using computer technology to promote improved learning and behavior for all students dr. stein...

Using Computer Technology to Promote Improved Learning and Behavior

for all Students

Dr. Stein Brunvand & Dr. Sara Byrd

University of Michigan-Dearborn

http://umdedtech.wikispaces.com/

http://umdedtech.wikispaces.com/

[email protected] [email protected]

Agenda

• Students at risk … unique learning needs and need for specialized interventions

• Tools to make online content more accessible– Search tools

– TrackStar

– Diigo

– TidyRead

– vozMe

– VoiceThread


Classroom Challenges/Diverse Learners

• At-risk for school failure …

• 15-25% of school population

– Disabilities

– Poverty (free/reduced lunch)

– Limited family support

– Cultural differences

– Ineffective curriculum/instructional practices(Mercer & Mercer, 2005)


Learner Characteristics

• Poor academic achievement

• Attention problems

• Hyperactivity/impulsivity

• Memory

• Poor language abilities/skills (especially in the area of pragmatics)

• Depression/anxiety

• Lack of resiliency

• Low motivation

• Passive learning styles/habits (learned helplessness)


Instructional Goals for ALL Students

• Methods/strategies to increase …– Engagement

– Motivation

– Active learning

– Learner independence

– Learning success


Individualizing Instruction for Students with IEP’s

• Technology can be used to customize instruction for students with disabilities

• Individualization/differentiation … particularly as related to how students acquire and store new learning/information and how students express new learning

• Technology to enhance motivation, engagement


Google Custom Search Engine

• Select only the sites you want students to search

• Allow students to conduct keyword search of those pre-selected sites

• Remove annoying ads from search results

• Share search engine with others, collaborate on adding sites

• Example: Solar System Search Engine

• Example embedded in a Wiki: http://umdpractice.wikispaces.com/Search


Creating a Google Custom Search Engine

• Sign-up for Google account

• Identify initial websites

• Add sites

• Removing ads (use control panel under “business settings”)

• Sharing your search engine with others– Through direct URL

– Through embedding in Wiki or other website

– Editing the search engine/using the control panel


Assistive Search Tools

• Boolify: http://www.boolify.org/ – Scaffolds the boolean search process

• Quintara: http://quinturakids.com/ – Provides suggestions for keyword searches

• Qwiki: http://www.qwiki.com/– Provides search results in multimedia format


TrackStar

• Providing guided access to specific sites– http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/

– Create a “track” through a specific set of websites

– No keyword searching involved for students

– Provide guidance to students through comments added to each site

– Example: Track #426384

• Creating your own Track– Sign up for Trackstar account

– Write annotations/comments


Individualizing Instruction … Meeting Student Needs

• Normal clutter of keyword searches can be reduced

• Scaffolding provided to students to assist them in conducting effective searches for information

• Allows teacher to direct students to suitable websites based on reading level and other criteria


Diigo

• Social bookmarking tool– http://www.diigo.com

– Create a web-archive of saved sites

– Categorize sites by lists and keywords

– Easily share sites with others

– Add comments, notes and highlights to sites

– Teacher account available

– Demonstration



• Teachers can annotate a page to be shared with students in order to draw attention to specific information or guide learning

• Students can mark-up pages as they do research and find information online

• Supports students in the saving and archiving of sites/resources they find online


TidyRead

• Designed to make online content easier to read – http://www.tidyread.com/

– Remove the clutter of the web

– Minimize distractions from images, animations, and other multimedia

– Browser plugin available (works best this way)

– Example page: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2944.html


vozMe

• Quickly converts text to speech– http://vozme.com/index.php?lang=en

– Text-to-speech converter

– Also works best with browser plugin

– Use in conjunction with TinyRead or TrackStar

– Example page: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2944.html



• Students can make individual choices on how to view/listen to content based on need

• Teachers can make online (and offline) content more accessible regardless of reading ability

• Can empower students to customize their learning experience as needed


VoiceThread

• Create conversations around– Images

– Videos

– Documents

– Power Point slides

• A demo is worth a thousand words– http://voicethread.com/


Comment Options

• Students can comment by…– Recorded voice

– Webcam (captures both video and audio)

– Typed response

– Phone recording (if you don’t have microphones)

– Uploaded file (with a pre-recorded message)


Benefits of Comment Features

• Enables authentic participation/student “voice”

• Reading difficulties mitigated by audio features

• Writing difficulties minimized by using recording options

• Multisensory learning experience (e.g., reading text is paired w/ audio supports; typing text is paired with recording response)


Benefits of Comment Features

• Students actively engaged

• Self-paced (affords time to formulate response)

• Student responses can be “moderated”; reduces/eliminates errors in responding (reduces/eliminates embarrassment)

• Reduces feelings of inadequacy b/c “level playing field”; promotes student/learning success


Classroom Account

• Details on a Classroom Account– http://voicethread.com/pricing/k12/

– $60 per year

– Unlimited VoiceThreads

– Create/manage student accounts (no e-mail required)

– VoiceThreads automatically private to class

– Students can create own VoiceThreads


Making a VoiceThread

• Create an account

• Upload media (images, Power Point, video clips etc.)

• Add comments/prompts/directions

• Share with students



• Instructional input/output can be adjusted to meet learning styles/preferences

• Students are able to share their voice – despite learning limitations

• Increased motivation when work is shared w/ others/source of pride

• Visually stimulating but also can control “clutter”

• Self-paced/individualized wait time

• Increased competence/self-confidence


Thank you!

Stein Brunvand ([email protected])

Sara Byrd

([email protected])

using computer technology to promote improved learning and behavior for all students dr. stein...

Documents

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direct students

searchallow students

assistive search toolsboolify

boolean search processquintara

keyword searchesqwiki

improved learning

risk unique learning