Kno What You Know!

I discovered Kno shortly after I began my doctoral studies. Frustrated with the Kindle because, too often, page numbers were missing from books, making it quite tricky to cite passages, I searched for a better alternative. I love the Kno App! I have been able to purchase several of my required texts and not only make efficient use of the search option, but I can highlight, underline, and write notes right on the pages. I use the iPad version, but it is also available for other devices.

                                                            

                                                                                                      

         It is very easy to set up a semester or quarter, add individual classes, and download PDFs into my study materials or open documents with DropBox.

More information is available from a Kno blog: Intel Education Welcomes Kno to the Family and the Kno website/video.

         When I read a textbook, I like to make notes in the margins or put a star at the top of relevant pages. With the Kno app, I can easily make as many notes as I want. Using the app follows an active, constructive, interactive teaching/learning methodology that helps students assimilate knowledge in a meaningful way, creating brain connections that improve cognition (Chi, 2009). Additionally, multiple students and teachers can share the app and all are able to share notes and comments, thus making the experience interactive. I recommend the app to my students and my Composition Two literature book is available to rent on the Kno for a very reasonable price. Using Kno makes studying a bit more fun – thus creating a positive emotional experience that enhances the learning process. Yay!

References:

Chi, M. T. H. (2009). Active-constructive-interactive: A conceptual framework for differentiating learning activities. Topics in Cognitive Science, 1(1), 73-105.

EDUC 8401 – Innovation

I have been teaching college composition as an adjunct for seven years and would very much like to be a full time instructor. I have finished all my core classes for Walden and this is my first specialization course. I recently submitted my premise and I am anxiously waiting to hear a response. I am very interested in the role of education (college) in the lives of students who have had to overcome major life challenges.  I am also extremely interested in brain research that serves to improve teaching and learning skills. Recent brain research also revealed fascinating information about the effects of prayer and meditation on learning.

I have three brothers and a younger sister and I have three sons and two daughters so I am familiar with “the battle of the sexes.” While I am not a militant women’s libber at all, I believe we’ve created unnecessary divisions at times. I recently read this blog and found it very insightful. I like to use blog topics to encourage/provoke classroom discussions that help students understand the argumentation process and develop their own critical thinking skills.

          When I went to set up this blog, I discovered old blogs from four years ago, plus blogs I had set up for my students. There was a big push in the English department at that time to get students to blog. It may have been too soon for me. I look forward to implementing blogs next semester as part of my experimental/innovative plan to teach composition to student groups instead of individuals. I recently discovered Turnitin's Peer Mark program, and although it is flawed, I believe that active peer reviews, support, and encouragement may improve student learning. Group blogs would be a fun way to get all the groups to interact. We'll see…!