To prepare students for language arts these days, the most important resources we must ensure they become fluent in using are those that students will be using in the world outside of school. For example using a free productivity suite like Google’s docs, sheets, and slides is a given. Knowing how to write an effective email is another. Understanding how to publish on a website or blog using tools like Blogger, WordPress, Wix, or Weebly is important as well. Using infographic tools such as Piktochart is also important. Perhaps most important of all is knowing how to publish for an authentic audience using social media such as Facebook, SnapChat, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Vine, etc.
How do you get there? Here are my favorite tools to support language arts at each grade level.
Grades PK - 2
One of my favorite literacy and publishing tools for PK - 2 is Footsteps 2 Brilliance. The cost is well worth the price. The research shows that even without a teacher, the tool alone can teach students not only how to read, but also supports them in writing and publishing books.
Grades 3 - 8
For 3 - 8 I love MovieStar Planet. The site describes itself as “a social website where children and teenagers work together with their friends to create cartoons. MovieStarPlanet is a blend of Facebook and YouTube with a learning dimension added."
Grades 9 - 12
Essential for teens is guidance and support in understanding and using the most ubiquitous publishing tool at their disposal: Social Media. If you’re not sure how to do that you must check out the New York City’s Social Media Guidelines at schools.nyc.gov/socialmedia. There you’ll find infographics, an activity book as well as parent and teacher guides.
Read more at : Teaching with Tech Across the Curriculum, The Social Media Game Elementary School Students Should Be Playing, Stop Fighting Social Media. Start Working with Students + Teachers to Integrate It Into Learning! and, iPad Literacy Program Increases Reading & Writing Ability
This is part of a series in my conversation with author and professor Liz Kolb, who is teaching a course at the University of Michigan that addresses ways technology supports modern teaching and learning. Stay tuned on The Innovative Educator blog for the additional considerations in future posts. For a recap of all ten considerations visit https://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2016/10/essential-guide-to-modern-learning-10.html
Lisa Nielsen writes for and speaks to audiences across the globe about learning innovatively and is frequently covered by local and national media for her views on “Passion (not data) Driven Learning,” "Thinking Outside the Ban" to harness the power of technology for learning, and using the power of social media to provide a voice to educators and students. Ms. Nielsen has worked for more than a decade in various capacities to support learning in real and innovative ways that will prepare students for success. In addition to her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator, Ms. Nielsen’s writing is featured in places such as Huffington Post, Tech & Learning, ISTE Connects, ASCD Wholechild, MindShift, Leading & Learning, The Unplugged Mom, and is the author the book Teaching Generation Text.
Disclaimer: The information shared here is strictly that of the author and does not reflect the opinions or endorsement of her employer.
