Weighing the + and - of Google Sites

I am currently building a Google Site resource for studying English Language and Literature (Learning Lit) and I am very convinced that having a website as a resource for students, parents, and/or teachers (or all three in my case) is so unbelievably useful to getting everyone on the same page!

PROS (+) :

Right now I am in the middle of adding a number of resources for the different audiences that addresses the importance of learning and teaching English through a number of strategies.

Google Sites allow you to add a Google Calendar with all your events, assignments, tests, reminders, birthdays, etc.

The site provides a common space for all parties to address questions or concerns.

CONS (-) :

Limitations you may ask?

Well, there are some. The limitation I see right now (because I haven't quite figured out how to incoporate it yet) is the lack of ACTIVE DISCUSSION (a forum, discussion board?).

It is important NOT to use the website as only a teacher-directed tool or else you a minimizing how the site could truly be used to enhance student/parent/teacher learning. To open these topics up to discussion, we are learning from one another and therefore, engaging in ACTIVE LEARNING.

Thinking about Literacy...

As I returned from my first teaching block, we had a week of reflecting on stories that all the teacher candidates were excited to talk about. One common trend I found was that most of my peers were shocked with the level of literacy (or lack of) within their high school, sometimes senior level, classrooms. Especially as an English major/teacher candidate, I felt the same. This brings me to ...

In my English class, we are reading a book called When Kids Can't Read: What Teachers Can Do by Kylene Beers. This amazing author has truly changed my perspective on literacy. She tells her teaching story as she progressed and learned while focusing on the challenges she had to overcome.

Her main challenge was that no one has taught her how to teach literacy; she's clearly a good reader but her students don't always mimic that level of skill or interest -- so what now?

So far, here is some of what I have gathered (all taken straight from that book -- buy it, read it!):

• "if they read it (the text), it (the meaning) does not necessarily come" -- don't think telling students to reread a text while help them understand it
• "simply improving the cognitive aspects of reading [...] does not ensure that the affective aspects of reading [...] will automatically improve"
• "we cannot make the struggling reader fit one mold"
• "teach students how to struggle successfully" ... "good readers do more than simply read the words" -- good readers struggle as well (i.e. has anyone struggled reading a tech-manual?)  but they know what to do to gather meaning -- i.e. they know how to struggle
• "we must convince disabled readers that reading is an active process that requires engagement"
• strategies take you to the skill of reading -- teach strategies that will help them understand the texts:
1. "Clarifying
2. Comparing and contrasting
3. Connecting to prior experiences
4. Inferencing
5. Predicting
6. Questioning
7. Recognizing the author's purpose
8. Seeing causal relationships
9. Summarizing
10. Visualizing"
• "We can [AND SHOULD] model how we use those strategies to understand texts (explicitly and directly)"
• we can "THINK ALOUD" while reading

This is only a tiny portion of Kylene Beers' text (literally a summary of 2/15 chapters) and it's already opened my mind to learning to teach literacy. I hope this blog has given you some insight into the world of literacy and perhaps made you interested to purchase this text (and no, I'm not an advertiser, I'm just inspired)

p.s. When Kids Can't Read: What Teachers Can Do is not found at Chapters but can be ordered online on Amazon -- Check it out!
p.p.s. this is a tool for ALL subject areas -- the teacher candidates I heard complaining about their students' literacy levels were not typically English teachers -- nor is it only important for teachers.

I hope you feel the way I do -- we need to make the difference.

Check it Out!

Be sure to check out my earlier blog titled, How to Incorporate Technology in The Classroom!

I have added a variety of new technology resources (many of which I got from Alan Levine, who is GREAT by the way). These resources are fantastic and so applicable and relevant to students in the classroom.

Remember, these resources are useful for ANY subject. Check them out and relate to today's 21st century learners!!

No YouTube? No Problem!

I was placed in the Dufferin-Peel District School Board at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School. Amazing board and such a fantastic school!! However, I reached a road block in the first week of teaching when I told my Associate Teacher I planned to use a YouTube video to get my classes minds on the lesson for that day.

UNFORTUNATELY, the board does not allow access to YouTube on any of the computers in the labs, libraries, or classrooms. So I paused ................................................ what will I do now? I knew I would want/need to use YouTube videos on a regular basis to attract the students via the media.

So, I went home that night and solved the problem! I hope this helps anyone else that fell into the same predicament.

1. Go to YouTube and find your video of choice
2. Click "Share" underneath the video
3. Copy the link that is given
4. Go to Media Converter
5. Click "Enter a Link" and paste your link
6. Hit "Go to Next Step"
7. Pick conversion type (I usually use WMV for videos)
8. CONVERT!

After you've converted the file, save it onto a USB stick and off you go! Your video can be accessed at your school regardless of the YouTube block! YAY! (I did this about 5 times, very useful process to remember!)

