Curation as an Educational Tool: Writing Disrupted & Tokenized?
2.0 Reimagined, Meta-Evolved for the Disengaged Writer
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not warrant any legal, financial, or investment advice. The views of linked commentary are not endorsements. All sources are footnotes below.
Methodology Disrupted
Can you imagine if a student walked into an English class, handed in their term paper, and as you peruse through the extensive bibliography, [raising an eyebrow in question], while offering the signature ‘teacher’ look [complete with further eyebrow acrobatics]. The student then, flashes a million dollar smile all the while channeling the old Orbitz commercials. [1]
“It is all good, Teach; I am a curator.” <wink>
Now, in defense of this and to a point, everything is curated. Furthermore, the very process of curation is a natural extension of the writing and research process; think of it as a meta-evolution of writing. However, what would high school be without the characteristic rite of passage: the heavily sourced term paper. <Cue the dramatic music… >
Using curation as a learning tool encourages the creative and technical writing of the populations whom have not exactly embraced the joy of authorship, yet. There will always be a time and place for the scavenger hunt of sources and subsequent evaluation of credibility, which is also simply part of the writing process. Regardless of the student’s age, most students love to unleash their inner critic. What better way to guide the young, uninterested writer than through interest-based, subject matter of their own choosing, thereby, evoking passion?
Oh, Dear, There She Goes Talking on Engagement Again…
Yep, what I am advocating for is not to have curation replace research, but rather to use curation as a way to tap into the inner critical writer of adolescence simmering below the surface; thereby, providing a hook, if you will, an invitation to let students’ literary voices be heard, and if need be, a bridge to the more traditional types of term papers. By practicing and refining the craft in an entertaining and light context, the student is ready to embrace the challenge later when it is expected. [2]
Appraising for Value Figuratively & Literally
Ironically, back in the day, too many sources actually was NOT a problem. In the early 80's-90’s, as I was learning the foundational skills of researching and Web 2.0 was unfolding, I fondly remember scrounging for any source I did not need to find in the godforsaken ‘card catalog.’ Do not get me wrong, those things are adorable as an organizer or accent, but, not my favorite for researching. Yes, I am no spring chicken, but as I write in the 21st century, I am incredibly thankful we are in the information age, and there is a coordinating wealth of content available, because it is imperative to look at things from several different perspectives. There are a few ways one could look at this, first it offers a way to promote value in the classroom and empower students if everyone is ‘group think’ writing in a crowd sourced fashion. However, if students choose individual topics, they may soar in ways they have not experienced prior, hailed as true enlightenment: the green window: Nirvana, the state of FLOW.
Using this methodology in the classroom offers benefit. This collaborative thought offers those students who may be overlooked a way to stand out by adding to an already richly mapped out idea. A perfect way to scaffold the young writer. If you are unfamiliar, scaffolding, is a term that originated with Lev Vygotsky, the Constructivist, and is the Goldilocks of learning, offering the perfect amount of guidance at the perfect time to assist the learner in balancing the right amount of frustration, with the right amount of motivation, achieving a state a flow where the student is able to construct their own knowledge. This process creates deeper more meaningful learning. [3]
P-A-S-S-I-O-N
Have I mentioned the greatest part? PASSION! [4] Students can be guided to tear apart an idea in any realm and practice the same skills that they would in a high-level, argumentative-based English course. Further, you are offering students a means to show their talents and let their strengths brightly shine through. Imagine if you paired this with the expectation of learning. Flipping the class, empowering the un-engaged learners, and give them a marketable skill; thereby, laying the groundwork to implement portions of the famed Buck Institute’s Project-Based Learning framework and a summer job to boot![5]
As an aside, every paper in grad school had a song as its theme. So, I am continuing the trend, as it has helped me develop my ability to consume more information at a higher level and serves as an umbrella theme to engage both my audience and myself. The science behind this is fascinating, and beyond the scope here. Further, songs and the lyrics behind serve as great things to spur the less than interested. Urban Array has a great social Justice rapper named Sidney Davis III on board. Rapping is a great way to inspire future writers. (Disclaimer: Sidney’s political views are not my own)[6]
Pshhh…Marketable Skill?
