Finding 4: New technological tools can be used to increase students' vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension skills.
Before enrolling in this program, I had been listening to many a math and science teacher talk endlessly about the cool websites and software they could use to help students improve their mathematical and science skills. I just honestly did not believe such tools existed for an English Language Arts teacher. So I never looked into it, and I wrote technology off as something I did not really need.
Then came ECI 512: Emerging Technologies for Teaching and Learning (or Mobile Learning), and my mindsets were reversed. I entered this class with a couple of beliefs: 1) Are there really any cool tools out there for me and my kids? and, 2) Yes, kids might think tech is fun, but can it really help them learn and become better readers?
The answer to both questions, as I discovered, is YES! This class enabled me to discover a variety of apps and websites I can use with my students to help improve their reading.
Then came ECI 512: Emerging Technologies for Teaching and Learning (or Mobile Learning), and my mindsets were reversed. I entered this class with a couple of beliefs: 1) Are there really any cool tools out there for me and my kids? and, 2) Yes, kids might think tech is fun, but can it really help them learn and become better readers?
The answer to both questions, as I discovered, is YES! This class enabled me to discover a variety of apps and websites I can use with my students to help improve their reading.
In this class I created a website of modules that educate teachers on how to use my four favorite technology tools to improve reading and writing instruction: Socrative, Quizlet, Vocabulary Spelling City, and Subtext. I have shared these modules with teachers at my school and have convinced several teachers to use these websites with their own students.
Now, I regularly use Quizlet and Vocabulary Spelling City to encourage my students to study their vocabulary, spelling, and literary terms weekly. Students are averaging 85.4% correct on weekly vocabulary and spelling quizzes this year, with one scholar whose average has grown from 76% correct last year to 91% correct this simply from using Spelling City alone.
Check out my 8th grade students' opinions of Quizlet: