EDLA615 Language Arts and Technology

VoiceThread in an ELA classroom https://voicethread.com/share/9934926/

Today, teachers and educators aim to meet the learning needs of all students. Teachers try to engage students, motivate them, and differentiate instruction. Technological tools, programs, and software can be used to promote student engagement and motivation, and enhance the learning experience for all students. There are many web 2.0 tools that have students collaborate, communicate, and create content. One such tool is VoiceThread. It is an interactive slideshow tool which allows students to participate in conversations involving images, videos, and documents. Its flexibility is what makes it an amazing tool. It can be used for any grade level, any group setting (one-on-one, small groups, large groups), all types of students (at risk, special needs, gifted), across all subjects, and any type of classroom (inclusive, self-contained, resource room, general ed.)

Issues of New Literacies: https://www.screencast.com/t/AqpOXE0JzMap

Blogs can be used to support college reading instruction. Blogs offer a rich learning environment for students because of its distinctive features. Blog entries can be categorized, they can be set as private or public, and blogs can be accessed even after the class. Also, with blogs, students from around the world can be invited. Blogs motivate students to write since they are writing for a real audience, and they are socially interacting. Blogs encourage social interaction, have students share their opinions, and help connect reading and writing to the class discussion. Yet, technologies such as blogs should be used to practice reading and writing skills, rather than to teach new skills.