March 9: Final Face-to-Face Class Meeting

Phew, if I am exhausted, I can only image how you all feel ;-)  Between TPAs, coursework, observations, and classes where some struggle to find meaning, your heads must be spinning. . .Alas, our course is almost over!  I really believe you will all have fun tonight in Coronado.  You will get a chance to see someone who has a lot of experience doing the type of reform that we have discussed in class.

The final "assignment" will be on the drop.io site as well as put in visually below.  In order to use Embedit.in, all you need is a Google account, which you all have; to use Scribd, you will need to create an account or use Facebook to get an account.

I have posted a link to the class GradeBook on our blog.  I am using CSUSM ID numbers instead of names.
I will create Project Surveys for the Class Management/Discipline Project, Blog/Reading Reflection, and Class Attendance/Participation (attendance, blog post comments,  & Twitter use).  This allows me to not only get your take on the experience, but to give assignment feedback as well.  I honestly appreciate the feedback I have already received under the Rethinking Schools & Ethnography Surveys!!

I expect everything to be completed by next Tuesday @ midnight. . .see the instructions for the final. . .papers are due on your blogs Fri; peer comments/All surveys due Tuesday.





Final Question: What is the one thing that you learned in this class that you will take with you?

Directions to Palm Academy

Here are the directions to Palm Academy
My expectation is that we will begin promptly @ 6pm so we can leave around 8-ish
call my cell: 619-944-7599 if there are any issues

Agenda:

• Tour of Palm & Discussion of History, Community Partnerships, & Service Learning
• Classroom Management/Discipline Discussion & Assignment
• Final Exam/Reflection Instructions/Discussion
• Course Evaluations

View Larger Map

Some Housekeeping. . .

What should be completed by class time Tuesday:

1. Rethinking High Schools Project Survey (If you complete by 8am Tuesday morning I will give you your grade in class)
2. Classroom Management/Discipline Survey & assignment (as of Mon afternoon, we only have 12; with 2 per student, I should have more than 40)
1. Bring Teaching in Secondary Schools text to class Tuesday
2. Either print survey data or bring laptop to be able to access the data!
3. Read assignment instructions ; start to consider Your Classroom Expectations!
4. Natural versus Logical Consequences . .good simple explanation.
1. Natural Vs. Logical . . .more academic.
3. Ethnographies should be added on CSUSM Educators
1. Notes on Executive Summary (from last week's post): Written Executive Report that outlines the design of your study, major findings, and reflections on the process (shared with me via GoogleDocs or on class Ning)
2. Title of your group should be school name and then my name, Heil
3. Movies are embedded into the text box
4. You can also paste your "executive summary" underneath the embed code of your movie OR you can embed a link to the summary on Google Docs (click "share" get link for this document.  Choose permissions, then use the link feature in the ning text editor to add the link!) 
5. Please complete the Ethnography Project Survey linked at the top of the blog!
4. Reading Reflections and Tweets should be up-to-date.  Reading Reflections:
1. Ch 1 Rethinking HS (Week One RR post)
2. Ch 1 Disrupting Class (Feb 9 post)
3. "What Makes School Ethnographies Ethnographic?" (Feb 9 post)
4. Designing Groupwork (RR4 post)
5. Rethinking Schools (March 2 post)
6. Final Exam (instructions to follow)
5.  Classroom Attendance/Participation:  I am still having trouble getting everyone to leave comments on the weekly question. . .this collaborative piece is a part of your attendance/participation.   
1. Also, if you missed/were excessively tardy a class and want to make up the points you lost: you may complete two more articles from the assignment in Reading Reflection 5. . .Ensure that you put the words "extra credit" after the blog post title.
6. Final Exam - I will go over in class (something will be posted tomorrow)
7. Directions to Coronado. . .I will post later tonight.

Leave a comment to let me know you have read and understand what is expected by tomorrow evening!

March 2: Flight at the End of the Tunnel?

I really enjoyed class last week.  Thanks for making it fun.
Tonight is the penultimate class and I hope that we can produce some awesome ethnographies by the end of the class period.  As usual, there is some small glitch in our schedule for next week (click here and press play).  I received emails from both Blake and Byron notifying me of the credentialing meeting next week from 4:30-5:30.  I have emailed to see if they can come to our class this evening, but I haven't heard back yet.  I hope to have a plan by the time class starts this evening. . .or we will have to "Improvise and Overcome!"
Anyway, I noticed that a few of you have already posted some responses to the classroom management/discipline survey.  I have put a link to the results page on the blog.  Ensure you can get in a couple of observations by the end of the week.
I have also been looking at your blogs.  Most of you are caught up with the reading reflections; however, there are still a few who need to complete some more.

