Chapter 5: Online Orchestration: Establishing an Effective Web Presence Presentation Given To You By: Julie Bertoni Erin Farmer Katelyn Maroney Cody Fish

Dr. Allen Webb’s online syllabus

Having the Syllabi Online There are so many benefits to having the syllabus online: paperless, accessible, can be properly changed, etc. While going into a job interview, you can have your syllabi/class websites accessible for your future boss to view. Examples of pre-service teacher’s work is found at English Through Technology siteEnglish Through Technology site If using the online syllabi as a tool in your classroom, be sure to explain to your students how to properly use it and how easy it is to adapt to! Sites to use: Googlepages Wiki sites

The Class Blog as Evolving Conversation As we have all become witnesses to the blog within this class the blog is such a sufficient and effective tool outside and within the classroom. The blog is a way to reinforce students to expand on their ideas, strengthen their writing skills and use critical thinking in lessons he or she will be taught. There are different types of blogs: the personal journal, the notebook and the filter blog. *Be a teacher in whom incorporates all the types of blogs! Secondary Worlds An academic blog in which is dedicated to topics related to teaching, technology and English language arts. Edublogs

The Blog as Resource Provides: course resources and space for publishing student work.  Try wordpresswordpress  Screencasts  Give students the technical answers they need (saves time!)  Secondary Worlds features student- created content (such as podcasts) Well-suited for classrooms with limited technology

The Wireless English Classroom English Education Laboratory (EEL)  Equipped with 24 student laptops,three desktop computers equipped with scanners, overhead data projector, digital cameras, smart board, printers About ½ of all colleges have wireless networks (almost all have atleast limited wireless connetion) 45% of public schools in 2005 offered atleast partial wireless coverage Laptop programs improve technology literacy between staff and students  Increased access to educational resources  Raises student motivation and interest in school  Encourages better interaction between teachers and students

A classroom which has easily moveable desks, and an arsenal of laptop computers opens up a new world of learning possibilities! * Desks can be moved around to accommodate any type of learning environment, be it a lecture, group projects, etc. * There are no wires to trip over, and no bulky desktops to work around. * Students have the internet at a moments notice at their fingertips! * This type of classroom works even if the teacher doesn’t integrate the computers into their teaching. “In this wireless classroom, all of the applications we have talked about in this book – text archives, threaded discussions, blogs, podcasts, feed readers, virtual worlds, class websites, and class blogs – become even more effective…” Wireless Classroom

* This type of classroom also allows students to learn at their own pace. * “Teaching literature in this classroom, Allen’s students can move smoothly between reading texts online, discussing them, and writing about them.” * All the laptops should be connected wirelessly to a big screen projector, so that on top of the teacher being able to share information with the entire class, it’s easy for the students to do it too! * A class blog is easily included into this type of classroom. * “Indeed, as the web continues it’s movement toward 2.0 tools – online applications that let us create, share, and organize content like never before – the ideal classroom will allow our students to take advantage of these tools.” Link to Google Reader Video on How to Use Google Reader Teaching English Through Technology

Using Class Websites and Class Blogs With Limited or No Technology Resources If there is only one computer in the classroom, then require students to go on to the class website at either home or the library. Set up a bulletin board at the front of the class, that feels like a website. Put up a profile about yourself on it, and past works from students that are relevant to the class.

Web Resources Allen Webb’s site: –has African literature syllabus and other course materials mentioned in chapter. Google pages: –free online tool to publish professional-looking web pages. These pages can be published at Literature Circles: – support resource for teachers, this site is helps teachers with student-led discussions occurring in the classroom. Has book recommendations, classroom management strategies and links to other h resources.

Web Resources, ctd. Secondary Worlds: –Robert Rozema’s blog. Teaching English Through Technology: - developed by the English education program at Western Michigan University. It supports the schools Wireless English Education Lab, and designed to offer pre-service teachers and in-service English teachers some strategies for integrating technology in our classrooms. Windows Media Encoder: mpx -free software application for capturing movies of your computer screen. Can be used for tutorial screencasts for your students. mpx Wordpress: (school server download)or (hosted on Wordpress). A free blogging application, ranked best for providing hundreds of professional themes, no ads!, and a lot of helpful features e.g. password protection and content syndication.