"Do Not Waste Technological Advances"

            Many schools have classrooms equipped with smart boards. Just because the technology is there does not make it responsible to overuse it. If the lesson or activity does not call for the technology then as an educator you must be aware. An English classroom allows for many opportunities to write on a board. The need to always use the smart board may cause distraction. Smart boards come equipped with speakers, easy touch capability, and computer accessibility. When notes are placed on the board the technology of the smart board may just over compensate.

            As a future educator I hope to have the luxury of having a smart board inside my room. I will use it every day. I would use it every second, only if the lesson truly benefitted from the capabilities of the smart board. I have seen teachers us a smart board to write “Do Nows” all marking period. Why waste time if the technology is not being used to the full potential. The smart board could be used much more effectively in the English classroom.

            For example the ability to project what is on a computer screen and edit this with markers could turn a grammar lesson into an exciting activity. Poems, sentences, and paragraphs can quickly be changed for the entire class to see. Images can connect lines of poetry to the intended metaphor. Literal statements can battle with figurative lines of verse. The smart board allows for quick change and clean change. A simple poem can be marked up then instantly removed of all markings. A poem that is being read can now be heard from the original author as a sound clip plays behind what is shown on the board.

            Though these examples are vague, the possibilities are endless. A “Do Now” should be seen on a smart board. A “Do Now” should never be the only thing a teacher uses this technology for.

"The ALAN REVIEW"

            A few forms of technology are becoming minimally read as e-readers become more and more popular. Both magazines and newspapers are falling off inside the worlds of academics. Even though many of these are accessible from the e-reader. I subscribe to the “ALAN REVIEW”. This is a magazine that literally stands for the assembly on literature for adolescents of the national council of teachers of English. Books, novels, and canonical texts are extremely important. But magazines can influence a changing demographic.

            The “ALAN REVIEW” introduces new YAL to readers. It consists of articles written by both educators and students. Arguments are made within this magazine. Questions are asked. Most importantly, as each page is read a new idea is delivered to the reader.

            Having such text available in the English classroom can demand staying current. This magazine in comprised for the English and Literature classroom. Ideas can’t just be searched for on Google. Ideas need to be thought about and or explored. Having a magazine within the classroom that introduces such topics will only benefit the student. The educators who take advantage of the world of magazines will also benefit.            

            In a recent edition of ALAN one of the articles was entitled “Sports as an Entry Point in Literature”. (Matt De La Pena) For three short pages the author gives tips on how to strike the interest of the sports fan. How can an educator attempt to connect the world of sport and the world of literature? In this very article maybe a student has read this and felt he or she can now relate to texts. They can now find ways to draw connections to other interests they have outside the classroom.

            Educators must not fear using technology that has been around for centuries. There are specific reasons magazines are still being published. This specific magazine enlightens literature for adolescents. What other magazines are being looked over? These magazines need to be of access inside the classroom.

"All you need is Chalk"

            One of the most essential pieces of technology is often used for placing homework assignments or today’s date. The chalkboard/whiteboard is the largest tool seen inside most English classrooms. As any student enters a room usually their attention is drawn to the board. They are looking for upcoming assignments or deadlines. A large clean board allows for a blank space to be filled. An empty board is a tool, an important tool. Some classrooms even have multiple boards for the teacher to use.

            As a future educator I can respect what I have learned as a current student. Writing on the board for a student is a fun and engaging activity. Using the board to create a word wall is a perfect way to introduce a poetry lesson. If the lesson is on metaphor the instructor can have each student write a word that reminds him or her of a certain topic. As the board fills the students read each entry. Now it is time to create a poem without using any of the words written, but on the exact topic that each word represents. This one small activity has now directed an entire lesson. The only technology needed was chalk/markers and a board. This board has filled the room with words and ideas produced from the minds of the students.

            The board did not need batteries. The board did not need to be restarted. With one simple erase this tool was ready to engage. Inside the English classroom the board will enhance the learning environment. There is a reason the board remains relevant. The importance is often looked over by the convenience of the board. The idea of the board is as subtle as having a door on every classroom. The board promotes opportunities to create. It is a canvas to place ideas for the entire room to see. With this technological tool possibilities of education are multiplied. Though the slateboard was introduced hundreds of years ago, it is still relevant inside education.

             

"Internet Videos inside the English Classroom"

            Inside any classroom YouTube can be an enormous distraction. Unless this website is used correctly, and academically by both the teacher, and the student. Many benefits can come from the proper use of YouTube during a lesson. So man performances, movie clips, and poetry reading are broadcasted on this website.

            Inside the English classroom many times Shakespeare is absolutely feared by students. Any age level can and will struggle with reading Shakespeare. Reading the text line for line is not the only step of fully being able to understand each play. YouTube gives the teacher access to many performances. During a lesson on Shakespeare video clips of specific scenes can be streamed. This stream can happen directly in the classroom. The teacher will have this at his or he fingertips. They will be able to access this whenever the discussion or lesson needs this assistance.

