WebLog Assignment

Working in the course Blog Place produce a weblog (on-line journal) to demonstrate your preparation for class and your engagement with course events including assigned readings, films and invited speakers.

In some instances, but not in every instance, I will present questions or queries to guide your blogs.

The form of a given weblog entry is limited only by available technology and can include, separately or in any combination, textual, audio, photographic or videographic information.  (There will be a workshop to help you create and begin producing your blog).

Blog entries are due following course events and prior to the next scheduled class meeting.

Check out each other’s blogs! Everyone appreciates comments on their blog!

Blog5  A First Person Narrative  (250 thoughtful words)

Based on your readings of Taubman (2009) chapters 6 and 7 and your lived experiences as a classroom teacher, educator or coach, please respond in the first person "I" to the questions Taubman asks at the conclusion of chapter 5 Audit Culture.  Taubman (2009, p. 126) writes:

But the questions remain: How did [you] let [yourself]get to this place?  How did [you] become complicit, perhaps unwittingly, in [your] own decline? How did [you] succumb to the belief that the business gurus and "flat world" pundits know more about education than [you] do, or to the view that the product management strategies, accounting protocols, and bottom line values of corporations can address the educational needs of teachers and students?  How did [you] allow [yourself] to be seduced into being a "generic teacher" whose academic authority is replaced by management control?

Blog4: (250 thoughtful words).

Reading: Taubman, P. (2009) Teaching by numbers : deconstructing the discourse of standards and accountability in education. New York : Routledge.

Ch. 4    The Language of Educational Policy    p. 55

Ch. 5    Audit Culture: Standards and the Practices of Accountability   p. 88

• Identify themes developed in the reading(s) for tonight. 

• Using evidence from the text: 

1. Name and define the theme(s); 

2. Discuss the perspective of the author(s)regarding the themes. 

Do you agree with the author's perspective? 

• If yes, why? 
• If not, why not?

Ning Forum:

    *Locate 2+ terms in context significant to the meaning of the chapter(s);

    *Working together online, use  available resources to define these terms; (some definitions might vary)

    *For class, prepare to discuss these terms in context.

Blog3: (250 thoughtful words).

• Identify themes developed in the reading(s) for tonight. 
• Using evidence from the text:

1. Name and define the theme(s);

2. Discuss the perspective of the author(s)regarding the themes.

Do you agree with the author's perspective? 

• If yes, why? 
• If not, why not?

Research:

• Identify another author on a similar subject. Using textual evidence, demonstrate whether her perspective agrees or disagrees with the author. 

• Bring the new author's article or book with you to class.

Blog2:  Develop and respond to a query based on your reading.  Allow your writing to address more current issues and/or lived experiences but focus your writing on the text.

8 February 2010

Reading: Curriculum Studies Reader:

1    Scientific Method in Curriculum-Making / Franklin Bobbitt    15

6    The Rise of Scientific Curriculum-Making and Its Aftermath / Herbert M. Kliebard    52