Module 10

For this final unit, we presented our own non-print media assignments. Surprisingly, this was an easier task than I had anticipated. You can take nearly any standard or activity and convert it to a non-print assignment. In doing so, a traditional, boring activity can transition into something the students will actually have fun doing and relate to. Every group in our class took a different approach to this assignment, which really shows how many possibilities non-print media can bring to the classroom. If I had to take just one concept from this class, it would be that you have the opportunity to do whatever you want in your classroom as long as you have the ability to support it with standards and rationalize the value of it to your superiors.

In my group, we decided to create fake Facebook profiles for characters out of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I had done a project similar to this in high school, but ours was still vastly different from what I had created. We had our assignment incorporate creating a profile for characters, but you could also use this tool to show interactions between characters and highlight key plot events. As long as Facebook is still relevant in the lives of young adults, I feel this can be a successful project. Even if it is a little dated, students can still find value in this tool simply because it’s different than what they would typically do in a classroom. As long as new forms of social media continue to arise and become popular with the youth, we can utilize them to engage our students.

I found it really interesting that most groups used forms of social media for their assignments. However, they didn’t actually use the tool, but they provided a simulation of it instead. I feel this approach can cut back on using technology simply to use technology, and they will still achieve the same results. We used a Facebook template instead of the actual website, one group used a phone template for a texting assignment, and another gave the opportunity to use regular video recording instead of Snapchat. Because some students might not have regular access to phones or computers, this allows them to still actively participate. Also, technology can sometimes turn into a distraction if students are actually texting or on Facebook. However, I feel that by trying to make your activities relevant and engaging to students, you can evoke a deeper respect from and relationship with your students.