Most people probably know that I'm somewhat addicted to video games. I could play Zelda, KotOR, Fable, and Halo forever. Back in the days of old computer games like Labyrinth, King's Quest, Monkey Island, and Jousting, I would play for hours. If someone could have hooked me up intraveneously to sustenance and kept me full of caffeine, I would have played all night. Role playing games, though, are what I like best. I love working through puzzles and investigating new places. So when I heard about an online virtual community called Second Life, I had to see it for myself.
I logged into www.secondlife.com and signed up for an account. It was at first a bit scary. I was standing in a new world, looking not a bit like myself. I tweaked the controls to make my avatar look more like me and set off to find adventure. Since I didn't know where to go, I took the advice of a fellow teacher, who is known as Existential Paine in Second Life, and went to Eduisland. It was a world all its own. I was met with buildings, strange upturned vehicles, and odd masses littering the ground. After some time of wandering aimlessly, I met someone who helped me tour the island. However, I kept thinking it was a video game. I wanted to pick up mugs of java and bash them against walls to see what money I could collect. I kept thinking people who were flying above me were enemies or aliens. I expected to get into trouble at any minute for looking into people's houses. And I couldn't figure out my quest for solving a level. Finally, I realized this was not the purpose of Second Life. Though I'm not entirely sure of its purpose except for fun in a virtual world, I do see how it could hold potential in the educational world.
Second Life has educational possibilities, I think. One can meet others to chat. Some places have buildings with rooms to sit at tables and hold discussions. Dean Koontz, master horror crafter, read his book at Bantam Dell's book shop and cafe. How cool would this be for students to be able to meet all together in virtual reality and hear a famous author reading his or her book or to be able to hold a discussion with an author of a book? Students could meet somewhere on SL and hold real discussions about assigned text or work on class projects. What better way to garner student interest than to meet another classroom from somewhere else in the world to converse about some educational topic? So many possibilities, I think. And since many students love technology and are so much more literate in this medium than I, I think many would be more interested in the subject at hand.
I do, however, think this would require much planning and caution. I noticed I could strip down to my skivvies (maybe even more, though I was not about to try), put on strange outfits, choose an alien-like persona for my avatar, and wreck places by creating litter (which had just happened on Eduisland when I was there and some virtual people were cleaning up the trash). Would I as the leader of the group be able to monitor student activities? Could a student fly (yes, you can actually fly to new places on SL) off and create mischief unbeknownst to me? How would Iensure student learning? How would I evaluate participation? And more challenging still: can students join the adult SL and vice versa? If not, how will we all get on the same island? One can buy an island, at least according to one person I talked to on SL, for about $2000 and then high monthly fees. Perhaps if I own my own island, I would have more control.
I could own my own island. Maybe call it "Webster's Island" or something pithy like that. Perhaps I'll retire there some day when I am ready to leave my teaching days behind. . .
20070420
20070328
I've Been Blogged!
While sitting in the library while Mr. O'Hara was busily usurping my position as classroom teacher (ok, only sort of. . .student teachers have to do this), I ran out of teacher-y stuff to do. I created a list of students who will accompany me on the field trip in April. Completed in two minutes. I found an outline sample for Mrs. Forbes. Check. I talked with Mr. Biby about a problem with the colored printer while attempting to print scholar bowl certificates. Done. Put the finishing touches on the last two chapters of my action research project for McKendree College. My eyelids were getting heavy. After sighing forlornly and wiping the drool off my lip, I decided to do what lots of people do. I decided to google family members. I got lots of hits on my cousin, who is apparently a tech guru, but no one else. I decided to google myself. Up popped really cool pictures of other Jennifer Websters. Doctors, lawyers, average Joes, er, Janes. But not ME, Jennifer Webster. Fairly entertaining, I must say, but not entertaining enough to feel like a good use of my time. So I did the next best thing: I googled Bearcatenglish, my classroom website and blog. The majority of posts were links to assignments and various pages I've created on the website, but in the midst I found one site I'd long forgotten. It was a link to someone else's blog, called NerdyTales. I remember finding it one day in 2004 and thinking it was cool that someone else in cyberspace had found my homework blog. I printed it for posterity, put it in a file in case I ever needed to impress someone, and then promptly forgot about it. But there it was again. And seven people had replied to the author's comments about my blog (ok, one reply was mine, but seven is so much more impressive than six).
