Exciting Writing with Technology Tools Fran Mauney

First Things First "Emotion drives attention which drives learning, memory, problem solving, and just about everything else." --Robert Sylwester

Emotions are the Gatekeepers of Learning The body and brain form an inseparable learning partnership. Each sends messages out to the other which alters the messages that are sent back. The environment of the body is critical – the physical surroundings and the quality of interrelationships of those in it (student-student and student-adult) The classroom and schoolwide environment enhance rather than impede students’ abilities to focus on the learning at hand and create a sense of community characterized by absence of threat (real and perceived).

Brain Compatible Components 1. Absence of threat 2. Meaningful content, 3. Choices, 4. Enriched environment 5. Movement to enhance learning 6. Adequate time 7. Immediate feedback 8. Collaboration 9. Mastery (application)

Same Elements Attract Students to Technology 1. There is an absence of threat at some level-where peers or a teacher are not present. 2. They make content meaningful using a variety of tools in a combination of ways to suit individual needs and interests. 3. There are unlimited choices in the gathering and presenting of information and their learning becomes interactive and multifaceted 4. They enrich their research with a variety of modes of presentation skills developing new forms of evaluation formats and critical thinking opportunities. 5. Movement-the impact of Wii is amazing, as they observe movement, their bodies mirror the action – their bodies are reacting even as they watch others on their screens move 6. They are in charge of their own time and will work at their own pace as long as their curiosity and interest is sustained 7. As they discover and uncover information there is immediate feedback which allows they to expand their thinking, check other sources, and engage experts where possible. 7. As they discover and uncover information there is immediate feedback which allows they to expand their thinking, check other sources, and engage experts where possible. 8. They collaborate/socialize with those they have something in common with expanding their connection worldwide and paving the way for their future. 8. They collaborate/socialize with those they have something in common with expanding their connection worldwide and paving the way for their future. 9. They will stay with a ‘game’ or project until they have achieved mastery. 9. They will stay with a ‘game’ or project until they have achieved mastery.

Choices Engage Students Wide variety of opportunities for teachers to engage their students It is possible for every subject to have new and dynamic connections making learning more meaningful and engaging. It is not that students will not engage, it is that they have chosen what engages them

Students learn by creating. According to brain research, students learn by being actively involved. Technology is a great tool that motivates students and peaks their interests. It allows students creative ways to demonstrate their knowledge. It’s FUN! Brain Research and Technology.doc Brain Research and Technology.doc

Engaging Students Different students learn differently. Students are expected to learn in ways that are inconsistent (and frequently opposite) to how learning happens. Students are expected to learn in ways that are inconsistent (and frequently opposite) to how learning happens. Often they are expected to learn in ways that are convenient for the institution and teacher rather than ways that are brain- compatible, natural, and consistent with their “other” learning –

Brain research shows that students will remember what they read if the sentences are written in alternating colors. Students will also remember what they read if a picture is attached to it. Use this strategy for Procedures, it improves behavior: Guaranteed Alternate Colors

Multiple Intelligences How do I design lessons to meet my students’ needs and build upon their strengths? Use their multiple intelligences and plan menus that will build upon their strengths. Research shows when you build your strongest intelligence you are also building the other 7 intelligences at the same time! Multiple Intelligences Multiple Intelligences

Linguistic Intelligence Use storytelling to explain Conduct a debate on Write a poem, myth, legend, short play, or news article about Create a talk show radio program about Conduct an interview on

Mathematical Intelligence Translate into a mathematical formula Design and conduct an experiment on Make up syllogisms to demonstrate Make up analogies to explain Describe the patterns or symmetry in Others of your choice

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence Create a movement or sequence of movements to explain Make task or puzzle cards for Build or construct a Plan and attend a field trip that will Bring hands-on materials to demonstrate

Visual Intelligence Chart, map, cluster, or graph Create a slide show, videotape, or photo album of Create a piece of art that demonstrates Invent a board or card game to demonstrate Illustrate, draw, paint, sketch, or sculpt

Musical Intelligence Give a presentation with appropriate musical accompaniment on Sing a rap or song that explains Indicate the rhythmical patterns in Explain how the music of a song is similar to Make an instrument and use it to demonstrate

Interpersonal Intelligence Conduct a meeting to address Intentionally use social skills to learn about Participate in a service project to Teach someone about Practice giving and receiving feedback on Use technology to

Intrapersonal Intelligence Describe qualities you possess that will help you successfully complete Set and pursue a goal to Describe one of your personal values about Write a journal entry on Assess your own work in

Naturalist Intelligence Create observation notebooks of Describe changes in the local or global environment Care for pets, wildlife, gardens, or parks Use binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, or magnifiers to Draw or photograph natural objects

Learning Centers Eight-station computer learning centers Software targeting each intelligences Four-station learning centers for cooperative learning teams Set timer for minutes, then rotate Student reflection on what was easiest and most enjoyable

Writing Menus First Steps Choose your subject area. Choose the standards that will be covered. Choose activities that will use the students’ multiple intelligences.

