FEEDBACK--The most powerful innovation that enhances student achievement. . . . . . by Sheryl

Since research tells us that the simplest prescription for improving education is providing feedback to our students, let's examine some recommendations in Chapter 2.
The use of word processing applications for feedback was new learning for me. I still have so much to learn about the capabilities and features on our word processors. I checked this one out and its great for feedback on student writing. Track Changes and Insert Comments was really easy to use and looks like a simple tool that you and your students would enjoy! Pages 42 & 43 explain it in comprehensible language for all of us digital immigrants.
The chapter also reviews data collection tools, such as classroom response systems and grading software. One idea was to have students share their thoughts with a partner (Think-Pair-Share) before clicking the answer. They also encourage teachers to use the response systems as a springboard for discussions with students. Online quizzes, games, and simulations are great tools for immediate feedback. Pages 51 & 52 give us a sampling of good resources for math, science, and language skills. If anyone wants to share others they are using, please let us know!
Communication software (blogs, wikis, e-mail, instant messaging, and video conferencing) is another great tool that facilitates immediate feedback to our students. Each type has distinct classroom applications. There are plenty of great examples of these tools and their uses in the chapter.
Just remember that the more immediate the feedback, the greater its impact on student behavior. Technology is especially effective for this powerful, instructional strategy.

Slowly but Surely

I have switched from a Smart Board to a Mobi and feel like I am starting over....the Mobi definitely takes some getting used to. I have all my "I Can" statements typed on the computer as well as interactive websites that go with our lessons. These are projected so that the kids can work with them. I need to practice more with the Mobi so that I can deliver the instruction better to the students!

Document Camera by Ginny

I started to use the document camera! My students are engaged and love seeing their work on the BIG SCREEN. At this point, I need time to practice in order to maximize its potential.

Poetry and Technology by Chanelle

My topic for our literacy unit is "Weather Poems". I have made PowerPoints for each poem and I have been able to use our new projector/screen to share them more effectively with my students for our Shared Reading activities.
My students respond well to poetry, especially poems that rhyme and use onomatopoeia . I have added animation and pictures to the poem presentations and this aids in their comprehension of the content . This also increases their enjoyment of reading and their motivation to read when the text is presented in this format . They also enjoy seeing the poems that they compose on the "big screen". Poetry is great for helping them to become more fluent readers !

Kay

I'm so excited that we have so many teachers who are interested in participating in the BBE blog on technology and are reading the book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. When I observe in classrooms, I see significantly increased levels of student engagement in learning when technology is being used. Even reluctant readers appear eager when they have access to the teacher's phonic ear microphone or they are listening to a narrator read a book on the computer and then are able to read the story for themselves. It is not suprising that there is data which suggests computer assisted instruction can be the difference between success and failure for some of our neediest students.

In chapters 1-3 of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the instructional strategies of setting objectives, providing feedback, and providing recognition all come with practical recommendations for word processing applications, using organizing and brainstorming software, ( including software like Kidspiration, which we have available on all computers,) data collection tools, web resources, and communication tools. In chapter 1 I especially liked the suggestion that teachers have students create a KWHL chart to prompt them to record what they know, what they want to learn, how they plan to learn it and what they learned. There are simple directions about how to make the chart in Microsoft Word which can then be e-mailed to parents or transform it into a Web page that could be added to your Web site. Also in chapter 1 there are several online survey Web sites that I wasn't aware of that make gathering data quick and easy. (See page 26.)

In chapter 2, there are some good suggestions for Web sites that can be used to practice various skills. For example,www.mathplayground.com/index.html is recommended for K-6 students and www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise is also suggested as a good resource for games and quizzes in both math and language skills for grades K-6.

Finally, in chapter 3, there are several resources for providing recognition for students both on the Web and in the form of a certificate or greeting card. Check out the Audio E-mail information on pages 66-67. Think how excited your students would be to hear your voice congratulating them on a job well done via an e-mail message to their parents.

It's inspiring to know we have so many teachers who are willing to learn more about how to use technology as a teaching tool. Thank you to all who are participating in the very first professional learning community blog at BBE!

Reading larger numbers

To get the kids excited about larger numbers, I went to the US Census Bureau website. They display the US and World populations and you can also find the population for any city in the US. I showed it on the screen with the projector. They loved it! They especially loved it when the population changed as they were reading and writing the number. Patti

Reading Counts

We have a new Reading Counts program in the library this year. The students will have a new login and password. The login is their lunch number and the password is humble. Taking tests in the program is a great way for students to test their comprehension.