Updated Podcast
Here is my podcast! I recorded it a few times before I felt good about publishing it. This a great tool that I plan to use in my classroom next year!
Session 4 Blog Entry
§ How would you approach another project of this type differently given what you’ve learned here?
I would have liked to have more time for the children to practice. The problem is that we do not have enough computers for the classroom. I would like to see how increased exposure to these programs would affect their reading performance.
§ What are the lessons learned that others might benefit from knowing about?
Kindergarteners are very comfortable with computers. Let the students explore before giving them structured assignments. This will help them feel successful with the technology.
§ In what ways will you endeavor to do the same project again, and what will you change or not do?
I will work with the other teachers to assure that my students will have a scheduled computer lab time. I am also going to search for some good deals on computers for my classroom. I will use my computer to model how to enjoy these stories and games. I think that it will help students get excited about stories and games get the most when using them. I plan to find other programs and websites that will support learning in other subject areas.
Annotated Links Page
Project Tomorrow This research website is based on surveys taken by students and teachers around the country. It has great statistics that prove that using technology and gaming is a way to reach today’s youth. to brainbasedbloggers_Arin … saved by 76 other people … 1 day ago
games2train.com : Serious Training in a Game Environment This website allows people to use templates to create their own video game with content that is useful to their students or employees. This website is proof that gaming is a way to reach and engage people to learn something. to brainbasedbloggers_Arin … saved by 22 other people … 1 day ago
Marc Prensky.com He seems to be the educational gaming guru. This website talks about the advantages of using gaming with learning. He must believe that videogames are definately a way to reach a variety of different types of learners. to brainbasedbloggers_Arin … saved by 387 other people … 1 day ago
EDUCAUSE REVIEW | March/April 2006, Volume 41, Number 2 This article is awesome! It explains why educational gaming is beneficial and how this new digital gaming generation thinks. This article also expresses the importance of finding games that are engaging to ensure a successful, learning experience for st to brainbasedbloggers_Arin … saved by 5 other people … 1 day ago
GamesParentsTeachers :: Games Parents Teachers This website has many great reccomendations on high quality, engaging educational video and computer games out there. It also gives a description on popular games that are out there so parents and teachers can research the games their children are playing. brainbasedbloggers_Arin … saved by 112 other people … 1 day ago
BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology This is my favorite gamebased learning program to use with students. Not only does it have games for many subjects, but it also has animated videos to watch, a writing section that allows the student to write about the subject, a comic that goes with the brainbasedbloggers_Arin
Read, Click and Win with BookAdventure! … saved by 287 other people … on may 17
MysteryNet’s Kids Mysteries: mysteries to solve, scary stories, and magic tricks
Writing Fun by Jenny Eather- helping kids write using text organizers. Great writing graphic organizers
Tiered Curriculum Project tiered lessons for elementary grades
Sites that help classroom teachers adjust their teaching process to their learners needs links to di sites Brain-Based Bloggers-Jen
RTEC Exchange tips for technology and differentiated instruction Brain-Based Bloggers-Jen … saved by 23 other people … on may 17
Free Online Graph Paper / Grid Paper PDFs… saved by 4975 other people … on may 17
Creative writing activities for kids, teachers and parents by Bruce Van Patter ideas for creative writing Brain-Based Bloggers-Jen … saved by 17 other people … on may 17
Kids on the Net creative writing, how-to, etc. to Brain-Based Bloggers-Jen … saved by 22 other people … on may 17
Story Maker - Get Writing - LearnEnglish Kids - British Council kids create stories with help Brain-Based Bloggers-Jen … saved by 37 other people … on may 17
Amazing Handwriting Worksheet Maker free cursive printables … saved by 251 other people … on may 17
Wacky Web Tales online madlibs for kids … saved by 473 other people … on may 17
Poetry for Kids - Funny Poems for Children by Poet Kenn Nesbitt poetry for kids Brain-Based Bloggers-Jen … saved by 296 other people … on may 17
http://docs.google.com/
YouTube - Differentiated Instruction This is a quick two minute video that presents a definition of differentiated instruction by Tomlinson and in a creative way tells us why it is important.
CAST: Center for Applied Special TechnologyCast.org provides research and development, professional development, policy and practice, publications, and products dealing with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This is a great resource for those new to UDL, but also for those who have been working
Bookshare.org - Digital Books for People with Visual or Physical Impairments and Dyslexia This site provides information on Webinars for BookShare.org. There are two Webinars available Bookshare.org 101 and Bookshare.org: Ready, Set, Read! The first introduces Bookshare.org and the second teaches you the how-to’s. There is no cost to students
Bookshare.org - Legal Information “A recently enacted exception in the U.S. copyright law makes Bookshare.org possible under the law in the United States, as long as the copyrighted digital books are only available to people with bona fide disabilities.” This site deals with the legal asp Brain-BasedBloggers-Pam, … 4 days ago
Reading Rockets : Benefits of Audiobooks for All Readers Denise Johnson discusses the benefits of audiobooks with all students, not just the disabled reader. Audiobooks allow for the participation of disabled students at their grade level.
