The Cyber Stigma: Changing the Social Perception of Cyber School

By: Peter Mysels, High School Social Studies Teacher

Once per month, my immediate family and I all meet at my mom’s house to partake in another of what we call “Haircut Night”. It is a Mysels tradition. My aunt is a hair dresser and we use the first Tuesday of every month to get together, get a trim around the edges, and enjoy a meal. Last month’s Haircut Night was a particularly memorable one. 

“So when are you going to work in a real school?”

My aunt asked me this as I was getting my haircut. I could tell by her tone that she hadn’t intended to be rude or belittle me, my school, or cyber schools in general. It was merely a case of having little background or understanding on a particular topic, in this case cyber schools, and what they can do for students, for teachers, and what possibilities they have in the education field in the future. 

There seems to be an unfortunately common stigma in our society that cyber school teachers are not cut out for “real” school – “real” referring to “brick and mortar” type schools. Often correlated to this is the perception that teaching in a cyber setting is simple compared to “traditional schooling”. This perception is inaccurate. Teaching in a cyber setting has taught me so much, not just about pedagogical strategies, but about motivating students, accommodating a diverse population, and developing a genuine relationship with my classes.

The teachers I have collaborated with in the cyber setting display a constant desire to learn more about effective pedagogical techniques and tools to help motivate and engage our students. It takes a creative and determined mind to achieve a high level of engagement when one’s student body lies behind a screen. We share ideas to help each other’s classes expand and develop to best meet the needs of our students and make class an exciting place to be. Tools and programs such as Nearpod, Kahoot, Padlet, Quizlet, and Google Applications are all a part of the lessons designed here, incorporating group collaboration as well as independent learning. These are a common sight in cyber schools such as PA Distance. We bring variety into our daily lessons, transitioning to motivation within the students as we move away from the typical “sit and get” strategy and more to one that utilizes the tools, programs, and techniques that modern education has to offer.

The diverse student population puts a challenge on the plate of cyber school teachers. Our students come from all over the state. Some stem from wealthy areas, while others come from predominantly low income areas. Some come from more urban settings while others come from more rural areas. Many of our students require various accommodations and modifications based on their individual needs. To meet these needs and to set our students up for success in the best way possible, we constantly need to be adapting, learning, and growing as teachers to help accommodate students that come from various backgrounds.

Teaching students in a cyber setting requires an extra amount of effort to get to know them as individuals. We get to know our students on a genuine level through the phone calls, conferences, emails, and chats over the course of a day, semester, or school year. We know their strengths, weaknesses, hobbies, and dreams for the future. Cyber schools prove that one does not need physical face-to-face contact to learn a lot about someone and help them on their path to success.

I would like every cyber school teacher reading this to challenge the question, “When are you going to work in a real school?” Remove the stigma that cyber school teachers do not match up to “brick and mortar” teachers by explaining just how much we do for our students to help them succeed and make school an accepting and inviting place to be. This is not to explain how cyber school teachers are more skilled or knowledgeable than brick and mortar teachers, but rather, to showcase how cyber schools and their amazing teachers are certainly just as “real” as those in traditional classrooms and their amazing teachers. 

Improving Communication Skills in the Virtual World

By Kelly Crooks, English Teacher

In today’s digital world of text-messaging, chatting, hashtagging, and online schooling, many fear the loss of communication skills and the ability to improve those skills. The fear that young people’s communication skills will suffer in both their social and professional lives is heaviest among educators and parents, but is this fear legitimate? Do young people’s communication proficiencies suffer because they live in a virtual world? Does “digital” mean lack of proper speaking and writing?

No matter the mindset of educators, parents, or older generations, “digital” or “virtual” does not have to suggest poor communication; in fact, many researchers would argue that there are no discrepancies at all between communication skills in the digital world and the in-person world. 

An article by Drew Hendricks posted on Out Reach claims that strong communication skills are vital in both environments, and that solid communication is important for building strong personal and professional relationships either digitally or in person.  Hendricks also points out:  “We’re at a strange crossroads where physical and digital communications converge . . . how do they interact with each other?”  Even though much communication has become virtual, it is possible to use those same communication standards in the digital world as we do in the physical world. Communication does not have to suffer now that it has gone viral. 

