Literacy & Laptops

[Mike Boulanger]

Some thoughts/questions I have after the session - If technology tools/resources have such a proven positive and dramatic effect on improving literacy:
What are we doing in the classroom, how are we embedding these resources/tools in the classroom, curriculum?
Where is the curriculum leadership for literacy/writing embedding resources/tools?
What is the curricular plan for developing/researching/implementing technology tools or resources? Reading, Writing Coordinators?

Let's talk...and engage ourselves to promote opportunities to enhance our students learning opportunities.

Session Highlights:
American School Bombay (ASB) has encouraged anyone interested in literacy to join their Laptops & Literacy wiki. Let's join to help create an environment of learning and collaboration for teachers. All resources for this presentation are available their. Read on for snippets of the session...

http://laptopliteracy.wikispaces.com/

Nice to see that as s a school we already have or are aware most of the resources used here at ASB:

Scaffolding:
GUIDED READERS THROUGH -- A-Z Reading


Phonetic Awareness:
www.starfall.com
tumblebooks


Anyone using -- Crickweb - 156 free to use educational interactive resources for Primary Schools. This link will take u to the KS1 Literacy activities

A new one the library will need to investigate -- One More Story An on-line library of the Best of Children's literature.

Fluency:
Using mp3 recorders for students to record stories for playback.
Wordwalls

Vocabulary
What about using google docs (collaborating on a document) for vocabulary development, spelling, writing process and more.

A G3 teacher is discussing the need for quality/timely and functioning tech support or there is no love for technology tools like the laptops. Sound familiar G5 teachers??

G1 teacher - "I am the writer the kids are the talkers' using blogs in a blended environment that includes; blogs, library resources, parent participation and our favorite 20th century tools; pen and paper.

Writing is thinking - use technology to capture and engage students in the writing process.
G4/5 writing and publishing stories -- placing them in the ECE section for little ones to check out.

How Technology Affects Reading
Writing with Laptops - Laptops have a major effect on instruction at each stage of the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, rewriting and dissemination stages.

[Philip Roberts]

Vivien
This site may be of some help:

http://www.schoolfonts.com/

[Vivien Sewell]

Look forward to hearing more about the way to strive for implementation of tools and practices in the classroom. But I do have one teeny concern - where is D'Nealian as a font for the school - ie on our computers? If we could resolve that then energies could be directed to other wonderful activities such as Voicethread. I have been attempting to use voicethread in the classroom, but Robyn had to solve a few techie problems first, so hopefully this week the kids can have a go. :)

[Philip Roberts]

Mike, naturally the need to embed these technologies in our curriculum also has significance beyond literacy. As I said in our last meeting, in terms of the big picture, our entire school community needs to be aware not only of the potential but also our obligations. All 3 IB Programmes have ICT integration requirements which need to be taken seriously. And .... the goalposts are continually moving. Looking forward to our next meeting.

[Philip Roberts]

Here's a jealous Senior school teacher who might have to look into the possibilities of some of those Primary resources! Ana, I don't know how far you've got with VoiceThread but I've just started working with it - check out my blog post if you're interested....

[Ana Santos]

Mike, you are talking my language... :-))))) Can't wait for you to get back so that we can work on a plan of action. Some of the tools mentioned are already in place in my class (starfall, tumblebooks, one more story) but there is work to be done. I would love access to Ato Z but it costs money (not much, but some). They did not mention Voice Thread but I would like to implement that one as well. Bring all the info you can. I am going to check the ASB laptops and Literacy wiki. Take care.