Reading and Discussion #10

1. A way social media changed reading and writing processes is they have become interactive. "When readers engage with a blog, for example, the are able, indeed expected, to click on links, add comments, and reblog or remix content."
2. Students need to understand cosmopolitan practices through school so they do not learn through error.  Cosmopolitan practices help them to recognize they are publishing information to a global audience that can remain on record permanently.  They can also learn how to respond to material they've read in a 'hospitable' way using cosmopolitan ethics, which take into consideration the very broad audience comprised of many cultures who may interpret information differently.
3. The cosmopolitan conversation video challenge taught media literacy because "the youth initially discussed images from blog posts and profile pictures" then the students "were given the challenge of composing a digital story with the Space2Cre8 global audience".
4. Digital technologies should be used to support student learning throughout the class to continually let students have an "active role of authorship" instead of just digitizing the final capstone assignment.
5. The videos I watched this week supported the concept of cosmopolitism by being informative about various cultures and practices.  Many seemed to have a message they wanted to share with the world- a unique identity.
6. "Most reported having never written a full essay independently..."
When reading about the 25 juniors and seniors involved in the cosmopolitan conversation video challenge the text went on to say how the students had traveled physical boundaries from the Bronx to New York University but also societal boundaries regarding socioeconomic status.  Even so, I know students start writing small essays in elementary school.  I cannot help but be surprised when I learn how academically behind students can be for their age, despite how many times I see it as a substitute.  I believe the public does not realize this is so common, at least in my area or state.  Before I became an educator, I believed that if students did not learn the required skills needed for a specific grade, they were retained and then they were able to catch up to their peers, even if it took being retained for 2 grades.  Now I know as an educator and as a parent, there are several issues or complications for the student and his/her peers that go along with retaining a student.  However, we all also know there are several issues and complications that go along with being in high school junior or senior and being incompetent in reading, writing and math.

How Does Retention Impact Children

This article lists negative and positive outcomes from retaining a student.  I think there is always going to be a gray area regarding this matter because all students are different.  I suppose that should remind us to always recognize that all students are unique and a one-size-fits-all approach in education is always going to hurt some students.