These are all the Announcements since the beginning of the term in case you need something from one of them:

Quick reminder…

I’ve read all the Stories that people posted, and there are some great memories and stories about the individuals that got you started. But, of course, they’re just ideas, really. Brainstorming about what will become, by Monday midnight, a 1000-word digital literacy narrative full of scenes and descriptions and dialogue, a first look into why you’ve chosen the career (or obsession) path you’re on.

My only comments are the same for everybody: take what you have and give us more. You don’t have to use both responses to the prompts. Pick the one that you give us a story or stories about. And end it with some thought about why this was important to you — why did this particular memory or this particular person pop into your head? What made this event or interaction lead you farther into exploring computers/computing? Would a different kind of event or interaction led you someplace different? Were the other people in your life supportive of your choices? If not, why not? If so, why?

And it doesn’t have to be just one story. Think about Amy Tan’s piece, which contains several scenes all about one thing. That’s one good way to go with this. Of course, if there was one very memorable story, then develop it further.

Bottom line: you’re all off to a good start. Expand what you have. Think about what makes a literacy narrative in general (dialogue, scene, setting) and a digital literacy narrative in particular. And then entertain us! Enlighten us! Let us know why you’re here… at this point in your lives.

Don’t forget to put your Reviewers Memo on the bottom, and upload it to the Google Drive folder with your name.

Good luck! And DM me on Slack or email me if you have questions.

The Zoom meeting scheduled for Sept 22 at 6:30 pm will be Q&A only. Please come if you have questions about the assignments:

For the week of Sept 22… and beyond to Sept 30 (and beyond!)

Some great stories!!!! And some wonderful Comment threads. You guys are the best. I can’t wait to dive in and comment myself (which I’ll do starting tomorrow).

Since nobody came to the class session today (Tuesday 9/22 at noon), I’m going to post the assignments below. Remember: your Digital Literacy Narrative drafts. You have to post them in the Google Drive by EOD Sept 28, and start workshopping the drafts in your Google Drive folders (more about that below). As I said, I’ll be setting up the Workshop Folders in the next two days.

Also… no class on Tuesday Sept 29 — CUNY is following a Monday schedule that day.

Class sessions Tues 9/22

We were going to be going over how to post drafts into the Google Drive folders, how to do Comments, and some other things since there’s no class next Tuesday. However, you’re now on your own! 🙂

 Due by end-of-day Friday Sept 25

READ: Ron DePeter’s article, “How to Write Meaningful Peer Response Praise”

https://writingspaces.org/sites/default/files/depeter-write-meaningful-peer-response-praise.pdf

WRITE: On pages 44-46, DePeter asks you to try out two feedback responses (Practice 1 and Practice 2) So… do! Post them along with what in the best of all possible worlds you would consider “good” and/or “useful” feedback – get specific: do you just want praise, or do you want some help? And what about grammar hunt stuff: yes or no? Post what you’ve written:

  • Title it “DePeter – your name” and use Category Unit 1. Due by end of Friday Sept 25.

 Due by end-of-day Monday 9/28

POST: Draft of Education Narrative with Reviewer’s Memo on the bottom due in the Google Drive folder titled Unit 1 – Digital Literacy Narrative in the Group folder with your name. The Reviewer’s Memo should address these three things:

  1. This is what I intended to do: Here’s why I wrote it. What I hoped it would do. What I want people to take away from the piece.
  2. This is how I feel about the project so far: how I think it’s going, what problems I’m having, what I think is working, and what I think I need help with, what I’m proud of, etc.
  3. Here are other questions/issues I would like the reviewers to look at such as: what do you think is working? What is confusing? Do the Source entries address the things they should (author, audience, genre, etc.)? Have I mentioned or used something from the readings? If this were your essay, what would you do next?

WRITE: Once you’ve posted your draft, you can get started leaving Comments for the other three members of your Workshop Google Folder group. Remembering what DePage says about positive peer response, do these two things to respond to your three peers’ Drafts:

  1. Use the Comment feature to make comments in the margin as you go – things you really liked, places where you wanted to ask questions either about what they’re saying or what else you would like to know. Here are some prompts for the kinds of comments you can leave:
    • I liked ( ) because …
    • I got this from reading your work:
    • I found this part interesting ( ) because…
    • I got confused here ( ) because…
    • I wanted to know more about ..

2. At the very end (either in a Comment or added to the bottom of their draft), leave an overall comment where you include at least one key quote that stands out to you. It will be very important to pick an appropriate quotation to respond to — one that expands on your comment so that the writer can get a good idea what your comment meant.

