Most recent public comments by Kari F https://nowcomment.com/users/96580 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215216 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215216 But, I've also maintained that online affinity groups, and their potential for achievements and connection and “leveling up” should not be forced. Many people (young and old) are perfectly content and engaged and interested in their offline communities. These interests and skills and experiences do not lose value with the rise of those cultivated online. Many of the young people I work with really hate being on the computer and have absolutely no interest in learning anything beyond the basics. I think this is okay. We aren't all meant to be coders or video producers or master strategist gamers. I’ve learned a lot about how to transfer and promote the successes and frameworks of online affinity groups to my own classroom and recognize that the creativity, collaboration, community, and critical nature of interest based learning can blossom just about anywhere. Sun, 29 Nov 2020 18:54:02 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215194 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215194 All classrooms can be interest based. All classrooms can value the student and help them reflect upon and develop their skills and strengths. And all classrooms should operate with shared values and expectations, which, at their core, promote an "ethos of inclusivity." If these notions become the first priorities of our practice, and help frame our "why," the content/curriculum/standards/skills will fall in line behind them. The questions of how and why the online affinity groups work so well is answered in these frameworks, which can be applied to all contexts, not just online or extracurricular ones. Sun, 29 Nov 2020 22:17:54 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215185 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215185 Sun, 29 Nov 2020 18:18:48 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215135 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215135 Sun, 29 Nov 2020 18:04:39 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215115 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2215115 As I picture this school and how it promotes genuine connections to new media and the power of learning in online affinity groups, I think about all the images and ideas I have about modern companies and their needs, and I can't help but think that students who have the opportunity to attend schools like this well have such valuable and relevant experience, and find these workplaces much more natural and navigable than students who have spent most of their time in more traditional classrooms. I do think that we educators need to pay close attention to what types of skills students truly need as they move into their lives after high school and college, and make sure we are adapting our own learning environments to better prepare them. Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:51:56 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138893?scroll_to=2202383 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138893?scroll_to=2202383 A poet's salsa -what is that? I'm not a poet. I like the image. Salsa is a mixture. Like words? Mixed together to make a poem Sun, 15 Nov 2020 18:28:41 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138893?scroll_to=2202381 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138893?scroll_to=2202381 I'm thinking about the capitalization of the verbs as more significant that the (proper noun) places. To climb is to work hard to get high above. Swim is to surround yourself and submerge yourself and stay afloat. Dance is to celebrate and release and move and find rhythm. Sun, 15 Nov 2020 18:28:41 -0500