Websites! Are All Reputable?

On Monday 19th July, we had an assignment on identifying websites that were either reputable or questionable. To be truthful I had trouble in identifying those that were reputable and those which were not. How about you? Were you in the same position like me? After listening to my esteem and knowledge colleagues identifying sites which we either reputable or questionable, I realized that there must be a checklist(s) to assist novices like me. Shocker! I found two checklists in books that I had borrowed from the library.
The book "Bringing Technology into the Classroom," by Gordon Lewis had a checklist that was divided into four main parts with sub-divisions. Here is a preview of what it looks like.

1. Basic Information
   

• Website name/ URL

• Date last updated

2. Organization and navigation

• Are there any broken links?

3. Functionality

• Can you contact the publisher?

4. Content

• Is the language appropriate?

The other checklist that I found that was similar to some of the points that were discussed in class is from a book I got from the public library, "Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching," by M.D. Roblyer. Now, with my two checklists and notes from Mrs Wood-Jackson, I believe I can now assess websites with confidence before choosing the information I need to assist me with my research. What about you? Are you more confident now?

Teaching Internet Safety

On Monday 19th July, I found ICT in Reading very informative. I like the topics that were discussed especially the one that dealt with the "Pitfalls of Internet Use." I decided to do some extra reading on the topic which I found in the book "Integrating Educational Technology in Teaching" by M.D. Roblyer. I found two interesting ways for teachers to reinforce internet rules for students to remember. They are:

• Have students create a multimedia presentation of the rules. Ideal for the older students.
• Younger students role playing how they would react if they encountered one of the internet problems that were discussed.

I love the way the child friendly rules were presented. Here are some of the them:

• I will not give out my Internet password to anyone (not even my best friend) except my parents.
• I will not respond to messages that are mean or that make me feel uncomfortable.
• I will not give out any personal information of my parents or myself or my school without getting my parents' information.

For additional rules and strategies, you can go to the following website:
http://www.safekids.com/child_safety.html/

Wikis and Writing

Wikis is a great tool for collaborative work in the classroom. Students can work in twos, threes or groups to create a single document or they can work individually. In writing, wikis provide many opportunities for students to revise their writing from the brainstorming stage to publishing stage.Throughout these stages the students are ably assisted by their teacher(s), peers and other authorized collaborators who will make comments and suggestions. I believe this aspect is from important for students who do not get assistance from home. They are getting help from persons who know them and / or who are knowledgeable on the topics. These comments will provide them with ideas if they are lacking but mostly importantly it will motivate them to write. The more students write the more they will become fluent in writing and as the proverb says "Practice makes Perfect."
I realized that Wikis will encourage students to read the comments their collaborators have to say and they will also be encourage to read additional information in order to write about the topic.

My concern, however is, "How can wikis help Struggling Readers?" As an aspiring Reading Specialist and a teacher I have to teach those types of readers as well as train teachers to do likewise. I am open to suggestions from my fellow colleagues.

Concept Mapping, Webspiration and Internet Access

Concept Mapping via Webspiration is an important graphical tool which students can use to visualize, think, organize and learn various topics in different subject areas. It is an exciting learning tool for those students who have internet access at home and especially school.
I, however have some concerns, according to one my colleagues in our Concept Mapping Session, the Ministry of Education limits the use of internet access to those schools who are fortunate to have computers. This means that our students will not be privy to use Webspiration. What can we do? I believe that we (Reading Specialist) will have to lobby the government to change their policy about internet access. What do you think? Also it is no use showing teachers the technological tools that are available for their students and they are unable to access them.
Another suggestion for accessing the internet is for principals to permit their schools to have Routers which will enable teachers to use their laptops to teach their students. However, if you have a principal like mine who is skeptical about having such a device in our school since she is afraid that teachers will use the internet for their personal use since about forty percent of the staff is pursuing their degrees. Sorry to say her reservations are not unjustified.
Fellow Reading Specialist, any suggestions to persuade my principal to have a router in our school so I will be able to use the technology in the teaching of Reading. Suggestions anyone!

Med Blogging Encourages Reading

Blogging really encourages reading since in order for me to write on my blog I had to do some research and reading. I found this wonderful article, "The Joy of Blogging," by Anna P. Davis and Ewa McGraiL. I want to share some of the tips they had in implementing Blogging in the classroom.
1) Teacher must present the first post on a class blog where students and teacher will discussed it.
2) Students then explored other students' blogs, wikis on blogging and a "blook" (a book created on a blog). They then create a visual representation of their learning.
3) Teacher then create a purposeful learning environment by giving students prompts to write on eg: current events, topics they are learning in class, books they are reading, passions they are pursuing and persuasive pieces.
4) Teacher must build a respectful classroom environment by encouraging students to make thoughtful comments on their classmates blogs eg: Some of the comment starters that can be used include, " I wonder......," "After reflecting on your post.....," "Another thing to consider....," "I don't understand ......,"
5) Students are encouraged to practice, "Freewriting" (REMEMBER this strategy) before writing in their blogs.
6) Every week the teachers must acknowledge a student's accomplishments so they will know that their efforts are appreciated by teacher and peers.
7) To ensure successful blogging the teacher could recruit readers from outside the classroom community eg: university students, students in other blogging classes, retired teachers as well as the teachers professional blog. I like this idea.

What are your comments on this article?
If you are interested in reading the whole article blog me.

Why I Became A Reading Specialist?

My name is Esther Stewart and I am a primary school teacher in the St. George East District. I have been teaching for over twenty years. I have been teaching Standard Four-Five for eight years. My passion for teaching Reading started when I was sent to an Infants' Reading Workshop and this passion has not abated. In fact it has continued to grow since most of the children I teach are at Level 1 based on the National Test. Reading is one of the main foundation subjects in education and it is important that all children learn to read. My philosophy is that any child that enters my class must leave it knowing how to read and to develop a thirst for reading which will therefore assist him or her to become a lifelong reader/learner. I am able to achieve this at least seventy-five percent of the time and I need to get 95% or more of my students to become lifelong readers.

When I saw Med Reading Program advertised I eagerly applied since I knew it would enable me to become a better teacher of Reading. I know it would enable me not only to help my students
but my colleagues as well. This program has exceeded my expectations especially in the Content Area Reading. I enjoyed teaching Social Studies and Science to my post S.E.A. students using the strategies some of my reading colleagues demonstrated during their group presentations. Most importantly my students love them. They wrote in their journals it was fun. I am eager to learn how to use technology in Reading since we are living in a technological world with children who are techno-savvy. There is no greater joy as a teacher in seeing children enjoy learning and I know this course will enable me to do just that. It will further enable my struggling readers to become engaged readers.