The Community Matrix below illustrates the interactions that inform my teaching. Below, you will find a list of tools that I use to help create a meaningful learning environment and how connections are made between learners, learners and facilitators, and learners and the content material. Creating this matrix was very meaningful for me, as it really got me to consider the types of ways that I would create meaningful interactions in my classes. I like that some are personal, whereas some are much more distanced; I want students to understand the importance of all levels of community.
Community Matrix: Creating Community Through Learner-learner, Learner-facilitator, and Learner-content Connections
ToolDiscussion Boards
TED Talks YouTube Tip Sheets Scoop.it Prezi |
ConnectionLearner-learner & Learner-facilitator
Learner-Facilitator Learner-Content Learner-Content Learner-Facilitator Learner-learner & Learner-content Learner-learner & Learner-content |
RationaleI see discussion as the crux of the class, where critical thinking deepens as students push another. I will also provide open-ended questions to engage students.
Used to address students individually; perhaps to ask about a specific issue I see with their writing or their ability to follow directions of the course. Viewed in order to strengthen the course content and provide students with real-world examples of what we’re reading and discussing. Should create a constructivist environment as students begin to see the practicality of course content. Much like TED Talks, YouTube will be used to help students access lectures and other videos that will supplement their class reading. These videos will be used to help students synthesize the course content. Provided to help students participate fully in all elements of the course. Issues, such as posting a discussion response, turning in work to the dropbox, and the like will be vital. Students will create their own page to illustrate the research they’ve done and then share it with the rest of the class. As a result, all students will be able to view and access multiple sources to use in their writing. Prezi is an online presentation-creation resource. Students can collaborate on projects, present research, and share new information they want to add to a presentation. No software is needed, which is an added bonus. |