Becoming a 21st century learner

Dual Language Training Institute

2010-08-05T16:30:00.011-05:00

I just attended a three day training on the One-Way Dual Language (OWDL) program based on the Gomez & Gomez Dual Language Enrichment Model (DLE), and I thought it was extremely helpful since it incorporated research and best practices on the field. This model is been used by our district as the program for bilingual education. Below are some things that I thought helpful and would like to register for future reference.

The model emphasizes the development of concepts in a first language, and the maintenance of the same in order to learn and transfer into a second language more easily. The developers also stress the need of good teaching practices. From the planning of a lesson to the implementation of the same, the educator should have high expectations for all the students in the class, thus raising the bar of how a concept should be taught in class. For a list of Bloom's Taxonomy verbs when preparing your lesson, please refer to http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/time_savers/bloom/.

Gomez and Gomez believe in a print rich environment, and support the idea of labeling objects (red for Spanish and blue for English) in the classroom, as well as in student generated alphabet charts in both languages.

The use of Language of the Day (LOD) and Language of Instruction (LOI) is also promoted in this model. In the lower primary, the focus is on using their native language for Language Arts, Science and Social Studies, and using their second language for learning Math (LOI). The Language of the Day alternates every other day, MWF in Spanish, and TTh in English. It consists of the social language, and any other language that is not being used for instruction (i.e., hallway language, recess, cafeteria, specials, etc). For LOD phrases, please refer to http://www.dlti.us/images/LODPhrases-1.jpg?482 and http://www.dlti.us/images/LODPhrases-2.jpg?482.

One last thing worth noting is the use of Bilingual Pairs and Bilingual Learning Centers in the classroom. A Bilingual Pair is when the teacher pairs up a student who is stronger in the first language with one who might not be as strong, and vice versa. The pair work together in cooperative learning activities helping each other in the areas their lacking. The Bilingual Learning Centers consist of content based workstations that would contain three activities in the Language of Instruction, and one in the other language. The students have to work through them using cooperative learning strategies.

There are many more facets to the model, but they are too extensive to include here. For more information on the model please visit www.dlti.com.

Websites for reference:

dlti (Dual Language Training Institute)

list of cognates in Spanish and English: http://dlti.us/doc/COGNATESDISD.pdf

www.educar.org (Spanish resources)

www.thomasandcollier.com (bilingual education research)

TABE (Texas Association for Bilingual Education)

NABE (National Association for Bilingual Education)

After 11 Tools: Reflections

2010-07-16T10:32:00.005-05:00

1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox? Briefly describe a particular activity that you will plan for your students using at least one of these new tools.

I really enjoyed working with Animoto, Jing, Flickr Creative Commons, and Google Reader. I think that I would use Animoto again to make another short video clip for another Science or Social Studies unit. It was the easiest of all of the other movie making programs I've tried.

2. How have you transformed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom?

I feel more comfortable with some of the websites and programs now. I would try and use them more often in the classroom. I don't think I would if I hadn't taken this online course.

3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

Yes, definitely. I was surprised when I caught myself enjoying the movie making process. I honestly did not think I would. The other part that surprised me was that I actually started using Google Reader for my personal stuff; I thought it was really user-friendly. In all, I can say that I am more technologically aware that I still have a long way to go, but I have the essential tools that I acquired from this online course to help me grow into becoming a better 21st century educator.

Tool # 11 Digital Citizenship

2010-07-16T10:15:00.006-05:00

Discuss at least three things you would want to make sure your students understand about being good digital citizens. Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students.

When thinking about digital citizenship for elementary students in the lower grade levels, three things come to mind safety, literacy, and etiquette. The first one relates to online safety, that is, teaching students to stay on websites familiar to them, to not divulge personal information on chats, and to ask an adult for assistance when necessary. I think that BrainPop does a good job in relaying that information to the younger students, as well as Cybersmart Young Kids. This past year, our librarian has done an excellent job in explaining internet safety also.

Another major aspect of digital citizenship is being technologically literate. From K-2, students are easily impressionable with the technology around them. They want to use the computer, the cell phone, the Ipod... to play, not to learn. I think that at this age is important to show them that technology is used not only to play games, but to learn as well. I would try to incorporate more video clips, websites, digital camera to model and teach them how to use it and why.

