#tequity

1.       After reading, What schools are Really Blocking when they Block Social Media, While I understand school’s wanting to censor students use of social media, I also see the access it gives students to powerful learning networks in our new paradigm of connected learning.  Related to this,  I like Cathy Davidson’s definition of network literacy.  

2.       I made progress on my inquiry Ideas. One idea is that I am planning to come up with an idea for a Youth Participatory Research Project YPAR students could potentially do in my science class.  It would use networked learning and social media as a part of it.  I am still also thinking of a second idea to help the IT person at one of Philadelphia’s Key spot computer rooms to fashion or at least come up with a plan for converting the room to a Maker Studio of some kind. This will involve going and observing other maker spaces.  I have set up some prospects to observe. She wants to come with me on these observations.

3.       I enjoyed my classmates communications this week. I thought Kelly’s connected learning list was a helpful curation. I also enjoyed videos by Tahira, Lizzy, and Amy.   

 4. I enjoyed the hangout conversations about Open Learning.  It gave me a better idea about what communities of inquiry and communities of practice are and the idea of open networks. For me getting connected in these ways is a goal that extends beyond this class.  

 5.  One of my friends gives me writing advice about my blog. She wants me to write it in a way that helps the reader visualize the scene and draws the reader into the story.  I tried to do that this last week and she thought this post was an improvement.  Concerning getting my blog out there, another friend explained to me how she effectively uses twitter to tweet out her blog and the learning curve she took to do so.  It seemed much clearer to me after she explained it, but a hands on lesson could work wonders for   me. Even though I don’t get the mechanics of it, I appreciate the concept and purpose.  

 6.   I’ve been overwhelmed with work, grant writing and class work this week and worked straight through the weekend. I have not had as much time for free exploration and reflection, but will get back to it this week.  I appreciated a friend’s advice to surround myself with people who are doing and thinking about things I want to learn. That advice will help me navigate some difficult decisions this week.

 7.       In my research about social justice and science education I really liked the energy of Christopher Emdin who wrote a book, Urban  Science Education for the Hip-Hop Generation.  about how he has been able to reach his students through their own youth culture. I wrote about this topic in my blog.