These Workshop comments are due by end of Wednesday Oct 2. After that, I’ll be making my own Comments in the margins and at the end, and also leaving a “grade” in the OpenLab Grade Book along with more private comments, all of which are to help you do your revision that’s due at the end of the term.

Week of 9/29-10/5

Class sessions Tues 9/29 – no class: Monday schedule

However… we’re starting Unit 2 – Reflective Annotated Bibliography this week, so do the workshop comments, then read the Unit 2 Assignment and Schedule, and do the homework for Monday 10/5.

NEW ASSIGNMENT THAT BEGINS UNIT 2

Due by end of day Monday, 10/5

READ: “Bad Ideas about Writing: Research Starts with a Thesis Statement” https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/blaineng1101fylcfa2020/files/2020/08/RESEARCH-STARTS-WITH-A-THESIS-STATEMENT.docx

READ:  https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/jan/28/schools-killing-curiosity-learn

WRITE:  Discussion Post (at least 300 words) In “A Talk to Teachers,” James Baldwin writes:

I would try to make [the student] know that just as American history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it, so is the world larger, more daring, more beautiful and more terrible, but principally larger – and that it belongs to him. I would teach him that he doesn’t have to be bound by the expediencies of any given administration, any given policy, any given morality; that he has the right and the necessity to examine everything.

  • First of all, what do you think of what James Baldwin was saying? What do you think he means when he says “the world is larger?”
  • Secondly, is The Guardian article correct? Has your curiosity been killed by education? What does curiosity have to do with what Baldwin is asking us to do?
  • Third, how does your experience with the digital world fit into that? What’s got you curious? Why should we start researching with questions rather than answers?
  • Title it “Baldwin – your name” and post using Category Unit 2.

My Zoom crashed!

Sorry about that… I’ll try for the 6:30 session (the link is in the Zoom Room in the Resources tab), but the assignment is here on the Announcements page. Text me via Slack or email me with questions DBlain@citytech.cuny.edu.

Changes for week of Sept 15-21!!!

I want to switch things up a bit for the assignments. It’s time for you to really start writing for your Digital Literacy Narrative (and having real discussions on OpenLab that can help each other). So in class on Sept 15, we’re doing (or will have done by the time you read this) some freewriting. And off of that, I’m changing the assignments for the upcoming week.

Do NOT do the assignments that are on the schedule (Barry, scene)!

Instead, do the following: 

  1. Pick one of the freewrites we did in the class session. If you weren’t there, here’s what you do:
    • Set a timer for 7 minutes.
    • Write for seven minutes about your first memory of technology. What, when, who was there, why, how.
    • Take a seven minute break.
    • Write for seven minutes about an event or person that made such an impact on you that you chose the major/career you’re heading for. What, when, who, why, how.
  2. Due EOD Friday, Sept 18:
    • Finish that story. Take us to that place or event or interaction. Make us see and feel it.
    • Title it “Story – your name.” Use Category Unit 1, Tag “Story.”
  3. Due EOD Monday, Sept 21: 
    • Use the Search function –> Tags. Choose “Story.” Submit.
    • Pick two different people and read their stories.
    • Write a Comment/Reply to each one about their story.
      • What was one thing that really jumped out at you? Why?
      • How did the story make you feel? Why?
      • Did you connect with the story in any way? How?
      • What else would you like to know about that story/event/person?
  4. Due Tuesday by class session time (even if you don’t get to the session): Reply to their response in whatever way you want.
  5. Optional but strongly recommended (and frankly I dare you not to do this!): Go back and see what that person replied to your response.

For the week of Sept 8-15

First… some great posts about the Carillo/Common Core reading. Very thoughtful, very wise in a lot of ways, and some good disagreements with the author. Nice work,everybody.

Second… your Digital Literacy Narratives aren’t due until the 28th, so don’t panic about it. Lots of time to read, analyse, and think…and come up with a bright idea.

This link is a brief discussion about what digital literacy means. I’m not sure it will be a lot of help, but it’s interesting since it’s really about the fields you’re all in: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/studysmart/home/digital_literacy/what_is_digital_literacy

Third… there’s quite a bit to do this next week, but the “readings” are in a variety of modes (meaning visual, audio, and/or text-based) so it should be more interesting than the usual stuff. I’m putting them below (there are two things for Friday EOD — one of which is just a picture — and one for Monday EOD).

Fourth… a quick word about Tags. They’re really useful for finding what everbody has written for their homework post assignments so you can respond/comment. I’ll add the tag if you forget, but the best way to locate them is to go to the right side menu, Search this Course, and use the dropdown menu for Tags and find the one you want. As we get more work on the site, it will really help!