Lastly, teaching kids the etiquette of the digital world is essential. Since students at this stage are very concrete learners, I would emphasize the physical etiquette of technology. Some examples would be to not have food or drinks around the computer, to log off after using it, to be gentle and clean with the equipment, to use head phones and a soft voice in the computer lab or library, etc.

There are many other aspects of Digital Citizenship that are important to keep in mind, but for younger students, I believe that teaching them about internet safety, digital literacy, and technological etiquette would be sufficient.

Tool # 10 Mobile Technology and Apps

2010-07-15T19:03:00.001-05:00

1. Discuss some of the free educational apps you reviewed.

Some of the free apps that are appropriate on school iTouchs include Google Earth, Sudoku, USA Factbook, and NASA. These apps are excellent for lessons on maps, the solar system, problem solving, and others.

2. Discuss ways your students could use the iTouch or iPad and appropriate apps in your class.

In a primary grade classroom, I would use the iTouch as additional practice for concepts learned in class. Instead of giving them paper and pencil, students would be able to use problem solving skills, strategies, and visual-spatial skills to make spelling words, solve puzzles, make different shapes, etc using the iTouch.

Tool # 9 Jing & Skype

2010-07-15T18:43:00.008-05:00

1. Discuss how the screencast could help your students and how you might have students use Jing.

In the school setting, Jing could be used to make a presentation of how to log in to the computer or how to get to a specific website, without having to repeat the directions over and over again. In order for that to materialize, the teacher could make a movie of several screens together containing the specific information. Also, Jing could be used in web dialogues, such as IM or Skype to share information between teachers, and among students.

If you are wondering how I used Jing, please take a look at Tool # 4. The picture of the Google Doc was taken using Jing.

2. Discuss how you might use Skype with your students and share across the district, the state, the nation, or the world!

There are endless uses for Skype in the classroom. One that comes to mind is to interview authors when doing an author study. Another way is to share learning experiences with another classroom in the same grade level, in another school in the district or across the country.

One of my colleagues have sent Flat Stanley overseas to other schools. Skype could be used for students to interact with their international counterparts in exchanging what they have learned in different content and subject areas, or even to talk about the same Flat Stanley that they have received.

Tool #8 Video Resources

2010-07-15T12:35:00.012-05:00

Discuss how videos are useful resources for your students and how the 2 videos you selected will add to the learning in your classroom.

As much as possible, I have incorporated video resources in my teaching. My favorites are United Streaming from Discovery Education and BrainPop Jr., both available through our school district. It is a wonderful tool for any grade level, because it meets the needs of a good portion of the students (i.e. visual, and auditory). It brings them in, and gives color to their imagination.

I have used the following video clip The Very Hungry Catterpillar (YouTube) in Science lessons on life cycle, and author studies on Eric Carle. The kids love it, and it is a great way to complement a lesson.

I searched Blinkx to find this clip on Emperor Penguins that can be used when teaching a unit on penguins. It contains facts about penguins, and was made by a sixth grade student.

Tool # 7 Digital Storytelling

2010-07-15T11:35:00.002-05:00

Create a PhotoStory or I-Movie. Include pictures, music, and text and/or voice-over in your digital story. Upload the finished product to your blog.

I had fun creating this video, even though it was quite time consuming... First, I took a look at the First Grade Science Unit and chose the topic. Then, I went to Flickr Creative Commons, and downloaded different pictures of bees. Next, I put them in sequence using PhotoStory. The program also allowed me to add text on specific pictures, incorporate background music, and voice record my digital story. For some odd reason, I could not upload it as a wmv file, so I uploaded it on YouTube, and embedded it from there. I plan on using this video when I get to the Insects unit. I hope to inspire my students to want to know more about insects and other animals.

I think it would be interesting to use digital story in the classroom as a fun way to check students' understanding. One venue would be to have each student choose an insect that they liked the best, take pictures of them, and record them narrating the facts about the particular insect.

Tool # 6 Wikis

2010-07-15T10:36:00.003-05:00

Discuss how students might use wikis to aid in their learning. Did any of the sample wikis you viewed give you any particular ideas for using a wiki in your classroom for students? How about for your team or department?

Using Wikis in the classroom and the school setting allows for collaboration and interactivity among students themselves, teachers, as well as students and teachers. It contains the same idea of sharing as in Google Docs, but it is more public. Teachers can use Wikis to post information about their own class (i.e. syllabus, class expectations, assignments, resources), thus allowing parents and students to have easier access to it.