I forget sometimes that what I put on the Internet is there for all to see. I forget when pecking away at my keyboard that it is not beyond the realm of possibility that someone outside of our humble town of Christopher might view my website or blog. And even though I ask my students to blog and reply to each other online in the hopes that they will receive an authentic audience of world wide webbers, I fail to believe that my students may really get that audience. But it IS possible. With that possibility, then, comes a set of potential problems that I must consider. While it is great to have a real audience, how much do I want them to know about my students? How will I ensure their privacy (whether they want to be anonymous or not. . .some are all too eager to put their favorite bands or pictures of their friends or their emails on their pages)? When they begin adding pictures to dress up their boring pages, as teenagers are wont to do, must I teach them about copyright laws? How often should I check their pages to ensure Mary isn't jonseing Billy because he chatted with Mary's best friend last night on MSN or to be comfortable that Precious hasn't added a picture of Eminem in his skivvies?
Technology is fun. It's fascinating. It can make a boring class a bit more palatable for reluctant students. But it sure creates new stresses for the teacher. In the long run, however, I think it's worth it. Students are famished to see their world brought into the classroom. And I'm just as eager to incorporate this technology as well. Especially if it gets me a hit when I google myself. Now, when I find myself as a Wikipedia entry, or if some anonymous admirer creates me a myspacepage and adds me some friends, I will know I have arrived.
I forget sometimes that what I put on the Internet is there for all to see. I forget when pecking away at my keyboard that it is not beyond the realm of possibility that someone outside of our humble town of Christopher might view my website or blog. And even though I ask my students to blog and reply to each other online in the hopes that they will receive an authentic audience of world wide webbers, I fail to believe that my students may really get that audience. But it IS possible. With that possibility, then, comes a set of potential problems that I must consider. While it is great to have a real audience, how much do I want them to know about my students? How will I ensure their privacy (whether they want to be anonymous or not. . .some are all too eager to put their favorite bands or pictures of their friends or their emails on their pages)? When they begin adding pictures to dress up their boring pages, as teenagers are wont to do, must I teach them about copyright laws? How often should I check their pages to ensure Mary isn't jonseing Billy because he chatted with Mary's best friend last night on MSN or to be comfortable that Precious hasn't added a picture of Eminem in his skivvies?
Technology is fun. It's fascinating. It can make a boring class a bit more palatable for reluctant students. But it sure creates new stresses for the teacher. In the long run, however, I think it's worth it. Students are famished to see their world brought into the classroom. And I'm just as eager to incorporate this technology as well. Especially if it gets me a hit when I google myself. Now, when I find myself as a Wikipedia entry, or if some anonymous admirer creates me a myspacepage and adds me some friends, I will know I have arrived.
20070326
Mr. O'Hara's Blog for Homework
Now that Mr. O'Hara has taken over teaching full time during his student teaching, he has created his own blog for your assignments.
Go to http://mrosenglish.blogspot.com/ to view it.
Go to http://mrosenglish.blogspot.com/ to view it.
20070126
Monday, January 29, 2007
English 3: Quiz over chapters 11-20
Discuss Chapters 21-24 with Smart Board timeline activity
We will discuss level 4 questions.
Two questions due w/possible answers
English 4/1102: You will have time to work on your annotated bibliography and to work on finding sources for your paper.
Speech: Speeches, beginning with Bridgette, and then Rachel, Amanda, and then Jordan.
Reading: Reading in A Man Named Dave and finishing up your pen pal letters.
