Shiny Objects, Classroom Practice and Professional Growth

Eric Brunsellbrunsele@uwosh.edu@brunsell

Elizabeth Aldertonaldertone@uwosh.edu

Future Technology Conference <> 5.10.10

Citation:

Brunsell, E., Alderton, E., & Bariexca, D. (2010, May) Shiny Objects, Classroom Practice, and Professional Growth. Presented at the WiscNet Future Technologies Conference, Madison, WI. May 10, 2010

“Twitter Bird” is from Matt Hamm's Flickr photostream

How many bloggers does it take to change

a light bulb?

JayRazz’s Flickr photostream

1…and 99 to comment on how they would

have done it.

Via: http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=2027

JayRazz’s Flickr photostream

Flickr: jepoirrier's photostream

Brunsell, E. and Cimino, C. (2009) Investigating the impact of a weekly weblog assignment on the learning environment in a secondary biology course. In Education, 15(2)

Flickr: jepoirrier's photostream

Flickr: jepoirrier's photostreamFlickr: jepoirrier's photostream

Flickr: jepoirrier's photostream

“94% of students used resources NOT provided by the teacher as they participated in blog

assignments

Mr_Stein's photostream

Week 117%

Week 872%

Face-to-Face Participation

Whiskeygonebad’s Flickr photostream

“After getting used to talking to everyone on the

blog it didn’t seem like such a big deal to give an

answer in class.”

Week 117%

Week 872%

Face-to-Face Participation

“In the beginning of the class I was afraid to raise my hand

and look stupid. The blog assignments made me feel

more confident each week so I was no longer afraid to look

stupid.” Whiskeygonebad’s Flickr photostream

More than a Shiny Object?

JayRazz’s Flickr photostream

In the initial survey, only 33% of students had a positive outlook on classroom

blogging. By the fifth week of completing blog assignments, all but one student (97%) had positive perceptions of the project and that one was indifferent.

More than a Shiny Object?

JayRazz’s Flickr photostream

courosa's Flickr photostream

46% Multiple perspectives

“I liked hearing from different people in my

major, and hearing their points of view without them actually saying

them aloud. I think a lot of people don’t speak up very often and this is a great way to see what

those people think about different topics.”

Flickr: eekim’s photostream

22% Time to process / think deeply about content and ideas.

“I think that having to write something in front of my peers

is good motivation to thoroughly understand a topic so that I don't end up looking

like a total fool.”

“I like the opportunity to compile my thoughts and

express them when I'm ready and at my own pace.”

Flickr: Loveinchero’s photostream

Wha

t Wor

ks?

(N=1

13)

“When we had to pose a question at the end of our

discussion it made me think a bit deeper about what I

was writing on the discussion board.”

“Many people had written questions in their reflections, so

when responding I was really forced to think

more deeper and critically.”

Flickr: Eleaf’s Photostream

20% Mandatory participation

“I liked that we had to post twice because without that I

wouldn't have tried to understand other people's perspectives or read what

they wrote.”

“for on-line discussion it is mandatory for everyone to

engage in discussion. In class its easy to not participate. So

being engaged was the benefit.”

Flickr: Amboo Who?’s Photstream

Flicrk: globevisions' photostream

Hey, this is Nancy. Twitter is down right

now…when you get this message, give me a call. I’m dying to hear what you had for breakfast.

Hey, this is Nancy. Twitter is down right

now…when you get this message, give me a call. I’m dying to hear what you had for breakfast.

Via danhollings.posterous.com

Raptortheangel’ Flickr photostream

Who are they?

George Eastman House’s Flickr photostream

Who are they?

George Eastman House’s Flickr photostream

Who do they follow?Who do they follow?

Brajeshwar’s Flickr photostream

Educators: 67%Content: 17%Other: 16%

Educators: 67%Content: 17%Other: 16%

Brajeshwar’s Flickr photostream

What are they Tweeting?

nicholasjon's Flickr photostream

What are they Tweeting?

Educational PracticeAsking Questions

Sharing ResourcesSocial

Unknown

nicholasjon's Flickr photostream

40%4%10%43%3%

What are they Tweeting?

Educational PracticeAsking Questions

Sharing ResourcesSocial

Unknown

nicholasjon's Flickr photostream

40%4%10%43%3%

54%

What are they Tweeting?

nicholasjon's Flickr photostream

My students are researching topics related to disability for "Stop The R-Word" day. http://www.r-word.org/ 9:59 AM Mar 31st via iTweet

What are they Tweeting?

nicholasjon's Flickr photostream

Wow! Thanks @[teacher]. What a cool history idea! http://twhistory.org/reenactments/ 3:56 AM Mar 11th via web

What are they Tweeting?

nicholasjon's Flickr photostream

What sites, similar to CoverItLive, do you use for creating a chat room for your students? 5:49 AM Feb 28th via web

What are they Tweeting?

nicholasjon's Flickr photostream

@[teacher] He shot at me (us?) from some bushes & then jumped out waving his gun. I think he was going to rob us till he saw his daughter 7:05 PM Apr 15th via…

@[teacher] He didn't know me yet. That's how I met him. I was walking w/ his daughter, who he hadn't seen in 2 yrs, 7:04 PM Apr 15th via TweetDeck in reply to teacher

What are they Tweeting?

nicholasjon's Flickr photostream

@GovChristie U refuse 2 extend the tax 2 those who make $400K plus b/c they leave state, what do U think will happen w/ talented educators? 7:09 PM Apr 4th via TweetDeck…

@GovChristie How do you justify paying a guy to tweet 25% more than you pay me, a 10yr veteran, gave up career in molecular biology research 7:07 PM Apr 4th via TweetDeck in…

@GovChristie And I gladly pay it, now more than ever, to defend my rights as a n educator. Thank you for strengthening my local btw 7:05 PM Apr 4th via TweetDeck in reply to…

Collaboration

Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream

Collaboration

“I've shared several examples of classroom activities related to cell respiration with @[state science education consultant] and @[teacher] -

we have emailed the projects back and forth and provided each other with constructive criticism.”

Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream

Collaboration

“I've communicated with a lot of Twitter people in regards to things like finding appropriate research

articles, using different classroom resources & activities, and conference attendance.”

Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream

BenefitsBrunsell‘s Flickr photostream

Benefits

“My practice benefits from my involvement on Twitter because I am more confident in my ability, have many more resources, have a PLN [personal

learning network] I can turn to for instant response to a problem or encouragement when

I’m in need of it.”

Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream

Benefits

“I have people to offer advice and keep me motivated on days teaching is hard.”

Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream

Benefits

“I’m exposed to so many new ideas and tools that I take into my classroom. It shapes how I see my

practice and how I see what is possible in my classroom.”

Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream

Impact

Idiolector’s Flickr photostream

“Thanks to my Twitter Network, I now routinely use Text-to-Speech software with students during the editing phase of the writing process.”  

Idiolector’s Flickr photostream

 

“I will be participating in the National Writing Project because my Twitter Network has convinced me that I need to participate to improve my teaching practice.” 

Idiolector’s Flickr photostream

“[Teacher] and I have worked together on several projects between our classrooms. Specifically, we worked on a project designed to raise attention around the genocide occurring in Darfur. Our students developed blog entries, videos, Animoto

presentations, and VoiceThreads around the issue.”

Idiolector’s Flickr photostream

`

I Tweet,

I learn

So What?

James Sarmient’s Flickr photostream

Now What?

Eric Brunsellbrunsele@uwosh.edu@brunsell

Elizabeth Aldertonaldertone@uwosh.edu