Shavua Tov Friends!
Opening this weeks tasks, I was intrigued to see how we can practically integrate technology when teaching speaking and writing. In my (limited) experience in the classroom, teaching speaking seems to be a constant challenge for many teachers and thus I was excited to see what new ideas I could get!
Debating
As a high school student I can remember debating a lot in class. The most difficult challenge however was always to come up with arguments that were valid and worthy. The website idebate (international debate education association) is a great tool to aid students in creating great arguments and discussions within the classroom. Especially when attempting to argue in a second language, this website will surely come in great use. In a high school classroom, I would choose a topic from the vast list provided and print out the arguments for and against. These will provide a great springboard for the students to expand the ideas and not be a too overwhelming task to debate in their second language. I would allow class time to work on the speeches, creating even more chances for the students to communicate orally in English.
Here is a link to the website and some tools for teachers that I found interesting too!
http://idebate.org/training/teaching-tools/debate-of-the-masses
Digital Storytelling
So the idea of getting our students to create their own stories on the computers is definitely one I would like to incorporate into my classroom. I looked at the teachlearning website and was sadly not very impressed. Almost every website listed was an app and therefore needed to be used with iTunes. Thinking practically for schools here in Israel, I doubt most schools have computers that are that up-to-date with their systems. I would have like to find regular websites that can be used to create digital stories and or record themselves reading their own stories.
Here is the link the to the website: http://www.techlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67&entryid=5129
Do you have any other suggestions??
Pre Writing - Graphic Organizers
I have used graphic organizers before in class and have found them very helpful. The students benefit greatly from having a clear way to organize their thoughts and it enables for a much quicker and smoothers process when they begin writing. Last time I prepared a handout for my students and it took hours to get all the shapes exactly in the right position and so on. This website it great because it has so many different options and pages to choose from...ready made!
Check it out: http://www.teach-nology.com/platinum/samples/graphicorg/index.html
While Writing - Creating Newspapers, Brochures, Flyers and Posters
I love the idea of ending a unit with a writing project like this. I have fond memories from when I was a child and put an enormous amount of effort into creating an authentic looking 'old' newspaper. Nowadays, things a little different. A website like readwritethink can be easily integrated into classrooms from elementary to high school. I would work on what the students are writing first by hand (using a graphic organizers to get started) and only once the students have produced a final hand written draft would I move them to the website where they can type in their information and create their own template with pictures and so on.
Here the link with the different templates to choose website: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/Printing_Press/
Post Writing - Publishing
I feel like I have been waiting for this website the whole unit! Love it. Little bird tales is a great way to incorporate so many aspects of teaching. Creativity, writing, speaking, art, just to name a few! I love that the students can even draw their own pictures for their stories. My favorite aspect however, is being able to share the story. How excited would a parent be to receive an email from their child with an original story they created in English?! This is a writing activity I would use in my classroom. Once again I would start by using some type of graphic organizer so the students know what they want to write before sitting in-front of a computer screen.
If you register for the website, it allows you to go in and explore and create your own stories...check it out! https://littlebirdtales.com/home/default/
Wow, there was a lot of information in this unit. I feel like I bookmarked so many pages! Hopefully they won't just stay bookmarks and when I am teaching I will remember to incorporate some of these great tools.
Hope y'all enjoyed, have a good one! :)
Hi Naomi.
ReplyDeleteI also choose the debate site. I think it is a very impotant tool especially with students of ESL. I tried out the Littlebirds site and think it is wonderful. I am going to try and write a book with my children. חג שמח Reena
I wrote on my blog that I would only use the debating site for very high level students, but you gave me a good idea. If I print out the pros and cons, the students are challenged to get through the vocabulary and then to "dumb it down" for their fellow classmates.
ReplyDeleteI see you took 3 different sites and creating an entire unit to teach writing. Great idea!
I see that everybody here is giving feedback on the debate site---so, I won't break the trend.
ReplyDeleteFirst off I too think it's a great tool. But, I would do something a little different. You wrote that: "In a high school classroom, I would choose a topic from the vast list provided and print out the arguments for and against." For me, I would for give them a topic. Then for homework let them research and pick an opinion, and bring what they thesis they found to class.
Hi. I also remember coming to history class, where our teacher was the Queen of Debate. My problem with these sites is that so many of these sites are perfect for my ideals, but not practical in the race against time to get through the demands of the MOE. How sad.
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ReplyDeleteHey guys, You are very right that the debate issue is very important - but you are all native speakers. Take it into considaration that your future students are Hebrew speakers who can barely create one decent sentence. These sites are designed for native speakers, I think and we need to figure out how to make them suitable for them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Neta about the debate sites being geared for native speakers. I personally think that all debating activities are geared for native speakers and I find it really difficult doing it with Hebrew speakers. There is so much peparation that is needed in order to prepare even the high level Hebrew speakers for them to have a successful debate that I'm not sure there is even time in the school year to encorporate it.
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