Discuss Chapters 21-24 with Smart Board timeline activity
We will discuss level 4 questions.
Two questions due w/possible answers
English 4/1102: You will have time to work on your annotated bibliography and to work on finding sources for your paper.
Speech: Speeches, beginning with Bridgette, and then Rachel, Amanda, and then Jordan.
Reading: Reading in A Man Named Dave and finishing up your pen pal letters.
20070125
Friday, January 26, 2007
English 3:Chapters 21-24 and questions (at least TWO level 4).
We will discuss level 4 questions.
Quiz over Chapters 11-20 for Monday.
Quiz over five prefixes for Tuesday.
Discussion over Shephardsons and Grangerfords today.
English 4/1102: We will discuss MLA documentation, specifically internal citations. Your annotated bibliography will be due next week on Wednesday.
Speech: More speeches today, beginning with Chelsey and then Susan, Gretchen, and MAYBE Bridgette.
Reading: Finish your pen pal letter today.
We will discuss level 4 questions.
Quiz over Chapters 11-20 for Monday.
Quiz over five prefixes for Tuesday.
Discussion over Shephardsons and Grangerfords today.
English 4/1102: We will discuss MLA documentation, specifically internal citations. Your annotated bibliography will be due next week on Wednesday.
Speech: More speeches today, beginning with Chelsey and then Susan, Gretchen, and MAYBE Bridgette.
Reading: Finish your pen pal letter today.
20070124
Thursday, January 25, 2007
English 3: We will go over the next five prefixes today (some classes got through the first couple of slides). We will discuss Chapters 18-20. Be sure you have questions, most of them level 3 type. Read Chapters 21-24 for Monday and do level at least one level 4 question.
English 4: We will discuss MLA documentation most of the hour, specifically focusing on the Works Cited page and punctuating quotations/titles.
Speech: Jason Swan will be here today to talk to you about college.
Reading: Pen pals are in, so you will write to him/her today and some of tomorrow. Finally!!
English 4: We will discuss MLA documentation most of the hour, specifically focusing on the Works Cited page and punctuating quotations/titles.
Speech: Jason Swan will be here today to talk to you about college.
Reading: Pen pals are in, so you will write to him/her today and some of tomorrow. Finally!!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
English 3: You will finish and then present your projects for Mr. O'Hara and then will present to the class.
Go over next five prefixes.
English 4: Kris Kuberski will be here for about ten minutes to register you for ENGL 1102.
Quiz over “Young Goodman Brown”
Discuss story
Speech: More speeches today. Presenting today for us will be Cassie, Megan, and Amber. We *might* get to Chelsey. If not, Chelsey, tomorrow!
Reading: Mr. O’Hara will be reading to you.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
English 3: Do your last quick 8 today. Print each one separately and turn them in in numerical order (Quick 8 #1, if you did it, would be first and so on).
Mr. O’Hara worked with your class in groups on a creative writing assignment. Your assignment will have to be completed on your own instead of in a group. Attached is the assignment.
Read Chapters 18, 19, and 20 for tomorrow and prepare level 3 questions for discussion.
English 4: We will discuss more on MLA style. You will have a b it of time to research. Read "Young Goodman Brown" for tomorrow, applying the archetypal/symbolism criticism to the reading. Try looking at other criticisms as well.
Speech: Speeches begin today! Presenting for us will be Janell, Tyler, and Cassie. If we don't get to you, Cassie, today, we WILL get to you tomorrow, promise.
Mr. O’Hara worked with your class in groups on a creative writing assignment. Your assignment will have to be completed on your own instead of in a group. Attached is the assignment.
Read Chapters 18, 19, and 20 for tomorrow and prepare level 3 questions for discussion.
English 4: We will discuss more on MLA style. You will have a b it of time to research. Read "Young Goodman Brown" for tomorrow, applying the archetypal/symbolism criticism to the reading. Try looking at other criticisms as well.
