Home!

I am heading home today. Yippee! And, sigh. It's been a good time.

Reflection: Social Media

Today we talked about social media and I feel a little proud about the steps I have made in that regard. I recognize a power that we still need to use. In advertising for the class reunion (which is tonight) I relied on the blog, and the Facebook page. Over 80 classmates joined the group in a matter of days. For the school newspaper, we formed a Twitter account and a Facebook page. And yet, we have much to do.

Consider the following. Let's say I am teaching and I make a reference to Sophia Loren. A 15 year old will go to Google to find photos and information. A 14 year old? That student will go to . . . YouTube. For some reason that fascinates me. Think about it.

Reflection: How Am I Doing?

Today was the most difficult day so far. We were visited by a professor who acted the part of Horace Greeley, famed New York Tribune editor. When he finished his speech, we had to write a feature story, citing three sources and totaling 350 words. In less than one hour. I started to panic. My hands started to sweat. I AM NOT A WRITER! I used to be, but that was then.

I wrote and edited and then a professor from the UNR School of Journalism critiqued and edited my story. I was a good student, aware and willing and conscientious...but I was terrified. I feel a great deal of sympathy for my students, those students whom I ask to produce writing spontaneously and well, with all sorts of seemingly arbitrary rules. Whew. I am relieved to be finished for the day.

Reflection: Fault Lines

Dori Maynard, president of the Maynard Institute flew in today to talk about Fault Lines. Those are those things that could cause us to erupt, those things that impact the way we view information. They are: race, gender, generation, class, and geography. We were asked to reflect tonight about these lines and whether or not we feel up to the job of navigating these issues. I do. When I was trained to be an RA we learned about inclusive language. That is a lesson I internalized and pass on to my students every year.

A very inspirational and exciting day!

Differentiated Instruction...Pudding included!

Reflection: Psychological Incentives

Please forgive my temporary obsession with newspaper. I am supposed to report somewhere, and I would rather write on a blog that already exists than create a new one.
_________________

We are gearing up for dinner. After dinner, we form editorial groups and then work for another hour and a half.

I already have new tools in my kit. The most important one from today for me and my students is the idea of psychological incentives. Somewhere, in some adolescent development class (okay, at Westminster College in 2002) I learned about the human brain. But I was still a teenager myself, so I promptly forgot it all. Karl Grubaugh talked about students wanting five things, all things that I can provide in my classroom that are FREE. They are as follows: a sense of belonging, power, freedom, fun, and positivity.

I think I am great about the positivity part, not so good on the power part. But, if I become more conscious of how these incentives play into my newspaper staff, all of us will benefit. And, I won't have to bribe anyone with chocolate.

More of the Same...kind of

I am in Reno! (see earlier post)

I arrived yesterday and on the shuttle to the hotel I looked around and saw...teachers. Six of them. I could tell they were teachers because they looked just like me! All of us are here for the same thing. We all come from similar situations: rural schools, new to teaching journalism, enthusiastic about the possibilities.

The sessions so far have been fascinating. We are fed like royalty, and I have a 14th floor room overlooking the west mountains. We arrived to our classroom to find swag bags full of he following: Sharpies, post-it's, lotion, sunscreen, chap stick, and a stainless steel water bottle.

Will take pictures later if I have a minute.

Reynold's Institute

About a month ago I found out that I have been accepted to the Reynold's Journalism Institute. Back in February I applied on a whim, and now I have committed two weeks of my summer to this adventure in Reno. 


Here's a little bit about the program:


The Reynolds Institute is an intensive two-week journalism training program for high school teachers and staffers. Instruction is based on the core tenets of journalism and the skills needed to produce a top-notch scholastic publication. In 2011, we will select 175 teachers for the program. THERE IS NO COST TO THE TEACHER OR SCHOOL.

KEY TOPICS

Multimedia reporting, writing, editing, photojournalism, online and digital posting, layout and design, opinion pages, journalism credibility, ethics and responsibilities, the future of journalism and business-side skills.

OBJECTIVES

• Help students start or improve a student newspaper online and/or on paper.
• Enhance the teaching of journalism and the First Amendment.
• Learn about journalism, ethics, the First Amendment, critical thinking and leadership development.

A free and vital press is a cornerstone of democracy. Independent student newspapers that practice high journalistic standards inform and engage the entire school community.

BENEFITS

The Reynolds Institute pays for:

• Continuing education credits determined at each university’s discretion upon completion of all assignments.
• Program and study materials.
• Travel to/from the Institute that we pre-approve (flights arranged by our designated agent OR mileage reimbursement, whichever costs less).
• Housing (no roommate) and meals.
• A journalism reference library.
• Membership to the Student Press Law Center, Journalism Education Association and state/regional scholastic press group.

I am super excited! :)