Open Letter To My Students

Dear Students,

I am conflicted. Do I feed into the hype of the whole VMA Awards show by writing about it? Do I just ignore the images of a young person clearly in need of attention?  Can I even begin to process what on earth inspired a creative mind to express herself in such vulgar and public ways?

Perhaps this is something all of you already know on some level, but if it saves even one of my dear students from shame, humiliation, or regret, I feel it is worth writing.

To my young ladies:
You don't need the type of attention that lewdness and tasteless acts will give you. You really don't. I understand that society's definition of beauty and allure are crammed down our throats and minds every day. Make a conscious decision to rise above that. I understand that suggestive pictures and language can create a flood of attention. Make a sincere effort to avoid both as it is not constructive, positive attention. I understand that Hollywood-type behavior leads to a kind of brainwashing in which the truly bizarre can appear normal. Make sure you are not amongst the delusional.

To my young men:
You are the key to helping reign in some of this repugnant and distasteful behavior. Of course, it is nice to compliment the ladies in your lives, but I challenge you this- get beyond the physical compliments. Wholeheartedly admiring someone's talents, character, magnetism, and individuality is much more profound than admiring someone's eyes. I ask that you also think of your mothers, sisters, and daughters growing up in a world consumed by racy, provocative images of women.  Help them navigate through this by showing your own preference for some modesty and self-pride.  Nothing is more attractive than a confident, intelligent, positive person- regardless of her waist size or hair color.

I wish I were more shocked than I am about the choices that were made in the leading up to the VMA circus. I mean, there were surely dress-rehearsals, costume-designers, parents, network producers, etc. that all knew exactly what was going to happen. Why didn't someone approach the whole situation and put a screeching halt to it?  This is not a case of one young lady going wild- it is a reflection of a society gone wild with misogyny and "blurred lines" of what is acceptable.

My point, my students, is this: you are better than that. Every time you change your profile picture, post to Instagram, show a fun few seconds on Vine, or opine on Twitter, stop and think. I ask that you really look into yourself and honestly answer the question "Is this what I want the world to think of me?" Once you have put an image, opinion, or video on-line, it becomes part of your digital footprint. Forever.

Maybe the right thing to do is to just say nothing.  I just can't sit quietly when out of something disturbing I can possibly find a teachable moment.  It's what I do; I am forever your teacher.

Abrazos and be careful out there,

Sra. Lennon

Teacher Envy

I admit it. I was jealous today. I was training a group of teachers and it was their first peek at their class rosters. I watched them share with each other, squeal with delight, "awwwww," and even good-naturedly wrinkle their noses and shake their heads. The truth is, they were delighted. Getting class rosters for teachers is like opening a precious gift every year.  I marveled at them.

image from http://www.ultimateteacherappreciationprogram.com/

Well, actually, I had to pause anyhow. They were not paying attention to me, but I understood completely. I was the same way when I saw that roster every single year- and for every single child.

I miss that feeling of seeing the fresh faces as they walked into Room 1008. Some students that I had taught the previous years would peek in or meander into the room and look around. Oh how I loved seeing their faces! Especially the students that I didn't really have what I considered a special relationship with...those were the ones that made my teacher-heart skip a beat. "I wish I was in your class again!" or "I miss the way you teach already!" would simply stun me. I stopped them in the hallway later- asked what they meant- what did they like in Room 1008?

Turns out that what they liked in Room 1008 was really what happened on-line. They told me about how mine was a class in which they could work at their pace, learn in their way, and engage themselves on their time.  One young lady explained to me, "I hate lectures. I normally hate discussions. I also normally hate homework. It's not aimed at me. It's for 'everyone' so it's for 'no one.' Your class was different because I could get what I needed how I needed it and when I needed it. I felt important. I liked the work because I related and I actually learned."

