Week 11: Oral Communication Strand Blog Post

Week 11: Oral Communication Strand Blog Post

Guides at Rasmussen College. Communication. Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved From http://guides.rasmussen.edu/communication

Roche Consulting Group. Public Speaking. Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved From http://rocheconsultinggroup.com/public-speaking/

 

How To Encourage Public Speaking & Oral Communication Within the Classroom!

 

Public Speaking, you either HATE it or you LOVE it! How did public speaking and oral communication come to be such a dreaded activity for so many people? Is it the way we introduce it to our students'? Do we introduce it too late, too early? Is it the teacher's fault or are some people just not public speakers? I'm here to investigate some key activities and solutions through the fabulous world of Pinterest, that both pre-service and in-service teachers can use to create a safe and positive environment for introducing public speaking and upping our students' oral communication skills.

 

Growing up in a family with four brothers and a twin sister you develop your voice and speaking well, (arguing) skills rather quickly. Your voice, speaking skills and time management are key when fighting for your parents attention and trying to get your opinions heard by everyone. Therefore, I found my voice rather early and ended up loving everything that entailed public speaking and oral communication throughout my years at schools.

 

I loved presenting in front of the class, participating in the public speaking competitions, speaking over the announcements and even speaking in front of the entire school. Unfortunately, some students absolutely hate public speaking; they freeze up, speak too fast, loose their words or get stage fright. I believe students need to be introduced to public speaking and oral communication at a young age and build up their skills and comfort as they progress throughout each grade. Teachers need to create a safe and fun space, with engaging public speaking activities that help to improve students' oral communication and develop a love for presenting!

 

Fun Activities to Promote Public Speaking in Your Classroom!

 

Puppets and Props:

Puppets and Props is a resource that I found on Pinterest, it can be found at, http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/balancedliteracydiet/Recipe/50244/.  This is an excellent activity that helps students build complex oral language structures through the use of puppets by retelling familiar stories. This activity could be used to improve oral communication skills for students in both the primary and junior grades. In the primary grades, teachers can use this idea and develop a lesson plan to improve students' oral language and reading comprehension. In the junior grades, teachers can use this idea to help students improve their vocabulary skills.

 

The Puppet center helps to promote imaginative play and conversations between students. Mainly the center is used to promote story retell in which students' retell their favourite stories in their appropriate sequence. This activity helps to create positive feelings towards public speaking because students are re-telling some of their favourite and most memorable stories. The puppets comfort the students and are used as an outlet to promote oral communication through the art of storytelling.

 

Some additional items that can be included in this center are additional props, books, pictures and a velcro story board. It is key that the teacher constantly adds new props and puppets in order to keep the activity intriguing and fun for the students. This activity is a great way for students in the younger grades to develop their public speaking skills in front of small groups of their peers. As well, it helps students' oral communication improve as they tell more elaborate stories.

 

The Balanced Literacy Diet. Puppets and Props- Building Oral Language by Retelling Familiar Stories (Virtual Tour). Picture [Online Image] Retrieved from http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/balancedliteracydiet/Recipe/50244/

 

No Prep iPad Literacy Center:

The iPad Literacy Center is a terrific tool for our increasingly technological students in grades 3 and up. The resource can be found at, http://luv2teachgirl.blogspot.ca/2012/11/no-prep-ipad-literacy-center.html. It is used to help students retell their stories through the creative technology of an iPad. Whether students' bring in their own personal devices or the school provides class iPads, this resource helps to encourage public speaking through the use of technology.

 

I Heart Teaching. No Prep iPad Literacy Center. Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved from
http://luv2teachgirl.blogspot.ca/2012/11/no-prep-ipad-literacy-center.html

Today's generation of students is increasingly technological. Therefore, teachers need to develop their lesson plans and activities to suit the interests and learning styles of their students. Long ago were the days of pencil and paper, overheads and writing on the chalkboard. Classrooms are becoming more and more technological as teaching becomes more digital. Hence, we need to engage our students' and teach in a way that they will find interesting.

 

The No Prep iPad Literacy Center is an easy and fun way to promote oral communication. Teachers have zero prep because the students use the iPad. Meanwhile, students do not even consider this work because they are using a piece of technology that they find interesting.

