When I first heard about this course I wanted to know what was the connection between ICT and reading, however, from the onset of the course, my interest grew daily.
I found the blogging experience to be quite appealing because I love to write and I also enjoyed creating 'catchy' labels for the posts so that others would be encouraged to read them. I wish if more persons could have read and commented on all of them but, I appreciate all those who did. I've never used wikis or made ebooks so I'm looking forward to using them in my class and also sharing all that I have learnt on this course with my fellow teachers when school reopens.
The fact that I am now aware of some of the technological tools that can be used to enhance traditional pedagogy makes me feel empowered because I feel that I have grown as an educator. I know that there is much more to learn but, this is the start of a whole new way of making reading interesting, fun and meaningful to all learners. I also know that my presentations as a future reading specialist will be greatly enhanced through the use of some of the tools like concept mapping, ebooks and digital photo story. I extend special thanks to my very enthusiastic lecturer for making this course so magnificent.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sharing our ideas the 'wiki' way
When I think of 'wikis' I think of collaboration. From past experiences, we have been involved in several group projects and while physical contact was necessary at times, the use of the wiki would have been so useful for sharing information especially since groups comprised of persons who lived in remote areas. Although we used emails to exchange information, one person from the group still had the task of editing the document and this became a bit burdensome. The wiki allows persons to edit and save relevant information thus making a useful contribution in a group project. It also has the added advantage of motivating individuals to have an input in projects since everyone will be able to see who has made a contribution.
In the classroom, the wiki can be used as a pre-writing activity for a creative writing project where students work in groups to brainstorm a topic. While the ideas in their essays may be the same, content is just one element of essay writing. Their essays can still be original in terms of style, organization and creativity.
Our M Ed. class comprises individuals from across Trinidad and Tobago and as future reading specialists we need to be connected so that we can share our ideas and plan greater workshops to improve literacy in our country. The use of wikis is certainly one way of doing this.
In the classroom, the wiki can be used as a pre-writing activity for a creative writing project where students work in groups to brainstorm a topic. While the ideas in their essays may be the same, content is just one element of essay writing. Their essays can still be original in terms of style, organization and creativity.
Our M Ed. class comprises individuals from across Trinidad and Tobago and as future reading specialists we need to be connected so that we can share our ideas and plan greater workshops to improve literacy in our country. The use of wikis is certainly one way of doing this.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Striking the right balance.
“So what is wrong with the way we are teaching now?”
This was the sentiment expressed by some of my fellow teachers during a one-day reading workshop that I presented along with another colleague. Of course, we had to assure them that we were there to add to the knowledge bank and not replace their ideas.
Just trying to complete a syllabus does not mean that we are teaching effectively. As teachers, we have a responsibility to develop problem solvers and critical thinkers and our traditional methods of teaching are simply not enough to accomplish these things.
Some teachers fall into the trap of teaching reading skills in isolation but, it is important to show connections among the strands because it makes learning more meaningful when children see patterns.
In addition to the ‘Fabulous Five’ reading skills that we know about ( phonics,phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency ),Tankersley (2003) adds a sixth strand, “higher-order thinking”. One of the ways to achieve higher –order thinking among our students is to allow them opportunities to use technology to learn to read. The Web 2.0 technology that we have been exposed to in this course allows greater collaboration, exploration, feedback and independent learning and they are ideal tools to enhance traditional pedagogy. According to Pressley (1998), the “most effective teachers continue to demonstrate that effective literacy instruction is a balance of explicit teaching as well as holistic reading and writing experiences”.
This was the sentiment expressed by some of my fellow teachers during a one-day reading workshop that I presented along with another colleague. Of course, we had to assure them that we were there to add to the knowledge bank and not replace their ideas.
Just trying to complete a syllabus does not mean that we are teaching effectively. As teachers, we have a responsibility to develop problem solvers and critical thinkers and our traditional methods of teaching are simply not enough to accomplish these things.
Some teachers fall into the trap of teaching reading skills in isolation but, it is important to show connections among the strands because it makes learning more meaningful when children see patterns.
In addition to the ‘Fabulous Five’ reading skills that we know about ( phonics,phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency ),Tankersley (2003) adds a sixth strand, “higher-order thinking”. One of the ways to achieve higher –order thinking among our students is to allow them opportunities to use technology to learn to read. The Web 2.0 technology that we have been exposed to in this course allows greater collaboration, exploration, feedback and independent learning and they are ideal tools to enhance traditional pedagogy. According to Pressley (1998), the “most effective teachers continue to demonstrate that effective literacy instruction is a balance of explicit teaching as well as holistic reading and writing experiences”.
Who's the tastiest of them all?
The name of the website was alluring enough to get me to investigate and when I found out what ‘delicious’ was all about I have to admit that it’s truly a delight. Adding all those interesting websites and articles to ‘Favourites’ can become muddled and time-consuming, especially when you have to go through the entire list to find what you are looking for.
‘Delicious’ is a website that organizes all your favourite websites according to ‘tags’ or ‘keywords.’ In this way finding relevant information becomes easier. It’s almost like an encyclopedia because the tags are arranged in alphabetical order. An interesting feature of this website is its social networking capacity. This means that you will have access to even more information from other friends who have tagged websites on the ‘delicious’ website.
I have met so many interesting and intelligent people on this course that I can’t wait to form a knowledge bank with them on ‘delicious.’ Moreover, in order to become competent reading specialists, it is important to share our knowledge by keeping up to date with teaching strategies and the use of technology in enhancing teaching and learning. Distance can no longer separate us when we have websites like ‘Delicious.’