Yes!! By empowering students to write content, you will be instructing this generation on ethical and honest journalism, a profound need for the advancement of society overall. As you guide the student, you are able to highlight ethical guidelines of compliance of copyright, plus the importance of keeping intellectual property rights at the forefront, you can model the importance of giving credit where credit is due. Teaching is tough, we all know this. Students can be difficult to engage. Ergo, the next time you are struggling to engage an uninterested writer, use it as a teachable moment to illustrate ethical curation as a viable alternative, or bridge to the over-sourced term paper.
Curation 101: The Student a Value Laden Stakeholder
When beginning in the vast sea of content writing, single-source curation is the best tool to introduce this skill. In the article, Ethical Content Curation Checklist, the Content Marketing Institute breaks down the compliance thereof. [7] Copyright Law & Education; Need I Say More? It is also important to point out that merely ripping out the copyright notice in the front does not negate the legal right. While that should not need to be said, it is a phrase I have heard countless times. [14] The Dyna Study case demonstrated the $9M price tag improper copyright use, even in Education can garner. Questions, consult your District Counsel, they love to to advise, that is what they are there for, to protect the District. Id. They may even have you read the case, so you can see for emails are used n Discovery. (A really good point to understand and is not legal advice.) See DynaStudy, Inc. v. Hous. Indep. Sch. Dist., 325 F. Supp. 3d 767 (S.D. Tex. 2017)
Ethical Curation Essentials Punctuated With Style
Single source curation is the best tool to introduce this skill, but as the students gain confidence. It is then, imperative to incentivize them through the critical writing process. Steps such as research, fact checking, and utilization of reputable sources to convey opposing viewpoints are all sub-skills that are a natural progression of this process and life. Further, instructing students on the importance of due diligence is key to creating critical thinkers. Id.
(1) Use many sources
Rock that expertise and encourage students to evaluate the content, while adding a new spin. Encourage students to use niche-specific insight to give your readers value and also serve as a persuasive argument for their readers to also visit the original work. Id.
(2) Prominent Linkage: Give them Props.
Use the original link, not a curation of a curation if possible. It is hard work coming up with pithy and witty sayings. Add in a bit of sarcasm and niche specifics and you may misinterpret the original work’s spirit. Encourage students to pair up and build off each other if their topics have natural overlap, to build a valuable ecosystem and cross promote each other’s work, all while inspiring thought provoking discussion. Id.
(4) Motivation is Proportionate to Quality.
Please note, this is not the same as using a discussion board, doing the assignment, then, responding to two classmates. That is old school. Student owned instruction disrupts the normative models of education. Encourage students to be investigative reporters and develop their natural talents in high-interest niches. Writing is cross-categorical, you can argue or comment about the accolades of an engine just as easily as you can argue the beauty of a shoe, or the need for political reform. True motivation will be sustained when work is student-directed because this engraves the idea in their psyche that students are key stakeholders in their own projects. Research clearly demonstrates that intrinsic rewards offer greater impact than extrinsic. [9]
Ready, Set, Maximize!
Linking Logic, Don’t Commit Link Larceny
Students may need to be reminded to use the original link. The need for this is two prong. First, it allows the reader to follow their logic and that author may be inspired to curate from them. This synergy can then be capitalized thereon and happens to be one of my favorite ways to network as it fosters bidirectional value, simultaneously growing the curator and the original author’s value. As an added perk, many professionals love to help students, so this may provide a trifecta of value, which could lead to even deeper connections that the student utilizes down the road. [6]
N.b., links are important. Using services to hide the true author is deceptive. In curation instruction use these opportunities to highlight the importance of ethics, especially now, in the fake news era, this cannot be emphasized enough. Id.
Networking the Value to Drive ROI.
One way to maximize value is to post a summary of the curated piece as a response to the original author’s, along with a compliment or simple thank you for inspiration. If allowable the student can then invite the author to read their article, thereby, gaining value. These discussions serve another important purpose. They provide a teachable moment on how to properly disagree.
Students may need to be reminded that it is always important to respectfully disagree, a critical skill that will assist students later in their careers. When we teach students how to add value, they then, see this as the basic purpose behind learning and writing versus to ace a test or class.
Mind Your P’s and Q’s
Use appropriate fonts, not abnormally small. The FTC influencer guidelines may offer context here. Celebrate the author, do not attempt to infringe upon their work. Avoid no follow links. Now, for this one, I had to do a little more research. In a nutshell, it is an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) concept. In short, SEO is a way web pages are ranked to filter out spam and highlight the ‘best’ content via an algorithm. Think of it as paying the source forward. When you offer a link to a page, it is a ‘point.’ the more links, the more points; the more Points = #Winning, like Charlie Sheen, or not so much, but you get the idea. Id.
