reThinking Literacy 2017

So what is Computational Thinking? Simply put it is a set of diverse problem solving skills that are traditionally associated with computing and programming. In this session we will explore how computational thinking can be viewed through a literacy lens looking explicitly at storytelling, creativity and collaboration from an early years perspective. Come along and play, share and collaborate in this hands on session.

Workshops focus:
1:  Where does the Literacy in computational thinking lie?
2:  Simple steps to becoming a bot coding ninja!

All of the workshop resources can be viewed here - https://padlet.com/nicifoote/Compthink 

In this workshop I will explain how I use the app and website Flipgrid (flipgrid.com) to promote student voice in Reading and Writing Workshop. With Flipgrid, students can make video responses to teacher questions about the books they are reading. The responses are then collected on a webpage that can be embedded into a class or school blog. In this workshop I will:

• show example Q and A grids from my Grade 4 Tokyo International School class and other classes

• give step-by-step instructions on how to set up, maintain and embed grids

• demonstrate how Flipgrid can support specific Reading and Writing Workshop lessons
  
  

Spelling has never been more important, people who misspell in digital interactions are assumed to be at best lacking in intelligence, at worst ignorant and incompetent. Unfortunately most schools, still rely on 19th century strategies to teach spelling. This needs to change, it’s time to teach spelling the way it should be taught in the 21st Century.

Link to resources here.

Interested in the research showing the link between the way our brains process face recognition and the way our brains process word recognition? Read this. 

Teaching in the 21st century requires a vastly different and expanding skill set. An abundance of enticing tech tools, with promises of transformational teaching and learning, allow teachers to redefine pedagogical possibilities. This workshop will showcase how a selection of easy to use applications for mobile and web-based platforms can enhance teaching and learning in literacy lessons. With reference to SAMR and TPACK models, participants will be informed, and inspired to implement fresh ideas using tech tools including Nearpod, Flipgrid, Kahoot, Plickers, AutoDraw, Touchcast, Padlet (exploring updated features) and ThingLink to design digital learning experiences that engage students, facilitate collaboration, empower student voice, spark creativity, and incorporate formative assessment strategies.

If you would like to revisit the PowerPoint from this session, you can access it via Google Drive using this link: Pedagogical Possibilities: Tech Tools for Teachers Presentation

The pin code to access the self-paced version of the NearPod lesson used in the presentation is NAVWH. Nearpod URL: https://nearpod.com/

Don't forget you can leave a recording on the reThinking Literacy FlipGrid Grid: https://flipgrid.com/rethinkinglit

This workshop, with its focus on the Early Years, will showcase different ways to use and combine certain apps to enhance literacy development in our youngest learners. Bookmaking, creating narratives, story-retelling, and different approaches to oral reflection are just some of the areas of literacy that will be covered in this session. Kindergarten students enjoy using technology; quality apps can provide interesting ways for our students to show what they know and capture their thinking.

Apps we will be looking at include: Drawing Pad, Puppet Edu, Puppet Pals, Sock Puppets, Doodlecast Pro

Slides here. 

Resources

I used slideshare to host the slides. Here's the link: 

https://www.slideshare.net/BethPowell2/using-technology-to-create-breakthroughs-for-struggling-readers-and-writers-75933590

What's Changed
App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/developer/accessible-publishing-systems-pty-limited/id919855899

Nessy 
video: https://youtu.be/2hTJNX1eswc
website: https://www.nessy.com/

Readable English
video: https://youtu.be/twu-O0mquJQ
website: https://www.readablenglish.com/

Google Fluency
video: https://youtu.be/P-o7IAJi32I
website: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/fluency-tutor%C2%AE-for-google/ejajakfhhhhkifioabcekjjlhpoiijfa

Sentence Builder (and more!)
website: http://mobile-educationstore.com/

Hamaguchi Apps
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyyzZxOt9BA
website: http://www.hamaguchiapps.com/

Wordless Books
video: https://youtu.be/rxmSpQqKUU0

Inspiration and Kidspiration
video: https://youtu.be/L0St1eRzjYY
website: http://www.inspiration.com/

Grammarly (have kids track their errors and decide what they want to focus on improving; teach how to decide when to change word choice)
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15NXrnyT2HM
website: https://www.grammarly.com/

Ginger
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7QAttWf9oY
website: http://www.gingersoftware.com/grammarcheck#.WRblOOUrLD4

Providing feedback to our students can feel like an arduous task. We all know the research, feedback is in the top ten influences on student achievement (Hattie, 2011). As educators, we are consistently making choices about why, how and when we provide feedback to our students. How do we balance the input of our workload and the output in student achievement? In this interactive workshop participants will walk away with fresh tools and learn about feedback in both an online and face to face environment. Participants will explore:

- Why providing consistent, timely feedback is crucial for student growth

- How various digital platforms enhance student ownership and growth of learning