‘Delicious’ is a website that organizes all your favourite websites according to ‘tags’ or ‘keywords.’ In this way finding relevant information becomes easier. It’s almost like an encyclopedia because the tags are arranged in alphabetical order. An interesting feature of this website is its social networking capacity. This means that you will have access to even more information from other friends who have tagged websites on the ‘delicious’ website.
I have met so many interesting and intelligent people on this course that I can’t wait to form a knowledge bank with them on ‘delicious.’ Moreover, in order to become competent reading specialists, it is important to share our knowledge by keeping up to date with teaching strategies and the use of technology in enhancing teaching and learning. Distance can no longer separate us when we have websites like ‘Delicious.’
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Take inspiration from the web with 'WEBSPIRATION!'
Overflowing waste paper bins, pencils that have lost their length to the jaws of the electric sharpener and diagrams that just don’t seem to make sense…oh, how I wish I could call a friend or my teacher for some help but, I guess I’ll just have to wait until I get to school tomorrow. Why wait?
Webspiration is a remarkable concept mapping tool that will awaken your creative spirit. Create, edit, add graphics and hyperlinks with just a touch of a button and even rearrange your diagram to get an outline view if you prefer. What’s more, the comment, chat and collaborate options allow you to invite colleagues to share and give feedback from your home, office or school so you no longer have to wait in line. The ‘rapidfire’ or brainstorming tool is awesome. It allows students to see their ideas come alive on the screen (Brabeck, Fisher and Pitler, 2004). Altogether, these features or “intelligence extenders” are very motivating and can help struggling learners to make revisions, reformat and rearrange a concept map or document (Hawisher & Selfe, 1997). So, why not enhance teaching and learning with this concept mapping software that allows us to do so much in a small space. If you try it you just might like it!
Webspiration is a remarkable concept mapping tool that will awaken your creative spirit. Create, edit, add graphics and hyperlinks with just a touch of a button and even rearrange your diagram to get an outline view if you prefer. What’s more, the comment, chat and collaborate options allow you to invite colleagues to share and give feedback from your home, office or school so you no longer have to wait in line. The ‘rapidfire’ or brainstorming tool is awesome. It allows students to see their ideas come alive on the screen (Brabeck, Fisher and Pitler, 2004). Altogether, these features or “intelligence extenders” are very motivating and can help struggling learners to make revisions, reformat and rearrange a concept map or document (Hawisher & Selfe, 1997). So, why not enhance teaching and learning with this concept mapping software that allows us to do so much in a small space. If you try it you just might like it!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
The age of the 'iron' book.
Oh how I love to cuddle up in my warm bed and read a good book. The sound of the pages flicking as I turn them and the smell of the paper of a brand new book appeals to my sensitive side. Alas, I am now introduced to electronic books, called ebooks for short, and they are awesome. So, why not enhance my literacy centre with a digital library which contains many ebooks. According to Shamir & Korat, 2006, the "sound, animation, and interactive activities" contained in ebooks help pupils to "master tasks" which they may have been unable to do "independently." I also see the possibility of using ebooks to motivate the struggling reader because of the audio function. The animated feature will appeal to every child. It is almost like a portable talking television.How awesome indeed!
A word of caution; good things don't always come in small packages. There are specific features that make a good ebook like the quality of the text and sound and the use of images to support the text. So choose carefully. As for me, I choose both the traditional book and the ebook. I prefer to hug my paperback novels in my bed but, I also love having an entire digital library in my mini handbag which I can access anywhere and anytime.
Fellow reading specialists, my question to you is, Do you think that the ebook will replace the traditional book? Your views will be highly appreciated.
A word of caution; good things don't always come in small packages. There are specific features that make a good ebook like the quality of the text and sound and the use of images to support the text. So choose carefully. As for me, I choose both the traditional book and the ebook. I prefer to hug my paperback novels in my bed but, I also love having an entire digital library in my mini handbag which I can access anywhere and anytime.
Fellow reading specialists, my question to you is, Do you think that the ebook will replace the traditional book? Your views will be highly appreciated.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Let's pave the way for good digital citizenship.
I did not quite agree with the radio presenter this morning when he said that technology does not have any significant impact on reading proficiency . He reminded me of those teachers who fear technology. We have to face a reality that technology is here to stay and if we do not get our children to learn about it, they will be left behind and we will be lost in this technologically advanced and ever-changing global environment.
The announcer spoke about students being able to access inappropriate sites, however,there are numerous settings that can be put in place to avoid this such as firewalls.I have also located information about safety on the internet at Microsoft Online Safety which can be accessed at the following link: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/familysafety/default.aspx
As parents we have a responsibility to talk to our children and teach them about what is right and what is wrong. They in turn have a responsibility to act in a manner that is in keeping with the principles we have imparted on them. Sadly, there are many negative influences out there that are waiting to confuse these young minds. Let us be vigilant. Let us be proactive and try to nurture our children so that when we are not around to monitor them, they will still practice good digital citizenship.
The announcer spoke about students being able to access inappropriate sites, however,there are numerous settings that can be put in place to avoid this such as firewalls.I have also located information about safety on the internet at Microsoft Online Safety which can be accessed at the following link: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/familysafety/default.aspx
As parents we have a responsibility to talk to our children and teach them about what is right and what is wrong. They in turn have a responsibility to act in a manner that is in keeping with the principles we have imparted on them. Sadly, there are many negative influences out there that are waiting to confuse these young minds. Let us be vigilant. Let us be proactive and try to nurture our children so that when we are not around to monitor them, they will still practice good digital citizenship.
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