Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Are Visual Learning Strategies Important?
"To be truly literate in a modern technological culture, we need to comprehend and use both verbal and visual literacies." This statement was made by Richard Sinatra and Josephine Stahl-Germake in "Using the Right Brain in Language Art." Indeed, this statement has important ramifications for all content area teachers today. This is because our culture is now permeated immensely by television, computer games and other electronic media, where our students come to school with a rich experience in receiving and interpreting messages that are at once both visual and verbal. So instead of getting a panic attack, why not look on the positive side and use this experience as well as appropriate electronic tools that can in turn be an effective instructional opportunity to meet the learning needs of all students.
However, this can only take place when we acknowledge that presentations which effectively combine visual and verbal elements are more effective than printed texts. Also, a graphic representation of a key concept provides a useful mnemonic tool for all students.
However, this can only take place when we acknowledge that presentations which effectively combine visual and verbal elements are more effective than printed texts. Also, a graphic representation of a key concept provides a useful mnemonic tool for all students.
How can we teach grammar effectively?
From my readings, research indicates that just teaching grammar terminology by itself is ineffective. This is because grammar terminology can be abstract and loaded with hidden assumptions.Robert de Be described grammar terminology to this,"a ladder with the bottom rungs cut out-if you don't already know the concept underlying the terminology, the terminology itself will be of little use to you."
However, Mark Lester states that there are two techniques that help students to grasp grammatical concepts. They are sentence combining and paraphrasing tests. sentence combining shows students how sentences with multiple phrases and clauses are built from underlying simple sentences and allows students to compare and evaluate the grammatical and stylistic effect of different ways of combining the same simple sentence. Paraphrasing tests on the other hand, tap into students' unconscious knowledge of their language which becomes practical ways of identifying concepts.
However, Mark Lester states that there are two techniques that help students to grasp grammatical concepts. They are sentence combining and paraphrasing tests. sentence combining shows students how sentences with multiple phrases and clauses are built from underlying simple sentences and allows students to compare and evaluate the grammatical and stylistic effect of different ways of combining the same simple sentence. Paraphrasing tests on the other hand, tap into students' unconscious knowledge of their language which becomes practical ways of identifying concepts.
What writing strategies work with students of different abilities?
Hi everyone,
Here are some guidelines that I found during the course of my readings that are very useful for teaching writing to students with different abilities:
(1.) Provide frequent opportunities for students to write, read and reflect.
(2.)Help students discover the relationship between oral and written language.
(3.)Vary the instruction and management of writing workshops.
(4.) Emphasize fluency and quality of ideas before correctness.In other words, we need to model appropriate ways for students to respond to each other's writing.
(5.) Encourage all students to display, present and publish their writing.
(6.) Evaluate writing process as well as progress.
(7.) Appreciate the diversity of students in the classroom.
Here are some guidelines that I found during the course of my readings that are very useful for teaching writing to students with different abilities:
(1.) Provide frequent opportunities for students to write, read and reflect.
(2.)Help students discover the relationship between oral and written language.
(3.)Vary the instruction and management of writing workshops.
(4.) Emphasize fluency and quality of ideas before correctness.In other words, we need to model appropriate ways for students to respond to each other's writing.
(5.) Encourage all students to display, present and publish their writing.
(6.) Evaluate writing process as well as progress.
(7.) Appreciate the diversity of students in the classroom.
What is Our Task as Teachers for the Digital Generation?
From my readings, I discovered that educators must operate from a constant need to keep conversations with our students open and viable, asking good questions and not just giving our own answers, but looking from multidimensional points of view. Also, the imperative is to think beyond the specifics of discrete skills and knowledge and easily accountable measures of achievement. More so, it means to look qualitatively and dynamically at how language works, how students learn and how learning achievement can break new ground. Furthermore, it means we have to use our knowledge, experiences, expertise and imagination to help our students create a central place for reading and writing in their lives.
ICT
Although, this course was challenging for me at times, I must admit that learning about digital story telling, concept mapping and other electronic software that were free to download and can be integrated into lesson plans were very interesting and exciting.Indeed, integrating the appropriate electronic tool into the curriculum can be more fun and can make learning more meaningful to students.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Although, I learnt about blogs before undertaking this course, I must admit that I have never incorporated this web 2.0 technology into my lesson plans. My reluctance stemmed from many factors. This involved having inadequate computers at my institution, frequent breakdown of the server, having only a minority of my students indicating that they have a computer at home, my lack of confidence to integrate this electronic tool into my lesson plans because I felt it was time consuming, and no one was using it as a teaching tool. However, after attending the workshop sessions and the practical skills gained from my tutor, I feel more confident and enthusiastic in incorporating the use of this digital technology into my lesson plans. In addition, there is more information available since there are more interventions conducted concerning the integration of this electronic tool to scaffold students’ learning skills across the curriculum. Indeed, it has broaden my perspective in learning more about this electronic tool and in finding out what are more appropriate activities that can be incorporated into the curriculum.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Is it feasible to integrate Electronic Texts across the curriculum?
