Literacy Live

For a P.D. opportunity during this years technology showcases we (myself and two of other teaching candidates) plan to demonstrate different uses of the livescribe pen in literacy. We will be discussing two innovative ways to incorporate the livescribe pen as an aid for student writing. We will start by discussing a leading edge method of using the word wall in the classroom followed by a new way to document student retell.

The word wall is a popular element of the primary/junior classroom. The purpose of the word wall is to display frequently used words for students. However, using a word wall to assist students with writing is difficult if students cannot read. We have brainstormed a solution to this barrier through using the livescribe pen as an interactive word wall. We have created a live word wall using the livescribe book. We feel that the live word wall would be most beneficial if placed in a writing centre for student use. If a student is having difficulty spelling a word, he or she may consult the live word wall for assistance. The major benefit of this word wall is that if the student is unable to read to find the correct spelling, he or she can click the words under the initial sound until he or she finds the correct word.

Some of the words we would originally include in the interactive word wall, would be from the Dolch Word list. Teaching The Dolch Word list is a crucial goal of education in grades kingergarten through three. Reading is the most important skill a child will ever learn. Students are expected to be able to read simple sentences and stories by the end of first grade. By third grade they are expected to be able to read almost any kind of text. As well as being able to phonetically decode regularly spelled words, children must also master reading basic, common sight words. Many of the 220 Dolch words cannot be “sounded out” and have to be learned by “sight,” that is memorized. Confidence and reading ability improve when children know the Dolch sight words. The teacher would also add important words to the list during the school year as they arise in literature or other subjects just as one would on a traditional word wall.

The livescribe pen can also be used to retell stories by allowing the students to virtually recall the story while voice recording at the same time. This will allow the student and the teacher to revisit specific events within the story.This very effective tool economizes time for the student and teacher as well as keeping the retell documents in a convenient, organized and assessable format.After being read a story by the teacher, students traditionally need to retell the events to the teacher using pictures. However, using the livescribe pen, students can illustrate what happened at the beginning, middle and end of the story. While they are drawing or after they have finished drawing, students can record themselves retelling the story.

The pen is also a great assessment tool because it allows the teacher to compare past retells to current ones to monitor progress! The teacher could have a file for each student and save the data for regular access.

Following our presentation we will be giving our audience the opportunity to ask various questions regarding our presentation on the livescribe pen and literacy. We will also be encouraging them to take the opportunity to write any potential uses they see for the livescribe pen in literacy on the table cloth as a collaborative exchange of ideas.

We will also post a post-workshop blog about our experiences presenting at the event. Stay tuned...

Please visit the blogs of other two members of my group who also collaborated to make this presentation and blog possible. This is our authentic example of collaborative teaching:

http://www.laurenjwinter.blogspot.com/
http://candice6.blogspot.com/

*photo taken from: http://www.lovingthroughliteracy.com/site/index-6.html

The 21st Century Classroom

What should a 21st century classroom look? This is a question many educators find themselves asking. However, there is no single right or wrong answer. I have spent some time reflecting upon what a 21st century classroom looks like for me, a new teacher being trained in an educational institution with a focus in technological leadership. The following blog post will explore my vision of a 21st century classroom pulling from some of my own beliefs about education, learning and the acquisition of knowledge. It is drawn from my support and belief in the theories of constructivism, progressivism and social-reconstructionism.

I feel that the 21st century classroom should be designed to be student-centred. In other words, the classroom should be designed to meet the needs of students and help facilitate student success. There are many elements to consider when creating a 21st century classroom. These elements essentially can be organized into 4 categories: the academic, the physical, the technological, and the cultural.

The academic elements within the 21st century classroom are intended to create a more interactive, collaborative and student-centred environment. One major academic change that is imperative to the 21st century classroom is student choice. Students should be given some choice in the way they are to present information and what information they choose to further research. This will help to increase student engagement and help to nurture student-specific interests. There is also a major push towards experiential learning (including increased field trips, simulations, and authentic learning experiences). Furthermore, much of the learning that goes on the 21st century classroom should be interactive, inquiry based, promote higher order thinking and include collaboration, sharing of ideas and group discussions.

The changes in the academic elements in the classroom in turn influence the technology present in the classroom. This is not to say one needs technology to construct the 21st century classroom. A teacher can create his/her own 21st century classroom with little to no technology. However, if a teacher has access to technology, the technology can help to facilitate student learning. Some technologies that are currently being used and introduced into the classroom include: computers, laptops, tablets, SMART boards, clickers, Ipads, Ipods, Livescribe pens, front row, document cameras, cellphones/smart phones, wifi, classroom blogs and gaming devices (including wii, xbox, kinect, etc..). These different technological tools can help to engage students, facilitate collaborative learning and provide differentiated instruction.

The physical layout of the classroom can also differ from the traditional classroom. For examples, student desks are arranged in groups (or there are tables rather than desks) with the intention of encouraging collaboration. Many other elements (although not essential) can be incorporated in the 21st century including: swivel chairs, tables on wheels, technology centres (i.e. an Ipod centre), white boards and other forms of technology. Although the 21st century classroom could have a different physical layout than organized in the past, a 21st century teacher will be adaptable and use the elements that he/she already has to create his/her 21st century classroom. Creating a 21st century classroom should not be limited by equipment.

The culture of the 21st century classroom is also essential to the creation and facilitation of 21st century learning. The 21st century classroom encourages the respect and acceptance of others, their perspectives and opinions. It is a collaborative environment in which students are encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, knowledge and learning with their teacher and peers. It is a safe space for all students. The 21st century classroom is a diverse place. Even with the diversity and differences in the classroom, there is a sincere sense of community and belonging. In addition, it is an innovative classroom that encourages taking risks and trying new things. This quality is also reflected in the academic element of the classroom with the inclusion of creative and innovative lessons from the teacher. It is a student-centred environment that promotes and supports student curiosity and interests. It is a place in which each student can be his/herself while learning, growing and exploring. It is the type of place that will create life-long learners, innovators, and critical thinkers.


*The photos above were taken from:
http://pndblog.typepad.com/pndblog/2008/09/edutopias-ten-p.html
http://www.smithsystem.com/21stCenturyClassroom/
http://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/51752/5-Reasons-Technology-in-the-Classroom-Engages-Students