Double Jornal Entry #13

Chapter 6: Affinity Spaces

1. Give an example of a "community of practice" in which you are currently participating in.

 

I am currently an Elementary Education major at Fairmont State.

2.Why is the term "community" better defined in relation to spaces rather than groups of people?

It can be thought of as a close-nit group of people with similarities. The idea of community can sometimes make people think of "members".  When related community to spaces we can see to what extent the people are iinteracting within the space do or do not actually form a community.

3. What is a "generator"? What is it's counterpart in school?

A generator is content or what the space is about. It's counterpart in school could be a science book.

4. What is a "content organizer"? What is it's counterpart in school?

A content organizer is how the content is organized or designed. A teacher made lesson plan could be an example in school.

5. What is a "portal"? What is it's counterpart in school?

A portal is anything that gives access to the content and to the ways of interacting with that content by yourself or with others. In school, an example of this could be lab work in science.

6. What do people have an "affinity" for in an "affinity space"? How does this inform your understanding of good teaching?

People have an affinity for the things they are interested in. This relates to students being more willing to learn in school if they are interested.

7. How do "affinity spaces" support inclusive classrooms? Choose two characteristics below to make connections between "affinity spaces" and inclusive classrooms.

 

1. A Sense of Community - Children are encouraged to learn and achieve as much as possible and feel a sense of belonging to their class and have common interests with others. People are relating to each other.

9. Using a Common Language - You are establishing a common language without the use of intellectual and confusing terms, so that all participants can equally understand.

 

 

8. How are traditional classroom different from Affinity Spaces?

 

Traditional classrooms segregate students by things like skills level and grade. Also the core generators are rarely modified for students interests. Students are simply not labeled.