From my readings, I discovered that there are unlimited possibilities for learning with electronic texts. Electronic texts on almost any given topic can assist students in a variety of ways. They include motivating students to read extensively and independently, helping them to think critically about content central to the curriculum, assisting them to examine ideas, organise, report research findings, and improve their communication skills with their peers and subject teachers. For example, Word processing and authoring software programs, allow students to develop content and multimedia presentations relevant to curriculum objectives.
Here is a list of E-Book Resources that may be vital for you in preparing your lesson plans:
Digital Book Index
www.digitalbookindex.org
Meta-website linking thousands of titles from around the world
Ereader.com
www.ereader.com
Comprehensive source for e-books with many young titles
Marvel Comics
www.marverl.com/digitalcomics
Digital versions of Marvel Comics
Poets.org
www.poets.org/booth/booth.cfm
Poems read by famous poets
Moonlit Road
www.themoonlitroad.com
Students can read or listen to ghost stories and folk tales from the South
From my readings, I discovered that there are unlimited possibilities for learning with electronic texts. Electronic texts on almost any given topic can assist students in a variety of ways. They include motivating students to read extensively and independently, helping them to think critically about content central to the curriculum, assisting them to examine ideas, organise, report research findings, and improve their communication skills with their peers and subject teachers. For example, Word processing and authoring software programs, allow students to develop content and multimedia presentations relevant to curriculum objectives.
Here is a list of E-Book Resources that may be vital for you in preparing your lesson plans:
Digital Book Index
www.digitalbookindex.org
Meta-website linking thousands of titles from around the world
Ereader.com
www.ereader.com
Comprehensive source for e-books with many young titles
Marvel Comics
www.marverl.com/digitalcomics
Digital versions of Marvel Comics
Poets.org
www.poets.org/booth/booth.cfm
Poems read by famous poets
Moonlit Road
www.themoonlitroad.com
Students can read or listen to ghost stories and folk tales from the South
Friday, July 30, 2010
Hi everyone, this is a poem I wrote. Hope you all will be inspired to integrate the use of more electronic software in your given content areas.
Digital Generation
If you want to understand the digital child
You got not to hide but get on the ride.
Go directly to Dell’s Drive
There you’ll find Mr. Millennium Mouse,
I appeal not Mickey Mouse.
Just click or press on his doorknob
And immediately he’ll welcome you with a pleasant smile.
He’ll give you a grand tour into his house
That certainly will not bore you but leave you in awe.
You can pause at your own cause
Because he really doesn’t want you to get lost
And go sobbing all alone back to your port.
If you feel like listening to music on your way,
Or, if you want to stop and watch a movie,
You can take the Cube and drop off to You Tube
So you can enjoy as much time with your dude.
After, if you feel like just browsing around
And decide to have Chinese Noodles
You can stop by some cool dudes
Mr. Google will serve you more than a plate of noodles,
Mrs. Fire fox will concoct a drink that will have you responding like rapid-fire,
Mr. Bing will not just entertain you with everything he knows
But will share anything you would like to know.
And Mrs. Safari will take you on a drive, that is far better than a Ferrari.
But if you are anxious to develop your photos,
You can get them without a cost.
Just flick on to Mr. Flickr and
He’ll make your pictures more slick than you can ever think.
And if you want to tell all your dudes about your awesome adventures
Just let Mrs.D.Story do her magic.
Finally, if you want to invite more of your old dudes like yourself
You no longer have to fumble for pen and paper.
Show them how they can set their dates to meet their mates face to face
Yes they can go to Mr.F.Book free of charge
And if they have better ideas than Mr. Einstein
Why not tell them to share it with Mr.Blog
I promise you, he will not flog you or stop you
But if you are just as picky as me, you can go to Mrs. Wiki
Trust me when I say, she’s just as sweet as Tiki.
Digital Generation
If you want to understand the digital child
You got not to hide but get on the ride.
Go directly to Dell’s Drive
There you’ll find Mr. Millennium Mouse,
I appeal not Mickey Mouse.
Just click or press on his doorknob
And immediately he’ll welcome you with a pleasant smile.
He’ll give you a grand tour into his house
That certainly will not bore you but leave you in awe.
You can pause at your own cause
Because he really doesn’t want you to get lost
And go sobbing all alone back to your port.
