As I finalize my presentation for class, I thought I would double-dip and use some of the information for my weekly blog post. Besides, I have no brain power left to consider another topic. In truth, I have come to enjoy the weekly opportunity to share ideas with you in our online Public. For me, our blog has taken on a life of its own. I see what we created here as a wonderful example of participatory curricula.
Elsa Auerbach (1992) described participatory curricula as one that "must emerge from and be responsive to the particular context of each group of participants...it is important to understand the social context in which the project takes place: why the project is being funded, what assumptions it rests on, whose interests it serves, whose agenda is driving it, how it views learners, etc." (p.9). Through the wonders of Web 2.0 technology, we created this thing, added to it, and, at least for me, began learning from it and through it. I can't imagine how my learning experience would have been different if we did not have this blog.
I pulled up and read all of my posts since January. While reading them I realized I was reading a narrative of my learning experiences over these past few months. Having an opportunity to write about the provocative issues we covered was a way to digest and make sense of them. This blog was Rossiter's bridge from the unknown to the known, Vygotsky's community of practice, and Elsa Auerbach's learning material that emerged from and was responsive to my (our?) needs.
We began this project as a requirement for class. It was a chore, another thing to do each week. Somewhere along the way it became a habit and a joy (at least for me). Checking in with the blog has become part of my routine. I suppose I sound nostalgic, I am. This blog is as important to me as Our Voices, the participatory curriculum and original artifact of my class presentation.
I added a few snazzy gadgets to the blog this week because I was thinking about our (wonderful) lurkers. It's shameful pride, but I wanted to make this blog more appealing to anyone who may stumble upon it while searching the Web. My hope is that the scrolling images and quotes will entice visitors to stay and experience the essence of the blog: our words and emotions left here as a testament to what we've been through.
Thank you. Susan
I, too, have seen so much from reading and posting. It gives me insight from y'all that I might not hear in class simply because there isn't time in class for all of the learning we cover. To use a cliché, the only thing I'm learning is how much I still don't know. Susan, it's been great having you oversee our blog. While most people's posts seem to have greater insight than mine, I do a lot of thinking. Literacy is no longer what we say, it's what we say with what we say.
ReplyDeleteJoyce M.
I love the changes you've made to the blog! You are so creative! I too have enjoyed the whole blogging process (a somewhat new concept for me:) as it has given me the opportunity to reflect on what I have read; but it has also given me the opportunity to see others well thought out reflections. I feel as though I'm not only learning from Dr. Muth, but I am also learning a great deal from each of you and your views on the world around us. I so look forward to your presentation and what you may have uncovered during your research regarding your fabulous artifact!
ReplyDeleteOur blog is an emergent pedagogy indeed. I am sure I echo your classmates' words of appreciation, Susan. You have given us a great tool, one that keeps growing in elegance (and wisdom). You (and your vocal colleagues) have forever changed the way we will do ADLT 650 moving forward.
ReplyDelete