People can continue to practice good communication in any environment, but are we prepared to effectively engage and converse with people in the digital world and keep our communication skills on point?  The following are suggestions for improving communications skills in the virtual world:


Social Media

First, use social media! That’s right,  if you’re looking to improve your writing and expressional talents, then use Facebook, Twitter, and  Instagram more often! These are just a few of the social media outlets where people can express themselves, write, and converse with society. If you’re going to use them, though, be sure to use them properly! Standard English only please!

Text Messaging

Next up, text! Text messaging provides individuals with the opportunity to practice his or her writing skills. Texting has become second nature to most, but simple daily messaging is actually helping people improve their communications abilities. It should be noted that communication will only become stronger if proper English is used!

Video Calling

Live Learning sessions at Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School, web conferences, Google Hangouts, Skype, Facetime, and so on are excellent tools to use to practice using strong communication skills. There are hundreds of digital tools that allow people to connect from all over the globe - take advantage! Video calling advances your communication skills and self confidence, and it can help you become a better presenter as well.   Whether it’s your parents using video chat from work, a class at school, or a friend using Hangouts in a different country, video conference as much as you can!

Phone Calls

Don’t forget about old-fashioned phone calling either! Even though it has become the least popular function to use on smartphones, phone calling your family and friends does enhance your communication skills. Chatting with your voice helps you to become a stronger speaker, it increases your self-confidence, and improves your storytelling techniques. When it comes to communication, phone calls should never go out of style!

Writing

When possible, write! Writing is a creative outlet that not only is known to reduce stress, but also improves ALL communication skills. Writing is directly related to speaking, so enhancing your writing skills will advance all of your communication skills. How you write, what you write, or the program you use to write does not matter; the only thing that matters is remembering to write in this virtual world.  Whether it’s blogging, journaling, using Google Docs or Microsoft Word for essays and poetry, or some other program, find your comfort zone and write away!

Giving Presentations

Finally, take advantage of giving presentations as much as you can. There is no better way to become a confident communicator than giving a presentation. Formal or informal presentations on topics you enjoy enhance your communication skills because you can practice eye contact, voice inflections, non-verbal gestures,  and speaking properly. Take advantage of any opportunity you have at giving a virtual presentation! Do you have a fear of speaking to groups of people? No problem! Video yourself giving a presentation.


Now that you are on your way to improving your communication skills in this digital world, there is one last thing to keep in mind: always stay in touch! Communication abilities can be only be hindered in the digital world if they are not used. Be creative, and find what works best for you!


Works Cited:

Hendricks, Drew. "How to Improve Communication Skills in a Digital World." 

UVM Continuing and Distance Education. UVM Out Reach, 24 Sept. 2014. Web. 28 Mar. 2017.    

<https://learn.uvm.edu/blog-business/improve-communication-skills>

But, It’s Just Art

By Renee Belville, Art Teacher & Julie Dellert, Art Teacher

“But, it’s just art.” The statement that we, as artists, hear too often yet laugh when we do hear it. But...it’s NOT just art. There is so much more to it than just a “pretty picture." Art is relevant to everyone as it helps us academically, mentally and socially. So when does art become part of our lives? 

PART ONE- The Early Years 

When we were toddlers running around and playing, we actually were learning about art without even knowing it. Child development involves just that. As we were getting messy with crafts and figuring out how to cut with scissors, we were actually working on our fine motor skills. Hand-eye coordination was being focused on as well, because one needs to have the skills to accomplish tasks such as learning how to write. In Pre-School, children have fun while being educated. Weren’t identifying shapes, colors and objects one of the very first things we were taught as youngsters? Building blocks, Play-Doh, matching and puzzles are a few developmental activities that help lead children into the next stage of their life...school. 

Art is important in K-12, because of cognitive development, creative thinking, and integrating core subjects as such as math, language arts, history, etc. It can help children improve with decision making, critical thinking skills, school involvement and higher grades. A study called Reinvesting in Arts Education states, “Art Education can be a valuable education reform tool and classroom integration of creative opportunities could be key to motivate students and improve standardized test scores.” 

