I am not a grandmother yet, but this week made me feel old. The CLMOOC make cycle #2 was on making memes. High learning curve for me. For one thing, you must be tuned in to popular culture…not! And another, you had to have something clever to say…another not! So I got a little rebellious and decided that memes were just not for me.
During the week I posted this silly picture of my cat, Mimi. She loves to perch on top of books. This makes her look especially intelligent. My husband made the comment that she was in her literary post. On my Facebook post, Julie Johnson commented that I could make a meme of that. Since Mimi was sitting on top of Donalyn Miller’s books, I created a caption about book whispering. The post only got 5 likes. Needless to say, I don’t think I get this meme thing.
But I do like that I am out there in this digital world taking a dare. Trying to be brave. Trying to be digitally literate. In all honesty, I will not be using memes with my students; they are only elementary age. Then comes this question from the Connected Learning team, “How do we turn the principles of Connected Learning into memes that spread in an educational setting?”
The CLMOOC principles are important for education. See Why Connected Learning. These principles should be spread. Am I responsible for spreading them in my small corner of the universe? As responsible as I am to any principle that I believe in, so whatever I may personally think about memes and my ability to create a clever one, I should find a way to express the principles of Connected Learning.
Read more about serious memes on Kevin Hodgson’s site and another one from Beth O’Connor.
So Mimi begs the question, “Am I a Meme or a Mimi?” Sorry, just had to have a little pun fun.
I love your post today Margaret. I need to play around more with memes. They look fun, but I have no experience with them. Kevin is amazing!!! I love learning from him. Thanks for the links and things to think about. I’m hoping I get lots of opinions on confer vs. evernote…the topic of my post. Have a great Sunday!
Loved your meme about Mimi. Sorry, just couldn’t resist. I have been watching you and Julie have fun (or go crazy) in this MOOC. I’m trying to resist jumping in as I have a busy month ahead and need to stay focused. These learning communities push us to be brave and daring, don’t they?
I’m joining Digitlit Sunday with a post about digital tools for reader response.
http://reflectandrefine.blogspot.com/2014/06/digilit-sunday-tools-for-reader-response.html
Cathy
Hi Margaret,
I find myself fairly digitally inept at times and I do appreciate reading about your journey and your ideas. I think with technology you can be and feel like you are a million years behind. (For instance I am so new to Twitter and trying to figure it out a little at a time….I don’t always know the “codes” people are using and that is frustrating!) But I have a goal not to be like my mother when it comes to technology…..she just basically ignores it and that is fine, she’s 88, but I don’t want to be left out when I get older. Heaven only knows what is going to happen by then!! So your post helps me a lot and gets me thinking. Once my summer calms down (my only child is getting married and we are happily doing a lot for the wedding even though he is the groom)…then my goal is to catch up on some Katie Davis courses I bought online and do more!! I just signed up for a kids are writers summer course that Laura Shovan shared. If it is any good I will pass it along. I have some kids I work with and thought they might enjoy it. Then…my blog! And maybe becoming a Slicer. I think I would love that community.
Best and thanks!
PS I think Donalyn liked your original post of your kitty with the books. I thought the comment thought bubble was adorable BTW! There are so many BIG conferences going on right now…people may be at those or just too busy with summer vacation to have taken the time to like things…… I often wonder who sees what I post on FB. I don’t have many friends…just use it professionally in a way, but love that. Don’t get many likes too often, but that doesn’t bother me. I just keep being happy with what I do learn and can pass on to others. You must have very lucky students!! Wish I could visit your class some day!
Janet, I think you get the prize for the longest comment ever. You better get that blog up and going soon because you have a lot to share! Thanks for the encouragement about my Mimi Meme. Like you, I want to stay tech savvy but some days it’s an uphill battle. Can teachers join the kids writing camp? I saw Laura’s post and passed it on to parents. Thanks again for stopping in.
I know. Some days I do go on and on. Being a former gr. 5 teacher I feel a kinship on lots of levels with gifted ones like you! Anyhow, yes adults can sign up. I have not gotten into it but it begins on July 1 and offers a prompt a day. I want to check it out so signed up which was super easy.
Margaret, I admire you for your perseverance in the MOOC. I love reading the posts and the tweets, but decided that active participation was too much for me this summer.I don’t know how to make memes either, but perhaps I could learn a little… Your willingness to try new things is encouraging!
I was a day late but not a dollar short! Added my post about creating an animate GIF meme
http://dogtrax.edublogs.org/2014/06/28/find-your-muse-making-an-animated-meme/
Margaret, I checked out your post and found the Meme vs Mimi quite fun to read and mull over!