Question 1-
How does using Voicethread to teach Reader's Workshop influence reading comprehension?
Question 2-
How does using Flip Video Cameras help students develop fluency when reading?
Moving from behind "the rock".
The photograph to the left represents me as a teacher. Before taking ECI 546 I was pretty nervous about incorporating technology into my regular classroom teaching. If I did, it was a BIG deal and used only for some kind of a project. I am so much more comfortable using technology "cool tools" on a regular basis now. I feel as if I am moving from behind a rock. ECI 546 taught me many different means of using technology to enhance my practices as well as engage my students. I learned the importance of making learning relevant and the importance of moving beyond the paper and pencil.
Using Voicethread to Teach Inferencing
In this class I learned to use the program Voicethread. I was teaching a unit in Reader's Workshop on inferencing and wanted to figure out a way to get my students excited about it. I embedded different photographs of children exhibiting facial expressions. I recorded my voice saying different things using inflectual tones. The children were able to look at the photo, listen to what I was saying, and hear my tone of voice to infer how the person was feeling. I've taught inferencing for many years and felt that after incorporating Voicethread into this lesson the children grasped a much deeper understanding of the concept. Months later my students are still telling me what they're "inferring" as they read independently.
Click the link below to access the inferencing Voicethread:
http://voicethread.com/share/633678/
Click the link below to access the inferencing Voicethread:
http://voicethread.com/share/633678/
Using Voicethread to Create a Class Book
This year our class created an alphabet book for a small school in Malawi. We researched the county and the school that the children there attend. We held a fundraiser where we collected school supplies for them- pencils, paper, watercolor paints, crayons, scissors, glue, as well as other items they need in school. After making the alphabet book we turned it into an "online book" at Voicethread. We shared the link with our Kindergarden and first grade friends at our school. They are able to access our book and read along with it in their classroom.
Click the link below to access our class alphabet book:
http://voicethread.com/share/1886168/
Click the link below to access our class alphabet book:
http://voicethread.com/share/1886168/
Using Flip Cameras during Reader's Theater to reinforce fluency
I noticed that my students were having a lot of trouble with fluency this year. They were great readers, yet lacked the fluency needed for greater comprehension. I decided to use Flip Cameras to record them during a Reader's Theater experience. The children practiced their parts and rehearsed together for a couple of weeks. We made a "red carpet" for the children to walk complete with stars with their names on them. The parents came and were the "papparazzi" for the event. They took pictures of them and yelled their names like they were movie stars! The day before the children Flip videoed each other performing their plays. After watching together as a group the children completed a plus/delta on their reading, with the focus being on where they could improve.
Using Flip Cameras to share stories from Writer's Workshop
My students were SO excited to get to record themselves reading their writing. We had been working very hard on a Fairy Tale unit. The children created their own fairy tales and got to read them using expression for the Flip Camera. We had a special "author's tea" celebration where we watched all of the stories on our Smartboard and had cookies and lemonade. It really encouraged the children to work hard on their stories (writing and illustrations) and model good, fluent reading during the recording process.