The premise of the center is this- students are tasked to use retelling story cards to put together a story and then videotape themselves retelling that story. The teacher can watch the videos that the students create and assess their oral communication skills, public speaking skills, vocabulary, body language, media skills and tech skills. The center is instant and engaging. Both the students and the teacher are having fun as well as learning at the same time.

 

Public Speaking Games - Delivery, Expression, Distractions, and Gestures:

This is a great resource that I found on Pinterest, it can be located at, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Public-Speaking-Games-Delivery-Expression-Distractions-and-Gestures-1521165. The resource costs four dollars and can be purchased online at Teachers Pay Teachers. The resource focuses on four hilarious public speaking games that help to get students comfortable in front of the classroom, and speaking to their peers.

 

Teachers Pay Teachers. Public Speaking Games. Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved from
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Public-Speaking-Games-
Delivery-Expression-Distractions-and-Gestures-1521165

Delivery- The teacher is to print off the public speaking game cards. Each student chooses one card without looking. The cards all have one common public speaking mistake, and the students must act out their mistake in front of the class. Therefore, the students learn about common public speaking errors in a fun and informative way.

 

Expression- For this game students draw a public speaking expression card and a quote card. Students' are tasked to read the quote while also doing the specific speaking expression that is on their other card. The rest of the students are tasked with guessing which emotion the student is trying to express. This activity helps to promote better facial and vocal expression for students' when they are public speaking.

 

Distractions- This game deals with the numerous distractions that public speakers may face. Each audience member receives a card with a way in which a speaker can be distracted. The students are to attempt to distract the speaker in a fun and lighthearted manner. This helps the speaker to try and stay focused while presenting.

 

Gestures- In this game, student's individually take turns coming to the front of the classroom and acting out the words printed on their cards. Nerves are turned into laughter as everyone learns to feel at ease about public speaking. As well, students' confidence is increased as they learn to be themselves in front of their peers.

 

Thus, this resource has four different activities that help various aspects with which students struggle when public speaking.

 

Curriculum Connections

All three of the above resources follow the Ontario Curriculum Expectations for teaching the Oral Communication Strand. Each resource helps to promote public speaking and oral communication in a fun and engaging way. Each of the resource's helps students to "express and clarify their thoughts, feelings, and opinions." (page 9 Ontario Curriculum) Puppets and Props, helps students to listen and talk to their peers about a wide range of topics including personal interests. As well, it promotes creativity and the expansion of their imaginations when retelling a story.

 

Moreover, No Prep iPad Literacy Center allows students to incorporate the use of technology, to enhance their public speaking and oral communication skills. Students are able to watch their speeches back and reflect on their strengths, weaknesses and areas of improvement when it comes to public speaking and oral communication.

 

Additionally, Public Speaking Games focuses on four major aspects that public speaking involves and how to improve upon each in a fun and playful manner. The students who are presenting in front of the class must use their speaking skills and strategies to communicate with different audiences. As well, the students who are listening to the speakers must use their listening skills in order to respond appropriately in a variety of situations.

 

Thus, each resource above supports the overall expectations for the Oral Communication strand. Each resource can be manipulated to fit certain grade levels and therefore meet the specific grade level expectations. The resources all promote learning in a fun and informative way. 





Conclusion

Listening and speaking skills are essential for social interactions for students' whether they are at school, home or in the wider world. The speaking skills that they build in school are the skills that they will carry with them their entire life. It is important that we introduce our students to public speaking at a young age as well as use fun and engaging activities that promote a positive outlook for oral communication. If students can create positive feelings about public speaking then no one will fear it.

 

I believe everyone can become a great public speaker, it all depends on the mindset of the individual. Thus, if you fear public speaking you will hate it. If you love a good debate you will learn to enjoy it. I believe oral communication might not be as stressed as the other three language strands because many teachers do not know how to properly assess it. As well, many students fear presentations and speaking in front of their class. Writing and Reading are always stressed, Media is something that is becoming of greater importance and Oral Communication is somewhat dragging behind.

 

As a future teacher I know I will try my best to try and make every student feel comfortable about public speaking. I know I will stress the importance of Oral Communication within my classroom. It is a life long skill that I believe everyone should master in order to be a successful public speaker.

