Using Wordle in an English Classroom

            Wordle is a great software that can be used in an English classroom when teaching several different topics. Wordle.net is a free website that serves as a cloud generator to produce a picture with words. For example, if a student wrote a paragraph, they could copy and paste it into the textbox on this website and the software would generate the words to create a picture using words. The words appear in all directions: horizontal, vertical, diagonal. The words that are used most frequently in the text appear the biggest. For this reason, this software would work particularly well when students need to identify the theme of a passage. Since the size of the words defines repetition and the frequency of the word, students could identify the theme of a passage with the biggest words.
            If I instructed my students to write a paper, this software could be used for feedback. For example, just by copying and pasting a paragraph into the software, the students are able to get a sense of how frequent they repeat certain words without even noticing it. Once the student notices that they have repeated a word several times, they can go back and edit their essays either by coming up with synonyms or deleting sentences.
           Another feature that I like about this software is that students are about to transform their words into a shape. For example, if students write a story about their love for coffee, they can actually design a mug with the words used in their essay. They also have the option to edit the colors, size, and font of their words.
            Not only can this software be used in an English class, but it could be used in other content areas. I particularly think this software would make a great lesson when combining both Art and English. 

Collaboration Canvas

         I decided to remix my major, English, with a Social Studies unit. The original Social Studies unit focused on the changing ideologies of race and culture. Creating a Remix canvas was a difficult task because the widgets were not cooperating.
       In order to recognize change, it is essential to understand how different races and cultures were treated years ago and how they are treated today. For this particular unit, I wanted my students to focus on the Holocaust; therefore, they will read Karen Levine's Hana's suitcase. I am aware that this novel only covers the Holocaust; however, I am assuming that other cultures will be covered in following units. After reading, analyzing, and discussing Levine's novel and videos, students will compose an essay where they compare and contrast how ideologies have changed over time, relating to researched statistics, articles, videos, and the novel.
        I kept the all of the pictures, the video, and most of the additional resources. I decided to remove the "Sit-in movement" resource, because I wanted to focus more on the Holocaust. That is why I added a link to an introduction on the Holocaust and a website about Hana's life. I added a summary and a trailer to the documentary which is based on the novel. Also, I removed the "What are demographic factors?" resource, because I thought it was too vague. I added a clip of people expressing how they feel about being discriminated and their opinions on whether or not they have seen change.
   
     

http://www.play.annenberginnovationlab.org/play2.0/challenge.php?idChallenge=2704&mode=view#network6

Using GoAnimate in an English Classroom

            It is absolutely essential to keep in mind that every student’s attention must be grabbed when conducting a lesson; therefore, teachers should always remember to keep lessons relevant and interesting. This week, I was introduced to a website called “Go Animate,” which I definitely plan on using in my English classroom.
            In a matter of seconds, it is absolutely easy to create a FREE account with minimal information. Once registered, my students will have access to create animated videos. The students can select from several different characters, scenes, songs, and texts. For example, if I were teaching my students a novel or play, I could have them select a chapter or scene and create a video based on their interpretation. I would be able to assess the students’ comprehension of the text based on their portrayal of the characters, setting selections, and diction used in the dialogue.
            On the homepage, there are several videos created by other users. This is a great way to show students an example of what their video might look like. Students are able to learn from each other’s videos. The homepage of this website resembles the homepage of YouTube, because users are able to access the top videos, recently added, most watched, most shares, etc. Since several students are already familiar with YouTube, this website shouldn't be too default to navigate through. Under the “Explore” tab, there is an option entitled “blog.” Here, anyone can access tutorials on how to create videos and use the website. This is particularly helpful for new users.
            I like this website because students are learning without even recognizing it. Also, since it is online, if the students do not finish working in class, they can easy pick up from where they left off from their home computers. Not only would this website be helpful in an English classroom, but it could definitely be used to teach any content area.

Website: http://goanimate.com/

Unit Plan Canvas

            Creating my canvas was a difficult task, because I constantly received “error” messages. I would attempt to drag a widget onto my canvas, and the widget would not appear. I had to restart my canvas twice, losing the work that I had already done. After a few failed attempts, I finally got the hang of it and creating my canvas was a breeze. I began by conducting all my research first: the NJCCCS and additional sources. I then searched for pictures and videos.
            In my unit, I will teach my twelfth grade students William Shakespeare’s The Twelfth Night. We will read, analyze, and understand the significance of the characters, settings, and events. With the help of the biography widget, the students will read about Shakespeare’s life to grasp a better understanding of who Shakespeare was as a writer. After the students are familiar with The Twelfth Night play and movie, I will introduce them to the 2006 movie “She’s the Man,” which is based off of the Twelfth Night. The students will read the “She’s the Man vs. Twelfth Night” widget to clarify on the similarities and differences between the two. The purpose of working with both works is that I want my students to realize that the stories that Shakespeare wrote about are still relevant and present today. Also, the introduction of a modern version of the Shakespeare's play will allow students to realize that reading Shakespeare “is not that scary.”

http://www.play.annenberginnovationlab.org/play2.0/challenge.php?idChallenge=2222&mode=view#network6