Writer's Paradise

While researching various instructional software for the English classroom, I came upon "Writer's Workbench." http://www.writersworkbench.com/

Essentially, this product is a super hybrid version of Microsoft Word. Writer's Bench combines a writing analysis tool into Microsoft word. So, while a student writes a paper they have the ability to get feedback from this program. The website says that the analysis covers six areas of writing: "Content, Characteristics, Verbs, Clarity, Words, and Punctuation." Post writing the author has the ability to receive an analysis of their writing, which they can print out on the spot.

I believe that this program would be extremely beneficial for students in the classroom, because additional to peer editing and teacher conferencing, this program allows students to self-teach themselves.

The downside to this software is that some of the feedback might be outdated since it was produced in the 1980's. Also, based on the level of students, some feedback might be a little too complex for students who are not writing at a high level.

Also, this software is expensive. The software is offered to schools on a trial basis, which is very beneficial, however the cost of this software is anywhere from $3,750-$10,000. They do offer "Lab Packs" which is for a smaller institution with a limited number of computers where the software would be loaded onto. The pricing for the "Lab Pack's" are more reasonable, yet still pricey, ranging from $100-$1,000.

As the testimonials have stated, this product has assisted many student's in their writing as it allows students to self-assess and correct their work. It allows students to look at their work from a variety of angles and identify their weaknesses and strengths.

Gastby's quest

http://questgarden.com/69/20/0/080805095801/index.htm


If you choose to click the link above, you will get to experience a high quality WebQuest about The Great Gastby and The Roaring Twenties. This Webquest was created for students in the 11th grade to further explore the era that takes place in the novel. Overall, the teacher and creater of this WebQuest did an outstanding job, hooking students in the introduction, she outlined expectations, included a detailed rubric, and had multiple websites for students to search through. Additionally, she included a teacher page that supplied educators with standards of learning and various links to other resources. However, there are some suggestions that I would offer to this teacher. First, I would enhance some of the images to be more visually appealing. Also, on the teacher link I would suggest that the teacher includes materials necessary to be succesful in the classroom or as a lesson. With that being said, go ahead and check out this WebQuest, and enjoy the Roaring 20's.

Jersey Haze

A current topic that is being stressed in schools across America is Hazing and Bullying. As future educators, we have taken courses on behavior management and the effects of bullying. We have watched videos about students who have commit suicide due to cyber bullying and more. We have heard stories of high schoolers and college students die to due hazing "traditions." 

So, why is it that schools still tend to turn a blind eye on hazing incidents in their institutions? Millburn High School in New Jersey is one school that has been under much scrutiny in regards to hazing. As fourteen year old Freshman girls are having whistles blown in their faces in the hallway and are having their names added to the annual senior-created "Slut list," parents and administration is finally taking a stand. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/nyregion/22hazing.html

The article, "When the Cool Get Hazed" helps further explain the psychology behind female hazing,

the effects of disrespectful language, and possible negative outcomes of hazing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/weekinreview/27kelly.html

A Cafeteria Conversation

I, for one, love to talk. 

I enjoy calling friends on the phone. I enjoy debating social issues. I enjoy telling jokes. I enjoy critiquing food, movies, and music. What I do not enjoy, is being silenced. 

There are many people in this world who have an impaired ability to speak; they may have cerebral palsy, MND/ALS, or are unable to verbally communicate due to an injury or stroke. The photo to the right is a picture of a 17-year old boy, named Jimmy, who has oral apraxia and communicates non-verbally. He has recently received an (alternative and augmentative communication) ACC device that allows him to communicate with peers at lunch, participate in school plays, and read the daily announcements at school. 

This device is a TOBII ATI product. This company provides numerous AT products for people with high-incidence disabilities, specifically by providing them with the ability to verbally communicate. According to their website, www.tobii.com, they are world leaders in eye tracking and eye control. This provides people who are unable to type (text to voice) an opportunity to verbally communicate. 

Recently, TOBII ATI has come out with new products. Two of which are described from the TOBII ATI website:

"Tobii C8 turns text and symbols into speech and more…

The Tobii C8 is an eight-inch device that generates speech from text and symbols. It can be operated by the built-in touch screen, a switch, a head mouse, as well as a regular keyboard and mouse. Integral infrared control also makes it possible to control a stereo or TV, switch lights on and off, and more.

Tobii C12 adds a larger screen and eye-control

The Tobii C12 is a twelve-inch device suitable for individuals who need larger symbols or more screen space. It supports the same input methods as the smaller Tobii C8, but also has an additional module that supports eye control, the Tobii CEye. This makes it an ideal solution for those who can’t use a regular keyboard."

I believe that this assistive technology will allow high school students to verbally communicate with their peers, while also providing a means for verbal personal expression.  This verbal communication serves many purposes, one of which is the ability to partake in a classroom community and to feel accepted. Every student should have the opportunity to speak in class and express him/herself. This assistive technology gives nonverbal students that opportunity.

 

We Want More!

When I imagine an English classroom, from a teaching perspective, I think of papers to grade, poems to photo copy, pre-writes and editing samples to pass out. Not only are these traditional learning techniques that tend to bore students to death, but these also pose a threat to our environment. The instances above are just a few exemplifying how "un-green" the typical English classroom can be.  Not only is technology in the classroom an awesome tool to allow for Green Thinking, but also for immediate-assessment while students are able to translate school into their familiar social-media world. 

I believe that the benefits in instant social media can help students grasp challenging concepts, for example Grammar.  Twitter is one tool that has the potential to enhance student's grammatical knowledge, while using the internet. We have seen numerous commercials poking fun at texting jargon, such as AT&T's "My BFF Rose."  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51krCuwx3bc 

I believe that Twitter could be used to enhance grammar knowledge through sentence structure activities, naming an italicized part of speech, or providing examples for parts of speech. It is not only beneficial in regards for teachers who are able to group students, immediately, according to readiness levels, but it also allows for students to have a compiled "discussion" listing all questions and answers for them to refer to. This learning experience involving Twitter, would allow students to practice correct punctuation and grammar skills that typically lack in social media. Hopefully, after repeating proper grammar usage on Twitter, it will become a habit for students and more socially accepted. http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com/

Another social media that I stumbled upon is called Ustream. Ustream allows people to broadcast-live from the website, while other users are able to interact through voting in polls, rating topics, chatting, and more. This live-stream allows for students to broadcast certain issues/questions/lessons, while their peers to discuss topics at hand during the live-streams. This can be a useful tool across content areas, not limiting discussions between science and math classes, nor from classrooms around the world. http://www.ustream.tv/

This idea of social media being an advantage in classrooms aligns with numerous principles revolving around education. For example, if social media technology (like the suggested above) is used correctly in the classroom it would allow for students to gain comfort in making decisions, since a Tweet to correct a grammatical error would be required. Also, it would allow students to model understandings, as well as provide and receive immediate feedback. Educators consistently stress the importance of student-centered classrooms and I believe that the use of social media in the classroom would be one more way of achieving that.