http://www.ibe.unesco.org/publications/EducationalPracticesSeriesPdf/prac01e.pdf J. Brophy, professor at MSU, discusses twelve effective strategies that teachers can use in the classroom to make learning more meaningful. The strategy that is the most meaningful to my TechQuest is scaffolding learning to meet the students of all studen
LEARNING DISABILITIES I was able to gain insight from Dr. Saul Greenberg on the intelligence of students identified with a learning disability. Dr. Greenberg supported what I have learned as a teacher consultant, that most students with learning disabilities are of normal inte
High School Graduation Rates in the United States | Table 1 This site provided high school graduation rates for all states. I used this site to make the point about what could happen if we do not meet the needs of all students in the classrooms. To learn students must have access to the general education curriculu
No Child Left Behind “NCLB greatly extends the power of the federal Department of Education (DOE) by creating an education framework that must be implemented by state DOEs so that all American children are proficient in math and reading by 2014.” This site gives a very brief
to Brain-BasedBloggers-Pam … 4 days ago
Reading Rockets - articles about reading and resources to brain based bloggers … saved by 667 other people … 22 hours ago
Finding the Right Reading Program for your class… to Brain Based Bloggers … 22 hours ago
No Child Left Behind - technology to Brain Based Bloggers … 1 day ago
Explains the difference between reading a book online and offline Brain Based Bloggers … saved by 4 other people … 1 day ago
Organization to promote new ways to teach reading Brain Based Bloggers … saved by 4 other people … 1 day ago
Interactive reading games and online story books for emergent readers
Brain Pop Jr Brain Based Bloggers … saved by 4 other people … on may 17
Brain-based learning, ideas, and materials to Brain Based Bloggers … saved by 45 other people … on may 17
Academic Skill Builders - video games to support learning
I thought these links might be helpful.
http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/aboutus.htm
This website has video games that are educational. Below is a quote from the site:
“These engaging educational games provide focused repetition practice that enables fluency to be achieved more quickly. With what we now know about automaticity and fluency in academic performance, we can help students achieve masterful levels performance faster than ever before!
Our total approach is based on a philosophy that includes these principle points:
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Students respond to challengeand errors can be viewed as opportunities to improve rather than as indication of failure. An unlimited ceiling on performance will help the student reach his/her maximum level of proficient performance
Repetitious drill can be fun, as fun as methods typically associated with the higher order aspects of learning.
Immediate feedback facilitates improvement in performance.
Internet Research for TechQuest Project
I was a little overwhelmed when I began searching for information for my project. The challenge is to focus on the best key words when using search engines like Google. I found some good links when I used key words like “literacy”, “technology”. But I found better links when I used quotations around important phrases. I used phrases such as “using computers to support emergent readers” and “online books in the classroom” and “using computers to teach reading”. As I searched, I felt more confident about using technology to support my young readers. I felt like there are other teachers out there who are feeling the same way! I am excited to set up my computer center in my room. I realize that I need to see what others are already doing before I set up my new routine for the fall. I appreciate the use of del.icio.us as I search for new ideas online. It keeps me organized and helps me share links with my SIG. I have shared links on my blog and also used some links that my SIG have shared with me. This project has definitely improved my researching skills. It will help me the next time I need to research a topic.
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/mediainfusion/2007/03/meeting_the_needs_of_emergent.html - This author captured my feelings almost exactly. Author and teacher, Elizabeth Hubbell stated, “I knew the practice that each child needed, but getting an adult or other helper to each child for daily help with reading was nearly impossible. Eventually, I started to look to technology to help students get the practice and feedback that they needed” - WOW! I knew that there must be others who feel the same way and are looking to technology to support their readers. Hubbell commented on how her classroom was “a buzz with activity” after integrating technology into her room, but she still felt like a part of her students’ learning. She also suggested that teachers can use a variety of technology to supplement and support their students’ learning. She suggested taping shows like “Between the Lions” and “Sesame Street” for students to watch. Hubbell also mentions that when you visit the computer lab with your children to have them visit your classroom del.icio.us page. She also mentioned the site starfall, which is a great interactive website that I use during literacy with my class. The author also extended an invitation for other teachers to share experiences with her. I will email her my own experiences. What a great networking opportunity!
http://www.techlearning.com/ - I used a quote from an article I found on this website in my previous blog. The article stated that: “research has shown that video games can foster critical thinking and trial/error opportunities.” I am seeking a solution to help my students improve literacy skills through online resources. I am going to further research the links on this website.
