Reflection: ELA is without a question the most important field to understand in NYS public education. I know that without a good foundation of how to read, write, listen, and speak then students cannot visualize projects as well as those students who can. Most districts are asking for even more reading and writing in all areas. Two ways that I have incorporated writing into my class room over the past few years is by using an engineering note book which students use as a journal to write thoughts and opinion in. Another way was by creating a technical writing assignment in which students write to a company asking for a sample product or material to display in the classroom. As language is continuing to shift and change almost from year to year it is still extremely important for students to realize the importance of ELA even if students have to remember less, write less, and read less because of advances in technology.
Technology tool: reading writing listening and speaking, and language… A technology tool that could help to assist the five components reading, writing, listening, speaking, and language is an interactive white board. Also known as a smart board the interactive whiteboard can be used to enhance learning for all types off students creating a better acknowledgment to language arts. Students can easily write examples on the board when asked, teacher can easily access the internet to enhance student appreciation of ELA by using quality examples of literature that the class may be more interested in.
Teacher Interview: Lack of training and use of the devices such as smart boards in the classroom. Too often items such as a smart board are put into classrooms without training teachers how to use them.
Hi Dean,
ReplyDeleteI also use a journal in my Spanish class. I find it keeps track of their writing better, instead of them having loose leaf paper floating all over the place they leave their spiral notebook in the back of the classroom then they always have it. At the beginning of the year I use the timed writings as a way for them to practice forms, structures and just get comfortable writing in another language. By the second half of the year, when they really are experts comparatively speaking, I have them go back and self edit what they wrote earlier in the year. It covers several of the standards that we just read about. Thanks for the blog : )
I agree with your comment about the noticeable difference between students who have a solid background in the fundamental elements of ELA and those who do not. As a technology educator it is the nature of the discipline to cover all subject matters (math, science, social studies and English). Those studies who cannot grasp the basic concept of language, due to the lack of exposure, truly struggle in my courses. I feel that the CCS initiative will possibly be the solution to the problem.
ReplyDeleteHi Dean,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Many of my Technology Ed. students (in-service teachers) mentioned about the added components on reading and writing. School districts are even trying to bring grants in to implement programs that would increase students' literacy skills. Smartboard is definitely a great tool to use in class for interactive purpose. :-)
Dean,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point about the lack of staff development for teachers in the area of technology. My district has recently spend a lot of money implementing new tools (IWBs, Google Apps) and not adequately providing PD time for staff to learn to use these tools. The students and tax payers miss out. Also, you make a good point about students who are weak in ELA also being week in literacy across subjects. I wonder how SS, Science and "technical area" teachers feel about being accountable for literacy through the CCS?
-Michelle M.