Scribe Posts

In the previous post, I mentioned that much of the inspiration for the process we are beginning comes from the class blogs of Darren Kuropatwa, who teaches math in Winnipeg, Manitoba. One of the first key steps we will take, that Mr. Kuropatwa and others have found to be a powerful learning tool, is to begin the use of "Scribe Posts". A Scribe Post is simply a brief summary of what we learned in class on a particular day, and here is how it will work, again with thanks to Mr. Kuropatwa and his students who paved the way. Parts of our methods are taken from a post titled "Distributed Teaching and Learning", a phrase which well describes one of the goals of this effort - to take our learning beyond the classroom walls.

Key Elements of "Blogging About Physics at Mendon"

1) We will all be reading and commenting on posts from the "Home Base" blog - Mendon Physics. At this time, I will be the only author of these posts, but students will be authoring comments, which are welcome at any time. Occasionally, comments will be required as a class assignment.
2) Each physics class will have their own blog (Period 1, Period 5, Period 8, Period 9), and students will author both posts and comments.
3) Each class day, except for test days, and the day prior, a "scribe" will author a post that describes, explains, and illustrates what we did and learned in class that day. The goal for each scribe post should be to provide enough explanation so that a student who missed that particular class can easily catch up on the learning that took place. You may use and include any resources, including posted notes and solutions, or links to those materials.
4) The scribe list will be updated daily by me, and will be located on each class blog in the "Important Links" section. I will simply cross out the names of those who have authored their post and are not eligible to be chosen. We will cycle through the class, then begin again.
5) The scribe of the day will choose the scribe for the next day, and will do so by naming them in their post.
6) The first scribe of each cycle will be a volunteer.

Here are two high quality scribe posts that will give you an idea of what other students your age are creating on their class blogs. There are both from a wiki called "Scribe Post Hall of Fame":

• AP Calculus Post - good use of graphics, color and detailed explanations
• Another AP Calc Post - again, lots of detail, graphics, and color

More soon!