THE PROJECT

I've been running through potential project ideas in my head on and off the last two days. Since beginning this class on Monday, I've started to notice some overarching themes that my mind keeps circling back to.

• AUTHENTIC VOICE

            This idea has been at the forefront of my goals as a teacher even before stepping foot into this digital media literacy class. Since I am currently studying for my TESOL Master's, I'm actively looking for ways to not only strengthen and support English language development but also literacy in students' home languages. I believe in additive bilingualism and want to support my students literacy in ALL languages - including home languages and digital ones.     

• BUILDING TRUST AND COMMUNITY WITHIN THE CLASSROOM

            Regardless of the content, finding ways to develop a sense of trust and community within the classroom is essential. Pierson spoke about this idea and Wesch also highlighted both confidence and connection as key factors in Baby George's quest to conquer that step. Personally, one of the ways that I curate a positive environment in my classroom is through integrating my own authentic voice of humor as often as possible (🙄). I'm also looking to transition professionally into a position where I am supporting and teaching predominantly English language learners, and as one who has learned another language myself, I can attest to the fact that understanding the nuance and humor behind a joke or pun in another language means that you have a deep understanding of that language.

So, today I expanded my own digital literacy a little more and learned brand new tool...

THE PODCAST

I shared this in class earlier but I'm attaching it here in case you'd like to roll on the floor laughing once more. This was my first try ever at a podcast.

What a great tool for allowing multilingual learners an opportunity to use their authentic voices in the classroom! The potential applications and benefits are endless. And I have been wanting to find a way to incorporate a technological component to a a year-long, middle school, collaborative, differentiated learning project that I do with my students each year. I think this might be the tool I choose.

I'll save more details for my final presentation but this is where my head is on the project at this point. I can see this tying into my goals of authentic voice, literacy support and development, and partner work to promote collaborative trust building and community.