With cognitive development, art can help children solve problems, figure out patterns and learn critical thinking. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” comes to mind, because children learn how to plan by visual storytelling. This helps academically, starting with language arts, by using descriptive words with artwork. For example, the third- and fifth- graders at Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School draw a picture of a story with a written explanation. In class, language arts is involved in many ways like introducing vocabulary, reading aloud, writing reflections, critiquing artwork and completing literacy strategies, like the Venn diagram and exit slips. 

Another vital subject included in Art is math. For example, the seventh-graders complete a perspective lesson where they learn to use a ruler and discover the different types of lines (vertical, diagonal, parallel, etc.) They also study the element, value, which helps make two-dimensional work look three-dimensional. The seventh-graders utilize math terms such as a sphere, cylinder, rectangular prism, etc. With both elementary and middle school classes, we discuss symmetry, pattern and proportion. One popular math-related lesson is the process of creating a tessellation and the history of the mathematical art whiz, MC Escher! 

History is another significant subject that is tied into the art curriculum. Students study art history by exploring geographical regions and the work of cultural artists. From storytelling using a buffalo hide to designs like a mandala and mola, students grasp a better understanding of cultural history. 

Even though core subjects are important in art, so is self-expression. This can help students express themselves in a creative manner. This can be called  “escaping” as art can help cope with stress and obstacles in life. It improves one’s health and well-being which overall can help a child succeed as an individual. And with success comes growth. 

And with that, children transition into the next stage of their life...high school! 

PART TWO- High School and Beyond

In high school and college, students enroll in art courses such as Intro to Drawing and Painting, Art History 101, and Introduction to Photography or Ceramics. They add these courses in as filler, with the mindset that it’ll be a (scoff) blowoff class. But, what students don’t realize is that, like we have seen earlier, much of what you learn in art transfers into many different core subjects, like math, language arts, history and science.

In the Introduction to Art and Studio Art courses offered at Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School, students learn how to draw images using the gridding technique. This method breaks their image down into small squares that can be graphed. Once gridded, the picture can be resized and redrawn to create a more accurate drawing.  The grid technique uses calculated measuring and graphing skills.  These same skills are used in math, except instead of graphing lines and parabolas, the students are graphing eyes and hands.


In Introduction to Art, students learn about different art in the real world.  They discover nature art, or art that is created using nature as a medium, and art that is formed naturally in our world. The students learn about chemical reactions, how Fibonacci's sequence affects the growth of plants, the famous art installation The Spiral Jetty, and the beauty of our own natural world.  Mathematics, history, and science are intertwined throughout the entire learning process.

Art is such a vital part of K-12 learning because it is so interlaced with the core subjects. But what about after graduation? People always joke that those with an art degree never achieve much more than a job at McDonald's or Starbucks, but they do make the best latte art!  The truth is, art is more than just a narrow path that leads straight to the french fryer. 

Take architecture for example.  Blueprints are calculated and measured precisely.  Historical and demographic information about the surrounding neighborhood are researched to design the most historically accurate building.  Architects couldn’t create a beautiful and desireable building without some knowledge of art.  By utilizing their artistic expertise, they can assess what building style is more eye catching, emphasize a part of a room using colors, shapes and objects, and even know how much wainscoting is just too much.

What about something in the medical field?  Let’s say a plastic surgeon.  Although a doctor studies many years in medical school, a plastic surgeon also needs to accurately know the anatomy of the human body.  Discovering where the eye sockets connect to the bridge of the nose, or how your phalanges are situated onto your hand is also taught in most college level anatomy art classes.

Video game design and technology careers are one of the fastest growing job markets today.  Because of the high demand for easy-to-use, immediate-response technology, there’s always an opportunity to grow.  Video game designers must have technology skills such as coding and creating algorithms. Without a background in art, their games have very little purpose to them.  Using art to create the characters, colors, and overall atmosphere sets the tone of the game, and is what makes it popular.  Take Minecraft for example.  One of the reasons the game is so widely popular is because of its bright, simple colors and its aim at advertising to the generation that craves nostalgia.

