Week 9 Identify and justify criteria and principles that provide a sound basis for making decisions...

Assignment #1

I found this article very interesting, because it relates to this class. We are learning about new literacies and blogging too. I am a perfect example of how teaching about new technology and digital literacies can have a positive effect. Before this class I knew little about technology resources and other media and digital tools. I have not only learned different tools and resources, but also how to search for new technology and resource. At first, I had trouble just posting on my blog and navigating from one blog to another. Now, I can easily post new post or navigate from my blog to other students’ profiles as well. Some assignments I find very difficult understanding what to do. Being able to look on other student’s blogs is very helpful. I find that students put more effort into their work, because it is on display. Students can connect and discuss their ideas and opinions with one another. I also find myself becoming more creative and thinking outside the box when I can connect and compare to other students work. Blogging is another way students can express themselves through their work. I couldn’t believe that some teachers do not integrate technology inside their classroom even after they went to training sessions and seminars. I find it very silly for teachers to only stick to their old teaching ways. I believe that a great teacher understands the importance of change. The way students learn today is not going to be the same in the future. We live in a digital age and it is important to educate our students for the future. Teachers should integrate technology and other resources that students’ can relate to. Students learn best when they are motivated and willing to learn. 

Digital Storytelling video

Here is the link to my story!
I'm sure everyone knows the 12 days of Christmas song...I created this digital storytelling video for children to follow along with the song. I think it will be a fun activity for children during the holidays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAf1pcGhQsU&feature=youtu.be

UDL BOOK BUILDER

RAINBOW OF FEELINGS 

Here is the link to my book. 

http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=view&book=74602&page=1 

The book I created “Rainbow of Feelings,” is a book for children to demonstrate their emotions and feelings through colors. The ELA teacher that I have been working with explained to me that many of her students have trouble expressing their correct emotions. I also work in an environment where students have emotional and physical disabilities in which it is not always easy to understand how they are feeling. Many times when the students get upset about  an issue they have trouble expressing what they are feeling and why. I think this book or similar pictures could really help students out by expressing their emotions. We have a similar chart at work with  different "smiley faces" that students can point to and use to express their feelings. I noticed that this method tends to calm the students down, allowing them to then tell us RA's what problems they are having and why. I believe that this book will help students express their true feelings in ways teachers can understand. The UDL Book Builder program is a great resource for teachers to create books that go along hand and hand with their activities and lessons. Teachers can also create books to fit each individual student and incorporate what they need to work on individually. 

Week 7 Introduction to the range of new literacies (IV)

Week 7 Introduction to the range of new literacies (IV)

 

Assignment #1 

  The article “Theories and Practices of Multimodal Education: The Instructional Dynamics of Picture Books and Primary Classrooms” describes multimodal education in terms of theories and practices. The article consists of two main sections: section one describes and outlines multimodal aspects of texts and sociocognitive aspects of literacy learning. The second section discusses “an on going research project in which elementary school teachers collaborated with us to design and teach literacy curricula that uses children’s picture books with highly visual and interactive textual elements”. Section one discusses the shift that has occurred in reading today, due to the demands of digital media and visual texts. Teachers and students have modified from traditional print-based education to multimodal education. Print itself can take many forms through visual design, graphics, and images that require new ways of coding and decoding these text-relations. Bezemer and Kress (2008) define mode as a “socially and culturally shaped resource for meaning making.” Print is an example of a “mode” of communication. Font is also a “mode” of communication, because the way it is signified and represented. Reader’s sociocognitive processes of making meaning out of text are constantly informed by and altered through the use of digital media and multiple modes of representation. For example, the color of a word can be interpreted differently from one reader’s to another’s.

             Section two discusses a research study that examined children’s engagement with interactive and visual texts. The purpose of the study was to use multimodal texts in early literacy instruction, beyond using current theories of reading to engage with new forms of texts. This article explains the importance of educators and teachers to add new roles and techniques to their traditional teaching styles, because we live in a digital age. Larson and Marsh (2005) explained that,“teachers need to adopt three additional roles in order to facilitate children’s navigation of complex, multimodal, electronic worlds” (teacher as resource manage, teacher as constructor of knowledge, and teacher as design consultant). I think this is very important for teachers to understand, because these activities are the foundation of new literacies. 


            Assignment #2

 Ok, apparently my computer is too old to download second life... so I downloaded it on my friends computer. 

Week 6 Introduction to range of new literacies III

Assignment #1 

Here is my link to the article I chose. 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8l9unnizvq6euen/glMZ2sMq47


This article discusses how the iPad made by Apple is incorporated in the classroom. Students and teachers from all grade levels have experienced a positive effect from using and incorporating the iPad in the classroom. Students become more engaged and motivated throughout the lesson or activity while using the iPad. The iPad is also very useful and beneficial to students with special needs as well. I think this article is a good article to read, because it explains how important and useful technology can be to our students.

Assignment #2 

Edmodo is a social media site where teachers and students can share and exchange ideas and information. Edmodo allows users to share and communicate multimedia information on the web.  Edmodo has many features and functions. The main page of Edmodo is the daily post. It is very similar to Facebook, where you can see the latest updates and news feeds. Here users can post questions, information, ideas, assignments, take a poll, quizzes and also users can comment back to previous posts. The library feature allows users to add links and files so they can be shared with others or just so the user can access them at any time.  There is also a calendar that is available to post assignments or other information to as well. 

