The Evolution of a Hybrid, Multimedia, Multigenre Writing

Pedagogy Course

Gena D. Southall, Ed.D.Jeff Everhart, M.A.

Longwood University, Farmville, VASITE 2015

What is SOLstice?

Summer Of Learning: Science Teachers Investigating the Chesapeake Environment (2011)

Summer Of Learning: Students and Teachers Investigating the Chesapeake Environment (2012)

Program created by Liberal Studies dept. to promote preservice teachers, practicing K-12 teachers, and university faculty collaborating as teacher-researchers

SOLstice Course GoalsInterdisciplinary ThinkingEnvironmental Literacy and

AwarenessPlace as TextEngaged Citizen Leadership

Hull Springs FarmLeft to Longwood University in

1999Westmoreland County, VAOn the shore of the Chesapeake

Bayhttp://www.longwood.edu/hullspri

ngsfarm/

ENGL Course StructureFour simultaneous courses:

Elementary Writing, Middle and Secondary Writing

Week 1 and 2: Online instruction and collaboration

Week 3: Living at Hull SpringsWeek 4: Online collaboration for

final porfolios

ENGL Course GoalsDevelop instructional plans through

collaboration and inquiry learningIncrease literacy instruction content

knowledgePractice researching and creating multi-

genre textsUtilize “place as text” field experiences

and resources to enrich literacy instructionFocus on the literacy knowledge, skills, and

understandings of the Virginia 2010 English SOLs

Typical DayMorning – Trip or SpeakerAfternoon – Instruction,

CollaborationEvening – Presentations,

Debriefing

Assignments Reading blogs and responses

◦Voice recording ◦Multi-genre◦ Include video and graphics

Use iPads, etc. for daily group expert project

Model Lessons (Teachers)Final portfolio on Canvas

◦ Introduction◦Synthesis◦Lesson Plans and Resources

Blogs Used WordPress blogging

platform Facilitated reflection, interaction,

and discussion during online weeks

Practice for participation in Professional Learning Networks

Multimedia AssignmentsUsed mind mapping tools like

Coggle and Text 2 Mind Map Encouraged video and graphic

responses on Canvas and WordPress

Required a variety of different genres of writing using forms of multimedia

Field ExperiencesStratford HallGeorge Washington’s BirthplaceTangier IslandRappahannock River CruiseOmega Protein PlantReedville, VA

iPads in the Field iPads used to record aspects of

field experiences Students assembleld a

video/slideshow of each day’s experiences and served as the “experts” for that place.

Guest SpeakersLongwood Science and Theater

FacultyChesapeake Bay FoundationClean VA WaterwaysELA Coordinator from VA DOE

EnrollmentElementary Middle/

SecondaryPracticing Teachers

2012 9 3 2

2013 10 1 4

2014 6 3 3

2015 Wait list Wait list Space?

Future PlansContinue online collaboration among

preservice teachers (2014 Facebook group)

Connect preservice teachers with mentor teachers

Create cohort of local teachers for ongoing online mentorship

Online interaction with preservice teachers and K-12 students

Interactive instructional resources for K-12 teachers to promote HSF use

Questions?Dr. Gena Southall –

southallgd@longwood.edu

Jeff Everhart – everhartjc@longwood.edu