Monday, December 10, 2012
Final Entry/Reflection on Vocabulary Learning
As a final entry, I would like to think upon the previous entries and development of this blog. This final entry will cover the numerous things I have learned by completing the VSS blog.
I noticed that many of the words I decided to include in my blog consisted of words that I had never been exposed to. This really got my mind moving in terms of recognizing new and unfamiliar words. At the Graduate level of education, the level of academic writing is beyond what I have previously been exposed to. With an increase in the quality of writing comes the increase in more difficult and often content-specific words. For a few blogs in a row, I used words from one article, and there were some words I left off of the blog. I also noticed that some of the words I chose were words that I was familiar with, but had never understood, or took the time to understand, what they meant or how to use them. The practice of recognizing unfamiliar words, and then using them accordingly also increased my word consciousness. By being able to self-select words, I was able to become more personally invested in the blog.
I think that in a digital society we are all exposed to numerous types of text, often without knowing it. Even though I included many words from academic work, I noticed that outside of my education, I still have literacy routines- reading for pleasure, texts messaging, Twitter, Instagram, newspapers, list, etc. I have my phone on me all the time and use it when I feel bored or am killing time. Every time I use my phone I am exposed to different literacies. This is an important recognition, and should be a focal point in classrooms today- students need to be aware of the various kinds of literacy they are exposed to, on any level. Having an educational background in English Literature, I am more prone to focusing on how people use language and what they are conveying through that use. This mindset in itself helps me focus on new words, but this assignment has contributed to my word consciousness.
By keeping this blog, I found that I benefited in several ways. First and foremost, I learned how to be more aware of words I am unfamiliar with, whether it is written or spoken word. Often times (before this semester and assignment) I would hear an unfamiliar word and move on without thinking about the word. This assignment not only helped me recognize unfamiliar words in print texts and spoken word, it allowed me to develop a "thirst" for unraveling the word and understanding it. Just last week I was speaking to someone that used a word that I was only slightly familiar with. At the time, the person used the word incorrectly, but with my lack of knowledge, I refrained from saying anything. Afterwards I looked the word up and went back to that person and spoke to them about her usage of the word. This not only benefitted me, it benefitted her as well.
The blog itself was a useful tool in being more word conscious. Additionally, it strengthened my ability to read-to-learn. Now when I am reading, instead of skipping an unfamiliar word, I am more apt to read for context clues to help me understand the word. If this fails, I resort to other means of understanding the word, such as using a dictionary or speaking to someone and seeing if they know the word. This enhanced reading ability lead me to become a more thoughtful reader that reads more slowly in order to understand the text. Furthermore, this blog also helped me to hone in on my ability to write-to-learn. By using the unfamiliar words in my own writing and reflecting on what the words meant to me personally and their importance to my career, allowed me to be a more efficient writer that focuses on "how" to learn and use a word instead of simply "what" the word means.
In terms of the vocabulary tests that were given based on the class' words, I noticed that my preparation level dramatically changed from one test to another. For the first test, I only wrote down definitions and studied those. The results were not up to par. The second test I took a much more in-depth approach. I defined the words, looked up synonyms/antonyms, and used the word in my own sentence. This change in preparation arose from the lack of a good grade on the first test, leading me to be more resilient in my preparation. The results for the second test were much more pleasing. I have always been weary of vocabulary tests and their purpose, but this assignment gave me more insight as to how vocabulary instruction should be self-directed and initiated. At that point, you become more invested in the learning because you personally select words that you want to know about. I certainly look at vocabulary tests with more respect and look forward to using this strategy in my future classrooms.
For future considerations, I will need to make an effort to continue my learning of new words. This assignment required me to select words and reflect on their meaning. The conclusion of this assignment should not suggest that I will end my learning of new words; it does suggest that I will need to be more aware and active in my word learning. I will undoubtedly encounter new and unfamiliar words in the future and will not have to write about them, but I should make a conscious effort to pursue knowledge of that word to expand my vocabulary knowledge.
It has been fun keeping track of my new words and reflecting on the process of uncovering their meaning. I certainly take value in this assignment and can see myself using it further down my career's path.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
12.2- Laudable
Vocab Word: Laudable
Where I found it: While reading Donald Shcon's Reflective Practitioner. "Surely this is a laudable exercise in self-criticism.
Shcon, D. (1983). The reflective practitioner. USA: Basic Books, INC.
