Beyond paper and pencil: The use of online publishing

[Marnie Smith]

I have taught second grade in a a high ELL, high poverty school for 4 years. I taught 5th grade previously for three years at this same school. These students not only struggle with reading and writing but many of them, in addition to literacy deprived lives, suffer from experience deprived lives as well. I think I received the shock of my life when last year half of my students had never heard of a zoo! Because of the high ELL population, I have thought that using online publishing sites with lots of picture support could help these students to expand their writing when they have difficulty finding the words to convey what the want. I am incredibly uncertain if the use of computers and computer programs will make a stitch of difference in the quantity or quality of their writing and I am equally uncertain if there is any research to support such learning. Nonetheless, I would like to focus my attentions in this direction and see what unfolds. Two things are certain: we are in an age of technology and today's children are prime to master it. If I can somehow merge technology with imagination and creativity, then just maybe I can inspire the future J.K. Rowlings and Steven Kings.

[Carol]

I definitely agree with your final two statements: technology is coming and children are prime to master it.  As I read your post I was thinking a couple of things.  I wonder how vocabulary development in your ELL students is supported by technology.  Vocabulary always leads me to think about word choice.  I am also wondering if blogging, wiki pages, and creating web pages are part of your research.  I think you have a great idea to tie together what you already know about ELLs and your new learning on technology.  I look forward to talking with you about your inquiry project.

[Megan Garijo Pruitt]

Hi Marnie!

I think you said it right when you mentioned the word inspire.  I have strong conviction that with high quality writing instruction, the use of technology can make a difference in student writing.  I have heard of teachers using different media sources to engage students in reading, writing & thinking.  Using technology adds some dimensions to a students decisions about presentation.  It may push them to think about tools that will help them convey their message.  Whether it is making a graph or chart to go along with their writing or designing other visual representations that support their ideas.  I have been very interested in 21st Century skills but have not yet done too much research on it.  

 

I look forward to learning about how your idea develops into your demonstration!

Thanks for sharing.

Megan

[Laurel Topken]

Marnie,

This topic sounds fun.  For a few semesters, I required my students to change  their research papers into visual presentations encouraging digital formats but accepting any form.  I found that the students are overly comfortable with power point and posters which they throw together.  I have tried to get them to do mock webpages and blogs or even videos, but this is something they shy away from.  I am really excited to see how you will have your students do their work and how you might deal with their access to computers.

 

I am looking forward to your presentation.

Laurel

 

[Courtney Hurlbert]

Wow Marnie- I also teach 2nd grade and find it amazing that students come to our classes with Such descripencies in their schema or background knowledge of subject matter and life experience. I think your use of technology will certainly inspire kids to express themselves and can't wait to hear more about your discoveries. Good luck- your students are lucky to have such a motivated teacher to help them on thier journey.

[Gail Corthell]

If you want to watch kids get excited in the classroom, sit them in front of a computer and let 'em fly!  I'm thrilled that you are taking on this subject.  I teach in a school that doesn't have an especially high ELL population, yet my students seem to be limited in their experiences as well.  My feeling is that if kids are motivated (and computers will do that) their writing will show that.  I would expect that this will be a valuable way to motivate  reluctant boy writers too.  Thanks for taking on this subject; I can't wait to see what you discover.

Gail