I find it very interesting as I post to this blog and the "Fisch Bowl" that most people are making one post. Isn't this suppossed to be a conversation? Does everyone have but one opinion? (I am saying this to myself as musch as to others if not more...)
If we have a hard time doing this, how do we get the students to participate more?
7 comments:
I agree. (Oops, I guess that's the whole problem!) But, it's kind of boring to read blogs that just say the same thing over and over again. If we agree, then we should at least refer to other's comments to acknowledge that we read them...if we get bored reading, then it's probably pretty certain that our students will too.
I feel your pain, Brian. As you know, the planning team (and I especially) have struggled with what to do about this. Initially, we just made the assignments.
When people didn't respond, we talked about it at one of the sessions and several folks said it would take them some time to work it into their regular routine, and that they would appreciate reminders. So, I've sent everyone reminders that - if they accept them - pop up in their email to remind them to do the assignments. They are still not doing them.
Lately I even resorted to near begging in a post for replies, and then sent an email to everyone asking them specifically to reply. I'm still not getting very many responses. And for the post regarding the De-Grading article that was due back in December, we still only have 11 out of 19 people who have commented.
I'm not sure what to think. On the one hand, I would say this indicates that I (we) are not engaging everyone enough. That we apparently have not convinced everyone that this is important enough that it is worth their time. I'm somewhat at a loss, however, because everyone seems to be very engaged when in class and indicates that they think these are real and important issues. So why aren't they taking the time to be involved and comment? (And I know they don't all agree with whatever I'm posting!)
On the other (much meaner) hand, I think back to the discussion about responsibility and whether to accept late work. I keep envisioning going off on a Fischrant (and totally alienating everybody) about the fact that the majority of folks in my (this) class are not turning their assignments in on time. If I were to follow the general consensus of not accepting latework, that would mean more than half of the group would get an F for this class. So, my rant would continue, does everyone think I should not accept latework? That I should turn in an F for them in June for this class, which would mean not only that they wouldn't get the three hours of credit, but also that the district would see that they got an F on an in-building staff development class? And then my rant would conclude with - do all of you think that this would teach you "responsibility" and make you more "motivated" for next year's class (since that's the major argument for the no-late work policy)?
I think that it is an interesting discussion (HaHa) to have as a group about the grade of F based on late work. When the tables are turned will people work harder? I think that I would...
I think what Cara said is important. If we get bored with the material then how are we going to keep a conversation going about it? Should we also be looking for support for our thoughts and feedback?
I have read some other people's posts and I am not connecting with what they are saying or sometimes I do not understand. Maybe I need to ask or further clarification.
When my Palm Pilot goes off with a reminder, I will sometimes ignore it, sometimes dismiss it and other times deal with it. I am not sure what the best way to get people to do their work is. I even slack off about it at times.
Maybe this is something that we need to discuss in terms of the material that we are looking at. If people agree that work is assigned because it is important then maybe they will be motivated to do it. I actually never thought about getting a grade for this but maybe I should.....
I just hope that I can find a way to motivate myself to do the things that are important.
Good points, all (even Karl - ok, especially Karl). Part of this might be that many of us are still getting a feel for blogging, while many of our students blog all of the time. Also, there are so many blogs to look at, that perhaps people are stretched a bit thin by trying to get to all of them. Of course, supposedly people are trying to focus on the blogs of the people in their groups.
Hi guys.
I think that there is a time and place for another "fischrant." I think it would be an eye opening perspective for all of us. We need to be able to transfer the expectations in our classroom to life. We could certainly talk about it at our next meeting...a face to face dialogue would allow everyone to hear it.
I agree with Roger, that we are trying to keep up with too many blogs. I am trying to read all the Fischbowl posts but still trying keep up with other blogs as well. I also think that some posts are very long and if I am checking them during an off hour I am trying to see as many as I can in that time. I tend to find and comment on more of the short posts so that I feel like I am keeping up with more people.
Okay, I see that most people feel that there are a lot of things (blogs, postings etc.) to look at. I also am spending a lot of my time looking at the internet and the blogs for our group. I am a little overwhelmed with all of the postings. I try to read them all but every so often I too have other things to do. I wonder what the fix is?
I think that we need to talk about this one. Cara seems to think that the group might have some insight. I wonder what the opinion is about the number of postings? Do people think that there are too many postings to reply to? Is that why their own blogs are suffering?
(This posting seems to be a conversation and not just a rant...)
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