L EVERAGING NEW FEATURES OF B B L EARN FOR INNOVATIVE TEACHING Using Journaling to Encourage...
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Transcript of L EVERAGING NEW FEATURES OF B B L EARN FOR INNOVATIVE TEACHING Using Journaling to Encourage...
LEVERAGING NEW FEATURES OF BB LEARN FOR INNOVATIVE TEACHING
Using Journaling to Encourage Reading, Critical Thinking & Application of Core Concepts Beyond the Classroom
Bianca Bersani
Department of Sociology
WHY JOURNAL?
Classroom challenge Getting students to READ!....and THINK about
the reading material Previous experimental strategies used
Unannounced quizzes 2-minute papers Frequency, announced quizzes
Journaling as a “new” strategy to engage and initiate the learning process Requires the immediate processing of information
Read and react Allows students flexibility in what they react to
What resonated with them the most
RESULTS
Interaction with (some of) the text before class This would free up
time to apply and “debate” ideas rather than review concepts
Begin to foster independent learning
These and more… Less time spent on
personal accounts Catch “errors” in
learning More active class
participation Integration of ideas
across classes More intimate
familiarity with my students
What I hoped for: What I ended up with:
THE ASSIGNMENT (FROM MY SYLLABUS) Response Journals: Students will keep a response journal
located on the class blackboard page and are expected to write one entry prior to each class period (two each week). Each journal entry should include 2 things: 1) the selection of one direct quote (with page number) from the reading material that they found particularly engaging, and 2) their reaction or thoughts regarding each quote. Some days do not require a journal entry – these are noted on the syllabus and typically correspond with the days writing assignments are due or exam dates. Students must post their responses to the class blackboard page BEFORE class each day; late entries will not be graded. Please mark specific entries with a note stating “Please Do Not Share” if you would not like your ideas shared with the class. Ideas for responses include, but are not limited to: make a connection between a personal experience and something you
have read in the text make a connection between something in the assigned reading and
another text make a connection between something in the assigned reading and the
real world
EXAMPLE "As noted, in a rejection of offender based explanations of crime,
labeling theorists argued that reacting to people as 'criminals' initiated processes that had the self-fulfilling prophecy of making a person become a criminal-someone more deeply entrenched in a criminal career." (pg 241 Cullen and Agnew)
Labeling someone as a criminal, tags them with a stigma. Labeling theory suggests that someone becomes a criminal because society made them that way by giving them that "self-fulfilling prophecy." Even in criminology we have a typical criminal profile already set up; young, black male and between the ages of 18-24. Therefor anyone who fits that profile, which many do, are already set up for failure. For example, I am reading a book right now called "Punished" by Victor Rios, and he shows how black and Latino boys, at a young age are labeled as criminals, which could tie into why they would commit crime. It takes place in Oakland, California and is a socially disorganized neighborhood. Police are put into the schools, and when kids get in trouble, they are sent to the police. The problem here, is teachers did not what to handle any situation, so no matter what, a child was unfairly sent to deal with police every day. This sets children up for failure, it treats school like an actual prison, and every act they do is labeled as delinquent, so naturally further in their life, they will become delinquent. Society knows who their criminals are, and who the people "worth saving" are. Once thrown into the prison system, there is almost no hope for those individuals. With about a 67% recidivism rate, that just proves that the majority of people - once a criminal, stay a criminal. They figure, I'm already a criminal, might as well just live up to the stigma.
SOME KEYS TO SUCCESS
Frequent journaling Every class / every week
Integration of student ideas into class discussion Let’s them know you are listening Let’s them know their ideas are interesting
Keep it simple! Easy grading (0-2 points) Great Use of TA time
BENEFITS AND UNANTICIPATED CHALLENGES
Ease of use Standard feature
Integration with grade center
Personal communication with students regarding ideas expressed in their journals
(Re)Ordering of entries Prioritized by
numerical value Locking assess =
locking student view of entry and grading comments
Benefits Challenges