Classroom Websites

A classroom website is an ideal tool to incorporate into the classroom when integrating technology and to add another line of communication. As an assignment for a graduate class I am taking this summer, I created a classroom website that can be updated to fit my needs and my classroom’s needs. The site at this point is still a work in progress since I don’t have a classroom yet, but it does have the main framework for the site.

In my own teaching I will use a classroom website as a way to give parents information about the class, upcoming events, and class projects with assignment details. I will also use the site to display the students work including podcasts and screencasts that can be viewed and listened to at home or in the classroom. For older grades, such as fourth or fifth grade, I would also include student blogs where students can post their projects, publish their writing, and write summaries of activities and/or concepts that they have learned. Another aspect that I will include on my website will be links to educational/helpful websites for students and parents.The website also includes a form where parents or students can contact me with questions.

I believe that websites can be another tool to engage students in their learning as well as provide a convenient place for parents to get up- to- date information about the class.

Using Screencasts in the Classroom

I think screencasts provide a great opportunity to engage students in their learning by allowing them to utilize technology in order to show their understanding and to teach others. There are several screencast programs that are free to use and are easy to learn. In my own classroom I will use screencasts as an option for student made presentations, reader’s theater, and a way for students to publish their writing. The screencasts made in the classroom or in the computer lab would then be placed on the class website so students could listen to their peers’ presentations and for parents to view/listen to their child’s work.

Another way I plan to incorporate screencasts into my teaching is by using screencasts to review a new concept that students can view at home if they are struggling with their assignment or project. I will also use screencasts to give specific directions for assignments or projects.

Free screencast tools:

• Screenr
• Screencast-O-Matic
  
  This is an example of a student made screencast about finding the area of a trapezoid.
  

Differentiation: Using Anchor Activities

A strength on mine as an educator is the ways in which I differentiate my instruction. The “normal” classroom has an range of ready levels in multiple aspects of their education. One way that I differentiate my instruction to meet that varying needs of my students is by using anchor activities.

Anchor activities are additional assignments and projects provided at the end of a lesson for students who complete assigned work early. These activities are designed to provide all students with productive choices after completing required class work.

Anchor activities also help differentiate instruction by:

• Expanding on existing an assignment(e.g. add details to existing work)
• Providing challenging activities for students who have mastered the assigned task
• Reviewing for students who need additional practice
• Extension activities more specific to individual learning styles

The following document has elementary anchor activity ideas. Many of the ideas can be used in multiple content areas.

View this document on Scribd

Using Podcasts in ESOL Classrooms

Podcasts are a wonderful web 2.0 tool that can be incorporated into the classroom and a great asset for ESOL teachers. There are several free podcast tools such as http://www.chirbit.com/ and  http://audioboo.fm/.

Podcasts can be used in a number of ways in the classroom, like a presentation option or a way for students to publish their writing. What makes podcasts especially useful in an ESOL classroom is that they allow students to hear how they sound. Podcasts can also be edited so students can fix grammar mistakes or add expression to their speech.

Since podcasts can be listened to by others, they can be great incentives for students to do their best work.

Podcasts are also useful for teachers. Podcasts can be embedded in classroom websites. One way in which I plan to use podcasts is to record directions for projects and to review a concept which students can listen to after school. For younger grades I would use them as a way for students to publish their writing which could be listened to in the classroom with their peers and at home with their parents.

This is a podcast explaining one of my favorite ESL activities/games: Draw a picture.

Check this out on Chirbit