Exploring Learning

This term, I am researching the use of Assistive Technology (AT) in classrooms around the world. AT is anything that assists learners who require additional support in accessing their work and being successful. I included a video in the form to explain what AT is to help my audience. As I work in a school where technology has yet to be introduced fully, the people I can consult are limited. In addition, my previous schools have all finished for the summer already. To combat this dilemma, I created a Google Form that I was able to share on Twitter for anyone to be able to complete. I felt this broadened my chances of getting some information from people who had experience using AT. My form can be accessed HERE  and my paper regarding these results will be published here soon. If you have, or know of anyone who has, experience using AT in the classroom, please share and complete this form to help a life-long learner with her research. Thanks.

Creating and sharing books using iPads Literacy today is more than reading and writing. Reading today is more than print. Writing today is more than ink. To engage my second language learners, I developed a blended learning unit on picture books that  utilised   both traditional and new literacies, and both analogue and digital tools. The whole unit was delivered via Edmodo  and Google Sites . Edmodo.com I booked out a selection of picture books from the library, including classics such as ‘ The Giving Tree ’ and ‘ Green Eggs and Ham ’. We began with traditional literacy in the form of analytical skills, such as examining sentence structure, and identifying language patterns such as rhythm, rhyme, repetition, and onomatopoeia. We explored characterisation , and developed visual literacy by analysing   how the images enhanced and helped the text. We also looked at the cover, the style of illustration, the page turners, the main ...

I have started this year with a commitment to develop literacy through reading and writing. I dedicate the start of every lesson to ten minutes silent reading. Sometimes I listen to the learners read, sometimes I ask them to tell me about their reading. After each session, learners complete a reading log . They summarise or ask questions, predict or write about how they reading made them feel. Sometimes I ask them to talk about their reading with a partner or small group. Sometimes we share reading as a class. We use Edmodo as a learning portal, and I am amazed at the sharing that has been going on about books. My Year 7 class in particular are constantly writing on Edmodo to each other about the books they are reading or making recommendations. I have also set up a Reading Buddy programme. In the first week of the academic year, I asked all my classes to write to me about things they would like to do in English this year. My Year 7s asked to read with primary learners. I appr...

Flubaroo is one of those tools I have been aware of for some time but also one of those who kept escaping me. However, with the advent of my new Unit that is all about understanding text, I saw the opportunity to try it out. I first came across the script gallery in Google Forms at the GAFE Summit Singapore, in September 2012, where I learned how to make my forms send automatic emails - brilliant! I even earned a little certificate to celebrate my geekiness (thanks Jay Atwood). This was when I first learned about the possibility of Flubaroo, but it is only through using it that I have come to understand and appreciate how useful it is. We are studying the novel Stargirl , by Jerry Spinelli, to explore the concepts of individuality, conformity, prejudice and tolerance. We are asking, do we dare to be ourselves and let others be themselves? Each week, learners have to perform a variety of tasks to demonstrate engagement, appreciation and understanding of the reading. One of the ...

My focus this term for my Professional Learning has been on assessment. Our school focus for Professional Learning sessions has been on the holy trinity - Technology, Pedagogy, and Curriculum/Content. Learners using Google Forms for Peer Assessment In an attempt to create sound links between these three essential areas, different members of the school team led different workshops in a rotating carousel. For the technology element, a selection of tools and methods was showcased and then teachers signed up for further workshops in the areas they wanted to focus on.  Workshop 1  or  bit.ly/aflgoogle  was my showcase. Staff using Google Forms to give Feedback (see post " Reflection & Revision " I then led a series of short workshops, every three weeks (following the TPC rotation), on using Google Forms to help with Assessment for Learning in an attempt to meld the three areas together. In the first workshop ( Workshop 2  or  bit.ly/af...