Technology for English Composition

In teaching writing, fluency can be increased through blogging, and experience with the thought required in formulating essays and stories. However, technology interferes to some degree because students rely upon Spell Check and Grammar Check to the extent that many cannot write well without a computer. I am interested in reading research about technological tools which can help in the teaching of writing, including instruction in mechanics and grammar.

Prezi

I hope we have time to learn about the Prezi. I would like to see how it compares to PowerPoint.

Research vs. Classroom

It is a challenge to learn that the findings of research are not always implemented in classrooms. Research has found that technologically assisted tools for self-reflection greatly improve academic achievement. But in our survey, we found very little usage of technologically assisted means of communication, interaction, or self-reflection.

Blog addicting

I find the blogging so interesting, I am not surprised that teens are spending 7.8 hours daily in technological communication!

About this blog

I really like this blog. It is a good way to reinforce learning. I am glad that posting is a requirement for this course. I hope to have my students create blogs, and I will require that they post as part of their grade. In addition, I enjoy reading my colleagues' comments to my blog. Thank you all for being so polite! The comments make me become more familiar with my classmates. I am sure I could learn so much from all of you.

The Survey

I am so interested in being able to develop on-line surveys, and even quick polls. I work in a school, and many of my responsibilities deal with the exchange of information and mediation of decisions. The surveys and polls would supply a very organized and anonymous way to solicit information from students and from staff. This would greatly aid in communication of ideas and feelings.

In addition,  I really love the instant graphs, statistics and charts! I do not have to calculate or tabulate myself! I do not need to allow myself the time to practice creating surveys and charts while I am in this class and have access to technical support.

In regard to the content of my survey, self-reflection in and out of class and the technology used for self-reflection, this is useful information in regard to the students with whom I work. It will give a good idea of prior experience so that we can quickly institute on-line blogs or forums, especially if the students already have experience with the technology.

This class is extremely useful to me. Many thanks to my instructors and classmates who are assisting me.

Literature Review Assignment

I learned very much through this assignment, and I thought it was very effective. I initially learned so much from my colleagues. They are very interesting and talented people, and it is my pleasure to work with them. The articles were very interested. I found it useful to write the annotations, because the writing itself allowed me to think about and absorb the texts more effectively. In reading the other groups' annotations I was given a window to look briefly at other studies. If I have the need or opportunity, I will easily be able to locate the articles in order to read them thoroughly myself.

Yesterday I was looking for some information, and I phoned the C-Tools assistance site in Ann Arbor. I was disappointed to learn that C-Tools support has decreased to 9-5 on weekdays, with only e-mail assistance on Sundays. This decrease in accessibility to help with technology is very counterproductive.

Technology and Self-Reflection

I read two very interesting articles. I had previously had no idea that the use of blogs and wikis influenced cognitive and integrative processes to such a great extent. This creates new avenues for human interaction and thought. I thought the creation of the annotated bibliography was very useful. Writing of the annotations forced me to synthesize my thoughts about the readings.

Tools from This Class That I Would Like to Use with My Students

I would like to learn how I can set up the following so that I could use them with my students:

1. Typewithme
2. Create a poll
3. Make a wiki
4. Set up a C-Tools site for my students
5. Arrange a way for my students to post blogs as we have done in the Forum
6. Find an easy-to-use engine for the creation of MLA/APA citations.

I would like my students to have access to any tool which I learn about.

Attempt #2 was successful

I am glad that I was able to remember how to post the blog to the Forum section.

Attempt#2

Although I was able to post my blog during class, for some reason I cannot find it in the Forum. I am trying again! As I said before, I find the information available in this class to be very useful. I would like to use these methods for my students in Grades 7 and 9. I hope this new blog will appear as it should!