Below is a small list of the many careers that utilize art.  As you can see, art isn’t limited to just learning about the colors of the rainbow and who painted the Mona Lisa (It’s Leonardo Da Vinci, if you’re wondering).   It is utilized throughout our lives from childhood into adulthood.  By incorporating art into our students’ lives, we can offer them a more well-rounded education.  One that will help them not only in their future endeavors, but with every aspect of their lives.

Sources:
http://www.theartcareerproject.com/art-as-a-career/ 
http://educationcloset.com/steam/what-is-steam/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131022170624.htm
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-importance-of-art-in-child-development/
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19576763
http://www.pcah.gov/sites/default/files/photos/PCAH_Reinvesting_4web.pdf

Apps That Can Help Support Your Health and Wellness Journey

by Kelly Trapani, Health and Wellness Teacher

The utilization of technology has vastly altered the state of our day-to-day in both positive and negative ways. Though the argument can be made that more screen time can yield to more sedentary and distracted lifestyles, various technological advances can help to make getting and staying healthy easier than ever and as a cyber-school health and wellness teacher, I see those innovations first-hand. Through the usage of applications, health and fitness enthusiasts are able to more readily able to monitor their performance and create more attainable goals for themselves. Taking a holistic approach to overall health and wellbeing, here are a few of the apps that I have found most helpful on my fitness journey:

My Fitness Pal: This is actually the most popular health and fitness app in the world, and for good reason. This is used to record your physical activity as well as your nutrition habits. It will ask you what your goals are and tailor a plan to healthfully reach your goal. It is extremely easy to use and provides instant feedback on monitoring said goals. Also, it will discourage you from eating too few calories, a mistake oftentimes made by those who wish to lose weight very quickly. It will steer you to weight loss/maintenance in a healthy manner. In addition to that, it also provides a social network to encourage and motivate your friends. Occasionally, they will promote a “challenge” and if you log into your account for a certain number of days you will be entered to win prizes. 

Waterlogged: This app is super simple, but super effective. The premise of the app is to ensure that the user is consuming enough water throughout the day. To start, you set how much water you wish to consume, and as the day progresses, you “fill” your water jug. You can allow for push notifications for an additional nudge. The importance of staying hydrated cannot be overstated, and this app makes drinking enough water very simple.

HappyFeed: As I have said before, health is comprehensive and a combination of your physical and mental states. One cannot be healthy without the other being healthy. According to a study conducted by Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami, expressing gratitude daily can cause individuals to not only become more optimistic but also cause them to exercise more and have fewer medical issues. HappyFeed is an app that houses a gratitude journal. The goal is to log three things you are grateful for every day, and you can also include pictures. In addition to this, it creates a running list of all the things you have been thankful for in the past. This can cause a paradigm shift in your mentality when you are having an awful day and can most definitely turn any day around.  

Headspace: Headspace is an app used for meditation beginners. Running on the premise that “10 minutes could change your whole day”, it is ideal for those who would like to practice mindfulness, but are not yet ready to commit to a long program. This guided meditation can help those even with very short attention spans, like me, become more mindful. 

SleepBot: I have been using this app for a few years now, and I honestly cannot imagine my life without it. I wake up every morning at 4:30 a.m. and part of the reason I am able to do so is through the use of this app. The coolest function in my opinion is the “smart alarm”. The app tracks your nighttime movement and wakes you up during a 30-minute time frame you provide. So, because the latest I can wake up is 4:30 a.m., my alarm clock will go off anywhere from 4:00-4:30 a.m., dependent on my movements. Because it monitors your movements, it is able to tell when you are in the “lightest” stage of sleep and will wake you up during that phase. This makes waking up much less painful. I am an actual gremlin in the morning, so I need all the help I can get. In addition, it provides a detailed sleep history it can tell you exactly when you fell asleep and woke back up. You can provide notes to log your slumber in even a more detailed fashion. This can allow you to know how to get the best night sleep possible. Also, it will let you know if you have any “sleep debt” to notify you that you need to be getting more sleep. 