Fifth… I keep forgetting to tell y’all that OpenLab is a responsive template, meaning you can work on things using your phone. You’ll have to get into your phone’s browser, and it may take a little playing around with the little three-bar icons, but it’s easy to write a post, read assignments, and read posts. It’s one of the reasons I like OpenLab over Blackboard — you don’t have to be fighting for a laptop in order to check things.

Finally… as usual, if you have questions text me on Slack or send me an email. A recording of this morning’s session is (or will shortly be) in the Google Drive folder.

Enjoy the readings etc. I think you’ll find them interesting. (btw the Langston Hughes poem is here: https://poets.org/poem/theme-english-b)

Due by end-of-day Friday 9/11

READ: “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan

http://theessayexperiencefall2013.qwriting.qc.cuny.edu/files/2013/09/Mother-Tongue-by-Amy-Tan.pdf

While you are reading, fill out a “double entry journal” (DEJ).  How do you do this?  It’s pretty simple. (There’s also a pdf of one in the Resources –> Class Materials tab.)

  1. In the left hand column of the DEJ, write down four quotes that stick out to you for any reason as you’re reading— you can find them interesting, maddening, funny, whatever. Don’t forget the page number, if applicable.
  2. When you’re done reading, fill out the right hand column. That is, you respond to the quotes you chose.  Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? Be specific! It’s okay to be as opinionated as you like.
  3. When you’re done, take a picture, create post with the title “Tan DEJ – your name” and post it using the category Unit 1. The tag is “Tan DEJ.”

WATCH: Jamila Lyiscott “3 Ways to Speak English” (believe me, you’ll like this one!)

While you’re reading, have a piece of paper nearby– write down whatever words stick out to you. Doodle if you want. Just take whatever notes your mind wants to take!

 WRITE: A Discussion post  (at least 300 words) in which you write about your experience with various “Englishes.” In other words, how has your experience been similar to Lyiscott’s and/ or Tan’s?  Please be specific and use at least one quote from Tan or Lyiscott in your response.

  • Title it “Englishes – your name” and use the Category Unit 1. The tag is “Englishes.”
  • Then go see what other people have said – share your stories (and the why’s) with each other.

 Due by end-of-day Monday 9/14

READ: Tisha Lewis Ellison and Marva Solomon, “Digital Storytelling and the Digital Divide”

https://ncte.org/blog/2019/10/digital-storytelling-digital-divide/

 READ: There are several student digital literacy narratives on this site (scroll down a bit once you get there). They’re responding to a specific reading that we’re not looking at (but which is really interesting because it talks about pencils as technology!), but they’re good examples of a DLN. Pick two to read – be sure to take notes because you’ll be referring to them in your post.

https://libguides.reynolds.edu/c.php?g=252985&p=1686948

WRITE: (Discussion Post) So far in this unit, we have read (and heard) two examples from the genre of the “education narrative” and three from the genre of “digital literacy narrative (DLN).”  Your first essay assignment in this class will be to write in the DLN genre yourself. So in this discussion, I’d like us to have a conversation about what the features of this genre are. Please discuss some of the following:

  • What, from what you’ve seen so far, are the “ingredients” (also known as “conventions”) of an education narrative in general and a digital literacy narrative in particular? Here is where you need to quote from each of the two digital literacy narratives you read on the libguides.reynolds.edu site – use them as examples of genre conventions.
  • What do you think might be a place to get started with your own DLN?
  • What are your questions or concerns about writing a DLN of your own?
  • If you like, you can also feel free to share an educational experience you had and ask for feedback from your colleagues (and me) to see if we think that might be a solid place to begin writing.

Title it “DLN – your name” and use the Category Unit 1. The tag is DLN.

Unless you are one of the very first people to respond to this prompt, I will expect that you are joining the conversation. By this I mean you’re not just running into the room and shouting out your own thoughts, but you’re listening to what others have said (aka reading others’ posts) and responding to those. This is meant to be a conversation, not a speech! Everyone should write at least 250 words — whether only in one post or spread out in various comments.

Assignments due by next Tuesday before class (school is closed Monday 9/7 so I can’t make it due on Monday the way I usually will)

1. Finish your Intro – 1 Post.

2. Follow up post for the in-class activity:

  • Create a new post on OpenLab.
  • Title it “Writing is – your name”
  • Write down your three responses to the prompts

Publish using Category – Intro 2 [the tag will be Writing is]

3. Do your Intro – 2 activity — The Time Capsule (in the Introductory Activities). Be sure to check out each other’s posts. I bet you’ll be surprised and relieved and maybe even inspired. I can’t wait to read them!

4. We’re starting Unit 1, so go to Course Assignments –> Unit 1, download the Word doc or pdf so you’ll have it for the rest of the Unit.