Definition: Merriam Webster defines laudable as "worthy of praise/commendable."
Here is the link.
Familiarity: Unfortunately, the word laudable was one of many that i did not understand while reading this book.
Reflective Commentary: I do not think this word, laudable, is too important to know, nor is it connected to teaching in any specific way. It's still a nice alternative to use when speaking of praise.
Where I found it: While reading Donald Shcon's Reflective Practitioner. "Surely this is a laudable exercise in self-criticism.
Shcon, D. (1983). The reflective practitioner. USA: Basic Books, INC.
Definition: Merriam Webster defines laudable as "worthy of praise/commendable."
Here is the link.
Familiarity: Unfortunately, the word laudable was one of many that i did not understand while reading this book.
Reflective Commentary: I do not think this word, laudable, is too important to know, nor is it connected to teaching in any specific way. It's still a nice alternative to use when speaking of praise.
12.1- Corroborate
Vocab Word: Corroborate
Where I found it: I found this word while reading a book by John Dewey. Additionally, during a conversation a couple weeks ago, someone I work with used the word corroborate in an incorrect way.
Dewey, J. (1909). How we think. New York City: D.C. Heath & Co.
Definition: I again used Merriam Webster's website to define the word: to support with evidence or authority : make more certain
Link to definition.
Familiarity: I heard this word before in a legal context. I was sure that my friend misused the word when they spoke it, but I couldn't think of the actual definition.
Reflective Commentary: Based on the definition, with the push of the CCSS and demand for students to support what they think with text-based evidence, we, as teachers, should certainly be aware of this word and it meaning.
Where I found it: I found this word while reading a book by John Dewey. Additionally, during a conversation a couple weeks ago, someone I work with used the word corroborate in an incorrect way.
Dewey, J. (1909). How we think. New York City: D.C. Heath & Co.
Definition: I again used Merriam Webster's website to define the word: to support with evidence or authority : make more certain
Link to definition.
Familiarity: I heard this word before in a legal context. I was sure that my friend misused the word when they spoke it, but I couldn't think of the actual definition.
Reflective Commentary: Based on the definition, with the push of the CCSS and demand for students to support what they think with text-based evidence, we, as teachers, should certainly be aware of this word and it meaning.
11.2- Salience
Vocab Word: Salience
Where I found it: I found this word in the Damico & Baildon article on Relational Cosmopolitanism, page 233- "Explicit in much of this history is the salience of inquiry-based teaching and learning..."
Damico, J., & Baildon, M. (2011). Content literacy for the 21st century: excavation, elevation, and relational cosmopolitanism in the classroom. journal of adolescent & adult literacy, 55(3), 232-243.
Definition: Merriam Webster online dictionary defines salience as "a striking point or feature." Here is the link to definition.
Familiarity: I was not familiar with this word at all. Even in the context of the text, I was wrong. I thought that the word meant "clarity" or something along those lines.
Reflective Commentary: I do not think that this word is particularly important to know. Obviously having a wide-ranged word knowledge is important, but salience does not have any significance.
Where I found it: I found this word in the Damico & Baildon article on Relational Cosmopolitanism, page 233- "Explicit in much of this history is the salience of inquiry-based teaching and learning..."
Damico, J., & Baildon, M. (2011). Content literacy for the 21st century: excavation, elevation, and relational cosmopolitanism in the classroom. journal of adolescent & adult literacy, 55(3), 232-243.
Definition: Merriam Webster online dictionary defines salience as "a striking point or feature." Here is the link to definition.
Familiarity: I was not familiar with this word at all. Even in the context of the text, I was wrong. I thought that the word meant "clarity" or something along those lines.
Reflective Commentary: I do not think that this word is particularly important to know. Obviously having a wide-ranged word knowledge is important, but salience does not have any significance.
11.1- Caveats
Vocab Word- Caveats
Where I found it- Multimodality article from Siegels.
"Nothing may seem more ironic than suggesting that talk about multimodality could be linked to assessment, so I begin with some caveats and clarifications."
Siegel, M. (2012). New times for multimodality? confronting the accountability culture. journal of adolescent & adult literacy, 55(8), 671-680.
Definition- Merriam Webster defines caveats as:
b: an explanation to prevent misinterpretation
c: a modifying or cautionary detail to be considered when evaluating, interpreting, or doing something
Familiarity- I was not familair with this word before looking it up.