Tonight we will watch some of the video we didn't make it to last week, and then we will work on the ethnographies.  We will also discuss our plans for next week and beyond.  You should re-familiarize yourself with the chapter on classroom management from the Teaching in Secondary Schools text (ch 9)

Reading Reflection 5:  I didn't give you the assignment last week as I knew everyone was probably working on their ethnographies.   For this reflection, I want to to choose an article from this Rethinking School link (it is also tagged ed530 on my delicious page).  There are some interesting articles revolving around educational issues that you might now find pertinent.
For the reflection:  Put the article name in the Title (Example:  RR5: Creating Democratic Schools). Tell which article you chose and why.  Give a brief analysis of the article and explain how you could use this information in your present or your future!  Also, read at least three other peers' reflections and leave them a thoughtful comment.

This week's Question: Discuss one thing that has stood out to you in the classes you have been observing. . .this could be about the teacher, students, or the class in general.

Feb 23: Does Financial Aid Cover your Ethnography?

Before I discuss the evening, I need to ensure that everyone is very clear on my expectations so far. . .

• I have asked that you tweet at least two (if not more) times per week on educational topics (I also discussed in class last week the need to leave feedback for peers)
• I have asked that you leave a comment in the comments section for the weekly blog post
• I have asked that the reading responses be sincere and completed before class the next week (even if we do not meet in person)
• I asked for the Ethnography questions to be emailed to me on or before Friday
• The Rethinking High Schools web-based presentations, assessments, and comments should be completed

As of 10:30 p.m. on Monday evening, not many have completed all of the requirements.  This is not exemplifying a sincere effort on the class as a whole.  I will be very lenient when it comes to grading the chapter presentations and ethnographies, as I appreciate your willingness to take on a task that is still a work in progress for me; however, this does not apply to the aspects of the class that are clear and the expectations explicit. I expect that you are all capable of reading the class blog and the class tweets to keep up with the simple expectations of reading responses and using Twitter. . .This will affect the personal blog/attendance and participation grade of the class.

Okay, now I feel better. . .now let's discuss what we are doing in class Tuesday, Feb 23.

• Debrief Ch 1-3 (Designing Groupwork)
• Marshmellow Toothpic/Problem Solving
• Video
• Ethography Questions/Work
• State Findings and support w/data (not the reverse)
• Due dates
• (1-2 page) written Executive Report that outlines the design of your study, major findings, and reflections on the process (shared with me via GoogleDocs)
• Discuss HW & Compassionate Discipline Assignment

This week's Question: If this class were Pass/Fail, how would it affect your effort (think about this in terms of last week's question)?  Explain.

Reading Reflection 4: Designing Groupwork

A simple request for your third reading reflection:

For each of the first 3 chapters of the Cohen text book Designing Groupwork for Heterogeneous Classrooms:
• summarize the content in 2-4 sentences
• connect the content to another reading, experience, or curiosity in 1-2 sentences

And close with the next thing you would like to know or are wondering about, related to designing groupwork for heterogeneous classrooms.


Please complete by Tuesday, Feb 23.

Feb 16: Completing the Circle or Not. . .

"Procrastination is the Art of Keeping up with Yesterday"

Okay, I hope everyone feels refreshed after an entire week away from class.  I got home late last night and spent some quality time with the class blog and on CSUSM Educators.  I noticed that many of you seem to put off your assignments to the last minute. . .I hope this simply means that you are master procrastinators and not forgetting to do your work.

Some thoughts:

• When answering the weekly question, you only leave a comment under the post; you do not create a separate post on your blog. . .and answering the question is important for me to know that you are receiving the information I am trying to communicate to you.
• In the reading reflections, I would like to see some more thoughtful responses to the 3-2-1 format.  This should not simply be a list, but a complete thought as to why you wrote/feel/abhorred what you read. . .Also, ensure you have completed the response before the next class session (even if we do not meet in person!!)
• Use Twitter to not only post your thoughts, but to learn something. . .you can also reply to your peers to let them know that someone has a modicum of interest in what they wrote!!
• Don't forget that I am requiring two posts per week, but you are welcome to do more!!

