English 11, Term 1.

The approach we have taken, as a class, to the study of a variety of short stories and to Macbeth are very unique. I feel that the rarity of blogging in an English class has really helped me in staying focused and interested in the subject.

With all of the visual aids that were available to us, I think that definitely helped me in understanding our units so far. For example, because we were allowed to use so many different resources to study Macbeth, I was able to read it in old English, modern English, watch it as a play, movie and cartoon. By using so many different learning aids I have a much better understanding of Macbeth than I would if we just read it. Along with the many resources, I think using Web 2.0 has also given us different ways to show what we have learned. For instance, we found pictures that represented different parts of Macbeth and we were able to express through the pictures, what words could not say. Overall, I would have to say that the most effective activity we have done was earlier in the term when we first said what we learned about Macbeth from our own knowledge, and then we looked up video clips, pictures and articles about it. This worked well because it opened us up to the many different ways to visualize Macbeth. Though this did work well in introducing us to Macbeth, I thought that continuously finding pictures to represent Macbeth that we spent more time looking for a picture than understanding the meaning of the play.

Looking back at what I have accomplished this term I think I have grown from the beginning of the term. I think the essential questions that were presented to us had a big hand in that. For example, the question “How far is one wiling to go to get what they desire most,” really helped me in expanding on the ideas that I already had about Macbeth. I think that my success this term will help me in the following terms. My goal for next term is to improve my writing skills further and learn how to make deeper connections.

My strengths this term have been my writing and knowledge of the internet. My writing has helped me in easily explaining what I mean without needing other sources. Also my knowledge of the internet and Web 2.0 has helped me in not getting confused with how to do something and helping me better focus on the assignment. Some things that I found to be challenging have been finding visuals to explain what I am trying to say. This has been challenging because if I understand what I am doing, I don’t need to use other sources to explain it. Having to find visuals to express what I wanted it was difficult because some things would be incorrect.

In short, I highly enjoy the way we are learning this term and hope it continues to help me in later units and assignments.