Keeping an Open Mind

As our summer session is winding down in the MAC program, I've been thinking about all the new technology we can use in the classroom. I've enjoyed learning about all the creative possibilities that can enhance our teaching, such as using cell phones in the classroom (for polling etc.), facebook (for creating class group discussions), twitter (for immediate feedback/discussion among students), and many others we discussed. At first I kept thinking "oh great, yet another thing to detract from actual learning and yet another way to contribute to a generation already plagued by short-attention spans!" But the more we use these tools in our classes, the more I see valid ways to use them. I'm sure my initial reluctance stems from my traditional education where a teacher lectured and the only technology we experienced was perhaps a video or DVD viewing. I'm making a consious effort to get out of that mindset and join the new wave of information technology. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by just how much information is out there but just like with anything else in life, the more you learn about it, the more comfortable you might be with it. I'm learning to appreciated the class by picking and choosing what might work for me in an English class.

Socio-Economic Equity Issues in the Classroom

Today in Eugenie Potter's EDUC-649 "Foundational Perspectives on Educational Reform" class we heard a group presentation that addressed several important components to consider in classroom equity, including disability, gender, race, socio-economic, and language. I was struck by a panel member's comment when highlighting socio-economic issues (and I'm paraphrasing here) that it's safe to assume that since we're all in the MAC program here at the University of Michigan we probably aren't struggling with this harsher issues our students may be dealing with economically. I think we need to be careful as teachers making generalized assumptions like this. Yes, I'm in the prestigious MAC program at one of the wealthiest schools in the country but it doesn't change the fact that I live with daily fear I'll have to drop out because of the issues my family is currently struggling with. I know she meant no harm suggesting this but it reminded me of the importance of not making such blanket statements based on appearances, especially within our own classrooms.

Ann Arbor Art Fair

I remember some fun paintings I saw years ago at the Ann Arbor Art Fair. They were whimsical cartoonish images of chubby little ladies dressed in old Saloon attire floating about with sweet tarts in the air, and captions like "I never met a sweet tart I didn't like" -- so goofy and cute. Since then, I've been looking for those paintings and that artist with no luck. I need to walk the whole Art Fair tomorrow with the hope of finding him again.

Technology in the Classroom

My ideal classroom would be fully equipped with all the technological devices I might use during the course of the year to teach English Lit. I'd like to have a projector attached to the ceiling and connected to a main computer at my desk for easy showing of DVDs. We all know students learn in a variety of ways, and including visuals to match the lesson plans will help students retain new knowledge. I'd also like to have computer stations with printer along one side of the classroom for easy access to research that students can do in groups at a time. Having a lap-top friendly room with outlets available near all desks or tables would also be ideal, provided students can afford their own lap-tops. I've mainly used films/documentaries to go along with the literature I've assigned in the past, but I look forward to learning more about the many uses of technology beyond that.