Internet Resource Explorations

Text messaging as a classroom tool seems as foreign to me as the next person. But according to a study conducted in 2008, the monthly volume of text message usage volume is over 75 billion. Teens are said to use text messaging communication more than they use voice or face to face communication by 54 %.  it just makes sense to try and  implement this tool into the classroom. Students are very aware of the different ways to utilize this particular tool and it allows for a particular interest. It only makes sens eto try and implement text messaging into the classroom.

According to the article, Text Messaging: Basically Addictive or Essentially Additive?

• Text composers must break words down into syllables, and understand  that words are a stream of compressed distinct language sounds.
• Composers of a text message must identify graphemes which represent phonemes, isolate the individual phonemes, deconstruct words into individual phonemes, and. construct a word from a string of single phonemes.
• Text message users must be familiar with the acceptable phoneme-grapheme mappings in written English, and must differentiate the sequence of the discrete language sounds or phonemes in a word.

Although text messaging may not seem like a practical outlet for literacy, teachers need to find different ways to engage their students in their assignments. This can have incredible benefits with the right parameters in place.

Blogs as a Classroom Tool

Blogs as a Classroom Tool



With the ever growing use of technology in today's society, it is almost essential that we expose our students to technology based projects. Technology in the classroom can have many benefits, but the most important benefit is that they will be able to start to view technology as a tool for their future learning which will eventually help them in their future careers. Using blogs as a classroom tool can be extremely useful. Teachers all over the world have discovered that blogs can be an excellent tool to promote literacy and writing skills. Blogging can also increase student involvement because it uses a technique that students find engaging and comfortable. For students who may find it difficult to communicate in an open forum, blogging allows students to communicate without feeling the pressure of being in front of their peers. This is a great way to encourage the students to become comfortable with their peers which may encourage future face-to-face communication. 

What is a blog?

According to the website Teaching Today, a blog (sometimes referred to as a weblog) is a Web publishing tool that allows authors to quickly and easily self-publish text, artwork, links to other blogs or Web sites, and a whole array of other content.

Blogs are set-up like conventional Web sites, with navigation links, and other standard Web site features. Blogs have one standard characteristic, however: the posting. Blog postings are text entries, similar to a diary or journal, which include a posting date and may include comments by people other than the author, photos, links, or other digital media.

What are some reasons we should let students blog?

• Highly motivating to students, especially those who otherwise might not become participants in classrooms.
• Excellent opportunities for students to read and write.
• Effective forums for collaboration and discussion.
• Powerful tools to enable scaffolded learning or mentoring to occur.
• Allows interaction between teachers, students and their parents.

Useful educational blog sites:

Edublogs
Free Technology for Teachers
Edutopia
Nerdy Book Club

Inquiry and Project-Based Learning in the Classroom

Inquiry and Project-Based Learning in the Classroom



Inquiry and Project-Based Learning are crucial in having students gain better understanding on the subject given. Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) allows students to investigate real world questions. This  type of learning involves higher order thinking questions which does not just allow for a yes or no answers. The students must think about the question and must critically think in order to come up with thoughts and answers. Project-Based Learning (PBL) requires the students to come together to collaborate, discuss, research then convening back to share what information each member has found. This gives the groups aspects of the topic from different sources. It involves real world challenges and problems. When working on my Unit Plan for third grade students about healthy choices, it allows the students to use real life situations and evaluate the different choices they make on a day to day basis. The unit question is: How do healthy choices help us and our environment? This question allows for a broad discussion and can be broken up into narrow essential questions. This unit will encourage the students to think about the different choices the make in regards to food and how this not only affects their bodies but also the environment.