Edmodo can be very useful and beneficial for teachers today. Children our surrounded by technology, they relate to technology. By incorporating Edmodo in the classroom students will become more engaged and motivated throughout the lessons and activities. It is a great tool for teachers to use to keep their students interested throughout the lesson. It is also a great tool for teachers to share information with other teachers as well. You can learn new exciting lessons or ideas from other educators as well.

Week 5 Introduction to the range of new literacies (II): Gaming and literacy

Introduction to the range of new literacies (III): Gaming and literacy

 

Assignment#1 Create an account with Gamestar Mechanic. Examine and explain how other teachers are using games in the classrooms (particularly with ELA). If you are experienced gamer, you could try creating your own game (not mandatory). 

Teachers are using games in the classroom for numerous reasons. Some reasons teachers incorporate games in lessons are to motivate students, review material, encourage participation, and to break up lecture with an activity. One game I found on Gamestar Mechanic is called “Pollution Solution.” “Pollution Solution,” is a game that requires you to get rid of the sources of pollution. Throughout the game your avatar reaches areas where icons popup and tell you facts about pollution. For example, they will name some causes of pollution and ways that you can reduce pollution. I think this is a great way for students to have fun and learn at the same time. While they are playing the game they are learning about ways to help and clean the environment.

Assignment #2 Write a brief statement on your philosophy of using games in the classrooms (from the teacher and the learner's point of view). 

Using games in the classroom will engage and motivate students to participate and be active throughout the lesson. ELA teachers can also use games to reward students after a lesson while keeping it meaningful and educational. We our surrounded by technology today and students relate to it, so why not allow our students to learn by new and exciting activities. 

Assignment#3 Use your creativity and imagination, write a game scenario/script for your game design and use narrated PPT or Jing Project (no more than 5 minutes) to present your game scenario/script (you could use image to enhance your game story). See sample scenario/script below from a 4^th grader (not in PPT yet).

Here's my link for my game scenario

http://www.screencast.com/t/ZnfvZGy6L7

Week 4 Introduction to the range of new literacies (I)

Assignment #1

SCRAMBLE WITH FRIENDS 

1. What gaming elements provide users the learning content and how? 

“Scramble with Friends” is a grid with four rows and four columns of letters. Players have two minutes to make as many words as they can. You can create words in any direction while racing against the clock. Points are accumulated from the amount of words you create and the length (difficulty) of each word. You can also accumulate bonus points by using the added features such as "Freeze"(freezes the time), "inspiration"(shows you 3 words), and "scramble"(rearranges the letters). The player with the most points after the three rounds wins the game. 

Text- Players need to be able to read and recognize the letters to create words. Players need to be able to read and understand the feedback from the game to comprehend how well they are doing. For example when the player creates a lengthy word “Scramble” will respond with "EXCELLENT" compared to a short word Scramble will respond with "Good." 

Visual-Graphic Elements- Players need to recognize and visually create different words within the time limit. The highlighted words make it easier for the player to notice what word they are trying to create. 

Audio-Elements- After a word is created “Scramble” informs the player by audio sounds if it is an acceptable word. It also notifies the player how high on the scale of words they scored. The most notable audio sound that “Scramble” makes is the time ticking, which informs you how much time you have left in the round. 

2. What is the goal of the game?

The goal of “Scramble with Friends” is to accumulate the most points at the end of the three rounds. By creating as many words as you can within each round. 

3. What are rules of playing this game?

Each player has two minutes each round to create as many words as they can. There are a total of 3 rounds within one match. You can create words in any direction, but they have to be actual words. You can use the bonus features only if you have enough coins available to buy them. 

4. Does this game have any scenario design? 

This game does not have any scenario design. It is a puzzle game that strengths ability and reasoning ability. 

      Assignment #2 

    Create a simple ELA lesson plan addressing the following components

    Grade Level- Third 

    Common core standards and learning outcomes - CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. 

I   Instructional activities- Students will partner up and play a full game of “Scramble with Friends.” After each round students will compare to their partner what words they found and missed. Each student will have to write down five words they both found and five words they missed. They can read aloud each word from their list to their partner. This will help them with their phonic awareness. They will be asked to define each of the words as well. This will help them with broaden their vocabulary. Lastly, the students will have to use the words correctly in a sentence. This will give the students more practice in learning the words and their meanings.

    Assessment- The assessment will be based on how many new words students can add to their lists, how many they can define, and how many they can use correctly in a sentence. 

    Debriefing- I would ask each student a series of questions.

     1. Can you make five complete sentences out of the words you found?

     2. Do you know the meaning of any of the words you found or didn't find? 

   What cognitive skills do this game help to cultivate? - “Scramble with Friends” can help with word recognition, spelling, reading, vocabulary knowledge, and visual and auditory processing. 

   What new literacies skills do this game help to cultivate?

   “Scramble with Friends” will help cultivate students motor skills, vocabulary knowledge, auditory skills, analyze textual information, and develop learners spatial skills.