            More importantly YouTube is portable. Smart devices, televisions, and computers all have access to YouTube. This allows for students to gain access outside the classroom. Shakespeare and live poetry can be viewed in the comfort of the student’s home. During a paper he or she may watch actual performers acting out each scene. Questions of emotion, and or point of view will be shown to the student. YouTube allows for the student to pause and rewind. The student will be able to become familiar with a specific visual from the play. This will add one more tool to deliver the information to the student.

            Yes, there are inaccurate videos posted on YouTube. Yes, the need to watch “cat” videos is always provoking the viewer. However, this website needs to be used inside the classroom. More importantly it needs to be used inside the English classroom. This can benefit most discussions held. Shakespeare was only one small example. Any lesson can have video support. Most of the support can be found on this website. It is the responsibility of the teacher to use YouTube responsibly. Show the students how they can benefit from typing inside the video search bar.

           

"Shutting off the Lights"

            During a recent mini lesson I understood the importance of showing films in class. I was helping a 6^th grade student with the novel holes. After he finished the novel we were having a “book-club” discussion. Going over the characters and getting the plot sorted out. After we were able to understand out the plot, it was easier to uncover thematic tropes. I realized the movie version would be so beneficial for beginning this lesson.

            Novels may introduce fear into the student. Maybe during the reading they skimmed and or skipped a few chapters. Showing the film adaptation can only benefit. The students will be able to see that characters they have spent a few hundred pages with come to life on a screen. Following the plot may become easier if the movie stays true to the text. Commonalities between the movie and the text will only benefit a classroom setting.

            Also, if the text and movie differ this too is a plus. Discussions on changes the movie has made can enhance classroom discussions. Choices the director has made can introduce students to cinematic terms. A lesson that was based on a novel now has become a lesson that integrated film to the students. Popular actors can invite the students to take more liking to the novel. Even book covers that use the movie poster can influence the student to choose a particular novel.

            Many may feel showing DVDs and movies may take away from class time. Yes, some may checkout once the lights go off and the movie begins to play. There is the same risk of loosing the same number of students during a regular class discussion. Guided notes may help to keep the students engaged. Showing movies in the English and or any classroom will help connect a lesson to popular culture.

"Importance of Proofreading"

            Spell-check has changed since it was first introduced to the world of word processing. Everyone has fallen victim to depending on spell check. For myself I type freely. I never have a fear of hitting the incorrect key, because in the end spell-check will fix my mistakes. As a future educator I know modern technology is making spelling easier to be corrected. Phones, email, and word processors all come equipped with “autocorrect”. Students need to feel comfort when away from this advance in technology. Spell-check only fixes misspelled words. At times it may even assume the word was another word. In the middle and high school level students need to be able to proofread their assignments.

            As any student finishes a paper he or she clicks the “spelling & grammar” key. Once all these corrections are made he or she is satisfied with the finished product. We all have fallen into this trap. For graduation to my community college we needed to type an essay. Spell-check was turned off. This made me slow my thoughts. I proofread carefully. I made sure that each word was properly chosen. The process for writing became much more natural at this point.

            As an aspiring educator I want build the importance of proofreading. I want my students to use spell-check, not abuse it. I want them to feel spell-check is only the first step of proofreading his or her own text. I don’t want them to take their first draft and hit spell-check and call that a revision. It is important for any class. I will be responsible for the English class. This does not mean I wont take responsibility how my future students proofread work in any and all other classes. Professional emails, acceptance letters, and mid-term essays should all be given more respect than a simple click of a computer key.

            My goal will be to have my students want to produce a stronger essay. I want them to take pride in what they create. If they won’t take the time to read it more than once then why should anyone else?

"The comforting Beanbag"

            Smart Phones, Smart Boards, and computers are all an arm length away of many future educators. The word technology has been uttered and always relates to electronics. At first sight or thought of technology many people begin the conversation with the new “gadget”. I noticed something during a recent conversation I had with a 7^th grade language arts teacher. Her room had IPads, a smart board, and multiple computers. Aside from these advances she drew our conversation to three specific areas of her room.

            Among these areas were three small carpets. Each carpet had a beanbag-chair and a bookshelf. Each of these stations was designated for silent reading. Not a sound was allowed to come from these stations. It was up to the students when they wished to use these stations. This made my mind go off on a tangent.

            As I thought about the room I instantly thought about the age of the students. They are figuring out who they are. Students in the middle school level are willing to challenge any form of authority. They feel they are trapped in a panopticon where they are monitored and restricted. The desks they sit in are where they are expected to stay. Freedom from these desks introduces liberation and rebellion to these students. Not all technology needs to have a battery. These stations have beanbags. The beanbags are a form of technology associated with leisure and comfort. They allow for relaxation to occur. Inside a classroom small efforts and ideas can build the environment we as educators are attempting to create.

            As I stated in an earlier post, technology can be as simple as a pen. Technology in the classroom can also be as comforting as a beanbag. Through these minor changes to a classroom an educator can build that safe environment for the student. A desk is a good way to keep peace within a classroom. Once that respect is built the student can now feel the liberation of treating that classroom as a shared place. Subtleties in technology allow for creativity to progress these ideas.