Tuesday, July 14, 2015

#CyberPD: Digital Reading, Ch. 3-5


This summer I am again joining in the amazing community and discussion of #cyberPD hosted by Cathy Mere of Reflect and Refine, Michelle Nero of Literacy Learning Zone, and Laura Komos. This summer's book is Digital Reading: What's Essential in Grades 3-8Click here to read more about #cyberPD or click here to join the Google+ discussion group!

Digital Reading: Reflections on Ch. 3-5


These three middle chapters address the question of "What really matters?" in three different ways: authenticity (chapter 3), intentional decision making (chapter 4), and connectedness (chapter 5). For me, this really gets into the heart of the book. I already know the what/why of digital reading, so I was excited to jump into to figuring out more about the HOW.

"Authenticity is about choice and ownership" (page 31). Exactly. It's that two-way street of giving kids choice (in reading, in response, in digital tools, etc.) and showing them how to take ownership over those decisions. This then leads towards the idea that "Focusing on the learning rather than the tool created a more authentic workshop" (page 37). Kids want to know why they are doing something in addition to knowing what they need to do.

That said, there is value in limiting the number of choices (here, the number of digital tools) available and making sure that kids know how to use them well.

Tools I Already Use


In my early years of teaching, I used digital tools primarily for having kids type up finished work, including writing pieces and social studies projects. We used Microsoft Word for typing and PowerPoint for sharing presentations, research, and interactive poetry.

Last year, I started using Kid Blog with my students for the first time (read, We are Bloggers). We connected with several other classrooms in other countries as part of the Global Read Aloud and continued those connections during the year.

We also did our first Mystery Skype with another class and had a Skype author visit with the delightful Tara Lazar on World Read Aloud Day.

Tools I Want to Learn More About


I have been introduced to many more wonderful digital tools through this book group and my PLN. These are on the top of my to-implement list. Please advise!
  • Google Drive and other Google apps. I only just figured out that I have access to the Google Apps for Education suite via our school email accounts. After years of frustration with flash drives and third graders (if you can imagine it, it can go wrong), I'm ready for the cloud!
  • Evernote. My other professional development book group this summer is focusing on Digital Student Portfolios, and Evernote keeps coming up as an easy way to organize student information and share it in real-time with parents.
  • Twitter. I set up a class twitter account mid-way through the last school year, but never did anything with it with my students. I would love to get them active on Twitter. I also pioneered a hashtag, #3rdfor3rd, to highlight books third graders recommend for other third graders. I'd love to get some more classes involved in using it too! (Other third grade or even 2nd-5th grade classes who want to connect? Come find us at @KidLogonauts.)
  • Padlet. I set up a Padlet account and then never used it. This seems to be one that teachers use more frequently with devices rather than laptops, which is what I have access to. Still having problems visualizing how to run a read aloud while kids are also able to access a collective Padlet.
  • Haiku Deck. I like the ability to easily work with images here but may just stick with Google Slides as a first introduction to this type of tool.
  • I am also really interested in building a strong, curated list of suitable research web sites for kids, like Franki describes on page 82. Much of our research revolves around our social studies curriculum of learning about different countries. So far, we have mostly stuck to our local library database, World Book Online (subscription required), and Encyclopedia Britannica Online (subscription).


Stop by our giveaway, running all week long!

16 comments:

  1. Oh, I LOVE the graphic you created to showcase your digital tools! You have inspired me to try and make my own. As a teacher educator, I think it would be a great way to introduce ourselves and connect within and outside our courses....and lead to a great discussion on how our students already have these connections as well. Thank you for the inspiration!

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    1. Thanks, Stephanie! I look forward to seeing your graphic too. I know the point of this book isn't that tool itself shouldn't matter, but we also won't have kids using different tools if we don't know about them, right?

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  2. There were some great resources of online research sites in Chapter Four, Katie, like Wonderopolis and National Geographic Kids, and I hope you'll find more. I check this site often, hope it will be helpful in your search: http://www.freetech4teachers.com Sounds as if you have much tech available, but it's a challenge trying to do many things, plus all the rest.

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    1. I forgot, but I too love that graphic, Katie!

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    2. Thanks, Linda! I haven't spent too much time on Wonderopolis, since I don't teach math or science, but I am definitely on the lookout for good leads. Thanks for the tech web site too - will certainly check it out!

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  3. Thank you for the reminder that "there is value in limiting the number of choices (here, the number of digital tools) available and making sure that kids know how to use them well." I get overwhelmed with the number of choices, and having to learn new apps and software. And then to turn around and incorporate them....ARGH! I have started a Padlet account, and I am going to use it for a digital "current events" assignment. I will link 2-3 articles and let my grade 4 students choose one to read, and the they can comment directly on the Padlet. I am moving to grade 4 and wanted to someone do current events, but I know few of them will have access to a daily newspaper. So...there you go.

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    1. That sounds like a great compromise, Lisa! Plus it gives you some control over the articles/content, which can be important for current events at the fourth grade, while also giving kids choice and an authentic audience!

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  4. We definitely have to connect our classes more in the upcoming school year. Which book will you read for #GRA?

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    1. Absolutely, Erika! I was planning to do the Amy Krause Rosenthal author study. She has so many amazing books that could lead to great discussions. I enjoyed Edward Tulane last year but it took a LOT of time.

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    2. Hmm, had not even really considered that choice- will look at it again. I LOVE her books, so it could be awesome.

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    3. We had Tom Lichtenheld for a school-wide author visit a few years ago, and he was amazing. My third graders in particular got SO into his books, and many of them are collaborations with Amy.

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  5. Katie,
    I think you shifted the question to the one that many have right now when you said you understand the what/why of digital technology, but need to think about the HOW. As I move from blog to blog I'm enjoying the conversation around this HOW. It's nice to have a group to help think through this tricky part in our next steps. We're obviously all digital readers/writers ourselves, but how do we support our students in this journey?

    Thanks for sharing all of the things you are considering in these next steps.

    Cathy

    P.S. I have to agree with everyone --- loved the graphic.

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    1. Thanks, Cathy! I too am really enjoying the conversations around the how. So many new tools to try!

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  6. Love the graphic! How did you do that? And I love the point you make about limiting the number of choices. I find that when I do that, the skills transfer once they know a few well. Now for deciding which few to kick off the year with. The hashtag idea is powerful. We were talking about playing with a school hashtag this coming year to share books. Would love to start participating with the 3rd grade hashtag. What a great idea to connect classrooms and to get to know more books.

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    1. Awesome! I have not done Twitter with the kids yet, but I think the #3rdfor3rd hashtag would be a great way to introduce Twitter and it's ability to communicate. I would love it if your class would join us in that!

      As for the graphic, I put it together in Photoshop, but there are a lot of other collage programs out there. I know a lot of people like PicMonkey for free collages.

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