Memes in the Classroom

 WIKIPEDIA defines an Internet meme as: 

an idea that is propagated through the World Wide Web. The idea may take the form of a hyperlink, video, picture, website, hashtag, or just a word or phrase. The meme may spread from person to person via social networks, blogs, direct email, news sources, or other web-based services. An Internet meme may stay the same or may evolve over time, by chance or through commentary, imitations, parody, or by incorporating news accounts about itself. Internet memes can evolve and spread extremely rapidly, sometimes reaching world-wide popularity within a few days.

In order to better prepare our students for their digital citizenship, access to and understanding of internet culture is imperative. 

Internet Memes are the sharing of popular culture. Every student with internet, cell phone, or iPad access will know which are the popular and current memes. Memes might have more place in middle or senior schools than in younger grades.  In my role as a teacher librarian and literacy leader in a middle school I can offer an introduction to memes as part of the media curriculum. Until we educate our students about the basics of meme-ing we can't expect to have discussions about ethics or social action.

MEME Basics

-define meme

-identify currently popular memes

-learn to recognize memes vs. truth (critical thinking piece)

-define the audience ("remixers, "sharers") for a particular meme

-how was this meme spread?

-why did this meme spread?

-how was the meme created (skills required)?

-how was the meme remixed?

-recognize the collaborative, modification and sharing nature of memes

-identify counter memes

-create a remix of a favourite meme or create a counter meme

Memes are engaging, motivating and relevant. I might even suggest memes be included as part of our media or technology classes. 

One issue which will continue to create discussion amoung educators is where will we access engaging and more importantly appropriate meme content.

Planning a Grade 6 Science Blog

The following assignment is a Web 2.0 adaptation of

Planet for Sale!

Part One: I am a Scientist web page

• My Science memories
• What I learned about air and flight
• My favourite Science invention
• My favourite online Science sites

Part Two: Planet for Sale Blog 

POST #1   Introduce yourself and your realty company

1. your first name
2. your company name
3. a logo for your company
4. graphics
5. date of last revision

POST # 2   Describe your planet

1. planet name
2. number planet from the sun
3. distance to earth
4. closest planet-how far?
5. interesting characteristics
6. atmosphere: temperature, weather, etc.
7. surface: crustal activity, quakes, volcanoes

POST # 3   Clearly describe the characteristics of your planet which are most appealing to buyers and explain why the features are important.


POST # 4   Clearly describe suggestions for buyer as to how they might use or enjoy the planet based on the characteristics.

POST # 5  BUY comments 
Try to buy a planet! These comments must communicate to at least 3 other sellers that you want to buy their planet. Your comments will help you find out if their planet is the one for you. Write clear comments and intelligent questions. Check back to see what their answers are.

POST # 6 SELL comments 
Sell your planet! Respond to questions and comments made by possible buyers of your planet. You want to convince them that your planet is the best choice for them to buy.Try to make a sale.


Students are encouraged to include:

• links to sites that assist in demonstrating understanding
• graphics of their own creation
• pictures from Flickrcc, Wylio.com or Google Advanced Image Search (Only images labeled for reuse)

Podcasting: The survey says...

Podcasting Survey 2011 using Chartle.net My use of this tool still needs some fine-tuning.
This week Ms Knight and I completed our first collaborative podcasting experience with her grade 8 Science classes. Although we faced a number of challenges the overall engagement of the students and results were spectacular.

When asked what they had learned students responded:

• science can be fun
• I can learn without visuals
• repetition by rerecording helped me learn
• how to use Audacity
• how to make a podcast
• about my water issue and why it is important
• I would make a great reporter

 Suggestions made by students for next time:

• more time to record
• practice more
• should podcast more often
• try video recording
• speak more clearly, more slowly and with more expression
• work faster
• pick a different partner

Although some students chose not to publish their podcasts online Ms Knight and I agree the assignment was worth the time and effort.

My 3 Blogging Hats

Teaching Hat:

• engaging students in meaningful writing for authentic audiences
• student portfolio development
• literature/discussion circle
• "supports critical thinking, encouraging students to think and reflect prior to writing."(Trexler, 2010, p105)
• engaging students and teachers using technology
• allows all members of a class an equal voice
• sharing ideas and understanding
• school library blog
• student reading group blogs
• sharing passion for technology in education and school libraries
• offering PD to teachers

Learning Hat

• Personal Learning Community (without a doubt)
• professional resources available through searching credible sources
• links to new resources through the blogs I follow
• collaborate to present ideas to colleagues/followers
• using Google Reader for updates from blogs I follow
• life long learning will be up to date, relevant and accurate
• RSS feeds how did ever live without you?

