Article Review

Middle School Science Teachers’ Confidence and Pedagogical Practice of New Literacies

The article was interesting but not surprising.   I had read many articles that had similar outcomes and I have spoken with teachers who also had the same sentiments.  I agree their are a lot of teachers who are willing to accept and integrate technology into their classrooms but they get discouraged because of the lack of technology.  These teachers are willing to use technology to help enhance their lessons with a Smartboard or laptop and would love to use more technology but are not able to fully embrace the new literacies. Without having technology and not just any technology but updated technology the teachers can not and will not be able to prepare 21st century learners. 

Social Networking Sites

The article was very interesting about using social networking sites in the classroom.  I remember when Twitter first became popular I had a hard time keeping my students off the site.  Therefore, I started thinking of ways to incorporate Twitter into my classroom.  I had that "if you can't beat them then join them" feeling.  I was tired of fighting with the students about "tweeting" in school. I started researching ways and lessons that dealt with Twitter.  We did do one lesson using Twitter and the news and it was very successful.  Therefore, I enjoyed this article.  I think if teachers incorporate Social Networking sites into their classroom they can see a difference in their learning and their students academic drive.   I think students would want to particiapate more and become more responsible for their learning.  Personally, I know students love being able to publish, communicate and collaborate using these Social Media sites.  My students love when we use sites such as Glogster and Blogger.  They enjoy being able to communicate and collaborate online. In  addition, I believe incorporating social networking into the academic environment woudl give people a different outlook of the social networking sites.   People would begin to see the value of the social networks instead of always looking at the negative.

UDL Book Builder

            

  

     My book "I Want" that was created using UDL Book Builder was created for a 3rd grade Special Needs class.   Before creating the book the teacher and I had a discussion about her students and their reading levels.  The class as a whole is reading below grade level and have learning disabilities.  Some of the students have an issue with verbalizing their needs and wants.  This conversation led me to my book idea.  I decided to call the book "I Want" and give different scenarios of things students might want to do.  I incorporated sound effects, speech from the coaches and a student response feature.   Once the ELA teacher viewed the book she was thrilled with it.   She used the book in a variety of ways.  The ELA teacher indicated that the she will use it mostly with her emergent readers. The book is great tool to help the students practice their reading.  She also indicated that the audio feature was great way for her non-readers to understand what the book was about.  She has a student that cannot read at all who is below a kindergarten level.   Therefore, the audio coach helps him understand what the book is about and keeps him interested.  She also like the response feature because she does have students that can write and recognize certain words.  Therefore, she was happy that the book was mulitmodal.  

     The book is not just meant for a special needs teacher.  As indicated in the description I believe the book can be used from the 1st to the 3rd grade.  With the variety of features  ELA teachers, the ELL teacher and the Speech teacher can use the book to help build their emergent readers.   Therefore, I believe the book is a book that appeals to a variety of learners and their differentiated needs. 

http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=view&book=73100&page=1

Edmodo

Edmodo Features

Small Groups:  is a great way to create classroom activities.  It's also a great way to organize differentiated classroom activities.  It allows you to create small groups within your larger group and assign the students a variety of different activities. 

Library:  The library feature allows you to create folders and upload pictures, links, video, worksheets and activities that you can share with your group.  It's a great way to organize resources for a particular lesson.  

Quizzes:  The quiz feature is great because it allows the students to use any device to access the quiz.  They can be in charge of their own learning.  As well the quiz feature allows to give instant feedback and create comments.  The quiz feature also gives you pie charts that gives the question breakdown.  This is a great because it allows you to see what skill you may need to review. 

Progress Report:  is just like having a digital gradebook, it allows you to track your students and their  badges.

Polls:  is a awesome feature.  It is a great and quick way to take a survey and gain students responses to a certain topic in addition students can only vote once and cannot change their  answers. 

    Edmodo can be a valuable tool in the ELA classroom.  ELA teachers have the opportunity to create a their own library of resources for the unit they are working on.  The library is always available and as long as the students have access to Edmodo they will always have access to the resources.   The quiz feature in Edmodo is also very valuable to the ELA classroom because the pie chart feature allows teachers to gauge whether or not the students understood a certain skill or if it needs to be reviewed again.  Edmodo offers a variety of features that can fit any classroom no matter what subject you teach. All the teachers have to do is cater the Edmodo program to fit their class and their needs.  

Technology and Adolescent Article

The article  New Media, New Literacies and the Adolescent Learner is a great article to explore.  The article is a research study about the relationship between new digital media and adolescent students' writing of poetry while using new media.  The article examines eight themes that emerged during the study, including the multimodal, multilinear and collaborative nature of the poems, the role of audience and identity in the creative process, and the shifting views of poetry the students experienced.

Gaming

Gamestar Mechanic

Game Mechanic seems like a good website for teachers to use in the classroom.  From what I observed it seems like the teachers is using it as a good way for students to use their analytical and critical thinking skills.  I enjoyed the the STEM video game challenge.  I think it is a great way to help students get involved and interested in STEM.  I started playing one of the game quest and I saw myself spending a lot of time on the game.   I actually enjoyed it and I like that it was very educational and required you to really use your critical thinking skills.   

Philosophy of Gaming

Not until now did I really think about a philosophy of gaming in the classroom setting.  

