Role of the Champion

1. Role of the Champion Students have already embraced blogging. They are championing the idea.

2. Defining the Need for Blogging • The number of students who unsuccessfully complete each section of Freshmen Composition, failing to earn a grade of “C” or better is on the rise • The number of students who receive an “I” or “W”, incomplete or withdraw, although few gains have been noted, this number is far too many

3. Matching Blogging to the Need • Blogging in Composition classes provides students with a sense of confidence in reading, thinking, and writing. • When students have more confidence in their abilities, they have a meaningful learning experience. • This translates into more students remaining in the class, thereby reducing the number of incompletes and failures

4. Persuading all Adopters • NAEP data about student performance in the areas of Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing illustrate that only small gains are have been made each year from 2000 through 2011 fourth, sixth, and eighth grade. Louisiana reports even smaller gains with the percentage of students who performed at or above basic level on the Mathematics portion of the NAEP in 2011 at 63 percent. This percentage was smaller than the national average in Mathematics of 82%. In Reading, 66% of students in Louisiana performed at or above basic level on the while the nation, and in Science 55% of students performed at or above basic level. These examples represent scores for eighth grade only. No Writing scores were available in 2011. However, the data illustrate that student performance in the state consistently lags behind the national average and has done so since 2002. While student performance at the state level shows progress each year, less than three percent of students achieved advanced proficiency level in all content areas. • Data from NCES on student performance in Louisiana shows that students fell behind the national average in Writing, Science, Math and Reading by a margin of 7 to 10 points in each subject, substantiating both NAEP and the state's Report Card. In Writing the national average was 154, in Science 147, in Reading 261, and in Math 282, while the state’s averages were 147, 138, 253, and 272 respectively. These numbers paint a landscape that may be viewed as dismal for the most part with minimal gains at both the national and state level. In addition, of the 1,282 public schools in Louisiana, 283 schools did not make Adequate Yearly Progress by 2011, representing 22% of the state’s public schools. On the other hand, 78% of public schools made Adequate Yearly Progress by 2011, painting a picture of hope and optimism.

5. Persuading Adopters • With this in mind, and a critical eye towards student performance, let’s watch the video as studentsexpress how Blogging has honed their writing skills while increasing their skills in reading, analyzing, and critical thinking. iTunes\iTunes Library Extras.itdb

6. Student Champions--Qualitative Research Their individual stories collectively provide anecdotal evidence that Blogging can greatly increase how students engage with text and ultimately how they engage in the writing process.

7. Conclusion • Their individual stories collectively provide anecdotal evidence that Blogging can greatly increase how students engage with text and ultimately how they engage in the communication process

8. Conclusion • As previously mentioned, we must encourage students to actively participate and be an essential component of planning, implementing, and navigating the wheel through their academic journey • In essence students must take control for what they learn and how well they learn it in order to meet educational learning objectives. • Blogging is one way to do that. Students can then meet their goals, and with this intended outcome, be a catalyst for change (Rasheed, 2012).

9. Wake up Everybody--Time to teach a new way • Fade to black with audio—Wake up Everybody • No more backwards thinking time for thinking ahead • Let’s teach them the very best we can