Website List

https://www.jisc.ac.uk/full-guide/enhancing-the-digital-student-experience

http://futureofchildren.org/futureofchildren/publications/docs/22_02_08.pdf

http://www.emergingedtech.com/2015/07/technology-for-helping-struggling-readers/

http://www.uvm.edu/~cdci/tripscy/files/Reading_Tech_links10-17-06_FINAL.pdf

http://www.bestevidence.org/word/tech_strug_read_Jul_18_2012.pdf

http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

https://at4education.wordpress.com/tag/at-for-reading/

I found this diagram on a website : https://www.jisc.ac.uk/full-guide/enhancing-the-digital-student-experience . I thought it was fitting to describe the connection between technology and reading and the other components of language arts that intertwine. 

Website Created

My website is now up and running. I have decided to create 6 pages: Home, Changes Over Time, Technology Resources to Support Readers, Professional Dialogue (with a subpage for the outcome), Summary and References. For me, I needed to plan out the layout before building each page. I plan to use part of a table that Maureen and I created for a previous assignment that focused on Apps and website to support readers. This table contained a to of valuable information that would save teachers and parents time as they would not need to do extensive research.

Researching

While I was researching my topic: Using Technology to Support Readers, I came across this picture that had a very fitting quote. Technology really is the new way of life. As we advance in the 21st century, every aspect of our like becomes more technologically advanced. 

Website Complete

After a lot of adding and tweaking I think my website may finally be done. I am satisfied with the information that I have gathered and conclusions that have come together from my research and my professional dialogue. This was a great learning experience and information that I can certainly use in my classroom. I have tried to create a website on several occasions over the past few years; however, I have never actually completed any. This website will be a great resource for students, parents and even teachers who are looking for technology resources to support their students.

Curriculum Integration Progress Report

I've decided that I will create a website to present the information that I have gathered around my topic. I liked the format of the website when I created one for a previous assignment. I thought this would be an organized way to present the information using different pages for each topic.

Website Work

Today I decided to add a page to my website "Links for Students". This is a page where students can go to access websites related to Math and Literacy. These websites contain reinforcement games and activities that the students can practice at home or even during a math or literacy centre at school. I though this would be a good addition to my page since I will most likely use this page for my classroom and communication for parents. The parents can access all of the resources to support reading and writing and they can decide if there are any that would best support their child. I know I still have a lot of information to learn about websites, but I am very happy with what I have created.

Learning about GAFE

So after having some discussions at recess and lunch time today at school, it kooks like my school is trying to purchase some new up to date technology. I also had a discussion with one of my colleagues about GAFE and I never realized it's potential with students. I think it is amazing that the whole class can work on a class project through Google Slides for example and there are no flash drives required, no saving information and trying to combine it later and no hassle! There are always students in my class who ask if they can bring their writer's notebooks home. I never allow them because I know that the majority will never be returned. If I were using Google Docs with my students, I wouldn't have to worry about them leaving it at home because everything is available online. Students could work on their writing at school and at home and always have access to it. It could be a virtual writer's notebook. If we are lucky enough to invest in more technology at my school, I can definitely see me using this app with my students.

Maureen's Online Discussion

Well, I personally don't have a lot of experience using GAFE with my students. I have been using it myself for the past two years; however, due to the lack f technology at my school I have been some what nervous about trying to incorporate it into my classroom. I really don't have a lot to contribute to  this discussion but I am interested to learn more about it and hear what other people have to share. I'm looking forward to learning some new stuff!

Discussion Wrapped Up

Well....my discussion is wrapped up. I have a few new resources that I will be testing out as a result of my colleagues sharing a few of their favourites. I will incorporate these into my final report. It was great to hear personal ad professional experiences from a variety of people. Conducting a professional dialogue can be very beneficial if you have a group of participants who contribute and make the discussion meaningful.  I certainly did! My colleagues were very eager to jump in to keep the discussion flowing. They checked back and responded to any further questions that were posted to their responses that in turn triggered more discussion. This dialogue was an opportunity to bring together educators from a variety of backgrounds that have very different experiences. When having these discussions with colleagues at my own school, typically we have all been exposed to the same resources. It is nice to hear what other people are using to engage students and further develop their learning.

Conducting a Professional Dialogue Day 2

So far, so good! I am really enjoying the dialogue that is evolving from the questions I posed. It certainly gives me lots to think about when researching for my project. It has also generated some ideas of different approaches that I would like to try with my students and my colleagues. During our discussion Starr mentioned the idea of multiage groupings. This got me thinking about a video that circulated from a school I previously worked at and their experience with multiage groupings for math. This is something that I would really like to try with literacy while integrating technology as well.

Multi Level Math Instruction at Bell Park

Researching

I have been doing some research surrounding my curriculum identification issue: Supporting Struggling Reader's Using Technology. I have added a few resources to my sidebar that I will investigate further for my project. This is a great gadget to organize websites and articles that I would like to further reference.

Conducting a Professional Dialogue

Well my discussion has started and I am so thrilled that everyone is jumping in and sharing their thoughts and experiences. I was a little nervous at first that I would really need to prompt the discuss, but I think it's safe to say that I have a great group of colleagues who are willing to make my discussion rich and meaningful. I am looking forward to what tomorrows discussion will bring. I am always looking to broaden my list of resources and so far I already have a few new additions. Tomorrow questions will bring more! So exciting.

Today's discussion starter:

Reading and viewing is an area within the curriculum where many students require extra support. There are specialist teachers beyond the classroom who focus on providing extra support for students. These positions include resource, early literacy and reading recovery teachers. Throughout my teaching career I have worked with several students who have struggled with reading. Some received one on one specialist support and others did not. When frequent one on one support was provided, gains were evident. However, resource and ELT caseloads are overflowing and not all students who struggle are able to receive support. In grade three French Immersion classrooms, teachers are required to teach both English and French Language Arts. This can be very demanding for some students.

Day 1

1. Do you think technology is a viable support for readers? Especially those with challenges.

2. Have you used technology to support struggling readers? If not, please tell us why.