Strava: Strava is a running/biking app that has a fully featured GPS tracking service. It will track your runs but you can also use it as a social networking app to see your friends’ most recent runs and compete with them in various “challenges” like most miles ran in a month or fastest half marathon. You can also compare your run against other random users who have run or biked certain routes. Strava is even more motivating if you are competitive!

Transformed: This is a 12-week weight lifting program created by BodyBuilding.com. It can easily be used from beginners to more advance lifters and is designed for both men and women. I completed this program last month and was really impressed. It creates new plans every week. Each week has 5-7 workouts, with an optional rest day. It also includes videos for every lift to go over how to safely and effectively execute each move. The app also offers nutrition plans to supplement your exercise program. 



These are the apps that have worked the best for me, feel free to share your experiences with one of these apps or any others that you have found.

How Young Adults Can Develop a Growth Mindset

By: Mr. Jesse Danka, Special Education Teacher

“In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening.  So rather than thinking, oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here’s a chance to grow.”  ~ Carol Dweck  

As we become young adults, many of us are faced with variety of daily challenges. These challenges provide us ALL with the opportunity to learn and grow individually. From the time we open our eyes in the morning, until the time that we close our eyes at night, we are forced make choices that will ultimately determine our journey towards individual success. At the Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School, some of these important choices include: attendance in your live learning sessions, participation in these sessions, daily lesson completion and communication with teachers outside of regularly scheduled sessions.  The Iceberg Illusion is a great way help young adults visualize how our choices may affect individual success.  It is not an easy journey around the iceberg, but with hard work, dedication, discipline, sacrifice, failure, and persistence, a young adult can strive to be his or her best and continue to grow as an individual.     

Carol Dweck’s idea of a growth mindset is all of the things that we see happening under the surface in The Iceberg Illusion.  A growth mindset, as Dweck calls it, is exactly what it sounds like: a tendency to believe that you can grow individually in all aspects of life. It is important to understand that individuals with a growth mindset thrive on challenges and view failures as a springboard for growth and for stretching our existing abilities. 

On the flip-side, she explains that a “fixed mindset” assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative abilities are static and are unable to change over time.  These individuals tend to avoid challenges, give up easily on harder tasks, ignore constructive feedback and view effort as pointless.   

The differences between these two mindsets are found in the image below.   

Here are 10 Ways that Young Adults Can Develop a Growth Mindset:

1.  View Your Challenges as Opportunities for Self-Improvement 

(All growth is developed through challenges)

2. Acknowledge and Embrace Your Imperfections/Weaknesses 

(Focus on overcoming your weaknesses)

3. Replace the word “Failing” with “Learning” 

(Mistakes are not failures, they are learning experiences)

4. Focus on Growth over Speed 

(Learning well sometimes requires allowing time for mistakes)

5. View Criticism as Positive 

(Believe that the feedback of others can produce growth)

6. Take Time for Self-Reflection 

(Take the opportunity to reflect on your learning at least once a day)

7. Place Effort before Talent 

(Put forth maximum effort in all that you do)

8. Use the word “Yet” 

(If you are struggling with a concept, understand that you haven’t mastered the concept yet)

9. Think Realistically About Time and Effort 

(It takes time to learn, you can’t master everything in one day)

10. Take Ownership over Your Attitude 

(Once you develop a growth mindset, OWN IT!!!)

Please head on over to https://blog.mindsetworks.com/my-mindset?force=1&Itemid=908 and take your own Mindset Assessment.  This will allow you to determine what your current mindset is at this moment.

Also, please feel free to leave a comment below on how you have individually overcome adversity in the past or utilized growth mindset concepts from above to work through a difficult task.  We look forward to hearing your responses.

Work Cited

@sylviaduckworth. “The Iceberg Illusion.” Twitter, 15 Jul. 2015, 8:05 a.m., 

https://twitter.com/sylviaduckworth/status/621334733901983744.

Dweck, Carol.  Mindset Works.  Mindset Works, Inc., 20 May 2015, https://www.mindsetworks.com/.  

Accessed 2.10.2015.