Recipe For Engaged Writers: Awesome Soup
A Dash of Quotation, A Pinch of Viewpoint, and Slather the Researched Gaps, But, Please Don’t Forget to Add a Hearty Dose of Creativity
Overview: Sprinkling in quotes of what inspired the student to choose that piece is key to developing persuasive copy. Let them write a cliffhanger that prompts their readers to follow the breadcrumb of sources. This type of writing is a highly marketable skill. Moreover, including a small section of the original content to maintain the tone, gives readers a feel for the authentic inspiration. There is no need to repeatedly reinvent the wheel, but at the same time, no one wants cookie-cutter arguments or commentary.
Body: Students may need a bit of guidance, if they lean too heavily on excessive quoting. This may signal instruction is needed. Student ownership is imperative to the process. Inspire them to find the shortest or the juiciest quote to bait the hook for their reader. Then, encourage the students to write the rest of the curated piece in their own words by summarizing, explaining the significance of the topic, or the coordinating impact thereof.
Images: Since images are subject to copyright law, encourage students to use Adobe Spark, or a similar creation program to make their own graphic and further incorporate their view. Students should also research the image and the Creative Commons license by using Flickr or Google’s advanced search option, or TinEye’s Reverse Image Search, but should limit iFrames and share bars, these can be irritating to the reader, violate anti-spam policies, detract from the project, and encourage audience perspective. [10][11]
Once the piece is ready, there are multiple sources that a student could use for publishing. I prefer Medium over Google Blogs or other platforms. If you really want to up the ante, use Steemit.com [12]
Blockchain: Totally Tokenized
Tokenized? Blockchain? What? We are talking High School or Junior High School English! Correct? Yes, and think of the impact if students were rewarded for this, and, you did not need to fund it out of your own pocket! The beauty of a tokenized platform such as steemit.com is that it is naturally incentivized. Just like all those wonderful economies of elementary school! You know, the behavior incentive types where teachers bee-line to the Target Dollar Section, or collect massive quantities of Happy Meal Toys. Teachers were the first Blockchain ever, and well, my friends, crypto is the big-kid/people Token Economy.
Bonus, thankfully, there is no trinket overhead required! Cryptocurrency tokens can be exchanged on ‘exchanges’ where you can buy and sell different cryptocurrencies, tokens, or coins. Do your own research on compliance and age limitations. There are several types of tokens and multiple coins.
Visit Steemit.com for a quick guide to Steemit,
“It is free to post, comment, or upvote all content on Steemit.com. You might even get paid for it!…
STEEM, Steem Power and Steem Dollars are the three forms of digital currency used by the Steem Blockchain.
More information on the three types of tokens can be found in the Steemit FAQ...” [12]
Now, how is that for a synergistic summer? Students develop critical thinking skills, are empowered to become better writers, paid in crypto, and can interact and fine tune a skill that could become a side job during the school year with the ability to network and connect beginning their career early!
That, my fine, ‘followed’ friend, is what you call an Amazing Ecosystem of Disruption that creates value, exponentially. Or, in other words, how Blockchains can change the world.
Resources Consulted:
[1] Orbitz
[2] lulaco.io
[3] https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/thought-and-language-revised-edition
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW1pPhaqgZ0&feature=youtu.be
[5]http://www.bie.org/about?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy9WwwObR2wIVSr7ACh0DrQ1-EAAYASAAEgL-L_D_BwE
[6] https://medium.com/@sidneydavisiii
[7] https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/11/ethical-content-curation-checklist/#.WMiLpNWPYqg.link
[8]https://teachbytes.com/2013/02/27/copyright-and-fair-use-guidelines-poster/
[9] https://medium.com/lula-co/ripples-in-education-resonate-2678c89d93f9
[10] http://creativecommons.org/licenses/
[11] http://www.curata.com/blog/copyright-images-how-to-avoid-and-curate-safely/
[12] http://steemit.com
[13] https://steemit.com/welcome#No_Cost_to_Participate
[14] https://casetext.com/case/dynastudy-inc-v-hous-indep-sch-dist
