The+Simmins+Effect

Science Fiction!



To be taken to my classroom wikis click below.

http://alphapavlovianenglish.wikispaces.com/

http://futuristicliterature.wikispaces.com/

=**Below is my reflection concerning the PLP Project for the 2009-2010 School Year.**= Where were you before PLP in terms of the new literacies and Web 2.0 integration/community building? **Prior to the start of the 2009 school year,** **I had never heard of Web 2.0 or many of the strageties. I had heard of** **21st Century Schools, for my former principal, when evaluating my progress** **as department chair, would tell me that what I was implementing or currently conducting** **in class reflected 21st Century Schools. I must admit, that was the extent of it.**

Where are you now. What evidence do you have for change?. **During the first semester, I was** **given 13 netbooks in which I could experiment with a group of students. In the setting of a regular class, I had 10 or so students experiment using the Wiki to conduct conversation and post "research" while reading a variety of books with the 21st Century theme of overpopulation. As the second term started, I received 13 more netbooks and applied all the tools I had learned to the class.** **I had each student open an Evernote Account (learned from Wil), establish an iGoogle page (I** **learned in a 21st Century Tech training in Cincinnati), and work upon a Wiki (I learned in both). After an extra eluminate session with Sheryl Nussbaum, I realized that I was only using tools,** **not addressing 21st Century problem solving. So as the students perfected the use of note** **taking for lectures, I developed a 21st Century problem solving project. This experiment is** **going on as I type.**

**http://futuristicliterature.wikispaces.com/The+Final+Project%21**

Where are you going? Plans and next steps as you think about implementation and spread to the rest of your faculty.

**The plan can easily be seen at the following link.**

http://fhscentrality.wikispaces.com/The+PLProject

Consider sharing challenges, lessons learned, and how you over came the difficulties your team experienced along the way.

**The main challenge is time management. On vacation during Thanksgiving Break, I** **found myself after days a Disney staying up till midnight on the NING. I spent** **4 hours at an Easter Party working on the project-not to mention countless** **hours on the stationary bike at the YMCA riding and holding the Acer in one hand** **while typing with the other. I don't add this to reflect my greatness-that goes without** **saying. I offer this to illustrate how much a change this actually is to a class, and the** **arduous effort it will take for all teachers to pull off. It is rethinking, replanning, and** **restructuring the class.**



=Here begins the tales of Canterbury...no seriously...this begins my 21st Century Canter Class Reflection Journal. Journal entries in Italics.=

July 28, 2010

Step 1: Consider what you currently know about literacy skills. What do you think the current definition of literacy is? Now, consider what prompted you to take this course. Do you think the current definition of literacy covers all the skills students need to have to be literate? //A) I know my literacy skills though more advanced than many of my colleagues, it lacks where I would like to see myself soon.// //B) The current definition of literacy is the ability to navigate print and electronic media efficiently and expediantly due to the copious amounts of information being disseminated globally.// //C) I took this course to master 21st Century skills, 21st Century technology, and 21st Century teaching. I want to be a leader in my school. Not only to benefit my students but further my job opportunites.// //D) No, it seems the current level of literacy (as defined by core content standards) is not what could be defined as 21st century literate. However, mild modifications could make them so.//

Step 2: To prepare for this dialogue, download and complete **at least three sections** of the "21st Century Fluencies Quotient Insta-Audit" created by Ian Jukes and the Info Savvy Group located at @http://www.committedsardine.com/handouts/tfcfia.pdf. Then reflect upon what it implies about your current information literacy skills and those that you observe in your students.

So how did you do? 1.

Determining the 21

st

Century Fluency Quotient® Average for Fluency# 1 ___26___ Average for Fluency# 2 ___43___ Average for Fluency# 3 ___36___ Average for Fluency# 4 ___24___ Average for Fluency# 5 ___39___ Average for Fluency# 6 ___34___ Average for Fluency# 7 ___40___ Average for Fluency# 8 ___29___ Total score from 8 Literacies ___271___ divide by 8 = __33.875_____ (21 st Century Fluency Quotient) 21 st Century Fluency Quotient Insta-Audit Page 10 of 10

Since the Fluencies Quotient Audit has 13 questions for an average of 52 points-mine being overall 33.875-it seems I have some strides to make regarding the use of data, resources and organization. I would hope I am already on the path; I just need to proceed. Step 3: Reflecting upon the activities described above, and using a KWL graphic organizer as a guide, consider what you already KNOW about traditional literacy, 21st century literacy, and integrating technology and learning. Then, reflect on what you WANT to learn about the topic. Translate these wants into your personal goals for the course. At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to reflect on what you have LEARNED in this course.

[]

Know! **Traditional Literacy** dates back to the three Rs. For the longest time America wanted to build civicly minded adults capable of reading the printed newspaper, understanding how to vote, and read material needed to progress on the job. **21st Century Literacy** is a different animal. It requires ready print and electronic media, navigation upon the WWW and scrutinizing over the plethora of sources in an efficient and expedient manner. It also includes a new way to social network and a need to understand the global nature of the world. Nationalism may truly fade this century. **Integrating technology and learning** is what all teachers must engage in perpetually from K thru 12 causing this to be axiomatic for the student.

Want! I want to fully grasp the nature of 21st Century literacy so I can assist in guiding my colleagues away from out moded traditional literacy. Furthermore, I want to master the tools and technology to allow me to integrate it into my classroom daily.

Learned! I hope I can achieve my Want!


 * July 29, 2010**

Section 2 has been completed. Another fruitful introspection of my 21st/20th century philosophy. The project today was to write 5 simple lesson plans that match up with 5 different Ohio Core Content standards and utilized technology. Piece of cake, for I have experimented with a variety of activities using technology. The best part though is the fact that I matched them up with OCCS-that was a first.


 * August 1, 2010**

Section 3 has been completed. It is so obvious that every student needs a computer that it sickens me to work in a world/district with no answers to finances and a total lack of creativity. We are cheating these kids by not letting them use technology for every educational step. Furthermore, we embarrass ourselves as educators when we strapped 2400 students to a desk then break out pen, paper, and book then expect them to get energized about a lesson. I am impatient! I want to move. I saw some outstanding videos from Frontline along with excellent reads on "digital natives" vs "digital immigrants" Beautiful analogy.


 * August 18, 2010**

Section 13 of 14 has been completed. The lag is due to an over abundance of work with pools, kids, remodelling. All my writings are posted in Evernote. I am preparing to write my final paper. Class has been insightful.