 

 

Anthony Tracey. Oral Communication, Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/bandages/oral-communication-12549219



Here is a great video providing advice for how to become a better and more confident public speaker. It could be shown to students across differing grade levels.

 

Cheers, Courtney Helt

 

Week 9: Writing Strand Blog Post

Week 9: Writing Strand Blog Post

 

Clipart Panda. Writing. Picture [Online Image]
 Retrieved From http://www.clipartpanda.com/categories/writing-clipart

 

Quotes Gram. Writing Quotes. Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved From https://quotesgram.com/writing-quotes/



How To Promote Student Writing!  

"Once Upon A Time...," the age old opening line for hundreds of classic stories and tales told to children all around the world. But how did these stories came to be you might ask? Someone decided to sit down and WRITE!

Children start off writing with spelling their ABC's and their 1, 2, 3's. They learn what a sentence is composed of, where the capital's go, and what punctuation to use. Many children see writing as a boring, monotonous task that becomes a chore and something unpleasant.

For me, growing up I loved writing; that was a result of being introduced to so many amazing stories. Therefore as a young child I wanted to create my own through journaling. I have always been fascinated and in love with Disney Fairy Tales and this helped to shape my wild imagination.

Back in elementary school writing went something like this; in the primary grades students were tasked with writing in their journals once a week about a prompt given to them by their teachers. In the junior grades, students still wrote in their journals but they are given freedom to choose what they wanted to write about, and in the intermediate grades students could write short stories about whatever was appealing to them.

When I was in elementary school I loved writing because it was my outlet; it helped me to stay organized, focused and stress free. I would write stories or write about my days and what I accomplished. However, my obsession with writing  became somewhat unhealthy when I ended up spending more time on writing every single intricate detail about my day, and not spending nearly enough time on my homework.

As I got older I learned to balance my time when it came to writing and I only focused on key events and the big things that happened in my life. Still, to this day I write about my days and what I did, but it is not as detailed as it once was when I was in high school.

Thus, writing for me has always been a generally positive activity. I can look back to over 8 years ago and see exactly what I did on a given day. Unfortunately, some students do not have this positive interaction with writing and see it as something scary or negative.

Teachers need to change their students' perception when it comes to writing, and this can all be done through fun and intriguing activities that get the students' attention and develop their love for writing.

Fun Activities to Engage Students to Write!

Writing From Lists:
I LOVE this resource because I am a HUGE list maker. In order to stay organized in my life I have multiple lists of the things I need to accomplish within a given day, week and month. This resource contains 5 Unit Plans that teachers can draw from in order to inspire writing for children of all ages. The resource can be found at, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-from-Lists-Bundle-2159904 and the possibilities are endless! The resource can be downloaded and bought on Teachers Pay Teachers and it includes 5 amazing topics for writing from lists. They include: My bucket list, Things I cannot stand, I can't imagine life without, My prints are all over it and In my head. Teachers can use this resource for, "whole class lessons, writing centers, small group instruction and various assessments". This resource brings the FUN and CREATIVE side back to writing!

Teachers Pay Teachers. Writing From Lists: Bundle. Picture [Online Image] Retrieved From https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-from-Lists-Bundle-2159904

 

Emoji Writing:

The Teachy Teacher. Emoji Easy Peasy Writing Activity.
Picture [Online Image] Retrieved From
http://www.theteachyteacher.com/2016/06/emoji-easy-writing-activity.html

Almost every student today is plugged into their Ipads, Iphones or Smart Phones. This resource is an excellent tool because it is relatable to the students. Anyone who has a smart phone knows about the cute and funny emoji's that can be sent between individuals through text messages. This resource is perfect for promoting writing because it includes the BIG TREND of the time, Emoji's.

The resource can be found at, http://www.theteachyteacher.com/2016/06/emoji-easy-writing-activity.html. Emoji writing is a group activity that all students can partake in. Basically the fun emoji characters are cut out and glued to paper blocks. The students roll the blocks and whatever it lands on they have to write about. The teacher can direct the writing piece by stating, "your setting is" and the student will have to make the emoji part of their piece of writing. This resource promotes fun and creative ways to engage student writing through unpredictable, group activities.




