Plainfield: Cohort 2: Day 1
Plainfield School District Tagged CMSCE, ELL, ESL, Plainfield, UDL June 11th, 2008Well if you’ve made it as far as this blog then you’ve made it past the first couple of hours of UDL training. Congratulations! You now have the basic understanding that Universal Design for Learning is the framework for something that you’ve been working so hard as an educator to do for your students this year and possibly for many years past as well.
Please read the article, “Burbank Students Use Blog to Learn English”, by Kim Minugh found at http://www.sacbee.com/220/story/846880.html and comment on the digital project that Larry Ferlazzo designed in collaboration with other educators to help his students learn to become more fluent in English.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I thought the article was interesting in that it incorporated technology into learning. It allowed children from all over get a first hand feel for a different country by talking and typing to them. this allows students who are not proficient in a specific language or skill to participate and learn information.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I think that all schools should be able to “chat’ with students all aver the world. It is a valuable learning experience that can teach students about other countries. Students at times relate better to kids their own age sometimes better than adults do.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am
The article was an interesting and engaging way to have the students apply both technology and the acquired new language of English to communicate with students through out the world. This applies a tangible, timely need to acquire the skills.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I think the article was interesting. Mr. Ferlazzo found a great way to get students motivated and excited about learning English. Students are not only learning English, but have the opportunity to learn about different cultures.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:42 am
The idea of using technology to assist Language Learners acquire a second language had its roots some 20 years ago. The development of technology connections like the one at Burbank High helps these diverse learners improve not only in language production but in the lexicon of the language. These is a great example of preparing school age children to become global learners and life long learners.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I see the teaching approach of having children blog and interact with children from across the world as a good thing for a number or reasons. They feel a part of the world and not just isolated in their little classroom world. They use advanced technology to do this and are not overwhelmed – it is just part of their life at the moment. This is an excellent usage of technology.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I found the article extremely helpful! This summer, I can spend time teaching my children how to correspond with other children in French. The use of the internet offers my children “real-life” experiences.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I was impressed with the level of enthusiam on the part of the students. They were able to infuse technology into their learning. The interaction between students of many countries and cultures became an impetus for learning.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Good technique to use. Our children love to use technology and this a a great way to improve their skills.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I think that this article is wonderful. This article shows how much the world has grown and how globally connected we really are and can be. This is especially so for ESL students. Students are able to interact with so many other students with different cultures and languages from theirs.
As an ESL teacher, I feel that this is innovative tool that is being used for the students. It allows the students to be interactive with their learning, as well as, holding the students accountable. They need to be able to write and pronounce the words correctively in order to communicate effectively.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am
It was great to see how the students were so engaged in what they were learning because of technology. The interaction between students from countries all over the world is an encouragement for learning. This project proves the power of technology for learning.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am
The article is inspiring. I believe engagement is the best teacher. In the blog strategy, the teacher is a guide. The students are independent learners. The first step of getting to know each other is important so that the students continue to be motivated when the teacher focuses their conversation on an academic topic. Students are thinking, reading, writing, viewing, and speaking. They gain a sense of confidence in their learning as they improve their communication skills. The blog also reinforces the students’ role in our global society as youth and future adult citizens.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I think is very exciting to use a blog as a tool in a classroom specially when working with ELL’s.
I used a blog at a graduate class. It was a very enriching and powerful experience. I can’t wait to learn how to create a blog and use it as a tool in my classroom
June 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I think this is a very good idea for upper grades only.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am
The students seem to be very excited. By connecting these students to students in other countries, the program validates the contributions of people from all cultures. Also, I often find that other ESL students understand what each other is saying much better than I do! So, this communication no doubts gives them a real boost.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I believe that “blogging” is a great tool that not only helps students express themselves in an engaging and authentic way, but also helps them develop their English skills and content knowledge in a non-threatening and interactive environment.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:50 am
This article is about using a blog as a tool to use by English learners in order to communicate in a very interactive way. Students from different countries can have the opportunity to interact in more independent way and without the teacher’s help. They do posting messages that they record and then they send to many other people around the world. Even for students who were not exposed to the technology this is a good way to help students to develop language in engaged way.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:50 am
I would love to use this in my classes.