1. Which
ideas from the video reflect what the ELA teachers you interviewed are
currently doing to integrate technology with their literacy instruction?
The teacher I interviewed does not implement any of the new literacies discussed in the video. She said that is it difficult to integrate technology in the classroom due to lack of resources as well as lack of student motivation. When the students were given an essay assignment that had to be type, 9 out of 28 students did not have access to a computer and refused to stay after school to use the schools. This is an on going problem in her classroom.
2. How can you help change their instructional practices to include the use of technology and the Internet in their literacy and content-area curriculum?
I am going to suggest approaching the use of technology in a more exciting way that will make the students feel as if they are getting a reward. For example, if the teachers allow students to work in pairs and create a blog to discuss the current book they are reading in class. The teacher can explain to the students that blogging is just like Facebook in the fact that they will just write down what they think about the book or a character. I think that if we give the students the importunity to express their opinions and ideas in a setting such as the blog rather than a classroom discussion, they may be more willing to participate.
3. What professional development and/or resources will they need in order to make these changes?
The teachers will just need to watch a quick video like we did for this course explaining what a blog is and how to set it up so they they can explain it to the students. I had the idea for partners to create the blog so that if one student did not have a computer at home, they could communicate in school so talk about what should go on the blog and hopefully this will eliminate the fact that some students don't have internet access at home. I would suggest that the teacher book the computer lab for the class period to demonstrate how the blog works and for the students to create their individual blogs.
4. What ideas do you have for grouping students so they will have equal access to technology in the classroom?
The students will be in pairs or small groups that will be arranged by the teacher to sort the students by their strengths and weaknesses. The laptop cart typically has 14-18 working computers so they will have at least one computer per group.
Hi Jessica. Last year I ran into similar issues with students not having access to a computer at home. I had given my students a research assignment that had to be typed and properly cited. I scheduled a session in the library for instruction on using databases, searching for sources and proper source citation. I then scheduled 2 class periods in the lab so they could research and work on their essay. Though most students typed the assignment, some said they didn't have a computer at home to type/print their project. Student access to technology is a problem both in and out of school.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great idea about motivating the students with a comparison of blogging to Facebook. I believe it would be a good motivator for them. They may even find a computer outside of school to participate in the assignment!