Personally, I would use a wiki when teaching about Science or Social Studies, asking for other teachers in my team and the students to collaborate on topics such as insects, plants, soil, etc.

Tool #5 Tagging and Social Bookmarking

2010-07-14T20:24:00.003-05:00

1. Browse through both sites and use tags to find two websites new to you. Join one of the sites so that you may add and share information of your choice.

For this assignment, I joined Diigo and found different websites related to Bilingual Education and Elementary Education. One of them is called Colorin Colorado, and I found it using tags such as bilingual, Spanish, ESL. Another one is called StoryPlace: The Children's Digital Library, and has different e-books online. I really like it, since it has stories in both English and Spanish, and I could use this during story time.

2. Briefly describe how social bookmarking will be useful in your classroom.

I believe that Social Bookmarking is one additional way to find resources easily, and to share information with fellow colleagues and your PLN members. It will be very useful in the classroom setting.

Tool # 4 Cool Google Tools

2010-07-14T15:18:00.006-05:00

1. Create one document in Google Docs and share it with at least one other person in your PLN.

For this first assignment, I created a slide show presentation in my Google Docs. The presentation is on the Parts of a Plant in English & Spanish, and I shared it with a bilingual teacher in my team.

2. Set up your Google Reader and subscribe to at least five 11 Tools blogs that you will be following.

I subscribed to the following five blogs in my Google Reader.

Live 2 Learn & Learn 2 Live
Poffenberger
K-Bil Tiger Cubs
Thornwood Music
what a cinch!

3. Briefly discuss how you think these 2 Google tools will aid you in your particular classroom or benefit your students in their learning process.

I believe that both Google Docs and Google Reader will make sharing ideas easier among teachers, especially since you can access them anywhere and at anytime. It will allow for more collaboration on one's own time and availability.

Tool # 3 Image Generators & Mashups

2010-07-08T14:24:00.012-05:00

Choose two different image generators or mashups and create a sample of each. Post your samples on your blog. Briefly explain how these samples would be used and how they might add to the learning process in your classroom.

For this tool, I worked with Animoto to make a video on the Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly, and with Glogster to make a poster on American symbols. All pictures were taken from Flickr Creative Commons. Since in the primary grades, we talk about life cycles and American symbols, I would incorporate these two tools in the Science and Social Studies curriculum, respectively.

Metamorphosis - This video would be fun to show my students at the beginning of a lesson as an attention getter or a hook.

US Symbols - I would use this poster to check for the students' understanding at the end of the unit.

Tool # 2 Building Community & Comments

2010-07-05T16:56:00.011-05:00

1. What are your thoughts about building an online education community and participating in a PLN?

I believe that building an online education community is valuable, since technology, especially in the Western society, has created opportunities for virtual exchange of ideas in place of the tete-a-tete. Being an educator in the 21st century, one cannot avoid the fast-paced change of things, especially in the school setting. I appreciate this opportunity to learn and being proactive in the creation of a PLN (personal learning network) in education. I think that we already do that in other areas of our lives, such as cooking, crafts, health, etc. It is inevitable to want to look for more information and exchange ideas with others of similar interests; why not in education?

2. What point stood out to you from the commenting advice?

Cyber-bullying could be a hindrance for quality discussions in the virtual classroom. Explaining appropriate blog commenting etiquette is important to keep in mind when using blogs as a teaching tool. One advice that stood out to me was of "being humble." In the 10 Techniques to Get More Comments on Your Blog, it is mentioned that "people are attracted to humility." How true; I want to be aware of that when commenting, and want to impart that to my students whenever possible.

3. What five blogs did you select for your comments?

These are the five blogs I decided to comment on:
Live 2 Learn & Learn 2 Live
Thornwood Music
Poffenberger
Always Learning
English with Rosa

Tool #1 Creating a blog

2010-06-23T17:07:00.001-05:00

Hi there!

I am now an official "blogger"... It's all kind of new to me, so I'm a little worried of how all will turn out. But, I am looking forward to seeing all the new things I'll be learning and posting to become a better educator in the 21st century.

11 Tools for the 21st Century Learner

2010-06-22T07:40:00.004-05:00

The following 12 posts are part of an online course offered to the teachers of Springbranch ISD in the Summer of 2010. The 11 Tools for the 21st Century Learner entails the process of learning and reflecting on the many different uses of technology and digital learning in the classroom.