So, I can already hear some of you groaning at the title of my paper.
However, here's a very rough outline.
I-Why? Pros
A.Keeps students interest in a tech savvy society.
B.Integrates technology in a technological world (articles from class)
II-How would it work?
A. A MOO classroom
B. online writing blogs/places to write drafts/get critiques
C. webcams/webx/microsoft live meeting/skype
D. Interactive approach-using streaming video, etc.
III- Counter argument? Cons
A. Student vs. Instructor Perspective
B. Loss of traditional classroom?
C. Do you lose the true “meaning” or “process” of writing?
D Issues with TOPIC/ICON on the college level
Sources so far:
MOO-based Metacognition- Joel A. English
Reflection in the Electronic Classroom- L. Lennie Irvin
Interviewed students/current teachers about the idea/Lubbock-Cooper HS
Article about TOPIC/ICON
Databases and Collaborative Spaces for Composition- Lowe and Barton 2006
Interview with computer programmer about computer feasibility of process
I have read quite a bit about different approaches on how computerized composition has worked and not worked. I've also interviewed ten 9th graders about their opinion if they could have their English class online instead of sitting in a classroom. Surprisingly, most students were against it. They didn't want to lose their social life and interaction with the teacher. A few said they thought they would enjoy it since they could get their work done without dealing with classroom distractions. One said he didn't feel he was good enough at computers and wouldf find it even more boring than he currently does. I'm also planning on interviewing 10th graders next week, as well as a couple teachers to get an infield opinion. Interviewing two computer programmers as far as the feasibility of this idea is also an option. I'm trying to get ahold of Lanham's book, The Electronic Word, too.
My overall goal with this paper is to evaluate the theory and practicality of computerizing composition using theorists, programming knowledge, and teacher/student opinion, and the opinions from our class using the MOO transcript. It's pretty rough right now, and I'm still working on forming a concise thesis. I'm having a hard time narrowing it down. (As you can probably tell)
Any ideas?
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Grrrrrroooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan… Just kidding! I think that students and teachers need to incorporate more technology into the classroom, but it is also important to keep some of the traditional classroom practices around. Technology is a big part of life today, and I think that people become more dependent on it daily, which is unfortunate. You just have to educate your students about the technology and about MODERATION! Good paper idea!
ReplyDeleteI am excited to read your paper! This is a topic that a lot of people feel strongly about. I personally hated the Moo exercise and found it very unproductive but I also have never looked into the benefits of a computerized composition classroom; so it should be interesting to see if I can be convinced.
ReplyDeleteEnglish teachers - despite all the hype about feminism, postmodernism, political activism, and whatnot - are intrinsically conservative. They don't want change. We want to read Shakespeare's words that have been around for 500 years. They aren't interested in progress, the latest and greatest, and heaven forbid we introduce facebook into a classroom. Or a MOO.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I share those sentiments sometimes. And reject them at other times. Either way, you'll have a fun/difficult time getting people to use technology in productive ways in a class. Should be a fun topic. :)
Geez girl, you've done about ten bajillion times more work on your essay than I have. Good job. I think that you should check to see if there are more sophisticated, up-to-date, versions of the MOO out there. I bet they would work better.
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