I Wonder What I Wonder?

I’m a few weeks into the MEd routine now. The familiar life of me as an academic can be described in this way:

  • Read, whenever possible, and if necessary, make it possible to keep up421538389_ad19813ccb_z the self-imposed schedule,
  • Comment and scribble notes all over each article or chapter,
  • Find time to critically analyze the readings and my thoughts on the readings.  The dual accounting strategy Vicki showed has worked well, and I’d like to move that work into this space somehow.
  • Think about where I’m headed. The big picture. Why I’m doing this. The October 25th deadline for a draft proposal is fast approaching. All this reading is leading somewhere. So, I’m working in time to think, mainly because I’m able to afford that luxury at this point in the course and also because I know, from previous graduate coursework, the importance of taking the time to let ideas simmer and see where the wanderings of my mind take me.

167191996_48359529bd_zWhat will my inquiry look like? Or, as I jotted down the other day, I wonder what I wonder?

Hence time to post on possible inquiry topics. This is what I’m wondering about at this point:

  • Creativity. Big topic. Needs to be focused. I wonder about the creative process and how it’s connected to writing. I’ve learned a great deal about creating in the visual arts in recent years – how can I apply that learning to the writing process with intermediate students? How does that question fit into the unique learning environment that is the  Connected Classroom?
  • Collaboration in the field of education. Another big topic. Would probably focus this down to teaching collaboratively with other teachers over geographic space using video conferencing, desktop sharing software, Smartboards, and other technology in the Connected Classrooms. Or…
  • Students learning collaboratively in the moodle learning space. How does posting in a collaborative moodle forum on topics such as current events or online literature circles change the learning?
  • The writing process. Kind of connected to my first bullet above. Could narrow to questions around my teaching of writing in the Connected Classroom environment or to students’ development as writers using the Traits of Writing by Ruth Culham.
  • Student engagement and student/teacher rapport. Really where I thought I’d go with my inquiry from the start and it still surfaces in my head whenever I think about what I could do with the MEd.
  • Being a Connected Classroom teacher. Or, teaching in a ‘Flintstones vs. Jetsons’ teaching environment, as my predecessor called it! The Connected Classroom project is a pretty cool gig. The project even has the attention of the provincial Ministry of Education to the extent that  they’re going to be keeping a close watch on the ground-breaking ways in which the school district is using technology to enhance the learning experiences of the students. So many ways to turn what we’re doing into a question, such as…
  • How can I engage learners across the district through a camera and 70530914_d5e6dd0ef8_zlearners in my classroom at the same time?
  • How do I create/build/maintain student-teacher rapport across the district through a camera and learners in my classroom at the same time?
  • How do I plan lessons, create visuals, communicate content, and teach curricula through a camera and in my own classroom at the same time?

Many, many questions at this point! Too many…I’m only doing one MEd! I’ll probably have to save a few for the PhD I have planned after retirement…

Any comments? Questions about my questions? Which stood out? Which seem to be most ‘alive’? I’d love your feedback…!

Imagery from Flickr:  B is for Books by Jim is Write, Reading by ilmungo, and  Reading by Pensiero.

6 thoughts on “I Wonder What I Wonder?

  1. Your notes look great!
    I just finished my MEd (UBCO) this summer and I totally relate to your inquiry questions – in fact my list was almost identical! You’re right about creativity being a big idea to explore. I was going to research this – in fact did do a lot of reading and writing on it (particularly the concept of flow) but in the end decided it was simply too huge. Also, deconstructing it took some of the joy out of it.

    I decided to explore the impact of new media/social media on my media production classes (comparing and tracing the implications of change over the last 15 years). I loved every minute of my research, and now feel very lucky to be able to lean more towards the Jetsons than the Flintstones (great comparison – especially for me – I’ve taught over 20 years)! I find your ??s about collaboration/connectedness not only intriguing but relevant.

    Best of Luck with your Master’s!
    P.S. – I am interested in any information you might be able to share with me about possible ‘connected classroom’ opportunities for my HS students, in particular my creative writing students.

  2. Thanks for the comment! Your inquiry topic sounds fantastic! I can only imagine how much a media production class has changed with the acceleration of new technologies.

    I appreciate the feedback! I have too many ideas and need to sort them out! I’ll check with our HS and see which classes have Shared Learning (the HS phrase, slightly different set-up from the elementary Connected Classroom) and let you know!

  3. Hi Erin,
    Your first one is highly connected to what I did. I loved every minute of my research as well and loved the topic of creativity. Good luck with the proposal.

  4. Thanks for your comment Cindy! I’ll probably post my actual question pretty soon. I submitted my draft proposal this week, so once it’s edited and approved, I’ll post!

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