*Helpful hint: Sometimes the conversion website may only allow you a certain amount hours of conversion and that's when you switch over to another site and follow a similar process (e.g., Online-Convert)

Motivation at its Best Cont'd!

Wow! Check this out... I don't think an introduction is necessary...



I have always loved Elmo and I absolutely adore this story; I can't wait! Can you?!

Motivation at its Best

Hi there, I'm back!

I thought I would share this inspirational video with my blog viewers. I would also show this video to students (or anyone for that matter). Not only does this video tell the students never to give up, there are concrete examples of our leaders being denied in what they do best. Perserverance and determination prevail as these amazing individuals succeed to the fullest despite their past failures.

Enjoy!

The Future of High School Announcements!

Yesterday, I was at my third observation day at St. Joan of Arc CSS, and wow, it was quite the day. I was extremely sick and truthfully, I really wanted to be in my bed but I was SO happy that I buildt up the energy to go.

Why is that you ask? WELL! I saw the coolest, most futuristic thing I've ever seen! St. Joan of Arc has an AMAZING Communications Technology program where they have 3 incredible video cameras, microphones, and A GREEN SCREEN! Now, seeing this room is one thing... seeing what the students can do with this room was out of this world.

For the morning announcements, Joan of Arc no longer has a face-less student reading off a sheet over the muffled intercom -- no no, they are way too advanced for that! Now they have live TV recordings that each class watches on their Smart boards that was filmed in their Comm-Tech room and reported by the students. It was unreal! The students are using technology to be creative, innovative, and it was extremely effective! (not just because I was in awe, but because the students were also entirely engaged)

Morals of the story:
1. St. Joan of Arc is an amazing school that fosters student-centered learning
2. Technology is the learning of the 21st century and CLEARLY it can do amazing things!

Teachers Teaching Teachers!

INFO: http://edtechtalk.com/live-ttt ON WEDNESDAYS! (9pm Eastern)

The "Teachers Teaching Teachers" chat was so exciting! (Classroom 2.0 - EdTech Talk)
10 teachers from around North America came to chat about education, with no particular topic in mind but plenty of interest. This session began by one teacher, Valerie, expressing her trouble with getting support for implementing technology into her classroom. Their school was fighting just to get computers!! (which I found completely shocking to say the least). Valerie teaches English at an elementary school and wants to implement blogging into her lesson plans but can't because she doesn't get much support by her "conservative district". Computers?! Really?! Is that not a necessity in every school at this point? I was shocked... we moved on...

This got us talking about conservative fears about students stumbling over material they aren't supposted to see. One teacher pointed out the fact that students are using the internet and experiencing this content elsewhere so it makes more sense for them to have the guidance of educators to assist or redirect them. Something she said that I thought was fasinating and extremely truthful was, "the risk in not letting them have access to roam the internet is worse than letting them". So true.

In my opinion, students should be encouraged to explore topics, communicate with others, and be active and independent learners. You can learn an unreal amount from sitting infront of a computer with every bit of knowledge only a click away. I would say the opportunities with the internet compare greatly to that of a ginormous library (and keep in mind, I'm an English major who LOVES literature but I can admit to the array of educational information you can find online).

Last thing I promise! One teacher bought up his unique way of beginning each class by incorporating technology into his lesson plans. He teaches Photography and he begins each class with Flickr pictures that his students have taken and he has a class conversation about the techniques used in the picture. Amazing way to integrate technology with some positive reinforcement!
P.S. this can be done for English or other topics using  Blogger or other writing tools
P.P.S. I have added this interesting idea and more to my "How to Incorporate Technology into The Classroom" blog, check it out!

How to Incorporate Technology in The Classroom!

I have decided to make a list of ways to initiate Lisa Neale's notion of "blended learning"  and the notion of today's learners in contemporary classrooms. This list will be added to as I gather ideas from my own experiences, my peers, and my instructors.