Concept Map Science Standard Earth Materials Math Measurement, sorting, patterns, graphing, counting Writing Tables, Charts, Sentences, Paragraphs Technology Visit Interactive Websites Conduct research, use Kidspiration Word, and Power Point to make a group presentation, use document camera to show characteristics of rocks Drama Research “Rock” poems and act them out. Art Use clay, sand, dirt to make pictures. Music Use rocks for Instruments Have a Rock Band.

Choose Social Studies or Science Integrate writing, math, art, reading, drama, music, technology with your Social Studies or Science Concept. Think of a web with the Science or Social Studies Concept in the middle and all the other subjects are connected to that Concept.

Use Multiple Intelligences Plan activities that use the MI. Use Flip cameras to record videos and narrate stories. Use webquests to gather data. Use software programs for making graphic organizers and brainstorming. Use Powerpoint and MovieMaker for recording information and presenting to class.

Creating Wikis What can I do with a wiki? Work in collaborative groups to create projects in language arts, social studies, science and math. Share information with other teachers and with parents. Use as part of a Menu.

Technology Toys Promethean Board/Smartboard Activexpressions, Activotes, Senteos Intel Microscope Kidpix, Kidspiration,Photo Fantasy Interactive lessons Laptops Karaoke Machine CD Player or iPod (Energizers) Digital cameras –record stories MovieMaker Document cameras

Making Books Students will write, write and write, if they are given time to make their own books. Have plenty of construction paper, white paper, stamps, stickers, stencils, staplers, available for the students to work independently. Use the Ellison Die Cutter to have pre-made books available. Use for Reflection, assessment, in the content areas.

Publishing on the Computer First, teach the steps using the Promethean Board or LCD Projector. Use Word to insert photos and write stories. Working with partners is helpful. Use laptops to publish stories. Use Kidpix to publish stories. Use Power Point to present research. Show examples of Historical Project. Go the media center or computer lab to work on writing.

Video Cameras Use video cameras to record students working on projects in class. Publish videos on your web-site. Record student performances: poems, songs, dances, plays. Use Promethean Board to watch in class. Write stories about performances: Beginning, middle, end or how was the problem solved.

Henny Penny Flip-Chart Activating Strategy- Use a flip-chart. Rehearse Play Design program cover and type characters’ names Present the play to parents, Book Buddies, other students. Video the performance. Watch in class the next day. Write about favorite part of the play or what it was like to be in a play. Let students design their own books or give them a choice of covers.

Technology Products Menus – Variety of products-Display board Research t-shirts Online photo albums- Show Pirate Album! Quilts Flat Stanley- scanners Epals Book Buddies-photos, letters, website (middle school with elementary school)

Middle School Book Buddies

Research Projects T Shirt Research (T Search) Ask your PTA for a membership. $75 for school. Make a graphic organizer. Use the Promethean board or Kidspiration to make the web. Choose the information that you want included in your research. Use 2 sources: Internet, library books, magazines, encyclopedias

Research Projects Write the answers on the web. Type “FAT” sentences in Word. Print on Iron On Transfer paper in Mirror Image or on T Shirt Option. Iron onto the shirt. Draw a picture for the front of the t shirt onto the Iron On Transfer Paper. Iron it on a hard table, no steam for 3 minutes.

Perform Plays! In your class, in each small group, or for the entire school, perform plays, poetry, songs, dances about your research! Students who are body smart, art smart, drama smart, music smart, love to present their learning this way.

Intel Microscope Go on Field Trips (Being There Experiences) around the school. Find insects, rocks, flowers, and put them in the bug collectors. Take photos and movies of their findings. Print onto sticker paper. Write stories about it! Examples:

Cool Software and Internet Sites Use Unitedstreaming weekly! Find interactive software programs geared to your students’ interests. KidPix and Kidspiration, Zoo Zillions and Mighty Math Heroes are a few of my students’ favorites.

Digital Cameras Use your camera daily. Assign a class photographer to take photos. Use it to make books, bulletin boards, brochures, Power Points, photos for your web site and to to parents. Record students performing on the video camera and show in class or to the entire school. Post recordings on your teacher website.

Quilts Scan or take photos of family. Iron or sew onto material. Students choose template for quilts. Students trace template onto material, cut it out and pin it together. Parent volunteer sews quilts with students or iron it with Stitch Witchery (love it!).

Movie Maker Students love to create movies using Movie Maker and the Digital Blue Software (that my dog ate). Add photos, videos, transitions, movies or have the computer automatically make one for you. Book Buddies and A Year to Remember examples. Students will write about these experiences on the computer and in Reflection journals.

Document Camera Great way to project students’ stories. Use with your Author’s Chair. Use for editing, revising, publishing. Use for projecting plants and animals found around the school. Use for newspaper articles, magazine articles, Scholastic News.

Door Prizes! Reflections