W200 final presentation
Transcript of W200 final presentation
RESEARCH THROUGH
TECHNOLOGY:NEW STRATEGIES IN ENGLISH
EDUCATION
Leilani Freeman
W200 Final Project
April 29, 2011
New Strategies in English
Education Articles
Writing for the Instant Messaging and
Text Messaging Generation: Using New
Literacies to Support Writing Instruction
Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts:
More Power for your Reading Block
Motivating Students to Use Newly
Learned Study Strategies
Writing for the Instant Messaging and Text
Messaging Generation: Using New Literacies to
Support Writing Instruction*
Today’s students communicate with each other constantly. They use Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and text messaging to socialize and share information.
Although these forms of communication are often filled with slang and shorthand, they are still a valuable form of communication. In this sense, it’s more important that the exchange of ideas occurs than the style of grammar used.
*Sweeny, Sheelah M. (October 2010). Writing for the Instant Messaging and Text Messaging Generation: Using New Literacies to Support Writing Instruction. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Vol. 54. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2077567
Writing for the Instant Messaging and Text
Messaging Generation: Using New Literacies to
Support Writing Instruction
Teaching students with the
communication styles they use
daily with their friends will increase
their learning power
Some examples of how teachers
have integrated these new
technologies in the classroom are:
◦ Using different kinds of music to
stimulate writing sessions
◦ Creating assignments where students
must use Twitter s several times a
week to communicate with
classmates
◦ Text messaging assignments to the
class and receiving assignments by
text
Writing for the Instant Messaging and Text
Messaging Generation: Using New Literacies to
Support Writing Instruction
I think using new technology in the classroom should be required
for teachers. Today more than ever, teachers need to connect with
students in areas they are most comfortable in. The more teachers
engage with students, the more students will learn.
I think the example of using Twitter to discuss a reading assignment
is really valuable. I like the idea of creating a digital dialogue with
students. To find out more about Twitter, go to
http://www.twitter.com.
Other resources for new teaching strategies:• http://www.writesite.org
• http://www.thescriptorium.net
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com
Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts:
More Power for Your Reading Block*
Teachers rely too heavily on Leveled Texts to classify reading groups.
New methods show educators that reading is not one size fits all◦ The focus should be on student needs’, not teacher organization
◦ Not all students can use the same types of readers. Diversity is key in gaining interest and continued learning.
◦ Not all groups will require the same level of instructional support. Be creative when entering the reading group.
* Glasswell, K., & Ford M. (September 2010). Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts for Your Reading Block. The Reading Teacher, Vol. 64. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/27867523
Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts: More
Power for Your Reading Block
Readers need variety in the levels of text available. Choose texts above and below grade levels. Build confidence in students.
Use additional type of materials:
◦ Magazines
◦ Newspapers
◦ Plays
◦ Poetry anthologies
◦ Digital and Online Texts
Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts: More
Power for Your Reading Block
Often, I think students are grouped together by a perceived level. I
like the idea in this article that students of all levels should be
grouped together, but I wonder if the higher level students will be
held back by their lower level counterparts. I think diversity in the
classroom is key, but it does not come before learning. Teachers
who use this approach should tread carefully and use check points
to clarify student’s progress.
I think the most important part of English Education is to teach a
love of reading. Education is the door to improvement and it starts
with reading. Giving a child a book is the first step in their future.
More areas to explore:
◦ http://www.readwritethink.org
◦ http://www.readingrockets.org
Motivating Students to Use Newly
Learned Study Strategies* When teaching new study
strategies, teachers must make an effort to show how the new strategies may be applied
Students must see the value in trying a new strategy, particularly if their current strategies are already successful.
Ease of learning and use are the keys to success
*Rauch M., & Fillenworth C. (April 1995). Motivating Students to Use Newly Learned Study Strategies. International Reading Association, Volume 38. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40016665
Motivating Students to Use Newly
Learned Study Strategies Motivation factors for
using new strategies◦ Foster a positive,
friendly classroom◦ Make strategies
relevant to courses◦ Confer with students◦ Have students keep
journals◦ Give more
assignments◦ Share your own
experiences◦ Create goal lists◦ Offer Extra Credit
Motivating Students to Use Newly
Learned Study Strategies
I think, as an educator, one of the most important aspects
is constant improvement. Motivating students to use
new, better study strategies might prove difficult,
especially if students are already successful. I think the
new strategies would have to show better efficiency, be
easier to remember, or offer some other type of reward.
I’m not sure I agree with the authors that new is always
better; I think it depends on what is being taught. If I
were the student, I would be skeptical of any new study
strategy. Usually, students have a system that works for
them. I think sharing these within the classroom and
providing personal testimonies might be better than
using unproven methods.
Conclusion Overall, the number one priority of any educator should be to
connect with students to empower learning. In these articles, I wanted to illustrate that change is constant. Educators must change with technology, adapt to more diverse cultures, and constantly be creative in their classrooms. Change will continue to thrive in our technology driven world and education must keep up.