To begin to carry out my plan,
which involves engaging students in authentic, creative, digitally-based
activities and collaborating with colleagues and students from other cultures (
International Society, 2008)
I first searched the internet for content related ideas.
Resources such as our textbook (Cennamo, Ross
& Ertmer, 2009) and course videos (Laureate Education Inc., 2009), have
provided me with characteristics of authentic lessons, but I wanted to ensure
that I was relating them back to my content and basing them in standards rather
than attempting to teach the skills in isolation.
Many websites that I have found provide
dozens of ideas, but I need to have a specific skill in mind to focus my
search.
To discover ways to incorporate
technology authentically into the curriculum I still have to teach this year, I
spoke to my school Media Specialist, who always has a plethora of ideas for
technology integration.
She is working
with me to set up a blog on which my students can answer and discuss questions
about the novel we are reading,
All the Broken Pieces.
Additionally, she gave me the idea to have
students work collaboratively at the end of the novel with digital
storytelling.
I think that they will
have the option of focusing on the impact of bullying on students, or the
impact that war can have on veterans.
Providing
students with choice will help engage and motivate them.
Technology can help me to find supplemental
resources at my students’ reading levels, and collaborative groups will help “ease
the challenges of authentic instruction” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p.
38).
I still need to find those
resources, as well as some video clips, that can help my students gather
information effectively.
It is my second goal that I am
finding more difficult to accomplish.
With the school year winding down, I think
that I need to try to find a project that I can incorporate next year rather
than trying to squeeze it in within the next two weeks.
In examining
the e-pals website, I found several teachers who would like to partner with an
American school either to help their students practice the English language, e-mailing
skills, or simply learn about another culture.
I also know that the common core writing standards address many of the
skills that such collaboration would ensure, which makes me less hesitant to
embark on such an endeavor.
I would
still like to explore more websites for projects as well as examine the time
requirements involved.
Has anybody ever
participated in anything like this?
I
would love to hear about the positive and/or negative experiences or pitfalls
that may have occurred.
I would also
appreciate any resources that may help me work towards my goals!
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross,
J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom
use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.).
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education,
Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating technology across the content
areas. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Kelly-
ReplyDeleteI think you have a great start by going to your media specialist to ask her for assistance with integrating technology into your lessons. They are such a valuable resource that I feel many people don't think about!
As an English teacher as well, I am always looking for ways to add fun projects with my units and especially my novels. You have some great ideas started already! At the end of every unit I normally give students a choice map that allows them to choose a project to create on their own or in pairs. I have been trying to incorporate more options with technology into them as well. One thing I have thought about is having students create a "Fakebook" page for the characters in the story. Have you ever done this with your students before? Since students are always on their Facebook pages, I think they would really enjoying getting to incorporate this interest with the content in class. This could go along with the blog that you would have them do and each person could create a character blog to discuss the events in the story from their point of view. Another site I have found is called "Murally". It is a Google docs application that allows students to create murals about anything! They can begin their murals at the beginning of novels and include pictures, quotes, and videos. The great thing about it is that students can collaborate on their murals together and share them with others.
I hope that you can find some use out of the suggestions I provided! The more we can incorporate technology into our content, the more we are able to touch upon all students' learning preferences and keep them engaged.
Murally (2013). https://beta.mural.ly/
Hi Kori!
DeleteThanks so much for the suggestions and resources. I just tried using “fakebook” last week for the first time and loved it. The kids did, too. It took quite a bit of direction teaching them how to add friends, create a profile, etc., but once they understood the keys, they really ran with it. I love the idea for the mural. It would be a wonderful way to increase the students’ creative thinking and provide them with a different avenue to express what they think it important from the story.
Thanks!
Kelly
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that the internet provides a myriad of information in helping authenticate lessons. You have a great start in your planning and I am sure your outcome will prove beneficial for your students.
I am also an English teacher and always looking for new ideas. The use of a blog for students can help them become self-directed learners even outside of the classroom. Blogs are becoming more and more popular within schools and with teachers in order to communicate with students and families. Personally, I think it would be great for students to use when/if they are stuck on a problem and need the assistance from their teacher. This would be a great opportunity for students to know that they are supported outside of the classroom too.
Your idea of communicating with another school in a different country is something I have never thought about. When I was in high school (many moons ago) we had pen pals from another state who we would write letters to. This helped a lot of students learn letter writing skills. Using the computer as a conferencing tool will allow students to "collaborate with peers around the globe, individually or through school" (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 71). Using this type of tool will allow students to learn about the cultures of other students globally.
Although I do not have any experience with the project you are working on, I would be interested in gaining that information as well. It seems like something the students and teachers would enjoy learning about! Best of luck.
Tricia Kelsey
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.