo
 * Jigsaw notetaking and sharing of resources
 * Individually, design a student resource, activity type, or project to try in the classroom over the next month to test. Then, get feedback from partners.
 * Try out resource, activity type, or project during the month(s), documenting plan, process, execution and reflection and collect student work samples.
 * Focus Question:** How do I insure that, ultimately, the content of my course drives this project, and reflects AUTHENTIC student learning? **
 * What is the best forum for this?
 * Do //I// set the parameters? If so, what are they, and how might I structure them so that they become relevant to the kids?
 * How will the kids "link up"?
 * How do I tranfer this to the kids?
 * What are the minimum posts?
 * What about the "non digital kids?
 * How will the learning be measured? Does it need to be?

How is your journey like that of a storyteller? Of a researcher? Hmmmmm...my story has many parallel plot lines. As a storyteller, my story has many characters, some who achieve their goals, some who are still moving toward them. In addition, there are many inciting incidents, most of which don't come to a climax, but those that do are going to be great!!
 * An Opportunity in Overalls**

As a researcher, I've practiced the whole "hypothesize - test - rehypothesize - test - rehypothesize - test". I think I've refocused my focus almost monthly, if not weekly. Having said that, interestingly enough, I've come full circle, and am back to blogging, only in a more authentic manner. I've returned to blogging about what I love - using technology in the classroom - and I feel like it's what I've been looking for all this time...authenticity.

What question did you start out to find answer(s) to?
 * What tweaks, edits, modifications have you made to your focus question? Lots! But not really...I am back where I wanted to be, only now it feels real.
 * What question(s) remain? How can I share it with a wider audience of my peers, AND also be able to share my experience with my kids in such a way that they want to try blogging themselves.
 * What new questions have surfaced as a result of your exploration this far?

As a researcher:

What are you measuring?
 * What patterns are surfacing? That kids, being kids, are also "all over the place", and that's okay. As long as they "light" at some point, it's good!
 * What themes are emerging? I have to believe in what I'm doing, and then it will transfer to the kids, too. (Duh!)
 * What does your data suggest? Again, authenticity is key, particularly with teenagers.

As a learner:
 * Where have you allowed yourself to be vulnerable in this process? By openly admitting that I have been searching (since the beginning) for my "real" focus project.
 * How are you allowing yourself, your professional learning to be 'seen'? Now that I've finally arrived at my focus, it's one that can be accessed and used by both my peers, and my kids, AND I believe in it.
 * In what way(s) have you found the courage to be 'imperfect'? I completely embrace imperfection, so it hasn't taken a lot of courage. :)
 * What //a-ha!// moments, elements of a 'spiritual awakening'/"breakdown" have you experienced? What might these insights suggested to you? I think the whole "search for authenticity" that I've been on. I've gone from being excited about what I was going to do, to frustrated, to reevaluation, to revelation. And, interestingly enough, I'm back where I started!

What story is unfolding from your research?
 * authenticity
 * authenticity
 * authenticity

Resources:
 * Documentation & Reflection - http://balancedtech.wikispaces.com/Documentation+and+Reflection+Prompts
 * Inquiry - http://balancedtech.wikispaces.com/Inquiry

Activities:

Round One
Round Two