Rationale for Assignment
Transfer.
Effective learning depends on thinking beyond the particular situation in which it was gained, which is also called transfer. Randy Bass explains transfer as the ability to make productive use of knowledge and skills in new and improved ways based on past experiences but in response to new challenges. In this Digital Project not only will we be building on our new knowledge, but we will also be mindfully working towards the transfer of these skills and knowledge.
In the process of researching and writing this academic paper, you made productive use of your knowledge and skills while learning something new, but did you take take time to “unpack” the knowledge you gained? In order to dig deeper, further your knowledge, and share this knowledge with a broader audience, you’ll respond to a new challenge. It is my goal that this activity will support your transfer of this knowledge for future use, beyond this course.
This assignment offers time to play with some of the rhetorical aspects of composition. By changing the voice, audience, and format of your paper, we can remix, transform, and build on the content knowledge you have already gained.
To begin the remix, begin with what you already know: your research topic. While the topic will remain the same, other important aspects will change. Rather than writing for me (your instructor) and the Department of Public Instruction for licensure purposes, you will be writing for other educational stakeholders: fellow teachers, parents, administrators, students, and beyond.
Effective learning depends on thinking beyond the particular situation in which it was gained, which is also called transfer. Randy Bass explains transfer as the ability to make productive use of knowledge and skills in new and improved ways based on past experiences but in response to new challenges. In this Digital Project not only will we be building on our new knowledge, but we will also be mindfully working towards the transfer of these skills and knowledge.
In the process of researching and writing this academic paper, you made productive use of your knowledge and skills while learning something new, but did you take take time to “unpack” the knowledge you gained? In order to dig deeper, further your knowledge, and share this knowledge with a broader audience, you’ll respond to a new challenge. It is my goal that this activity will support your transfer of this knowledge for future use, beyond this course.
This assignment offers time to play with some of the rhetorical aspects of composition. By changing the voice, audience, and format of your paper, we can remix, transform, and build on the content knowledge you have already gained.
To begin the remix, begin with what you already know: your research topic. While the topic will remain the same, other important aspects will change. Rather than writing for me (your instructor) and the Department of Public Instruction for licensure purposes, you will be writing for other educational stakeholders: fellow teachers, parents, administrators, students, and beyond.
In response to a new audience, you will need to adjust your voice and format.
Role/Voice
When you wrote the APA style paper for this class, your voice was academic, scholarly, and professional. For example, you used formal language (e.g., no contractions) and you wrote in third person. Now, you can loosen up a bit while maintaining a professional stance that allows you to demonstrate credibility on your topic. Think: How can you communicate in a voice that is clear, credible, and professional? This project provides you the opportunity to contribute a valuable resource to the educational community you are a part of. |
Audience
Think about your audience for this project. You are now writing for other teachers, administrators, parents, and students. Think: What do they know? Not know? Expect? Care about? Think: How can you share your information so it is appropriate for your audience? How can you condense the information from your literature review and add relevant practical resources? How can you make it inviting, engaging, and informative so that educators will WANT to look at and use your resource? |
Format
Once you graduate, you probably won’t be as connected to the latest and greatest in reading education resources as you are now. Most teachers turn to the Internet to learn more about teaching strategies, content, and resources for parents or to locate new ones. We turn to reading education websites (e.g., Scholastic Teachers), blogs (e.g., Laura Candler), Twitter (e.g., Children’s Bookshelf), lesson plan websites (e.g., ReadWriteThink.org), Pinterest (e.g., Jen Jones Literacy), etc.. A digital project is an effective method for reaching your intended audience. |