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

Using Cameras in an English Classroom

            I can still remember when my parents owned a bulky and heavy camera that wouldn’t allow them to see the outcome of the photos until developed. My parents then purchased a small silver Kodak digital camera; I can still recall my amazement when I discovered that I could see the photos after taking them. The idea of deleting unwanted pictures and developing only the ones I wanted fascinated me.

            Today, several people still use digital cameras, but many prefer to use the camera on their cell phones. It is a convenient portable device, and the photos can easily be sent to other people, posted on social media websites, and so much more. In my English classroom, I would love to incorporate cameras into my lessons.

           In the beginning of the school year, I could instruct my students to take pictures of their hobbies and the people that are important to them. They could then either develop the pictures or download them into their computers. The pictures would be used to create a collage about their lives. This would be a creative and fun way for students to express who they are. As a teacher, I could get a sense of who my students are, so that I could create lesson plans that are relevant to their lives.

          Cameras would be used for writing assignments as well. For example, for homework, I could instruct my students to take a picture of a landscape. I would then have them come in and write a Picture Prompt based on their picture. This way the students could feel more connected with their writing.
          I could also have my students use their cameras or cell phones to record a skit. The benefit of creating a skit is that it could be used to teach any novel or play. For example, if I were teaching Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, I would split my class up into groups and assign each group a theme. They would have to create a short film based on their interpretation of the novel, including setting, characters, clothing, props, accents, etc.
            Not only can cameras be used in an English classroom, but in any subject area classroom. Several students are constantly posting pictures on Instagram and Facebook; therefore, incorporating cameras into the classroom would allow students to realize that their hobbies and the outside world apply to school.  

Technology & Pedagogy

           I chose this lesson because I found the assignment to be a creative way to for students to demonstrate their understanding of a selected scene from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Reading Shakespeare’s works can be intimidating for students because of Shakespeare’s style of writing. Through acting and the use of technology, students will create a silent movie of their interpretation of a scene, paying close attention to the characters, setting, events, etc. This is an alternative way to assessing students’ understanding, without intimidating them with a written test or essay.   
            I found the teaching strategies to be effective because students are able to collaborate on an assignment that is modeled by the teacher through demonstration and discussion. Since the assignment is estimated to take three 45 minute class sessions, this provides the students with adequate time to communicate with each other and with the teacher for further instruction and clarification. However, I believe it is important to allow students to use technologies such as cameras, laptops, iPads, and cell phones, instead of limiting them to only computers. Using everyday technology devices will allow students to realize that the outside world is not discrete from the classroom. They can easily carry these electronics and use them at home and in class.
            The lesson plan did not directly mention which CCSS it fulfills; however, the expectations the teacher has for her students could be expanded. The teacher expects the students to enhance creative storytelling skills in verbal, non-verbal and written forms. As a teacher, I would want my students to be able to analyze the effect and purpose of Shakespeare’s selections in the development of elements, such as the settings and characters. Through the use of captions, props, facial expressions, and gestures, I expect my students to portray their interpretation of their scene. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuLxF_m7FTwwdEsxNE5LU0Z6VzVhMXF4dmtUZmtQaUE&usp=sharing

Detecting Plagiarism in an English Classroom Through Technology

                The internet has definitely made researching easier for students when writing a paper. Students no longer have to go to the library and go book by book and shelf by shelf looking for sources that will help them with their papers. Even though the internet is a quicker form of gaining information, it is also extremely dangerous because it is an easy way of committing plagiarism. With just a few clicks, it is easy for a student to copy directly from a website and paste it into their Word Document. Normally, teachers who know their students and know how their students compose essays will be able to detect plagiarism when it is present because the style and vocabulary will not match the student’s original work. However, there is now a more efficient way to do so through the help of technology.
                I recommend that all teachers use the following website:  www.turnitin.com. As a future English educator, I find this website to be extremely helpful and easy to use. All I have to do is instruct my students to create a FREE account and add my class to their page. They will then have access to my folder, which they will electronically submit all their essays through. By having essays submitted electronically, I can also determine if their assignments are on time by the date and time posted. As a teacher, when I select a student’s essay to read, the essay will appear on the left side of my screen. If any writing is plagiarized or is similar to anything posted on the internet, the words will be highlighted in green. The website that the writing is believed to be copied from will appear on the right side of the screen. As a teacher, I will be able to determine whether or not I believe the student copied. There is also an estimated “plagiarism” percentage to let me as a teacher know how much of the student’s writing is similar to what is on the web.
                I believe that this is an excellent website that could be used not only in an English classroom, but is all subject areas. If students know that their work is being reviewed by a website, they will be less tempted to copy and paste from the internet. As teachers, we want our students to produce their own work by incorporating their creative and original thoughts.

History of Technology in English

The Teaching Machine, also known as the “subject matter trainer,” assessed students’ multiple choice assignments and offered feedback until the wrong answers were corrected. 

Robot Teacher in an English Classroom

              The rapid speed at which technology is advancing is mind-blowing.  As I was watching the FOX 5 news last week, a story was released about a robot named NAO, created by the company TEQ, being used in several schools throughout New Jersey. This particular story was based on the Randolph Township, N.J. school district. This robot is programmed to respond to commands. Its main purpose is to help students learn; students are able to control the robot themselves. It is primarily used in math and science classes to teach students basic programming skills. Perhaps what intrigues students the most is that the robots respond to commands, making students feel in power.

            Each robot costs approximately $16,000, which several school districts many not want to invest in due to low budgets. However, there are currently $3,000 NAO robots integrated in classrooms all throughout the United States. I believe that it is crucial that all educators are aware and familiarize themselves with the NAO robot, because they may be present in our schools.

            The news report was only about a minute long, so I decided to do some further research. Even though the NAO robot could potentially benefits several students, should we as future educators be concerned? In The Huffington Post article entitled, “Nao The Robot Teacher Becomes Newest Edition To Kansas School's Teaching Staff,” the article states, “The Career and Technical Education Academy in Hutchinson, Kan., has hired a new teacher who may fit in perfectly at an institution with such a technological name. The Hutchinson News reports NAO, a robot teacher, has arrived mid-year at the high school but is already making a big impact.” As a future educator aspiring to find a job as an English educator in a matter of a few months, this concerns me, because the robot is considered a teacher. Is a robot truly capable of replacing a teacher?

            I then began searching for other related articles and came across an article entitled, “Robots Teach English In South Korea,” also on The Huffington Post website. Even though this article was not referring to a NAO robot, it sparked my interest because it was based on a robot teaching an English class, my content area. This article is extremely vague and short, but as a future English educator, I question the accuracy and potential of these robots. How can a robot conduct a classroom discussion and really get to know their students? Will these robots benefit all students? What difficulties will the robot encounter with students with disabilities or English Language Learners? How will a robot control classroom management? These are all questions that I have about this new form of technology; however, I am aware that the robots are still in their early stages. 

            It has only been a little over three years that I graduated from high school, yet I have realized that so much has already changed. I used to carry heavy textbooks and novels from class to class. Today, several students own a Kindle or iPad where they have access to millions of texts whenever they need it. Also, several schools provide each student with a laptop or an iPad; therefore, having access to different methods of teaching through the internet. Technology is definitely playing an important role on the education of all students.

Sources:
The FOX 5 news video and report can be found here: <http://www.opposingviews.com/i/technology/gadgets/robot-teaching-kids-new-jersey-school-district-video#>

“Nao The Robot Teacher Becomes Newest Edition To Kansas School's Teaching Staff.” The Huffington Post. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/01/nao-robot-schools_n_2994863.html>

“Robots Teach English In South Korea.” The Huffington Post. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/22/robots-teach-english-in-s_n_772467.html>