Personal Hat: 

• possibly create a blog to share my interest in watercolour painting (might have to wait now I am on this journey to Web 2.0)
• developing my voice
• Should I delete my Facebook account due to a few negative experiences and focus more on blogging?
• feeling validated by repeat viewers from around the world
• I think therefore I am a blogger

Finding a Blogging Voice: Step Four

My voice as a teacher librarian is thrilled by books, new titles and old, especially Canadian and passionate about intellectual freedoms on the shelves and on the web.

My voice as a technology leader is excited by the possibility of using Web 2.0 tools and technology in my library and in the classrooms. 

My voice is regularly frustrated by board of education internet filters and tight controls of forward thinking practices regarding technology. 

My voice as an educator is pleased by, supportive and encouraging of creative and unique approaches to teaching and learning. 

My voice as a learner is enthusiastic to experience new things and PASSIONATE to share what I have discovered and always has been and probably always will be.

The message I want to express as a blogger is that teacher librarians can move our schools into the 21^st century and I will post information that is a real and honest attempt to pass that message along. I agree that these technologies "can be used to transform classroom practice and extend the school day in ways that will have a positive impact on student achievement." (Brooks-Young, 2010, p.11)  I am seeking an authentic voice in my posts but the details of the assignment seem to be interfering with my natural style of blogging (or what I think is my style of blogging) although my recent posts feel more like me (with an academic edge)...if that makes sense.  I am developing a sense that if I could write posts more quickly and more often my voice would be less formal and more real, authentic and readable (PASSIONATE). I revisit and edit my blog posts all the time. 

 

The (My) Guide to Finding Your Blogging Voice  offers these suggestions:

• Identify your unique voice.
• JUST START ALREADY!
• Write like you talk.
• Tweak it along the way
• Wisdom comes through risks.

I would like a voice that is mainly Whale with a bit of Dolphin.

 

I hope to take this advice to heart.  I am still looking for my voice. Has anyone out there seen it?
Final advice-Take my own advice! 

Joyce Valenza: See Sally Research

I met Joyce Valenza (well I didn't really meet her) during my first TLDL course. I have been reading and enjoying her blog Never Ending Search and following new posts since last winter.
I was searching for the reference to the library as a kitchen not a grocery store when this video appeared on my desktop-not once but in every search result. See Sally Research clearly, intelligently, and simply shows us where researchers are and where libraries should be today AND beginning at 14:30 she tells us a library "is more kitchen than grocery store."

7 Deadly Podcasting Fears

Lewis'(2011) October 31 podcast episode, Top 7 Deadly Fears of Podcasting lists reasons why some people hesitate to try podcasting or blogging. I admit that a few of these have crossed my mind but now my podcasts are finished and posted I have developed some confidence in my efforts. Lewis' list might help my students overcome their fears as well. He debunks each fear with logical explanations including; there is a listener for every voice and every idea and confidence will help you overcome your fears.

1. not worth the time
2. don't have enough to say
3. no one will listen
4. people won't like me
5. too hard
6. costs too much
7. I hate the sound of my voice

Following links to access the original source of this podcast I was overjoyed to find Lewis' site included notes for archived episodes. I am beginning to realize just how small my piece of auditory learner is.

We are not going back!

This post on the blog Hey Jude: learning in an online world caught my Teacher-librarian eye. 
Teacher librarians are important.
I especially liked this image:

Image cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photoshared by mikefisher821

But, more importantly these words:

"Be sure you are understand online learning environments and the extra-ordinary potential of the social-media mind. Be sure you are involved with and present new ways and new information strategies to your teachers when working within the curriculum and the full knowledge dimension of learning. Be sure you bring with you a full understanding of information literacy and information fluency as the underpinning of all that you do."

GOOD NEWS!

Happily, I am able to report that yesterday I successfully negotiated with my principal and opened a Campus account to allow 750 students and 30 teachers access to Weebly for class websites and blogs. We are not going back!