Speech: Speeches begin today! Presenting for us will be Janell, Tyler, and Cassie. If we don't get to you, Cassie, today, we WILL get to you tomorrow, promise.
20070119
Monday, January 22, 2007
English 3: Do quick 8 (your ninth one...one more to go!). We will have several students presenting today each hour. Afterwards, with what time remains, we will discuss Chapters 14-17 and turn in t-charts for those chapters.
English 4/1102: Time to research again. We will discuss argumentation a bit.
Speech: Work on finalizing outlines. Turn in completed outline by end of hour today. We will draw for speech order.
Reading: Mr. O'Hara will read once again to you.
English 4/1102: Time to research again. We will discuss argumentation a bit.
Speech: Work on finalizing outlines. Turn in completed outline by end of hour today. We will draw for speech order.
Reading: Mr. O'Hara will read once again to you.
Friday, January 19, 2007
English 3 -- Quick 8. Mr. O'Hara and I will check your t-chart and discuss with you Chapters 11-13. Chapters 14-17 due Monday with level 3 questions on your t-chart.
English 4/1102: Class fourth hour only due to 2:00 P.M. dismissal. Fourth hour will have all hour to research.
Speech: I will hand back your outlines today and give you suggestions for improving and turning in a final copy by the end of the hour Monday. We will also discuss notecards and how to prepare them for your speech. Speeches will begin Tuesday. We will draw for the order Monday in class.
Reading: Bookworm.
English 4/1102: Class fourth hour only due to 2:00 P.M. dismissal. Fourth hour will have all hour to research.
Speech: I will hand back your outlines today and give you suggestions for improving and turning in a final copy by the end of the hour Monday. We will also discuss notecards and how to prepare them for your speech. Speeches will begin Tuesday. We will draw for the order Monday in class.
Reading: Bookworm.
20070118
Thursday, January 18, 2007
English 3: NO QUICK 8 TODAY! Instead, you will take a test over Chapters 1-10. Some students may present today their assigned chapters. T-chart for Chapters 8, 9, and 10 is due today, with ONE level 3 and TWO level 2 questions. Mr. O'Hara will discuss these chapters with you today. Read Chapters 11-13 for tomorrow and do your t-chart with some level 3 questions.
English 4/1102: Quiz over "The Lottery." Mr. O'Hara will then discuss the story with you. Then, you will have time to work on research. You will be allowed to research all hour tomorrow.
Speech: We will discuss Easybib and your Works Cited/visual aid page. The rest of the hour, work on your visual aid and speech.
Reading: Reading A Man Named Dave.
English 4/1102: Quiz over "The Lottery." Mr. O'Hara will then discuss the story with you. Then, you will have time to work on research. You will be allowed to research all hour tomorrow.
Speech: We will discuss Easybib and your Works Cited/visual aid page. The rest of the hour, work on your visual aid and speech.
Reading: Reading A Man Named Dave.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Welcome Mr. O'Hara, our new student teacher! We are so glad to have you.
English 3: Quick 8. Discuss level 3 questions...do ONE with TWO level 2 questions for Chapters 8-10 tomorrow. Discuss in groups some questions I will give you. Read Chapters 11-13 for Friday. You will have a quiz over Chapters 1-10 tomorrow.
English 4/1102: Discuss methods for saving sources and research paper assignment.
Speech: We will discuss how to use appropriately Power Point for your presentations.
Reading: Mr. O'Hara will begin reading A Man Named Dave to you.
English 3: Quick 8. Discuss level 3 questions...do ONE with TWO level 2 questions for Chapters 8-10 tomorrow. Discuss in groups some questions I will give you. Read Chapters 11-13 for Friday. You will have a quiz over Chapters 1-10 tomorrow.
English 4/1102: Discuss methods for saving sources and research paper assignment.
Speech: We will discuss how to use appropriately Power Point for your presentations.