5. What’s due by 9/8 is this (which is copied directly from the Assignment sheet):

READ: p.135-153 of Carillo “Navigating This Perfect Storm:

https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/blaineng1101fylcfa2020/files/2020/08/carillo-navigating-the-storm.pdf

You’re only reading part of this longer piece which is really meant for faculty, but the first pages talk about education and our “post-truth” world. She says that we’re teaching students to look only at the content and not at who wrote something or why it was written or even how it was written, and that can be dangerous. It’s not an easy piece, so to help you make sense of it do this: Please take out a piece of paper and a pen (or pencil) and have it beside you as you read.  Just write down whatever stands out to you from the text– jot down a few key words.  Doodle! Write a summary. Write a question. There are no right or wrong answers here.

WRITE:  Create a new Discussion post of at least 300 words discussing the following questions. You can also post the picture of your notes from the reading in this same post:

    • In his article, Ellen Carillo worries that we’re creating students who don’t know why something was written and therefore they don’t care why it was written or why they’re even reading it. Is she right about that? How has your education influenced that – have you ever had to read not just for meaning but for context? What difference did it make or do you think it would make?
    • She talks about Google-knowledge vs. understanding and talks about a study that shows reading online makes us better at one than at the other, and that’s not good. Is she right? Why?
    • The section from p.146-153 talks about ways to help students be better readers. What experiences have you had with any of those tools – good, bad, or otherwise? What would you suggest?

Title it “Common Core – your name” and use the Category Unit 1 (you can use the Tag “Common Core” if you remember; if not, I’ll do it.)

Email me or text me on Slack, and I’ll see you on Tuesday 9/8.

WELCOME TO THE CLASS!

UPDATE 8/30 (SUNDAY): If you’re new to the site, scroll down below the horizontal line to find out what to do. If you’re NOT new to the site, here’s what’s up this week (including our optional meeting times).

What we’ve been doing:

  1. Sending me an email address for your Slack invitation.
  2. Taking the Tech survey.
  3. Posting the first of the Introductory Activities (Intro-1) about your name, a word that describes how you’re feeling, and an image that matters to you (and why).

Good work so far! Interesting people in this Learning Community. I expect you’re already getting to know each other a little bit from the CST classes, and I hope I can help continue that journey.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Well, not that big. But after looking at the Doodle poll, most people wanted to meet on Tuesday 12-1:30, so that’s what we’ll do starting this week using the Zoom Room. But enough people needed an evening session that I’m also doing one from 6:30-8:00. The link information is below and also in the Resources –> Zoom Room tab.

This week we’ll be meeting for the first time! Before we do, take a look at the Syllabus in the Google Drive, and leave comments or questions for me; we’ll address them in the session. We’re also going to be talking about writing and about the role high school education played on how you think about writing and all kinds of texts (images, podcasts, videos, as well as written works).

Here’s the meeting information.

Same information and activities in both sessions. Neither will last more than an hour. Both will be recorded and the recordings made available on the class Google Drive.

I’ll see everybody on Tuesday. And don’t forget to email me or text me on Slack if you have problems or questions.

ORIGINAL POST: I’m assuming that if you’re here, you’ve been to the Blackboard site (bye bye Blackboard) and have seen my Welcome video. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to put up with yet another video — this time I’ll walk you through this Open Lab site, show you where things are, and how to create a post. Once you’ve watched it, drop down and take a look at the Do a couple of things list.

Click on this link to get to the Welcome video/course site walkthrough: https://youtu.be/MqQZGkOEBtU

Do a couple of things:

  1. Don’t forget to send me your email address for the invitation to join our Slack channel.
  2. I’ll also send the link for the Doodle poll for you to add your name and click on some times that you can meet. (The poll is also on Slack.) I’ll set up the real-time Zoom class sessions after I hear from enough people.
  3. Fill out the technology survey that’s at the bottom of this post.
  4. Finally, this isn’t actually a do. It’s a know: I’m putting downloadable Word docs and pdfs in several places. Depending on whether you’re using Android or iOS or a laptop (PC or Mac) one file type may be easier to read on your phone/tablet than the other; that’s why I’m attaching both.

AND THEN… 

Go to Course Assignments, click on Introductory Activities… and you can get started talking about who you are and how you feel about being in yet another online class!

Here’s the technology survey

— this will really help me figure out where everybody is and what issues you might be having.

Student Survey

  • Please tell me about the technology and working space that you have available to complete your coursework. Feel free to share any additional information in the last question box. All responses are private.

  • *Required
  • Credits: This survey is based on a survey created by Maura Smale and Mariana Regalado.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.