Session+1

= **Supporting Literacy with Technology ** =

__**Professional Development Survey Summary**__
Eight teachers at Maple Elementary School completed the survey. After gathering and analyzing the survey results, we discovered that students use computers in the classroom on a daily basis. The majority of teachers (5), are somewhat familiar with the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students. We learned that teachers have incorporated blogs, podcasts, and social sites into their curriculum instruction. However, all teachers reported that they have not used wikis with their students. Lack of time was the main factor that prohibited teachers from increasing technology use in their classroom. To view the questions that we used in our needs analysis survey, please visit PD Survey

__**What areas of literacy do we as teachers need to particularly focus on?**__

 * Vocabulary
 * Writing
 * Comprehension
 * Reading

**__What are your current practices to meet those literacy needs?__**

 * Vocabulary -
 * Writing -
 * Comprehension -
 * Reading -

__**What does the research say about online collaboartive tools that support literacy?**__
According to Karchmer-Klein and Layton (2006), literature-based collaborative Internet projects “provided opportunities to foster learning by helping students make connections between new content and their background knowledge, actively participate in their own learning, and recognize and appreciate differences among their peers” (p. 261). In regards to literacy enhancement, authors reported that collaborative Internet projects support the literacy curriculum standards and align with a constructivist approach to teaching and learning by providing authentic, real-world experiences (Karchmer-Klein & Layton, 2006, p. 287). See "Resources" on the left-side of wiki page for further research information.

__ What does the research say about supporting English Language Learners with Technology? __
Visit the next page for a summary of the research. All of the original articles are also available under Resources.

__**Pyramid of Web Tools **__
The visual representation above was created by Michael Fisher in 2009. This representation is of a digital Bloom's Taxonomic Hierarchy with a 21st century skills frame. This visual is especially helpful for teachers who want to evaluate technology tools based on Bloom's Taxonomy. By viewing the diagram, connections can be identified from the tools to the appropriate domain that would be used, affective, psychomotor, or cognitive. For more information on this digital bloom visual by Michael Fisher, please visit his blog at @http://digigogy.blogspot.com/2009/02/digital-blooms-visual.html.

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ThinkQuest is a free learning platform where teachers can create authentic collaborative online projects for their students. Students use various interactive tools within the ThinkQuest website, such as a message board, voting tool, debate, and brainstorm tools. Students fully participate in the project by discussing information, uploading data, creating text, responding to postings, and reflecting on the process. In addition, students learn to publish and edit content. Projects engage learners in active, constructive, intentional, authentic, and cooperative learning with technology. This tool motivates students and makes learning enjoyable. ======

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Example Project: Using ThinkQuest, we had students create a "Word Zoo" using greek and latin word roots. We found that English Language Learners benefited from this type of project because they were able to communicate with others in a non-threatening online environment by viewing information, discussing ideas with their group members, and writing the content. Students had the opportunity to verbally and visually practice the language. Struggling students, who displayed difficulty with spelling, are motivated to post their ideas on the website. The website served as a model for all students. ====== Every year, ThinkQuest holds a website and narrative competition. Click here to view past winners and to see what ThinkQuest is capable of.

__**Register for a ThinkQuest Account**__
Click on the following link to register on ThinkQuest
 * Create a username
 * Create a password
 * Enroll your school (Click for a tutorial)

__**Homework Assignment (Optional)**__

 * 1) After registering for a ThinkQuest account, become familiar with the site. (Click for a tutorial).
 * 2) If you feel ready, use ThinkQuest with your students for a small classroom assignment (Example: Journal).
 * 3) Report back on your experience and how things went (discussion tab on this page).