A Day in the Life
of the CyberEnglish Scholar
Students used to recheck their program cards when they walked
into Room 439. Now they do it in Room 237 The reason for this
was that they expected to walk into an English class not a computer room. They never
thought of the two going together. Not many folks did or do, but let me assure you
it is very natural, actually. Now of course after those early days, students are
not in shock when they stroll into Room 237, or maybe they still are.
The CyberEnglish scholars came to class, sat down, brought their computers to life my moving the
mouse or hitting a key on the keyboard, (we rarely turned the computers off) put down their bookbag
and sat down ready to go. All the time perhaps chatting wit a fellow scholar or announcing something
to me or the clas at large. But the general feeling was always warm and business-like. They would
do any number of things: read email, begin or continue on a project, go to the menu to see what is to
be done. Each day may begin differently for each scholar. I would be in my office or at the door or
in the hall or waiting for some scholar. Generally speaking class was ver yinformal, merely a
continuation of the last time the scholar was online at home or at work or in school. Everyone was on
a different page. Chaos was the rule.
email
email rulez is the rule in the class. email was how I commuicated with the scholars. I used email
links on their pages to comment on their work. I used email lists to create various conversations in
the class. email was how they communicated with each other. email was how telementors communicated
with them.
projects
In this project based constructivist classroom, the design of the project was crucial. Since the scholars would be
self directed the directions and expectations had to be clear. One advantage I had was if there were
corrections or additions to be made I could do them and instantly they would be available to the
scholars. On the syllaweb the scholars had links to many resources that would make their work and
research more fruitful.
menu
The main way I would present the scholars with what was to be done was via ToDay's MeNu.
Chaos and Order
© Ted Nellen 2000
email
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