A group made to mentor two classes whose geographical distance from one another plays only a small role in how close they are.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Tyler

My first mentoring comment for the "Thinwalled classroom" blog, and I must say that it took a while to analytically dissect the students' posts to find something I could constructively comment on to help them with their educational endeavors. This first post was in response to a post on Tyler's blog which can be found here, in which he presented a synopsis of the final chapters as well as his interpretation of the story's finale. Here is the comment in full:

"Hello Tyler!

First off, I’d like to say that you did a good job summarizing of the final chapters of the novel. In fact, it turned out to be a great review of the novel for me (it’s been quite a while), so I thank you for that! (= There was one thing that caught my eye in your post, however.

Towards the conclusion of your post you stated that “Survivel best tells these chapters”. How do you believe that this characteristic (Survival) fits the ending of the story more so than any other? What idea or event in the final chapters of the story do you think best signify survival? Moreover, how do you think that the story or it’s ending would have changed if survival didn’t play such a large role in these chapters?

Don’t be discouraged to think outside of the box or to try to take on a unique perspective on something. It’s great to expand the way you look at things, since there isn’t always one definite way to approach an idea or concept.

Take care,
MrSiwWy - Student Mentor"

I know the format is very similar to Graeme's, but I thought consistency throughout the blog shouldn't hurt anyone.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi MrSiwWy,

Quite the mentor you are!! Encouraging, recognizing what is good, and asking a probing question. Congratulations on your first mentoring comment!

I mentioned to Grey-M, I really enjoy watching you both move forward with this great project; in addition to enjoying reading powerful comments that ask the students to think more deeply, I find myself reflecting upon my own commenting and how I can grow and improve. Thank you!

Might I have your permission to use your in comments in an upcoming presentation I'll be giving in February at the eTech Ohio Conference?

Best,
Lani

MrSiwWy said...

Hi Lani,

You can definitely use my comments in your presentation at the eTech Ohio Conference, and am quite appreciative of your very gracious request to use our (including Graeme's) comments. I'd also like to thank you for your sincere opening compliments.

I think I find growth to be intrinsic within the essential process of commenting on any students' post, though there is no one definite method in which education can be approached as I think reflecting upon these posts (such as Graeme's) is equally as beneficial. Though these comments maintatin a sole purpose of benefitting the younger generations. I think that this can be achieved not only by requesting that these students think on a much deeper level, but by also encouraging them and distributing and exposing them to various ideas and concepts that would otherwise be neglected. In essence, I hope that I too can motivate these generations in a similar manner as the mentors I have encountered throughout my blogging days (very much including you) have done so to me. I thank you Lani for exposing to me a somewhat tangible realm of mentorship I otherwise would not have known about if I was not under your tutelage. Wow, that was a long answer to a question that wasn't asked (haha) but I just felt like saying all of that. Morale: Thanks to Lani and all of my mentors alike!

Sincerely,
MrSiwWy