Lesson Plan and Analysis

Title of the Lesson: Everyone’s an Author (Clothing)

General Topic: Authorhood in Clothing

Objective: To communicate the idea that everyone takes part in acts of authorship, even when they aren’t actively writing. To be an “author” is to make a claim, and everyone is constantly making claims. Even when one isn’t speaking, one makes claims by what they wear, how they move, and what they do (and don’t do).

Method: This idea is easiest to apprehend by means of a simple and relevant example of how students make claims without voicing them. Clothing is one such means. This example will allow students easy access into the idea at a foundational level, after which more complicated variations can be explained in future lectures.

Means: Using clothing as an example is most effective if a visual aid is provided. I’ve created a Prezi that shows examples of clothing that makes different claims. The benefit of technology here is that the visual aid makes identifying the different claims that different clothing makes much easier. My Prezi consists of visual representations of five different types of clothing, all available at the Georgia State University Bookstore: a GSU hoodie, a GSU Alumni shirt, a GSU Dad shirt, and a Victoria Secrets pink GSU shirt. By getting students to how these very similar items of clothing make different claims, I can show them how unvoiced claims are communicated and understood by their audience.

Activity: Have students do an in-class write-up of what claims the different pieces of clothing make. Discuss their answers afterwards.

Homework: Have students pick out three pieces of clothing at random from their closet and identify what claims those pieces of clothing make.

Analysis:

            This activity, although definitely relevant to students’ lives, does not do a particularly great job of integrating technology into the classroom in an effective, 21^st century appropriate way. This use of a Prezi does integrate technology and likely effectively communicates this teacher’s message, but it does not make particularly good use of 21^st century tools. However, I think that the images that this teacher chose to use to illustrate his point are quite appropriate for his audience. As a freshman college instructor, this teacher knows that his students all have one this in common: their school. Each of them have likely worn some sort of Georgia Sate University apparel (or at least seen someone wearing one of these examples), so this is definitely relevant and allows students to connect to the message.

            If I were to give this teacher one suggestion, it would be to try a flipped classroom for this activity. He really has all of the pieces he needs. All he would need to do is record his lecture and send it to his students in advance. This would open up his entire class period for discussion and collaboration. Students could try to identify the statements that classmates were trying to make based on the clothing that they wear to class. This would allow for great collaboration and communication between students, and it would also allow for more individualized instruction because the teacher could walk around and talk with small groups. Students could also listen to the lecture at their own pace, allowing for greater understanding of the material.