I was flattered. I was also keenly aware of why they felt the way they felt. Before I started using My Big Campus, I was (oh gosh, this is painful to write) just another class. I mean, I am not trying to diminish myself, but even my best efforts at differentiation, self-paced learning, and a student-centered environment really did not come to fruition. My Big Campus made it easy. I could create a 24/7 learning community that catered to all learning styles with efficiency and accountability. Discussions, e-portfolios, individualized lessons, and instantaneous feedback all with a few clicks kept the class lively and engaging. It was also fun- for me and for my students!

So, I am not teaching anymore- and I miss that feeling of the "opening day" of school. I want to have a crazy-wide smile on my face as the kids pour off the bus. I want to experience the spontaneous high-five of the student walking through my threshold that "hates school" but I know deep-down loves being in Room 1008. I want to go hoarse the first day reciting the same information to seven classes...only to go home and make myself even more hoarse chatting with my teacher friends about the first day! I want to be a part of it!

I envy the teachers' opening days. I do so wish the best for everyone's commencements- although my part has changed. Maybe I don't get to experience it first-hand, but the great part about training teachers on My Big Campus is that I get to hear about MANY starts to great school years. And I do adore each and every opening-day experience that I get to be a part of...even if vicariously watching teachers open their rosters!

I *Heart* My Big Campus

It's no secret around here. I *heart* My Big Campus.  As a Mobile Learning Expert, I get to share the love with teachers, instructional technology personnel, administration, and even students during training sessions and demonstrations. One of the greatest joys of my job is to hear the reaction from the audience, "I LOVE this!" or "This is the BEST!"  Of course, I agree- but recently, My Big Campus starting incorporating the love into its own interface in the form of little red hearts found to the right of Wall Posts, Announcements, Discussions, Blogs, Activity Feeds, and even Standards.

These little hearts hold huge potential for educators at the simple click of a button.  Of course, it is always acceptable to spread the love and click on the heart if you see a post or activity that is particularly appealing to you, but here are a few ways to make the MBC love a part of your lesson plan and pedagogy:

Announcements- Once you make an Announcement in a group, require students to click on the heart when they read and understand it. There is a number to the left of the heart that tells how many people have clicked on it, and by clicking on this number, you can see a list of the students that have seen the Announcement.  

This way, you increase accountability for students to be held responsible for these announcements. It's simple to send a quick message or find the one or two students that don't "heart" the announcement to achieve 100% accountability.

Discussions- Encourage students to "heart" any discussion posts they find worthwhile and stay away from empty posts like "I agree."  The heart implies agreement or even value with a quick click.  The actual posts themselves can be constructed with meaningful dialogue and substantial content. Use them  as a teacher to let students know when they have fulfilled the requirement for the discussion board.

Wall Posts and Activity Feed- Let students know when they have modeled good digital citizenship or written something impressive. The innocuous posts and greetings are part of the fun of a safe, social, learning network, but sometimes students post profound thoughts, helpful resources, and even sound advice for their peers. Don't be afraid to make a great example out of these responsible students- show them some love with a heart or even a repost!

Blogs- Students love to have their Blogs read! Have students "heart" a few other students' blogs, then create reaction groups based on who has hearted each blog. You can also let students know when their blog has hit the mark by hearting them as well!

Standards- You will find hearts in the Standards lists as well. These are not indicating that you are particularly fond of a standard, but rather that you are adding that standard as a "favorite" or "frequently used" standard.

Each unit or marking period, go through and heart the standards you will be using. These will show up on your favorites list and prevent you from having to drill through the standards each time to select those you are currently using. At the end of the unit, unselect them by selecting the red "X" and add in your new favorites for the upcoming unit!

There is just so much to love about My Big Campus! Sometimes it's great to take the time to elaborate an appreciation or an admiration for something we find on MBC, but with so much that is enticing to explore and interact with, it's nice to express the MBC love with a quick click. A simple, but meaningful *heart* can increase not only accountability, but also spread the good MBC vibes! 

Happy hearting everyone!! <3