Tonight:

• I want to discuss your chapter presentations and answer any question about posting/assessing, etc. . .It is also important that you know how to leave feedback for your peers' groups
• We will discuss your thoughts on Disrupting Class/30-Second Video Demonstration
• The Broken Circle Activity
• Discuss Ethnography Assignment/Expectations for next week
• Competitive/Non-Competitive Gaming (if time permits)

Week 4 Question: Discuss something that you have learned well outside of school without little or no help from a teacher.  How did you learn?  Why do you think you were successful? (suggestion: could be gaming, sports, knitting, etc. . .)

Feb 9: What doesn't Kill us. . .Makes Assignments Longer?

Aaugh. . .I would like to go into a series of educational cliches about how everything doesn't always work out the way it was planned, but I am just too frustrated to do so.  For the sake of community; however, please insert your favorite educational cliche here. . . . . . . .breathe, now let it go ;-)

Okay, well, I haven't heard back from the people at the library mediasite, so I cannot wait any longer.  I hope that they may still have slots where you could fit in if at all possible.  If this is something you still have the time and patience to try, please contact Justin Power @ juspower@csusm.edu.  You can say you are part of our EDSS 530 class and would like to do your mediasite.  If not, we will have to change plans, but still using the CSUSM Educator network to post the chapters on your group pages.  Since I will be out of town, I will just have to let go of that idea and ask that you find a creative way to display your chapter presentation on your CSUSM Educator group page.  Look at some of the projects from Dr. Lawler's class.  I saw some simple embedding of GoogleDocs presentations in blogs (ch 2 & 3), some cool uses of Google Sites (ch 4 & 8; ch 5), iWeb (ch 9 & 11 ), wikispaces (ch 10 & 12), and even Facebook (ch 6 & 7).  Some used comments for assessment, some embedded GoogleForms. . .Choose any way that you can get your chapter covered using technology and put on your Group Page. . .don't forget the assessment piece.  I apologize for this; I was really counting on having you experience the mediasite as a means of presenting information.  Please communicate with me and each other if you have questions or need help.  I will be able to access a computer most days and will do all that I can to help make this as painless as possible.
Be creative and have fun, but ensure you cover the chapters. . .you can also do a short movie, a podcast, or anything else you or one of your partners has expertise in producing. 
Let's shoot for a Feb 16 due date for the project. . .you can have a few extra days to give your peers comments.


Reading Reflection (s):  I would like you to read Ch 1 from Disrupting Class, found on the drop.io page; also, I will post an article on our drop.io site from Dr. Lawler, "What Makes School Ethnography ‘Ethnographic’?" which might go a ways in helping you understand the basis and purpose of an ethnography.  In each reading, which will be separate posts. . .Week 2 will be Disrupting Class, and Week 3 will be the ethnography piece.
Let's use the 3-2-1 format for the reflection:  3 things that you learned/connected with; 2 thing you disagree with or have questions; and 1 thing you would really like to learn more about. . .

Don't forget to answer the weekly questions. . .


Week 3 Question:  What is the most surprising thing you have seen in the classroom this semester. . .this could be positive or not so positive. . .I visited a JCCS classroom last week only to find a student I had worked with on a Photoshop project in September had been shot 4 times over Thanksgiving break, twice in the arm, once in the hip, and lost an eye.  With all this (he lives in SE San Diego, but isn't involved in gangs), he was smiling and seemed eager to participate in class. . .I was just blown away.

Sample Ethnography Video

Feb 2: Will the Course Go on for Six more Weeks?

Okay, who is tracking the groundhog?  I wonder if Punxsutawney Phil will show his face this year. . .I'm not certain whether or not that means we will also have 6 more weeks of class or not. . .but it is fairly ironic, isn't it?


I really expected that the class would have accomplished more that it has (@ 10:25 pm, Monday, Feb 1) but perhaps we need some more time to discuss the assignment and the technology requirements.  I hope that everyone will bring her laptop and we can make some more progress in class.  If not, we will have to make a trip to the library or some reasonable facsimile, but I know that we will catsup. . .assuming everyone can cut the mustard ;-)
Check your blog address on the class website t ensure you can meet the minimum requirment... .]




Please remember that this course is a survey course for secondary education in the 21st Century. . .I want to push you to really evaluate your practice as well as utilize technology as a medium of the course content . . .and your class content. . .which I see as more important than the original goals of EDSS 530.


Tonight:  I will ensure that you understand how to complete the Rethinking High Schools chapter summaries. . . and how to post your projects to the class ning network. . .and how to do the assessment, etc.  We will also discuss the Ethnography and how it will work look as a finished project.


