eVoc Strategies: Using Technology to Build

VocabularyKathryn Gillenwater, Literacy Specialist

K-5 Instructional CoachSullivan County Department of Education

Technology Academy-Session 6June 9, 2011

Why is vocabulary learning so important?

All literate people must learn academic language to access the curriculum

Studies confirm high correlation between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension.

Baumann & Kame’enui, 2004Academic language is more complex

because it involves◦ abstract literacy tasks◦ language not customarily used in oral speech

The Problem

Wide range in students’ word knowledgeAs early as age 5, there is a 30-million –

word exposure gap between “haves” and “have-nots” (Hart & Risley, 1995)

The Matthew Effect◦Strong readers get stronger and weak readers

get weaker (Stanovich, 1986)4th grade reading slump

◦Less developed store of conceptual knowledge and vocabulary (Chall & Jacobs, 2003)

Addressing the Gap

1) Offer strategies for teaching words and word learning strategies

2) Focus on digital language tools to support just-in-time strategic vocabulary learning and reading

3) Suggest ways to increase the volume of reading to support students’ incidental vocabulary learning

Explicit Teaching of Vocabulary

Helping students become independent word learners

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eVoc Strategy 1: Learn From Visual Displays of Word Relationships Within Text

Go to www.wordle.netStimulates students’ thinking about the

meaning, importance, and relationship of words as they analyze, create, and publish Wordles.

Draws on students’ background knowledge about words and concepts.

Builds visual literacy skills.

Word Clouds highlight key words and themes.

Prepare students for reading…

What does the word cloud suggest the article is about?

What seems to be the most important word?

How do these words go together?Why do you think the Wordle

designer chose this shape of word cloud?

Discussion prompt after reading…

Do you think the word cloud captured what was most important to learn?

Are there keywords or ideas that were left out?

What terms reflect the main idea?

TRY IT!

www.wordle.netDo a search on a relevant topic. Select a

particular text. Highlight text, click on “edit” and “copy” and minimize.

Go back to Wordle ; click on “Create” and paste text into the applet.

Manipulate the visual display by selecting the color scheme, layout, and font.

Publish to public gallery and print or use a screen capture program

Why it works!

Builds conceptual knowledgeProvides multiple exposures

◦Beck et al., 2008Conversations about their reading with

adults and peers strengthen students’ word learning.

◦Biemiller & Boote, 2006

eVoc Stategy 2: Take a Digital Vocabulary Field Trip

trackstar.4teachers.org Students follow an online journey of

annotated websites.Gain knowledge about words through

multiple exposures◦Different contexts◦Different media

eVoc Strategy 3: Connect Fun and Learning With Online Vocabulary Games and iPAD/iPod Apps

www.vocabulary.co.ilwww.readwritethink.org

◦Interactive Word sorts Picture-word matches Word scramblers, crosswords

Engage students in playing with word structure and word meanings

Sites can be bookmarked for students independent practice and can provide a basis for whole-group instruction.

eVoc Strategy 4: Have Students Use Media to Express Vocabulary Knowledge

Unlimited creative possibilities to communicate word knowledge◦Collaborative publication and engagement

Variety of composing tools and formats◦Digital stories◦Photo essays◦Podcasts◦PowerPoint◦Word Wiki or word blog

Camouflage: To hide by disguise

Personal association: I have seen a praying mantis in

my backward. They are hard to find because they blend in with the green leaves.

Importance:Camouflage is an important survival technique. Prey can hide from their predators.

Source: kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids

Write a caption for –investigate

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Students Customize Their Own Collection of Supports

What to do when unfamiliar words are encountered in reading?

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eVoc Strategy 5: Support Reading and Word Learning With Just-in-Time Vocabulary Reference Support

Students learn to use online dictionaries and thesauri rather than asking the teacher or using print reference materials.

Vary in difficulty; so try out different applications to determine best fit for your students

www.thefreedictionary.com/add2ie.htm#addon◦Definition option to right-click menu

Pause and Ponder

What eVoc strategies are most attractive to you for your student population?

Expand Wide Reading and Incidental Word Learning

Reading widely and deeply is important for vocabulary development and reading comprehension.

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eVoc Strategy 6: Increase Reading Volume by Reading Digital Text

Expand text optionsBookmark quality sites

◦www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news◦www.weeklyreader.com/featurezone◦kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids◦kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/kidsnews◦www.sciencenewsforkids.org

Take ACTION!

Analyze your current vocabulary instruction and the needs of your students. What current low-tech tasks might be replaced or enhanced with an eVoc strategy that uses multimedia? Are there gaps in your students’ vocabulary learning skills that can be supported with a digital tool?

A Final Thought

View your integration of technology and vocabulary as an opportunity for exploration and inquiry. Where do you see impact on students’ learning and engagement? How might you share what you are learning with other teachers? Do not forget how much fun words can be, especially when evoked in a digital context!