But the more I think about it the more I  feel gaming can be an asset in the classroom.  Many people don't realize it but gaming teaches children a lot of different skills depending on the game they are playing.  Games can be valuable with helping children learn critical thinking and analytical skills.  Games can teach children how to be creative and think outside the box.  A lot of games offer what-if scenarios whereas the game changes depending on your move.  That means this type of gaming will lead children to start thinking on a broader spectrum.  They will strategize their next move which in many ways they are creating their own story.  Therefore, I believe gaming can be a benefit in the classroom especially the ELA classroom.  Using games will lead children to think but not just think but become critical thinkers and use higher order thinking skills.   Games such strategy games and word games can be an asset and should used more often in the ELA classroom. 

Game Scenario
Click on the picture below 

Edmodo

I am not new to Edmodo.  I find Edmodo to very good resource not just for students but for teachers. Edmodo can be valuable in the ELA classroom because it promotes literacy and collaboration amongst students and teachers.  Students can blog, share, and communicate in a safe secure environment while enhance their learning.  It is a great resource and can be a powerful tool if used correctly in the classroom.

Range of new literacies

Gaming     
      I’ve always loved playing games, board games, video games and online games.  I like games that challenge me and I have a goal to meet at the end.  I feel the same way about educational games.  The educational games that hold my attention and my student’s attention are the educational games that are challenging.  The ones that are easy get boring very quick.  I play a variety of games on my iPad. I like to play a lot of strategy games and simulation games.  One of my favorite simulation games is Diner Dash.  I’ve played Diner Dash on the computer, Nintendo DS and now on my iPad.  The factors highlighted in the article and video is what keeps my interest in the game.
      The challenge in Diner Dash is to build up a variety of Diner from the bottom up into these most desirable restaurants in town.  Flo is one women shows that don’t have much money but opens a diner.  Each level is a set of new goals and more money to earn which enables you to enhance the diner.   Once you have met the goals of each diner you move on to a bigger and better diners until Flo opens up the last and final grand diner.   Each diner becomes bigger, with more costumers and a demanding shift.  Flo being a one women show has to do it all by herself.  Therefore, the challenge is to meet each customers needs and achieve your goals before time runs out.
     The graphics and whether or not as the game gets harder can I beat it is what draws me in.  I enjoy playing the game on the iPad because the graphics are very crisp and eye catching.  The game also entices my curiosity because I want to see how well I’m going to do once the game gets harder. At the end of the section the game lets you know if you met your goals or you need to repeat the board.  The game have text balloons within the round to let you know if you met a particular goal.  I’m not the type of person that gives up when something gets hard, I like a challenge so that what keeps me playing the game.  The audio is pretty fast paced and keeps you interested.
     Diner Dash gives you control over how you want to upgrade the diner.  You can personalize the diner to fit the type of person you are. In addition, you have the ability to buy the things Flo need to make the restaurant a success.  You can buy anything from new kitchen appliances to lighting, each item have a specialty that will allow the restaurant to run more efficiently. This type of control makes you really take ownership of the game and think of it as your own.
      In the end, its a fabricated scenario design. The storyline makes it interesting.  I like the idea of owning my own restaurant and building an empire from the bottom up.  At the end of the day that is what you are doing in this game.  It’s a fantasy that appeals to my intrinsic, cognitive and emotional fantasy being.  I really enjoy playing the game and building my empire.
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Lesson Plan

Grade:  3rd
Language Skill: writing

Language Focus: sequence connector (first second, third, next, finally)

Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2c Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information.
Learning outcome(s): by the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Write 3 out of 5 steps involve in taking orders at a restaurant using correct sequence connector.

2. Name 5 out of 7 things that can be found in a restaurant.

Procedures


1. Teacher encourages students to talk about their experience when they dine-in at a restaurant.
2. Teacher asks students to name few things that can be found at a restaurant. 

3. Using the Smartboard teacher plays diner dash online game and demonstrates it to the students.

4. Teacher asks students to focus on the game and identify the steps in taking orders between the waiter and the customers.
5. Teacher then asks the students the steps in taking orders and list down the steps on the board.
6. Teacher emphasizes the use of sequence connector in the steps and explains on how to use each sequence connector for each sentence/step.
7.  Teacher asks few students to come in front to write the next step using sequence connector.
8. Teacher distributes a task sheet to each pupil.

9. Students need to complete the task sheet by writing the steps in taking orders correctly using the sequence connector provided.

10. Teacher facilitates and provides necessary guidance to the students.

11. Teacher discusses the answer with the students.
12. Teacher lets the students explore and play the game.
13. Teacher asks the students to take notes of the steps involved in completing the game.
14.  Teacher provides feedback after the playing session about the steps involved.
15. Teacher and students have a discussion about some moral value on how to behave at a restaurant.

Assessment:  Students will write a story about a special time in their life and they must use the sequence connectors.

Debriefing:  Teacher will use PowerPoint to create scaffolding activities.  Students will design characters and write narration in the game scenario

What cognitive skills do this game help to cultivate:  critical thinking, visual processing, auditiory processing and processing ability. 

What new literacies skills do this game help to cultivate logical thinking: Students have the ability to connect the game to the real world.