Bias in Media is one of my favorite units to teach. I enjoy helping students be more aware of the world around them. I attempt to make my content relevant to the real world. While I am making progress on this adventure, there are still areas I could improve.
One of the aspects I decided in this unit is to allow students to choose any avenue they wanted to showcase their learning. The only guideline they had to follow was their MYP rubric. I distinctly remember a student calling out, “Wow! So much freedom.” To which I quoted/paraphrased/rephrased Ben Parker from Spider-man, “With great freedom comes great responsibility.” They didn’t get that one at all. I had like one student in class who understood where it came from. I clearly have my work cut out for me.
I had many students who struggled with this freedom. They had no clue what they were going to do. Many just wanted to do a poster or Google Presentation because it was easy. Challenging them and giving them freedom at the same time overwhelms those students who just want to be told what to do. But since I experiment constantly on what will work with my class, I allowed them to continue this free choice.
I received mixed results. Some students took a more traditional route and did an amazing job while others utilized technology and I couldn’t figure out what they were trying to show or demonstrate. I think I would definitely have some parameters next time or give them a list of ideas to help those who struggled with how to showcase their learning. You can check out much more of their work on their Kaohsiung American School blog page Class of 2019.
Main Sources Utilized and Adapted:
Prejudice & Discrimination: Crash Course Psychology #39
While this past semester has been extremely challenging, I couldn’t imagine ending in a better way. With the move into the new school, all the transitions and growing pains that are still happening with the new school, and finishing Coetail, life has not been dull! Yet, it has all been worth it! I’m sad that it is over, but hoping I have built a network that give me the same push that Coetail did.
Coetail has been one of the best investments in my career. I have grown tremendously by the challenge Coetail has provided. Course 5 allowed me to put everything into practice. I have stretched beyond what I thought was my limit and will continue to grow as an educator. While I still have much to learn and will always have room to grow, I feel like this course has given me great ideas to move forward. I only hope I can also pass along this knowledge to my students and my peers.
Ms. Marcum's Mission 