What, So What, Now What Migrant ESL High School Students Succeed Using Networked Laptops

Knox, C., & Anderson-Inman, L. (2001, February). Migrant ESL High School Students Succeed Using Networked Laptops. Learning & Leading with Technology, 28(5), 18-21. Accessed November 12, 2012, from ISTE. WWW.ISTE.org

What: In this article by Carolyn Knox and Lynne Anderson-Inman entitled Migrant ESL High School Students Succeed Using Networked Laptops it is about technology for Spanish speaking students. It explains how student that do not speak English as a primary language do not understand the material given to them in secondary schools. The technology available to them is note takers and speech to text. It describes how program works and benefits students that don’t speak English as a first language. The authors go over the results of this program and in detail explain the 5 results. These five results are Student Success in School: higher grades, Individual Migrant Student Lifestyles, Student Acquisition of Bilingual Literacy Skills, Teachers in the Classroom, Student Acquisition of Technology Skills. The article also explains the benefits of wireless note taking devices for these students, allowing for the difference in language and reading skill.

So What: this is important because many students that we as educators may have in our class may not speak English as a first language. As an educator it is my job to ensure all my students have the same opportunity to learn and retain the information. Some of the students that do not speak English as first language tend to get board, or skip class, or just don’t try. So it is important to have access to the technology that can help these students learn and feel a little more comfortable in the classroom.

Now What: I fully intend to incorporate this technology into my classroom if I am faced with students that do not speak English as a first language. Students need all the help they can get especially if they do not understand the language the lecture is being presented in. being in southern California this will probably be a common problem I as an educator are faced with. I will do every thing in my power to make sure my students have the tools necessary to succeed in my classroom.

What, So What, Now What: Beyond Words

Porter, B. (2006, May). Beyond Words: The Craftsmanship of Digital Products. Learning and Leading with Technology, 28-31. Retrieved November 10, 2012, from ISTE. www.ISTE.org

What: In the article Beyond Words by Bernajean Porter she describes how important it is for students in the 21 century to not only have narrative skills but multimedia skills as well. She describes hoe images are important because people process visuals better than narrative text. She says students should have skill in creating things such as a photo essay. The photo essay uses photos to ensure understanding. The next thing she says is that sound is just as important as the pictures. She says sound should not be just background noise but it establishes tone, feeling, mood, and emotional context of the story. She also says that voices should not just be reading of the narrative but using a variety of tone and pith to keep the audience captive. She says the next important thing is the design of the product. She says using technology is an art form. She says the design is an extension of student’s ideas and imagination. It is just as important to have good design that doesn’t take away from the main message of the project.

So What: this becomes extremely important in the 21 century. Students need a variety of multimedia to use and master because visual for the new age of learning. Because students can learn better by visual then reading it is important to be able to use the technology at hand to correctly convey the message at hand.

Now What: As I become more and more learned on technology available for students and teachers I will do my best to incorporate these cool technology applications into my classroom. I think it is important that students learn not only writing skills but also it is important to learn how to use the technology available to them. It is also important for the students to make sure the bells and whistles of technology do not take away from the main points of their project or paper.

What, So What, Now What Capturing Stories, Capturing Lives: An Introduction to Digital Storytelling

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Jakes, D. S. (2006, December 29). Capturing Stories, Capturing Lives: An Introduction to Digital Storytelling. In JakesOnline. Retrieved November 9, 2012, from http://www.jakesonline.org/storytelling.htm

What: In this article by David S, Jakes called Capturing Stories, Capturing Lives: An Introduction to Digital Story telling he describes step by step processes for students and teachers to create a digital story board. He shows us not only why this is important but how it works. He goes through the process so any one can follow it. Step one is writing; the first step to any storyboard whether it is digital or written is writing the story, or an out line. Students can and should write and rewrite their storyboards so the best message is conveyed. The next step he describes is the script. He says the scripts are the building blocks to the storyboard for the movie. This is important so the storyboard will deliver meaning to the story. The next step is the storyboard. The storyboards are the main ideas of the writing and narrative. This also allows the student to draw an imaginary scene of the movie. Students can be very creative with this depending on how their vision of the movie goes. The 4^th step the author says is to locate the multimedia of still photos or videos that convey the message of the storyboard to a more concrete and personal video.  In the 5^th step he says that students use the technology available to them to create the storyboard using all of the aforementioned steps. He goes into detail about how to create the storyboard. The last step once the student has finished the digital story is to share their final productions and stories. This is important so students can be proud of their hard work and effort in the digital storyboard.  He tells the different things students should learn such as an authentic personal learning experience and using technology to convey and complete a message and their vision of a personal story.

So What: why is this important. It is important so students can relearn to use their imagination and use their creativity that is more than just a paper. This broadens what the students can do to convey a message or story. It gives the inspiration back in the hands of the students. Most of us have drawn or doodled a comic book at one time or another this is just another way to tell a story and one that visually and audibly entertains the students and their intended audience.

Now what: I am sure that we will use this information in class as a teacher. As a student it is good to know how to do this because papers get bring sometimes and power point only have limited creativity. By using a digital storyboard as a student and a teacher you can break the monotony of classroom instruction. You can allow for more creativity with the projects at hand.  I surely intend to use this technology in my classroom so my students are open to their imagination and I don’t have to read so many papers.