If you feel like listening to music on your way,
Or, if you want to stop and watch a movie,
You can take the Cube and drop off to You Tube
So you can enjoy as much time with your dude.
After, if you feel like just browsing around
And decide to have Chinese Noodles
You can stop by some cool dudes
Mr. Google will serve you more than a plate of noodles,
Mrs. Fire fox will concoct a drink that will have you responding like rapid-fire,
Mr. Bing will not just entertain you with everything he knows
But will share anything you would like to know.
And Mrs. Safari will take you on a drive, that is far better than a Ferrari.
But if you are anxious to develop your photos,
You can get them without a cost.
Just flick on to Mr. Flickr and
He’ll make your pictures more slick than you can ever think.
And if you want to tell all your dudes about your awesome adventures
Just let Mrs.D.Story do her magic.
Finally, if you want to invite more of your old dudes like yourself
You no longer have to fumble for pen and paper.
Show them how they can set their dates to meet their mates face to face
Yes they can go to Mr.F.Book free of charge
And if they have better ideas than Mr. Einstein
Why not tell them to share it with Mr.Blog
I promise you, he will not flog you or stop you
But if you are just as picky as me, you can go to Mrs. Wiki
Trust me when I say, she’s just as sweet as Tiki.
Integrating Digital Storytelling across the Curriculum
One of the electronic tools that I am impressed by is Digital Storytelling. Since most of my students are not so passionate about reading or improving their writing skills, I discovered that I could integrate this electronic tool in preparing my lesson plans in order to motivate them. From my readings, I have learnt that this digital tool goes far beyond the traditional oral discourse in the classroom. In other words, it present traditional picture book text and images in an alternative on-screen format which can activate student’ prior knowledge and generate their interest about any given topic across the curriculum. For example, this electronic tool help develop children’s understanding of a word segmentation by breaking the word into recognizable components visually and audibly. In addition, students can also learn how to comprehend texts better and develop appropriate levels of fluency.
Several studies have found the value of this type of electronic software on students’ learning. For instance, Wise, Olsen, and Treiman (1990) found that first-grade students who used this electronic software improved students’ abilities to blend words after hearing them segmented at the on-set rime level, that is, first sound-rest of word level. They also discovered that when the children later encountered these words in other contexts, they were able to identify them easily. Two years later, Wise (1992) expanded on this study and discovered that students learning abilities improved immensely in recognising whole-words and syllable recognition among emergent readers. This also goes to show that the use of this electronic tool can help students to retain information as well.
One of the electronic tools that I am impressed by is Digital Storytelling. Since most of my students are not so passionate about reading or improving their writing skills, I discovered that I could integrate this electronic tool in preparing my lesson plans in order to motivate them. From my readings, I have learnt that this digital tool goes far beyond the traditional oral discourse in the classroom. In other words, it present traditional picture book text and images in an alternative on-screen format which can activate student’ prior knowledge and generate their interest about any given topic across the curriculum. For example, this electronic tool help develop children’s understanding of a word segmentation by breaking the word into recognizable components visually and audibly. In addition, students can also learn how to comprehend texts better and develop appropriate levels of fluency.
Several studies have found the value of this type of electronic software on students’ learning. For instance, Wise, Olsen, and Treiman (1990) found that first-grade students who used this electronic software improved students’ abilities to blend words after hearing them segmented at the on-set rime level, that is, first sound-rest of word level. They also discovered that when the children later encountered these words in other contexts, they were able to identify them easily. Two years later, Wise (1992) expanded on this study and discovered that students learning abilities improved immensely in recognising whole-words and syllable recognition among emergent readers. This also goes to show that the use of this electronic tool can help students to retain information as well.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Technology Today
It seems as if the advancement in technology is growing more rapidly when compared to changing our clothes everyday. Is this a revelation that we need to be resurrected, or perhaps, does this mean that we have to sit back, relax, and ignore this rapid growth? Do we now adapt to these changes because we are not capturing and facilitating the multiple intelligences of “the digital generation” in the given content areas? Do we simply revert to our traditional methods in teaching our students in spite of their discontentment about our “biblical methods?” Will it last? Alternatively, will it carry them to their graves?
If we want to rescue our students from illiteracy and gain their respect, if we want them to relish on reading and respond like “Mr. Rapid fire,” then we need to take responsibility by constantly rechecking and reprogramming our running records.
It seems as if the advancement in technology is growing more rapidly when compared to changing our clothes everyday. Is this a revelation that we need to be resurrected, or perhaps, does this mean that we have to sit back, relax, and ignore this rapid growth? Do we now adapt to these changes because we are not capturing and facilitating the multiple intelligences of “the digital generation” in the given content areas? Do we simply revert to our traditional methods in teaching our students in spite of their discontentment about our “biblical methods?” Will it last? Alternatively, will it carry them to their graves?
