Reading Prompt #7

EGBERT Ch. 7. Content-Based Instruction

What are some important techniques for designing content instruction that supports both language and content learning? Egbert gives several examples of ways content and language objectives can be combined with technology objectives. Share some of your own experiences or ideas for combining these. In other words, give a specific exmple of how you could teach a content-area lesson with integrates technology and supports language learning for ELLs.

Kidspiration Story Map

Here is an example of a Kidspiration Story Map (click to see a larger image).

For your assignment:

1. Create your story map or outline for your podcast using Kidspiration (create it with your partner or group)

2. Export it as a .jpg image.

3. Create a new post on your blog. Title it "Kidspiration Story Map"

4. Insert the image by clicking on the image icon.

5. Click on Browse and select your file wherever you have it saved, then click Open.

6. Choose the layout you want.

7. Click on Upload Image

8. Image will appear in your create post window.

9. Add text telling us who your partner is, and tell us about your podcast idea.

10. Publish you post.

That's it!

Reading Prompt #6

EGBERT Ch. 6. Inquiry and Problem Solving
RICHARDSON Ch. 8. Podcasting and Screencasting: Multimedia Publishing for the Masses

Describe an inquiry or problem solving activity appropriate for ELLs that you have used, participated in, read about, or just now thought of. Describe which critical thinking skills it requires students to use and develop. Then, describe how this activity supports language and content learning for ELLs. Finally, comment on how podcasting could be used within the inquiry and problem solving process in a manner which supports language and content learning for ELLs.

Phone Numbers

I noticed a couple of instances where some students have posted their phone numbers on other students blogs in the comment sections.

I'm glad to see folks networking, but please please please be very careful. You are not only giving your phone number to your classmate, but to the entire world!

E-mail is a much safer way to exchange this information. You can e-mail each other through Web-CT.

Interactive Word Worksheets

I just looked at your interactive Word worksheets. I am very impressed! They cover a wide range of topics--minimal pairs, tongue twisters, the solar system, and a famous soccer player, just to name a few. They are also multilingual. In addition to worksheets in English, there was a worksheet in Spanish providing infomation on the culture of Mexico, and another in Spanish where students had to listen to three choices to determine which question matched a written answer. We also had one in Chinese on the story of the Three Little Pigs! A couple of you even inlcuded video clips.

If you haven't done your worksheet yet, or if it is incomplete, please finish it and let me know when it is ready.

You can find the grade for your worksheets under My Grades on Web-CT. As we have time in class, I may ask some of you to share your worksheets with the class.

As reminder, please do not e-mail large files to me. They clog up and shut down my e-mail account! Please use the folder in the computer lab to save large files, and let me know when to look for them and what they are named.

A new school of bloggers

Here's a great article I just found from the Houston Chronicle about Teacher Bloggers. Here's the first part. Use the link to see the rest

Jan. 29, 2007
A new school of bloggersA growing number of teachers are expressing their
views — but most do it anonymously
By JENNIFER RADCLIFFE
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

After long days of grading papers and disciplining rowdy children, a
growing number of tech-savvy teachers are creating online journals to vent about
the stresses of the profession.

Educators who have already embraced the technology — called blogs
(short for web logs) — find themselves walking a fine, virtual line of conduct.
They strive to entertain and inform, but can't violate their school districts'
ethics policies or federal laws designed to protect students'
confidentiality.

Most teachers who blog have opted to do so underground — refusing to
cite their names, workplaces or other identifying details — to avoid potential
professional pitfalls.

[Click here for full article]

Required Blog Contents

Now that all of your have created your blogs, here are the minimum requirements in terms of the contents of your blog to receive full credit for your blog:

1. Your Quickshare (description and link)

2. Three Software Evaluations

3. Samples from your KidPix project

4. Reading Discussion Board Prompts (#2-10)

In addition to the above, you must also:

1. Create a Link List -- provide links on the side of your blog to our class blog, and at a minimum, at least five other links. Two of these links should be to ESL specific websites/resources

2. Create a blog Archive

3. Create a label section

4. Post a photo and make comments about it (will do in class)

5. Post a YouTube Video and made comments about it (will do in class)

6. Two other postings on any topic of your choosing.