Important: I have posted the Intro and Chapter 1 of the book, "Disrupting Class," by Clayton Christensen.  I would be ecstatic if you could access the document on the drop.io/edss530 page and bring a copy to class (only if you do not have a laptop).  PLEASE TELL YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS TO BRING TO CLASS. . .I am really interested to see how "Second to None" relates to current theories on learning and education. . . .
password:  what does Shaun White do for a living?


Week Two Question:  What is the best book you had to read in high school?  I am still stuck on "Catcher in the Rye," but perhaps I am being sentimental. . .

School/Tech Survey

After completing the survey, select the submit bottom at the end of the post. . .

Instructions for Rethinking High Schools Presentations

Please read through the instructions to see if there are any questions.  We can discuss any points of confusion at the beginning of next week's class.


Click Here to access the Chapter Sign Up Sheet and a link to the Mediasite Sign Up sheet!!

Web-Based Jigsaw on Text Rethinking High Schools

PURPOSE:

There are two purposes to this project. The first is to very quickly and collaboratively cover the content of the course textbook Rethinking High School. You will learn the ways in which a unique high school in Chicago experienced implementing school wide changes to match best practices in teaching, learning, and leadership. The second is to creatively utilize technology to concisely convey the essence of each groups' assigned chapter(s).

OVERVIEW:

As a small group, you will read, summarize, and synthesize 2 assigned chapters from the text, and prepare a 10 minute (max) web-based presentation. You will also create an assessment to allow colleagues to self-assess their learning and you to assess the effectiveness of your presentation.  Also, you will give your peers feedback on their projects in a discussion forum.

THE TASK

Part I

Individually, read Chapter 1, 13, and your assigned chapter(s).

Gather as a group to summarize and synthesize each chapter. You are invited to connect, critique, or extend the content as well.  Think in terms of Essential Questions that arise from your chapter(s).

Brainstorm, explore, imagine a way to present this information effectively, creatively, and engagingly using the CSUSM Mediasite. Yes, this instruction is to push your educational technology expertise.

Create a presentation for your chapter(s), that can be delivered via the web.

Create a web-based assessment for your presentation.

Part II

View the text's remaining chapters, complete each assessment, and then leave authentic feedback for at least 3 groups in a discussion forum on the Ning network CSUSM Educators.

Give thoughtful and authentic feedback to three peers. Examples would be requests for clarification, "I liked..." with further elaboration or extension, or process questions such as "why did you...", "what was the purpose of...", "Wow that was cool, how did you...".

Assessment:  Create a web-based assessment for your project.  Post the assessment on the CSUSM Educators ning network (I will show you how in class on Tuesday evening).

GRADING:

You will be scored in alignment with the two purposes. First, your website should represent the key ideas form your assigned chapters. Second, your project will successfully be displayed on 

DUE:
Part I is to be completed by Feb 9 (posted online in some fashion, either a weblink or on your blog). Part II is to be completed prior to class on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Week One Reading Reflection - Instructions Included

For your first reading reflection, I would like you to read chapter one of Rethinking High School.  In the reflection I would like to think in terms of what really resonated with you and expand on why that was so.  Also, what didn't seem like a great measure of reform?  What Second to None 'components of reform' did you find in the chapter?  What idea or concept from the chapter would you like to investigate further?



Blog post Instructions


Title:  Week One Reading Reflection - Rethinking High School

Body of post:  answer the question above in approximately 300 words.

Jan 26: Welcome to EDSS 530

This will be the blog for the EDSS 530 course. It is here where you will find the most up-to-date information regarding the course, due dates, assignments in progress, reflection topics, and maybe even a cheesy joke or two.  Not only is this the first time you have taken this course, it is also the first time that I will be teaching it, so I hope that we will go on this educational journal together!!

For tonight, we have a lot to cover in a small amount of time. . .I will do my best to make the most of our evening.

Some topics:

• Introductions Me/You
• Use of Technology in this course: -Gmail Account, GoogleDocs, iGoogle, RSS, Blog, Twitter, Delicious.com, ning network, Skype, drop.io/edss530, Facebook, etc.
• Second to None - Bayside HS
• Second to None - Video &  Discussion
• Syllabus
• Assignment Discussion/Best Practices HS Mediasite
• Chapter 1 of Best Practices

I will also leave you with a question at the end of each weekly blog post to build community and to ensure you have read the blog.

This Week's Questions:  What is your fast food guilty pleasure?  (What do you eat that you know you probably shouldn't but do anyway. . .like a Chalupa from Taco Bell. . ."Not that there's anything wrong with that. . ."