Top 10 Reasons We Love Being Students at Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School

 Co-authored by Kiara Millie (Junior) and Garrett Pelkofer (Senior)

People have many views about cyber schools versus brick and mortar public schools. In brick and mortar schools, there’s constant contact with other people which is a plus for some. At Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School, students get to learn and experience new things. Independence is one of the most important factors of a cyber school student. Students are expected to learn and do things for themselves, this helps create lifelong learners and students who are driven and motivated. 

Below, we have listed our top 10 reasons why Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School has helped us grow as students.

1. Teachers 
Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School teachers are some of the most helpful teachers we’ve had. They make themselves available to you if you’re struggling, and they’re understanding about all student needs. Teachers are willing to meet every need and answer every question. Not only are they helpful and understanding, they all seem to take a genuine interest in the lives of their students. Many often engage in meaningful personal conversations that create a deeper student-teacher relationship. 

2. Low Stress
Our school is so flexible, and the hours to submit assignments to complete work are wide open.  This creates a very low stress environment for students. One of the pluses of any cyber school environment is the ability to complete school work on your own time. You aren’t pressured to complete something in a hasty manner. Students can always take a moment to catch their breath and relax in order to avoid being too flustered. This allows students to slow down and make sure assignments are done completely and correctly. It also encourages them to build a complete daily schedule for sleep, work, and play. 

3. Freedom to Access Schoolwork Anywhere
In cyber school, you’re not limited to one place to do work or go to class. You’re free to

access work and classes on vacation, at Starbucks, at  your grandma’s house,  and on your break at work. We’ve personally done all four. (Also, working from home allows our furry friends to study along with us.)

4. Resources
For families who may be low-income or have to follow a very tight budget, at our school there are many resources the school helps provide families at little to no cost to them so they can focus on what is truly important - education. Our school provides each student with a computer, printer, calculator, textbooks and school supplies to ensure quality education. Field trips are typically covered by our school’s FLEX funds and we offer reimbursement for internet, tutoring, and some recreational activities in relation to education. 

5. Friendly Students
It’s easy to make friends in classes. We’ve met really cool people in our classes and clubs that we’ve joined. Most students are willing to help you out and are always welcoming to new students. 

6. After School Clubs
The clubs after school are of growing importance to our school ecosystem. As members we look forward to our weekly student government sessions that allow us to make a definite impact on the school. Not only do clubs allow students to change and improve the school, but it also allows students to get to know one another and build friendships with other students. These clubs are a great platform to share interests, make friends, and make student voices heard.

7. Flexible Schedule
Another benefit of the flexible nature of our school is the ability to complete schoolwork whenever students are best able to. Work can be done at any time before 11:59 p.m., and this really comes in handy with longer assignments. Students can also incorporate other activities into their school day, like work, sports, or other extracurricular activities. Another cool benefit of Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School is the ability to work ahead. If students find themselves tossing and turning at night, they can knock out some work rather than stare at their ceiling, and thus, it gives them a head start on tomorrow. (Plus there is no dress code so pajamas are encouraged. :) ) 

8. Great Courses
Our school offers a wide variety of courses that meet a range of student interests and that students can dive into and learn about in-depth. Students are also offered clubs to participate in which can help build character and experience to ready you for college or the work force. 

9. Promotes Independence and Responsibility
Cyber school is extremely helpful for a student’s maturity and responsibility. You set up your own schedule and learn in the best way for yourself.  In addition, you are responsible for reaching out to peers and teachers when you need help. This is also a good form of college and workforce preparation. Students are entirely responsible for their assignments, learning the material, and being motivated to complete tasks. This foundation teaches students skills early that they will need to prepare them for higher education or the work force.

10. Field Trips
Field trips are a quality way to encourage students to get together to see really cool places as a school. They create opportunities for students to get to know each other and meet in person. Students also get the chance to meet with their teachers and experience new things alongside them. 


Cyber school can be suitable for anyone, but it isn’t for everyone. Here at Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School, however, the school creates a suitable, enjoyable, and flexible environment for all who attend. Students are able to obtain life skills, experience a liberating education, and take their schooling with them wherever. Despite the distance. 

