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SOPHISTICATED SYNONYMS: AN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY TO BE USED WITH STUDENTS’ MOBILE PHONES Leona M. Gross Cognition & Handheld Devices Final Presentation August 11, 2011

Leona final presentation revised

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Page 1: Leona final presentation revised

SOPHISTICATED SYNONYMS:

AN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY TO BE USED WITH STUDENTS’ MOBILE PHONES

Leona M. GrossCognition & Handheld Devices

Final PresentationAugust 11, 2011

Page 2: Leona final presentation revised

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

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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

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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, 2009, p. 265-66).

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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.)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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. (2009). Mobile Technologies in Support of Young Children's Learning . In A. Druin (Eds.), Mobile Technology for Children: Designing for Interaction and Learning (265-285). Birmingham, MA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers

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Thanks to everyone for all of

your valuable

feedback, suggestion

s and assistance

!