Rob+M


 * Session: Laptops and How they Affect Literacy - American School of Bombay**

The session discussed how the school used technology to address literacy. The session discussed the projects and ideas used at the ASB as well as the research they did. For example, they discussed using the students interest in computers to help increase their interest in reading.

Resource sharing: Their wikispace, linked here, provides a great resource with links and ideas for educators.

My thoughts: Like we have experienced here at NMS, the presenters discussed how technology increases creative output by the students. By increasing organizational skills, enhancing creativity and in turn increasing student confidence, technology has proven to be a wonderful innovation in education. This presentation, and the wiki link, provide many ideas to promote literacy and enhance skills for learners at all levels.

As I write this, I am currently struggling to implement "creative" literacy strategies in my Language Arts classroom. We must realize that the answers are sometimes right at our fingertips. Our school is a leader in technology in our province and we are blessed with what appears to be endless resources to implement in the classroom. Our school's collaborative projects will benefit by utilizing and further enhancing our own resources as well as those provided by such sources as this presentation.


 * Electronic Testing in a One-to-One Environment - Chaminade College Preparatory School**

The session discussed how to set-up and properly utilize electronic testing in a laptop classroom environment. The session was useful as it discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the system.

Strengths:


 * copying is eliminated. Each student has a different test.
 * grading is simple and easy for teachers. Teachers can easily assess student strengths and weaknesses. Teacher can also use this to assess their own performance.
 * Many new textbooks have tests in electronic form.
 * Immediate results for the teachers and students.

Weaknesses:
 * Computers must be working. That sounds obvious, but we have all had days where something is wrong with the technology and our world is turned upside down. Imagine if this were to happen to a high school student on final exam day.
 * An obvious learning curve for teachers to educate themselves on how to use and implement the software.
 * Little flexibility. Some students do not like this format.
 * Cost. $1-2000 per school. Even greater at the district level.
 * Essay type questions must be graded by teachers.
 * Your network system must be reliable.
 * Security concerns.

Results found by Chaminade after 4 years of use:
 * 1/2 of the classes are using the system
 * all subjects using the system
 * they recommend teachers begin with small quizzes to familiarize themselves with the system.

Overall, I enjoyed the presentation. Particularly, the fact that a school that has been using this system for a few years was presenting made this more meaningful. Chaminade has lived it and they were able to share real-life experiences. This is an assessment tool that could be of great use to educators.


 * Something old/something new: Using folktales and Audacity to improve reading fluency- Sarah Hanawald**

This session discussed the use of the Audacity software, found on our District 18 laptops, and folktales to improve reading fluency.I was immediately drawn to this presentation due to the fact that I enjoy using Dr. Seuss stories in my classroom. I was interested to see how folktales were used and how I could implement those strategies into my language arts classroom.

The session stated how the kids were able to "tell" their story and save it using the Audacity software. Then, the students were able to import their stories to their powerpoint presentations, thus creating their very own picture book with sound. Students have far too many interests to be simply drawn to reading. An assignment like this combines technology and creativity while also improving the reading skills and the interest in reading. The presenters mentioned that while the students were preparing their stories for recording, they were also increasing their reading and listening comprehension skills. A project like this is almost a "tricky" way to improve these skills. The students are consumed with the technology, while meeting curriculum needs unknowingly.

Notes:
 * student progress/work ethic was obvious; they either had the file or they did not.
 * many students re-recorded numerous times. They paid close attention to detail. Many rehearsals.
 * Audacity is simple to learn with practice. A link to a tutorial was procvided.

Resources:

A powerpoint of the presentation was provided...ENJOY!!




 * Web 2.0, Hype or Hidden Opportunity? What school leaders should know about social networking --AALF**
 * Facilitators: Bruce Dixon and Pamela Livingston**

I found this session to be both informative and puzzling. We are hearing many good and many bad things about such social networking sites as Facebook. During the presentation the audience was able to comment on the session on the large screen by using the social networking site Twitter. This allowed for the audience to voice their opinions and thoughts as the presenters were doing their thing.

I agree with the presenters, we need an open-minded approach to this issue. Is it as simple as blocking Facebook? No!! The students can just as easily begin using Twitter or the latest application that we as teachers do not yet know about. By simply blocking a site it tends to make the kids want to find an alternative even more. We need to stress responsibility and accountability.

The students are online at home far more than they are at school. We as teachers need to emphasize the fact that they must act accordingly. Whether they are hidden in their rooms, or on-line in the TV with parents nearby, the students must realize the difference between appropriate and inappropriate. Forbidding something is not enough, we need to educate them to understand the issue.

Personally, I have had success using Facebook within my Language Arts classroom. For example, after the tragedy in Bathurst last year involving the boys hoops team, one of my students created a tribute page. the class was able to post various tributes. The page was joined and complimented on by many students throughout New Brunswick.

Can students chat back on forth on Facebook? Definitely, yes! But, they can also chat back and forth while using wikispaces, something that our school uses everyday. The issue is creating a sense of accountability and a work ethic, which cannot be done by simply blocking a website.