Learning is Messy: Group Work in the Online Setting

By Allison Harvey-Benedum, English 7-12

Learning is Messy

Learning is messy and group work is even messier. Question marks, emoticons, and a rainbow of text fill the corners of the chatbox to the brim. The chatter flows like mud through your toes. Squiggles, shapes, and text boxes appear on the once pristine whiteboard. Nothing a little bit of cleaning can’t clean up when we’re done. Learning is digging deep into the muck with your bare hands and searching for the treasures buried within. 

In my English IV classes, we wade deep into the BOGs for our messiest learning adventures. In our online setting, BOGs is an acronym for Break Out Groups.

Enter the BOGs


Group work is an important, albeit messy, step in the learning process. A step that I prioritize in my English classroom. Working together in small groups encourages students to take intellectual risks and ask questions they may not feel comfortable with in front of an entire class. Small groups can also offer a space to play and try ideas without penalty. Small groups offer a safe space to dig your hands into the mud and enjoy learning. According to a Carnegie Mellon University’s Eberly Center, “Group projects can help students develop a host of skills that are increasingly important in the professional world (Caruso & Woolley, 2008; Mannix & Neale, 2005). Positive group experiences, moreover, have been shown to contribute to student learning, retention and overall college success (Astin, 1997; Tinto, 1998; National Survey of Student Engagement, 2006)” (What are the Benefits of Group Work?). While our online setting helps students quickly adapt to 21st century tools and become independent learners, it is also a space to work together collaboratively.

BOG Activities

These are some of the activities I've done this year in our BOGs:

• Color Coding - In the BOGs, I have a list of character and thought bubbles. This was an activity analyzing internal conflict and character motivation in the Shakespearean play Macbeth. Students worked in small groups to color the thought bubbles to match the different characters. Their small group discussion focused on digging deeper into the characters and differentiating between subtle motivational changes. This could translate into a history review with key historical figures and their thoughts/decisions in the thought bubbles or a chemistry review with attributes of different family groups from the periodic table.
• Graffiti Walls - This is a discussion technique where they rotate from room to room writing/drawing as quickly as possible to a prompt - I have used this to introduce units with Big Questions/Ideas from the unit. They have 90 seconds or so to respond to the topic on the board and I “throw” them from room to room when time is up. As they go through the rooms, the conversations grow and they can start responding to each other as well. They can also respond in unconventional ways by drawing, using emojis, and adding hashtags. When they make it back to the beginning, they work in their small group to star good responses and present a summary of the conversation. It’s messy, fast-paced, fun, and students learn to analyze, discuss, and debate in a low-stress environment.
• Quote Analysis - In each BOGs, students have different quotes to analyze. They have directions to highlight, underline, summarize, and answer analysis questions. For one activity, during our Renaissance unit, students received different sonnets to scan the meter, summarize the stanzas, label the rhyme scheme, and decide the form type. To differentiate, I was able to use various sonnets from different eras. To extend, students could illustrate the imagery in the sonnet to create a themed whiteboard.  
• Gallery Walk - At the end of each BOG (time permitting), we travel from BOG to BOG and share our work. This offers an audience for students and a chance to present their ideas. When groups had different topics, students are able to teach the rest of the class about their topic.

Embrace the Mess

I encourage every teacher, student, parent, or any member of our learning community to go ahead and get a bit messy. Dig your hands into the mud and enjoy the process of learning. Go ahead! Laugh. Make loaves of mud bread. Get frustrated. Mix ideas. Have an epiphany. Change your perspective. Take a chance. Fail. Fall in the mud. 

Just make sure you always get back up embrace the mess and continue to progress in your learning adventure. Learning can be messy, but it is a beautiful mess.

Works Cited

“What Are the Benefits of Group Work?” Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation.     Carnegie Mellon University, 2015. Web. 12 Dec. 2016. 

Townsend, Alison. “The Literature Collection: What the Body Knows: Poems: Mud Poem.” The Literature Collection: What the Body Knows: Poems: Mud Poem, University of Wisconsin, 2002, digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/Literature/Literature-idx?type=turn&entity=Literature.Townsend.p0011&id=Literature.Townsend&isize=M&pview=hide.