Reflective Commentary- I find this word, caveats, interesting and i think that we, as educators, should know what it means. We give our students caveats while we teach everyday, especially when defining caveats as "an explanation to prevent misinterpretations." It's funny that we give kids caveats toi our students but do not actually refer to them as caveats.
Where I found it- Multimodality article from Siegels.
"Nothing may seem more ironic than suggesting that talk about multimodality could be linked to assessment, so I begin with some caveats and clarifications."
Siegel, M. (2012). New times for multimodality? confronting the accountability culture. journal of adolescent & adult literacy, 55(8), 671-680.
Definition- Merriam Webster defines caveats as:
1a: a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices
Familiarity- I was not familair with this word before looking it up.
Reflective Commentary- I find this word, caveats, interesting and i think that we, as educators, should know what it means. We give our students caveats while we teach everyday, especially when defining caveats as "an explanation to prevent misinterpretations." It's funny that we give kids caveats toi our students but do not actually refer to them as caveats.
10.2- Impervious
Wocab Word- Impervious
Where I found it- I heard this word while playing a video game- Assassin's Creed III. One of the charatcers told another character that "the enemy's defense is not impervious to our offenses". This is a long and complex game, so unfortunately i would not be able to give you a specifc location of where this was said, other than towards the beginning of the story line in the game.
This was also a word in Siegel's Multimodality article, but I thought that it would be worth noting that I came across this interesting word twice in a week.
Definition- Merriam Webster defines impervious as:
b: not capable of being damaged or harmed <a carpet impervious to rough treatment>
Familiarity- I have heard this word before in social studies/history classes and knew what the word meant. Given this video game takes place during the American Revolution, it bolstered my understanding.
Reflective Commentary- I just happen to like this word, impervious, but i do not see any reason why it should be a "must-know" word or if it has any real significance to teaching, but it certainly could be used in a educational context.
Where I found it- I heard this word while playing a video game- Assassin's Creed III. One of the charatcers told another character that "the enemy's defense is not impervious to our offenses". This is a long and complex game, so unfortunately i would not be able to give you a specifc location of where this was said, other than towards the beginning of the story line in the game.
This was also a word in Siegel's Multimodality article, but I thought that it would be worth noting that I came across this interesting word twice in a week.
Definition- Merriam Webster defines impervious as:
1 a: not allowing entrance or passage : impenetrable <a coat impervious to rain>
2: not capable of being affected or disturbed <impervious to criticism>
In the context of the story in my game, definition 1b would be most appropriate.
Familiarity- I have heard this word before in social studies/history classes and knew what the word meant. Given this video game takes place during the American Revolution, it bolstered my understanding.
Reflective Commentary- I just happen to like this word, impervious, but i do not see any reason why it should be a "must-know" word or if it has any real significance to teaching, but it certainly could be used in a educational context.
10.1- Verbocentrism (No definition!?!?)
Vocab Word- Verbocentrism
Where I found it- From the article of endless vocabulary words-
Siegel, M. (2012). New times for multimodality? confronting the accountability culture. journal of adolescent & adult literacy, 55(8), 671-680.
Definition- Merriam Webster online dictionary does not have a definition for verbocentrism and neither does Dictionary.com.
Familiarity- Clearly, this word is very unfamiliar. I don't think I have ever come across a word that an online dictionary couldn't help me with. I am baffled by this word.
Reflective Commentary- Due to the unsuccessful journey of finding the meaning of this word has brought me to a complete stop. I even Googled verbocentrism and found nothing, even in the "images" section. I really hope that someone can help me with finding or at least partially understanding what verbocentrism means.
Where I found it- From the article of endless vocabulary words-
Siegel, M. (2012). New times for multimodality? confronting the accountability culture. journal of adolescent & adult literacy, 55(8), 671-680.
Definition- Merriam Webster online dictionary does not have a definition for verbocentrism and neither does Dictionary.com.
Familiarity- Clearly, this word is very unfamiliar. I don't think I have ever come across a word that an online dictionary couldn't help me with. I am baffled by this word.
Reflective Commentary- Due to the unsuccessful journey of finding the meaning of this word has brought me to a complete stop. I even Googled verbocentrism and found nothing, even in the "images" section. I really hope that someone can help me with finding or at least partially understanding what verbocentrism means.
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