1. Use audio/videos in the classroom at any time in any subject! (emphasizes instructions/concepts in a relatable manner) -- e.g.,
1. Songs
2. TV Shows
3. Movie Clips
2. Class Website:
1. Outlining a syllabus
2. Class schedule (don't forget birthdays!)
3. Homework assignments (can be assigned online and/or completed online)
4. Class discussions (forums, debates)
5. Post prior lessons for student's that were away (via document, video, audio)
• RESOURCE: Click here to try Google Sites! (Easy and free!!)
3. Smart Boards:
1. Great for posting visual lessons while adding information F2F (face to face) depending on the areas needing clarification
2. Great way to get students up, involved, and interacting with their learning
• RESOURCE: Click here to download Smart Technologies Free Trial
• Check out their Ease of Use video
4. Online Handouts:
1. SAVE PAPER! Use online handouts! (or provide printouts and have them online for students who were away)
5. Live Scribe Pen:
1. Students get the audio and visual lesson at home (great for students that have trouble processing a lot of oral information at once)
• RESOURCE: Click here to check out How the Livescribe Pen works!
6. Blogs (i.e. virtual journal):
1. Practices writing, reading, communication, and self-reflection skills
2. Allows students to express in an informal manner about a topic of their interest
3. Allows teachers to get to know their students further
• RESOURCE: Try Google's Blogger
7. Tie in Flickr, Blogger, Picasa, etc. at the beginning of your lesson
1. During the "Teachers Teaching Teachers" discussion, one teacher said they begin their photography class with Flickr pictures of his students work to initiate discussions on techniques
2. A Language Arts teacher could begin with Blogger (or any writing site) to highlight and praise student writing
• RESOURCE: Flickr, Picasa
8. YouTube!!
1. You can literally show a video on any topic! This keeps students interested, because, let's face it... listening to your voice all class everyday is not very engaging
2. TIP: preview the material at home for appropriate content!
• RESOURCE: Youtube
• If YouTube does not work at your school, check my post titled, "No YouTube? No Problem!
9. Digital Storytelling!
1. Have your students create a comic strip related to a specific topic, theme, or text
• RESOURCE: Bitstrips
2. Another method of integrating comic strip constructing!
• RESOURCE: Pixton for Fun
• RESOURCE: Audacity
4. Bring your visuals to life! Use a photograph and make it as real as can be! (e.g., make your dog talk about his experiences as a dog)
• RESOURCE: Blabberize
5. Online Book Writing! -- "Every child has a story", let them use their creative juices to write their own story based on a topic of your choice
• RESOURCE: TikaTok
Audio Photography (even 60 secs) -- Add sound over top of a visual photograph (this is even a great way to have class introductions -- a short story and a visual to match!)
6. Use your Flikr pictures to tell a story!
• RESOURCES: PechaFlikr, 5 Card Stories 

Professional Learning with Lisa Neale

Last week, Zoe arranged for Lisa Neale to come into our Technology class and discuss the education of the future. That is, an education where technology is not only easily accessible, but also central to student and teacher learning.

Lisa Neale is the one and only Principal of 21st Century Fluencies for the HWDSB. A comment I found particularly interesting was the notion of "blended learning" and how as people, we naturally blend our personal and our professional life, in addition to physical and virtual modes of learning. As a teacher candidate, I (we) cannot ignore the needs of today's learners. To engage today's students we must incorporate technology and the idea of blended learning, which takes place both inside and outside the classroom.

The Power of Virtual Learning

This year, I have chosen to take an optional course that addresses Technology in the Intermediate-Senior classroom. As of yet, I am thoroughly pleased with my decision. I chose to take the course because I am not the most...let's say..."tech-savvy", but I am extremely aware that my future students will be experts. Not only that, I understand that it's the digital age and social media is the biggest thing "since sliced bread" and don't forget -- it's here to stay!

Our first assignment was to pick a Virtual Associate Teacher (VAT) and follow them on Twitter to see what an experienced teacher is doing and saying about education (and other topics). It has only been 2 weeks and I have learned a lot from mine! Michelle Solomon is a passionate English and media studies teacher that teaches both in and out of the classroom. Michelle created "#K12Media", which is a discussion on twitter regarding a topic that is chosen (using a poll) for that week. So far we have looked at the Media Literacy Key Concepts in relation to social media and the news.

Here, take a look at the key concepts: Media Literacy Key Concepts

So for example, the first concept is "All media are construction"; tonight had a discussion about how to teach the news as both a relable source and a media construction. We came up with a number of ways to incorporate media studies into the classroom. In terms of the news as a construction, we talked about comparing the differences between visual and non-visual reports,  those across different media (i.e. paper, tv, radio...), and assignments associated to exposing students to the techniques of news art (you could call it). I suggested giving each student a list of the same facts and having them write a news report. The students could compare their stories and indicate the differences in their individual frames.

Anyways, very interesting conversation! I'm so happy with my VAT choice because we have such similar interests. Michelle is an innovative educator that I can learn a lot from.
I will continue to provide more on my experiences with tech and education!

Stay tuned and don't stop learning!

Where to begin...

As the new school year begins, I embark on a journey that brings me one step closer to my passion of becoming an educator. I entered Brock's Faculty of Education with high expectations and so far, (unbelievably enough) my expectations have been exceeded. I cannot begin to explain the quality of the instructors at this institution. I envy these teachers for their talent, hardwork and experience; I cannot wait to move forward and learn from their knowledge.With role models like these, how can anyone not want to replicate them? They change lives, I can't wait to do the same.

Until next time.
Amanda