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SOPHISTICATED SYNONYMS:
AN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY TO BE USED WITH STUDENTS’ MOBILE PHONES
Leona M. GrossCognition & Handheld Devices
Final PresentationAugust 11, 2011
Objectives
Students will: Practice using sophisticated words that will
help them replace over used, commonplace words in their vocabulary
Be able to use new words in the correct context
Recall and use words automatically Be exposed to words that they will need for
success on standardized tests (New York State ELA)
Realize valuable learning can occur outside of the classroom
Objectives
Teachers will be able to: Encourage students to learn when they are
not in the classroom Allow students more time to practice using
new words Assign fun and educational enrichment
assignments
Audience My NYC Public School Middle School students
(Ages 10-14) Students in my classes typically have a wide
range of skills. I teach students who: range from reading levels above grade level (Y-Z) to
years below grade level (M-N) are often struggling with writing traditionally love discovering and playing with new
words are enthusiastic about continuing their learning
outside of a classroom setting are preparing for a standardized test that serves as a
promotional criteria are mostly from lower-income families that are
traditionally at a much greater risk with regard to reading than their middle class counterparts (Revelle )
Audience
Middle School English teachers who: Would like to provide enrichment opportunities
for students Are familiar and comfortable using their
mobile phones to text students Need more time to practice literacy skills than
the school day allows Using mLearning and mobile phones can address this need
Learning Theories:Why mLearning?
“Mobile technologies are becoming more embedded, ubiquitous and networked… Such technologies can have a great impact on learning. Learning will move more and more outside of the classroom and into the learner’s environments, both real and virtual, thus becoming more situated, personal, collaborative and lifelong. The challenge will be to discover how to use mobile technologies to transform learning into a seamless part of daily life to the point where it is not recognized as learning at all” (Naismith, 2004, p. 5).
mLearning directly addresses my need for more time to practice by allowing students to continue using words outside of the classroom with some guidance from me via text
Why use mobile phones?
“Whereas mobile devices including PDAs, handhelds or small laptops are relatively expensive and consequently lack availability especially amongst pupils—the core advantage of mobile phones is the high availability of such devices…It can be emphasized that the majority of the population in general and the younger in particular have a mobile phone available, which they have at hand most of the time” (Holzinger 2010, p. 1).
Enrichment activities using mobile phones are more accessible to all
Applied Learning Theories
Behaviorist “Activities that promote learning as a change in
learners’ observable actions” (Naismith 2004, p. 2).
Informal & Lifelong Learning “Activities that support learning outside a dedicated
learning environment and formal curriculum” (Naismith 2004, p.3)
Collaborative “Activities that support learning through social
interaction” (Naismith 2004, p. 10)
Changes
Game Texting activity Most of my students have phones, many even have
Blackberries, but ALL do not have smart phones so a game was not practical for all students to access
Many students have phones they use to text, so they would be able to participate in a texting activity
I’ve designed a Technology Survey to be administered during the first week of school to learn more about my students’ access to mobile technology
Possible challenges that I plan to uncover with the survey: Majority of the students do not have mobile phones; students do not have unlimited text messaging plans
Changes
Game Enrichment learning activity using phone: I’m not a gamer, so I don’t really know how to
design video games that are fun or educational The goal of the game was to teach and allow for
practice of new words, as well as to be enjoyable too broad
I am a teacher, so I designed a learning activity using mobile phones in order to address an issue I encounter each year in my classroom… NOT ENOUGH TIME to really practice using new words
This activity is designed to support and enrich teaching and learning that already occurs in my classroom
Use Case Scenario
Step #1: Learning happens in the classroom:
Students’ initial exposure to words would be in the classroom in the traditional manner
Text message activity would be enrichment. Those who want to participate get extra credit (Traditional in class and homework assignments would still be provided.)
Use Case Scenario Step #2: Enrichment Activity
begins with teacher sending “Text Task” Teacher sends students “Text
Task” (that includes task and parameters) after the school day has ended
“Text Tasks” can be sent daily, weekly, etc.
Behaviorist Theory (push factor)
Possible Modification: Teacher creates a class group using “Group Me” so all students can receive each other’s replies and work on tasks together
Collaborative Theory
T
Text Task: Respond with 3 synonyms for the word “bad.” You have until
8pm!
Leona8/7/2011 3:30 PM
Use Case Scenario
Step #3: Students reply to “Text Task”
Students receive “Text Task” after school has ended
Students follow instructions and reply to “Text Task” using Sophisticated Synonyms they learned in class
Informal/Lifelong Learning
WilWW88Terrible, atrocious, Inadequat
e
Chynna8/7/2011 7:32 PM
Use Case Scenario
Step # 4: Teacher responds to text message with feedback and records credit:
Feedback depends on parameters of the task
Behaviorist Theory Possible Problem:
Keeping track of student points if receiving text messages while away from grade book/system could be confusing
Bonus points can be awarded privately or publicly
Leona8/7/2011 3:30 PM
Excellent work! You earned 1 bonus point!
Leona8/7/ 2011 8:04 PM
Examples of “Text Tasks”
Individual Work: Respond with 3 synonyms for the word “nice” Describe the book you are using without using the
word “good” Describe your best friend using 2 sophisticated
synonyms and context clues as evidence
Team Work (Using Group Me): As a class create a 20 word Synonym String for the
word “interesting.” You have 30 minutes! The first 5 people to text me 2 synonyms for the word
“important” get bonus points. Collaborative Theory
Summary
Word work is important and fun…but in my classroom we don’t always have as much time for it as we need mLearning and mobile phones can help address this problem by allowing us the extra time to practice outside of the school day
The Behaviorist, Collaborative and Informal & Lifelong Learning theories apply to this activity
The use of mobile phones, as well as the possibility to earn extra credit, would serve as motivation to complete the tasks
Sources
Naismith, L., Lonsdale, P., Vavoula, G., & Sharples, M. (2004). Literature Review in Mobile Technologies and Learning. Future Lab Series, 11, 1-44
Holzinger, A., Nischelwitzer, A., & Meisenberger, M. (2010). Lifelong-Learning Support by M-learning: Example Scenarios. eLearn Research Papers, 1-4
Revelle, G. ( ) Mobile Technologies in Support of Young Children’s Learning.
Thanks to everyone for all of
your valuable
feedback, suggestion
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!