Critical reflection with online tools

2. Why use online tools? • Go where the students are • Have prior experience • See utility as learning/professional • Engagement • Facilitate discussion online & offline • Make it real • Build professional identity • Showcase communication skills & knowledge

3. How do I get started? • Have a purpose • What’s the goal of the assignment? • What do you want students to get from the experience? • How can you structure the assignment to help students meet the assignment’s objective(s)? • Choose an online tool • Which online tool(s) are appropriate for the assignment? Why? • How will you help students master using the tool? • How will you communicate the usefulness of learning this tool? • How is using this tool different than more traditional approaches?

4. How do I choose an online tool? Know your purpose first, then choose tool accordingly Facebook WordPress Longer-ish writing Sharing media (links, photos, videos) & embedding into posts Discussion Open group/public Short writing Sharing links Discussion Closed group Vimeo Video/audio Confessional/documentary Discussion Open group/public

5. Now what? • Help students succeed • What are your expectations for the completed assignments? • Be explicit • Show examples • Provide feedback

6. What’s next? • Bring the online reflections into the classroom • Springboard for class/small group discussions • Comment on each other’s posts/materials

7. Examples Multiplatform Journalism Upper division class Focus on expanding students’ storytelling skills through technology & social media Media & Society Lower-level class Covers wide background of media industries, helps students see how media function/impact everyday life

Hinweis der Redaktion

Engagement: Often a forgotten piece of critical reflectionOnline: Employers want workers who are good communicators & critical thinkersShowcase their ability to think and write clearly about topics relevant to their chosen professioninsightful thinkers who have interesting things to say
What do you want them to get out of it?What does that look like?Purpose first, then decide on which tool is best fitDon’t be afraid to experiment or ask students which online tools they think would be best for the assignment
Tools I use most often for critical reflection: FB & WPUnderstand that online writing is differentShorter, more concise Bullet points, headings, linksTip: Don’t use multiple online media tools for class assignments One or two is best – most manageable for you & students
Continue the conversation they’re having online in the classroom Helps introverted students express selves more confidently Forces extroverts to be more contemplative
ReviewHave set objectives for why you want to do the critical reflection assignmentKnow which tool is the best fit for your goalsHelp students see how using the online tools is beneficial to themHave realistic & explicit expectationsBring the online conversation into the classroom – reflection should be about engagement