Reading: Mr. O'Hara will begin reading A Man Named Dave to you.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
English 3: Do a quick 8. Those who are supposed to teach a chapter will present. Quiz over ten prefixes. We will then work in groups discussing what we've read so far. Chapters 8-10 are due for discussion Wednesday.
English 4/1102: Disuss EBSCOHost and setting limiters/tutorial. Research.
Speech: Outline due by end of hour.
Reading: Read on own.
English 4/1102: Disuss EBSCOHost and setting limiters/tutorial. Research.
Speech: Outline due by end of hour.
Reading: Read on own.
20070111
Friday, January 12, 2007
No School Monday due to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday!
English 3: Do a Quick 8. Any student signed up to teach Chapters 5-7 teach will teach first. Turn in the study guide for me to copy for the class before the end of the our.
Discuss Chapters 5-7: t-chart (level 2 questions/plot list)Discuss movie from yesterday: Born to Trouble: The Adventures of Huck Finn (Part 1)
Read Chapters 8, 9, and 10 for Tuesday. Tuesday you will also have a quiz over the next five root words from the 30-15-10 list.
English 4/1102: We will discuss how to record information from sources you locate. Next week, you will have some time to work on locating information. Research questions are due by Weds. A working thesis is due by Friday.
Speech: Work on outlines and audience analyses. Detailed outline, typed, due by end of the hour Tuesday.
Reading: Bookworm contest.
English 3: Do a Quick 8. Any student signed up to teach Chapters 5-7 teach will teach first. Turn in the study guide for me to copy for the class before the end of the our.
Discuss Chapters 5-7: t-chart (level 2 questions/plot list)Discuss movie from yesterday: Born to Trouble: The Adventures of Huck Finn (Part 1)
Read Chapters 8, 9, and 10 for Tuesday. Tuesday you will also have a quiz over the next five root words from the 30-15-10 list.
English 4/1102: We will discuss how to record information from sources you locate. Next week, you will have some time to work on locating information. Research questions are due by Weds. A working thesis is due by Friday.
Speech: Work on outlines and audience analyses. Detailed outline, typed, due by end of the hour Tuesday.
Reading: Bookworm contest.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
English 3: Quick 8
Go over new root words
Watch movie: Born to Trouble: The Adventures of Huck Finn (Part 1)
Finish Chapters 5-7 and t-chart for tomorrow.
English 4/1102: We will discuss “Teenage Wasteland”
We will discuss RLC’s library and EBSCOHost
If you need more information, you can go to the following: http://www.mckendree.edu/academics/library_infor_svcs.aspx and click on “tutorials” in the middle and then on the following links: (you will need to have the volume up)
Advanced Searching Techniques
Advanced Search / Guided Style Techniques
Basic EBSCO Searching in Academic Libraries
Using My EBSCOhost
Speech: Work on outlines and audience analyses.
Reading:Bookworm
Go over new root words
Watch movie: Born to Trouble: The Adventures of Huck Finn (Part 1)
Finish Chapters 5-7 and t-chart for tomorrow.
English 4/1102: We will discuss “Teenage Wasteland”
We will discuss RLC’s library and EBSCOHost
If you need more information, you can go to the following: http://www.mckendree.edu/academics/library_infor_svcs.aspx and click on “tutorials” in the middle and then on the following links: (you will need to have the volume up)
Advanced Searching Techniques
Advanced Search / Guided Style Techniques
Basic EBSCO Searching in Academic Libraries
Using My EBSCOhost
Speech: Work on outlines and audience analyses.
Reading:Bookworm
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
English 3: Do a Quick 8
Go over level 2 questions and answers/t-chart
Read Chapters 5-7 for Friday's class.
Remember to tell me which chapter you want to present.
English 4/1102: Read "Teenage Wasteland" for tomorrow's class.
Discuss literary criticism.
Apply literary criticism to "All About Suicide"
Speech: Work on audience analysis and outline.
Reading: Read in your book.
Go over level 2 questions and answers/t-chart
Read Chapters 5-7 for Friday's class.
