Integrating Educational Technology in the Secondary English Classroomby Ioan Elvis Sersea

Enabling students of diverse educational backgrounds and

skills through cooperative learning activities in a 1-computer

classroom

How will technology be used?

Tutoring and drills complementing material already covered in class via software or internet resources. For example, after a chapter on Greek mythology, students would visit the following site: http://encarta.msn.com/quiz/quiz.asp?QuizID=92

Whole class demonstrations by teacher or student presenters

Research and production of assignments by cooperative learning groups

Software Tools Necessary for Success

Word Processing: Microsoft Word used for group publication of project

Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel used by students to create charts and graphs for group presentations or projects and by teacher to keep accurate records of grades as seen here: http://www.its.msstate.edu/Information/Documentation/files/grades.xls

Database: Microsoft Works or Apple Works to be used by teacher to keep individual records and track progress for each student

Instructional Software Necessary for Success

Drill and Practice for Latin and Greek-based vocabulary study using Hungry-Frog Latin and Homeric Greek (http://www.hungryfrog.com/classics.html)

Tutorial in English grammar: English 101 (http://www.englishgrammar101.com/v46/onCD.asp)

Instructional Games (word-find, word-scramble, bingo, vocabulary flash cards, generated by cooperative groups for whole class to use - http://

www.educationalpress.org/educationalpress/)

Harnessing the newest internet educational offerings

Students can get supplemental information on the setting of literary readings by participating in online virtual field trips or photo slide shows at http://homeworkspot.com/fieldtrip/

Students can participate in online discussions, extra-credit activities, and polls at the website I created for them: http://www.geocities.com/maestrosersea/school

Technology Integration Strategies for the secondary English student

Specific vocabulary words can be assigned to cooperative groups or individuals using the Webster’s website (http://www.m-w.com/home.htm) and the information can then be presented in front of the class

Author backgrounds can be researched and presented to other students. Take Shakespeare, for example: http://www.bardweb.net/

Secondary English Instruction Standards

State-mandated instruction standards must be followed in every secondary English Classroom in order to ensure proper and equal access to education by all students.

The California Standards for Curriculum and Instruction for English can be reviewed here:

http://www.cde.ca.gov/cdepress/lang_arts.pdf

Student Production Using the classroom computer connected to a

projector, cooperative groups or individual students can present their research and completed projects to the rest of the class incorporating visual and audio realia.

Using a word processor, students can publish their work neatly and correctly.

Students can also create their own websites as part of assignments or extra-credit:

http://www.geocities.com/maestrosersea/students

Students with Special Needs in the Secondary English Classroom

Students with Learning Disabilities can use assistive technology like WizCom’s Reading Pen(http://www.wizcomtech.com/index.php3), to read, hear, and learn definitions of words.

Students with Dyslexia or other learning impediments that prevent them from writing longer research papers can use Microsoft Word XP’s dictation features.

Internet-Based Technology

Online video and audio Tele-learning is now possible for secondary English students who can work individually or in groups to access lessons on particular skills: http://www.brainpop.com/english/seeall.weml