we are living in an interesting moment

Whether you realize it or not, we are living in a moment unlike any other in human history.  The tools we use today affect everything about the way we live.  Life online has even changed our language and the ways we communicate.  I just read a commentary (which you can see HERE) on a book about this topic.  Have a look and let us know what you think in a comment to this post.

member blogs

See the Member Blogs page tab just below the title image?  That is where we will maintain a directory of everyone's blog.  If you're already familiar with social media and blogging, and you feeling comfortable diving in (meaning you already curate online and you are confident in using and understanding a platform, including security/privacy), go ahead.  You can use Blogger, WordPress, Tumblr, InstaGram or whatever platform you think will most effectively help you tell your learning story.  If you're new to this, or you need help, or you're reluctant, you're not alone.  Let's talk.  You can ask me anything about this in class when we get back to school, or if you don't want to live in suspense until then you can email me at dpreston.learning@gmail.com.

[*Every once in a while, an Open-Source Learning Network member asks me: "Why do you say 'members' and not 'students'?  Because the choice to become an Open-Source Learning Network is democratic.  On the first day of school, you will determine how this course will run.  It will not be like any other first-day-of-school conversation you've ever had, unless you've learned with me before.  If I forget, please remind me to explain "have to" v. "get to."]

ap exam prompts

Ever wish you could get the final exam questions before you started a course, so you'd know what you were supposed to be preparing for?

Wish granted.

To see every essay question ever asked on the AP Language & Composition Exam, click Here (or click on the "AP Exam Prompts 1981-2016" tab above).

hello & welcome

Welcome! 

 

Hi,
I'm looking forward to meeting with students at Santa Maria High School in a few weeks.  Since we don't have the opportunity for an orientation or a summer prep plan, I'm starting the course blog now.  (It's July 22.)  SMHS students - and anyone else who wants to learn along with us - can visit anytime.  Everything you need for the course will be right here.  As we get rolling next month, we will also use this space and other online media for collaborating, sharing information and online tools, finding scholarships, posting multimedia projects, and anything else we dream up and/or find useful.

Please bookmark this URL and follow the blog so that you can receive updates automatically.  If you don't know your way around blogs or the Internet, have no fear-- we will be dedicating class time to this, and you also probably have friends/relatives who can help.*  (*Working with each other to do a task and achieve shared goals is the definition of collaboration.  Collaboration is not cheating.  We learn better when we learn together, and we will be doing most of our learning together this year.  [I hate writing this next part because it feels so high school teacher-y, but I want to avoid any misunderstanding-- so...] Please Note: Some tasks, such as the AP exam and associated practice assignments, will require you to demonstrate your individual mastery of close reading, literary criticism, and written organization/ expression.  Don't even think about cheating when you know it's cheating.)

In time I hope every single person who participates in this course connects with a personally meaningful interest, discovers people & resources who can help pursue that interest, and takes charge of his/her own learning journey.  For now, please feel free to post any questions or comments here or email me at dpreston.learning@gmail.com.  Sapere aude.  I look forward to meeting you!

Best,
Dr. Preston