Remember to tell me which chapter you want to present.
English 4/1102: Read "Teenage Wasteland" for tomorrow's class.
Discuss literary criticism.
Apply literary criticism to "All About Suicide"
Speech: Work on audience analysis and outline.
Reading: Read in your book.
20070108
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
English 3: We will go over and attempt answers to the four level 2 questions you wrote last night. Next, we will discuss how to prepare for a chapter presentation, as each of you will be required to teach a chapter. Last, we will read on in Huck Finn and write four questions on the t-chart (level 2) as well as write plot items.
English 4/1102: We will discuss indicators of critical thinking. We will also discuss the research paper, pages 443-445 in The College Writer's Handbook, and work on looking for an acceptable topic for your first paper.
Speech: Work on locating a topic and completing your audience analysis. Next, we will discuss locating reliable sources. You will then have time to work on finding information for your topic and working on an outline.
Reading: Read assigned book in folder on right side floor of my desk.
English 4/1102: We will discuss indicators of critical thinking. We will also discuss the research paper, pages 443-445 in The College Writer's Handbook, and work on looking for an acceptable topic for your first paper.
Speech: Work on locating a topic and completing your audience analysis. Next, we will discuss locating reliable sources. You will then have time to work on finding information for your topic and working on an outline.
Reading: Read assigned book in folder on right side floor of my desk.
20070105
Monday, January 8, 2007
English 3: We will complete an anticipation guide today before beginning the novel. I will begin reading Chapter 1 aloud and we will discuss the use of the "n" word as well as Twain's use of the vernacular.
English 4/1102: We will discuss the short story you read as homework, "All About Suicide". We will also discuss critical thining indicators. Additionally, we will begin discussing the research paper.
Speech: Chapter 6 test. Afterwards, you will be given a worksheet that we did not get to Friday due to our discussion of subliminal advertising. You will work on analyzing your audience and topic for your first speech.
English 4/1102: We will discuss the short story you read as homework, "All About Suicide". We will also discuss critical thining indicators. Additionally, we will begin discussing the research paper.
Speech: Chapter 6 test. Afterwards, you will be given a worksheet that we did not get to Friday due to our discussion of subliminal advertising. You will work on analyzing your audience and topic for your first speech.
Friday, January 5, 2007
English 3: We will discuss Mark Twain's life and a bit about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn today. You will receive a copy of the novel as well as a novel packet for notes.
English 4/1102: We will discuss understanding literature today, pages 3-19. For tomorrow, read the story "All About Suicide" on page 5 and mark text/prepare for discussion tomorrow.
Speech: I will give you a sheet explaining your first speech, the expository speech. We will discuss expectations and then you will have some time to work on an audience/topic analysis and do some research. Remember, you have a Chapter 6 test Monday.
Reading: Continue reading in your books.
English 4/1102: We will discuss understanding literature today, pages 3-19. For tomorrow, read the story "All About Suicide" on page 5 and mark text/prepare for discussion tomorrow.
Speech: I will give you a sheet explaining your first speech, the expository speech. We will discuss expectations and then you will have some time to work on an audience/topic analysis and do some research. Remember, you have a Chapter 6 test Monday.
Reading: Continue reading in your books.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Happy 2007!
English 3: I will let you see your exam grades and your fourth quarter grades. We will then discuss the next time period: "Division, Expansion, and Reconciliation."
English 4/1102: We will go over your RLC and high school grades and then discuss the syllabus for this semester.
Speech: We will finish and then review Chapter 6. You will have a Ch. 6 test Monday.
Reading: You will read a book of your choice today.
English 3: I will let you see your exam grades and your fourth quarter grades. We will then discuss the next time period: "Division, Expansion, and Reconciliation."
English 4/1102: We will go over your RLC and high school grades and then discuss the syllabus for this semester.
Speech: We will finish and then review Chapter 6. You will have a Ch. 6 test Monday.
Reading: You will read a book of your choice today.
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