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Concurrent Summary
Overview & Objectives
Participants will --
1) Discover cool interactive websites that make learning literacy skills fun.
2) Learn how to use common computer programs in clever ways for reading and writing.
3) Learn how to go beyond write a report assignments to develop activities that require higher level thinking.
4) Expand their thinking about how the computer can be used in the classroom.
Outline
Cool Web Tools - 15 minutes - Tammy will provide a web page of links and will take participants on a quick tour of some of the interactive websites available for language arts. Activities for Reading - 15 minutes - Participants will learn how to use Inspiration (story maps, character analysis, etc.) and Microsoft Office(reading response journals, book review alternatives, etc.) to support reading skills. Student examples will be shared. Writing Activities - 30 minutes - Tammy will share dozens of clever student-publishing ideas that incorporate word processing, desktop publishing, and multimedia projects. (Mini-books, fact flippers, paper chain-of-events, TALL tales, etc.)
Supporting Research
Studies show the following 4 specific benefits for integrating technology into language arts instruction:
1) Create a risk-free learning environment.
2) Increase student empowerment.
3) Provide a meaningful context in which to practice skills.
4) Increase interest in reading and writing.
Presenter Background & Qualifications
For the past 8 years, I have worked for an educational service center (ESSDACK), where my job is to provide staff development and training in the area of technology integration. My web site Tammy's Technology Tips for Teachers (www.essdack.org/tips) is a popular online resource for teachers around the world. I have been recognized as being extremely innovative and resourceful. I specialize in finding unique and creative ways to use traditional computer programs in the classroom. I enjoy sharing my ideas with teachers throughout the nation and have a presentation style that has been described as inspiring. Participants leave my sessions energized and anxious to try out what they've learned! I have been a presenter at numerous Connected Classroom conferences and have been a featured or keynote speaker at statewide technology conferences in Kansas, Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Michigan. For several years, I also presented seminars for BER (Bureau for Educational Research).
Prerequisites
Prerequisites would include very basic computer skills and an open mind!
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