If we want to rescue our students from illiteracy and gain their respect, if we want them to relish on reading and respond like “Mr. Rapid fire,” then we need to take responsibility by constantly rechecking and reprogramming our running records.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
No Pest
Hi everyone,
This is a poem that I had written sometime ago and I hope that this will brighten your day and inspire you all to keep persevering during the course of this study. Have a wonderful day.
No Pest
When in distress don’t stay in your nest
And settle for less
If you want to stay in mess
You’ll gather and lather the Abba Father
And say he taught you nada.
Take hold of yourself
Remember mistress you were brought here
To press out the stress
When that old pest put you to the test,
Remind him of the contest 2000 years ago.
Remind him that you are blessed above all the rest.
Remind that pest that you came from the best.
Confess to that pest that his test
Will never put you to fret.
You are too full of zest
Say to that pest, his test
Will only bring out your best for you to testify
And there is no test
You can’t contest.
Get the pesticide
Immediately get the pest out of your side!
Spray out all pessimism
Fertilize with positivism
Welcome His presence
Declare His prophetic declaration
Expect plentiful presents.
This is a poem that I had written sometime ago and I hope that this will brighten your day and inspire you all to keep persevering during the course of this study. Have a wonderful day.
No Pest
When in distress don’t stay in your nest
And settle for less
If you want to stay in mess
You’ll gather and lather the Abba Father
And say he taught you nada.
Take hold of yourself
Remember mistress you were brought here
To press out the stress
When that old pest put you to the test,
Remind him of the contest 2000 years ago.
Remind him that you are blessed above all the rest.
Remind that pest that you came from the best.
Confess to that pest that his test
Will never put you to fret.
You are too full of zest
Say to that pest, his test
Will only bring out your best for you to testify
And there is no test
You can’t contest.
Get the pesticide
Immediately get the pest out of your side!
Spray out all pessimism
Fertilize with positivism
Welcome His presence
Declare His prophetic declaration
Expect plentiful presents.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Millennial Reading Specialist
Hi,
My name is Reah Rampersad and I am an educator at a secondary institution which is located in the rural district of Trinidad. This is the first institution that I was assigned to and it was indeed an inauguration into learning more about my environment and developing my pedagogical skills. More so, it enhanced my vision and passion into understanding my students better and propelled me into searching for ways that I can assist them more effectively.
During the course of my teaching experiences at the institution and based upon remarks from senior teachers at the school, I discovered that the social background of the students was one of the factors that contributed to students’ poor academic performance, that is, their inability to comprehend what they read and expand their knowledge in spelling and vocabulary. On many occasions, I am faced with students who are reluctant to participate in class activities or do any home work. Additionally, the words “reading” and “spelling” appear to be a sin for students.
Although I was born in the millennial age, and can attest to some of the things that captivate students’ attention in learning, I know that there is still a lot more that I need to learn in order to broaden my perspective as an educator in making learning more meaningful and fun to my students. Just as technology is growing rapidly as “the wink of an eye,” I know that it is my responsibility to adapt to the changes by integrating the appropriate medium of technology into the curriculum in order to alleviate the problem of illiteracy in Trinidad and Tobago.
Therefore, when I heard that the Master of Education degree in Reading was being offered for the first time, I knew that it was what I needed in order to better equip my students for a successful future. Thus far, the experience during this program has been viable.
My name is Reah Rampersad and I am an educator at a secondary institution which is located in the rural district of Trinidad. This is the first institution that I was assigned to and it was indeed an inauguration into learning more about my environment and developing my pedagogical skills. More so, it enhanced my vision and passion into understanding my students better and propelled me into searching for ways that I can assist them more effectively.
During the course of my teaching experiences at the institution and based upon remarks from senior teachers at the school, I discovered that the social background of the students was one of the factors that contributed to students’ poor academic performance, that is, their inability to comprehend what they read and expand their knowledge in spelling and vocabulary. On many occasions, I am faced with students who are reluctant to participate in class activities or do any home work. Additionally, the words “reading” and “spelling” appear to be a sin for students.
Although I was born in the millennial age, and can attest to some of the things that captivate students’ attention in learning, I know that there is still a lot more that I need to learn in order to broaden my perspective as an educator in making learning more meaningful and fun to my students. Just as technology is growing rapidly as “the wink of an eye,” I know that it is my responsibility to adapt to the changes by integrating the appropriate medium of technology into the curriculum in order to alleviate the problem of illiteracy in Trinidad and Tobago.
Therefore, when I heard that the Master of Education degree in Reading was being offered for the first time, I knew that it was what I needed in order to better equip my students for a successful future. Thus far, the experience during this program has been viable.
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