The New Literacy- Authors: Sara Armstrong and David Warlick - This article discussed how the 3 R’s in education needs to be updated to include technology. Students need to understand how technology is important for a well rounded education and the background knowledge for a future career. I reflected and thought that using technology to teaching subjects in school can reinforce curriculum and increase our students’ technology skills. This is 2 lessons in one!
www.techlearning.com - this website helped me find other articles that related to my topic. At the bottom of each article, the site listed 3 other websites that I might be interested in. I really liked that feature.
http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2003/06/readingsoftware.php - This article, featured on techlearning.com, suggested several kinds of tools and software that can be used to support early readers. The article mentioned the well known “LeapFrogs.” I hadn’t thought about using them in the classroom, but I am definitely going to think about that option. The site also mentions Compass Learning. Our school district is planning to use the Compass Learning Program next year. This program uses games, quizzes and more to let students practice various skills in a variety of subjects. The teacher monitors their progress. It is nice because you can put the students at different levels for different subjects. You can also see what skills students are having difficulty with and set up students for review for skills that they struggle with. There were many other software options listed on the site too. I am glad that I found this article!
Assignment: Special Interest Group Proposal (Group)
Group’s SIG Focus: Differentiated Instruction- meeting the needs of all students in the classroom
Group Members:
- Beth- Differentiate Reading using internet resources and computer programs
- Arin- Meeting the Needs of Tech Savvy Students: Game Based Learning
- Jen- Fostering Enthusiasm for Writing
- Pam- Alternative Format Text
Major Categories of Resources: Professional Organizations, such as: IRA, MITS, CAST, MRA, NAEYC,
On-line sources: brains.org
Tech Help Forums: techlearning.com, edtechtalk.com, podcastingforteachers.com, techandyoungchildren.org, rtecexchange.edgateway.net
Websites: bookshare.org, rescue.wikispaces.com
Project Description - Techquest
With larger class sizes, diverse learners, and so much more curriculum to teach, it is difficult to meet the needs of each learner in my class. Kindergarten students enters school with 2 years, 1 year or no schooling at all. I want to provide another way to support the learning styles and levels in my class.
Currently we do not have enough books to accomodate all needs of the learners in my class. The school budget is so tight that we need to find an option that is both educational and economical. In a class of 28 unique kindergarteners, I would like a resource that allows differentiation and stimulation for the “video game” generation.
Items such as Online books and interactive games to support phonemic awareness will provide these extra opportunties for stimulation and differentiation in my classroom. The online educational resources are current and benefit the needs of my highest and lowest readers.
Research has provided preliminary information on the implications of the computer’s effects on young children’s social, psychological, cognitive development, and academic learning. Din and Calao completed a literature review of current research and concluded “computer-related technology use plays a positive role in young children’s social, psychological, cognitive and academic development” (Din and Calao, 2001, p.98). In their search for understanding they decided to investigate whether kindergarten children who played Sony PlayStation educational video games learned better than peers who were not members of the experimental group. Din and Calao stated that playing Lightspan educational video games may play a facilitative role in their learning of verbal skills Source: http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=196604793
Online Reading Resource: coming soon!
Teacher: Guide on the side
Learner: Kindergarten Students
Subject Matter: Literacy,
Setting: Kindergarten Classroom
Putting It All Together
I have appreciated the value of being the guide on the side, especially when I let my students’ use the stair PowerPoint. I do realize how many different strategies you can use when you are using technology in your lessons. The options are endless and the ideas are exciting. I can’t wait to reflect this summer and make plans to incorporate more web based games and to develop my classroom website. One of my goals is to continue to sharpen skills I have touched on during this class. I want to improve my STAIR presentations and learn the ins and outs of Dreamweaver. I like that I have learned the basics of blogging, web page creation using Dreamweaver, how to create a webquests and also how to use PowerPoint to create an interactive tool for my students. I feel that I have improved my ability to use PowerPoint to improve my students’ educational experience. I can now use Stairs to meet my kids’ individual needs. I felt that communicating with my classmates in class and online in discussion forums and via blogging has improved my teaching. I have learned so many wonderful things about blogs, Web2.0, Zoho, Google, and much more. I feel much more confident about using these web based programs. I am motivated to provide my students with a balanced education that includes technology. I want to prepare my students and provide them with the technology that will improve the quality of their education. I look forward to CEP 812 to see how I can continue to improve and learn!
Zoho Show - Review…
If you have a basic understanding of PowerPoint you will have little or no difficulty using Zoho Show. The templates/themes make it easy to create nice looking presentations. You can email presentations to yourself or email them to friends. You can share it online in a public network or may keep it private. You can publish it to a website or put include it in your blog. The buttons are right on the top and well labeled. The menu is very user friendly. You can use the menu of clipart, shapes, symbols and make flow charts too! The nice part is that you do not have to pay to use Zoho and so you can create Presentations, as well as use them interdependently with the other Zoho tools. I noticed that you are not given as many options to alter the timing, transitions and appearance of your presentation. It would be difficult to create an interactive STair. I feel that PowerPoint has more options for altering your presentation functions and to personalize it.Zoho could be used to create basic presentations in a classroom setting individually or in a group. The teacher could pair up students who have computers at home and those who do not. That way if they wanted to work at home they could. Zoho is web based, so they could simply log on at any computer and have their presentation ready to work on!
