Technology Components
The activities on this site include several technology components.
Digitial Photography-
During the journal activity, students are given a digital camera to take home to take photos of themselves with Mercy. Digital photography works well because the photos are easy to upload on the computer to use in any of the other applications throughout the other activities.
Blogging -
Students, after keeping a written journal for a few days, type their journal entries into the class blog. Using a Blog is very motivating for the students. in addition, it allows students to all see the journal at the same time, if for example, the class went to the lab togethe. It also allows students to easily post comments to one another's entries.
This blog could have been set up to allow students to post on the blog directly on to the blog. Instead, the activity was designed to have students write the entry by hand first in a journal and then post to the blog back at school. This choice was made for a couple of reasons. First, writing the jouirnal prior to posting the Blog allows students to think through their writing first. In addition, posting at school allows the teacher to more easily assist students in need and to monitor the blog and students online closely. Finally, not accessing the blog at home avoids the concern of student access to internet at home. Of course, students could access the Blog from home if they choose, but they are not required to do so.
Online Interactives-
Two online interactive software programs are used throughout the activities on this site. The first is the Story Elements Interactive. In this activity, students are introduced to the basic elements of story structure through an e-book version of the story of Cinderella. This interactive is not only a highly engaging approach to teaching these elements, but the interactive activities really reinforce the skils taught. In addition, the site features a read aloud function for students who may struggle with reading.
Read Write Think is the second interactive used several times throughout these activities. This site provides students with excellent templates to create gaphic organizers. These organizers not only help students organize their thinking, but also prepare them for writing.
Power Point Starters
Microsoft Power Point is an excellent creative tool for students. It has a wide range of capabilities. It allows us to insert clip art, digital photos, animations, sounds, transitions, and various other components. Again, this tool was chosen because it is highly motivating for students. However, it has so many options, that the students were given a starter template to use in order to help guide them, and to help them to stay focused on the content they were working on rather than on all the "bells and whistles."
Digital Video
Students use video to create their booktalks. Students love to see themselves on camera! Using digital video allows us to film each student and then combine the clips into one piece to show to the entire class, in the media center, or even throughout the building.
