Using Social Media to Define the New Humanities Classroom

Using Social Media to Deﬁne the New Humanities Antonio Viva Associate Head of School, Worcester Academy

Some background... Classroom teacher (English, Technology and Theater) 1995-2000 Senior Research and Development Associate for EDC on US Dept. of Education Research Project (focus on curriculum, leadership and technology development in schools) Teaching Creative Writing @ WA 2006 to present Hired in 2002 as CIO at Worcester Academy Associate Head of School in 2004

Context Conversation Collaboration Where do we go from here? What is the basis for thinking How do classes in the New about the New Digital Digital Humanities function Are there other examples? Humanities? differently from traditional approaches? What new questions do we Why should schools rethink now have? they way they teach What do students think? traditional humanities What our next steps? subjects? How can we learn from their experience to continue What is one approach? shaping this new paradigm of thinking?

So how do we educate our students for success in the Web 2.0 world?

Can we harness the power of social media to provide students with a vehicle for exploring and creating original content?

Old School Creative Writing Genre based instruction Anthology of work as primary text/resource Student work not published Blogging/Journaling Assessments were traditional, rubric based Mostly ﬁction, poetry etc. Workshop style with peer edit, peer review process In depth study of literary elements and terms as vehicle for creation

What is the basis for thinking about the New Humanities?

The Spirit of the New Humanities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHvoBPjhsBA

A Personal Paradigm Shift Rutgers University Center for the New Humanities & work of Richard E. Miller “Possible for people to communicate instantly and globally through technology. English is a discipline that excels at human expression and the study of human culture related to expression.” “We (humanities teachers) should be the place that’s at the very cutting edge of education for students in these areas.” “Multimedia composition; not only is it important for students to be able to excel in the use of verbal and written language as a means for communicating ideas, but they must also be able to excel in the use and manipulation of visual images. That is what it NOW means to compose.” See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daqMDfBKuLU

Why should schools rethink they way they teach traditional humanities subjects?

Key Concepts from Panel Creativity, Collaboration and Courage Schools should be a place where students generate ideas rather than just regurgitate them. Ability to try out new ideas and test creative ideas. Fostering new humanities rich environments where teachers can help “capture and harness student energy in order to shape it.” Provide opportunities for students to convey concepts and original ideas through thoughtful, technology rich collaboration opportunities. “Schools should be about communication.”

The Birth of The WA Mash

Our Process Was Organic Sir Ken Robinson “Are Schools Killing Creativity?” KSU “Vision of Student Today” What do we want to communicate? To whom and how best do we communicate this message? Modeled after Salon.com and Slate.com

Our Primary Publishing Tools

Explore WA Mash wamash.com

Student Perspectives Q&A with WA Mash Contributors

Next Steps

Change must be ORGANIC An Organic approach to change meets each user/member of the community using their speciﬁc strengths and passions as the starting point.

Organic Change Comprehensive school change mandates do not honor the diversity in our schools. Technology mandates in particular, create anxiety, fear and self doubt. Strategic vision, mission driven decisions and institutional goals are non- negotiable. How we get to the ﬁnal destination is ﬁlled with possibilities, open to conversation and collaborative. Establish a culture where creativity, innovation and the appetite to try new things are the norm. Never fear making mistakes enjoy the beauty of learning from it. Support the inventors, creative thinkers, risk takers, self-described “artists” and innovators with resources, professional development and public accolades. Don’t follow trends, create them. Copyright 2007 - Antonio Viva

Discussion/Questions

Follow me on Twitter to continue the conversation! or @antonioviva

Contact Information Email – antonioviva@me.com Twitter – twitter.com/antonioviva Skype – antonioviva iChat – antonioviva@mac.com Social Networks LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/antonioviva del.ici.ous – delicious.com/antonioviva Facebook – proﬁle.to/antonioviva/ Online Blog – antonioviva.com EDSocialMedia Contributor – www.edsocialmedia.com Student Work – wamash.com

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Using Social Media to Define the New Humanities Classroom

by Antonio Viva

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