The Teachy Teacher. Emoji Easy Peasy Writing Activity.
Picture [Online Image] Retrieved From
http://www.theteachyteacher.com/2016/06/emoji-easy-writing-activity.html

Snowball Writing:

Snowball writing is a narrative writing activity that promotes collaborative writing in a fun and interactive way. The premise behind this activity is, each student fills out one of the pre-made worksheets with a visual story starter to start their own unique stories. The students are given an allotted amount of time and once this time is up they are asked to crumple up their worksheet into a "snowball" and throw it to the front of the classroom. Following this mass throwing of "snowballs" by each student, they are then asked to pick up another snowball and continue writing their story. This process is done once more and then the original student copies are returned to their writers for revising and editing. Students in various grade levels get a kick out of this activity and it helps to promote positive feelings towards writing. The resource can be found at, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/WRITING-ACTIVITY-SNOWBALL-WRITING-649424 and it includes numerous activity sheets, and printables' that can be used to promote student writing!




Teachers Pay Teachers. Writing Activity: Snowball Writing.
Picture [Online Image] Retrieved From
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/WRITING-ACTIVITY-SNOWBALL-WRITING-649424

 

Curriculum Connection

All three of the listed resources follow the Ontario Curriculum Expectations for teaching the Writing Strand. Each resource helps to promote writing in a creative, engaging and fun way. Each resource asks students to gather and organize information in order to write for an intended audience/purpose. Snowball Writing, asks students to use their revising, editing and proof reading skills to develop a purposeful piece of writing.

Furthermore, Writing From Lists, can help students identify their strengths, weaknesses and areas of improvement because students are expected to write according to the lists presented. As well, Emoji Writing, can allow students to develop their critical thinking and writing skills when asked to write about the image they are presented with after rolling it.

Additionally, each resource above supports the overall expectations for the writing strand. Each resource can  be manipulated to writers in various grade levels and therefore it meets the grade level writing specific expectations. Each resource promotes creativity and engages the student by drawing them in with a fun activity. Thus, they turn, daunting and negative task of writing into something both positive and pleasurable.
 

 

Conclusion

Moreover, as a future educator I believe we need to teach our core subjects in a way that our students can relate to. If students can relate to what they are learning then their entire mindset changes. School becomes fun, homework becomes enjoyable and learning becomes a life long goal. It is extremely important to educate our students on the importance of writing. In my mind some of our youth are too technologically advanced. Everything they do is either typed, texted, or done through some sort of multi-media outlet. Students are not being taught their basic penmanship skills, and cursive writing skills.

There needs to be a balance between technology and the basics. I believe we can use technology to engage our students and make them inspired to learn,but we also need to remember the basics. There are too many kids today who do not have a signature, neat writing or their basic penmanship skills because everything is done online and not with pencil and paper. Balance is key,and I can see myself using the activities above to promote a creative classroom environment in which students can use pencil and  paper or their technological devices to develop their love for writing. 

Below is an excellent video about the power and importance that writing has had on humanity.
 

Cheers, Courtney Helt

 

Week 7: Reading Strand Blog Post

Week 7: Reading Strand Blog Post

Miss Kiley's 3rd Grade Class. Reading. Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved From https://sites.google.com/a/freeholdtwp.k12.nj.us/miss-kileys-3rd-grade-class/rotations/reading

Bilingual Monkeys. 43 Great Quotes on the Power and Importance of Reading. (September 10 2013). Picture [Online Image] Retrieved from http://bilingualmonkeys.com/43-great-quotes-on-the-power-and-importa

e-of-reading/

How to Help Students Who Struggle With Reading 

Reading is a subject I feel that all students struggle with at some point in their lives. Whether students struggle with sounding out the words, connecting the reading to real life experiences or understanding the text, everyone has struggled with some aspect of reading. I know I did; in the primary grades of elementary school I struggled with my letters. I would get b's and d's mixed up and read based on memorization, not understanding. Therefore, I received extra help from several resource teachers and you know what, I was at the top of my class by the following year in reading. The help I received benefited me hugely. However, at that point in my life, I found reading more of a chore than anything fun. Thus, I believe it is extremely important to make reading fun for students who struggle with it instead of making it a monotonous drill.

Students today are so connected to the internet and their technological devices, they are missing the simple beauty of reading because it might not be as cool or complex as their games and apps. Students need to re-learn and re-train their brains to understand the importance and benefits of reading books. How might reading become fun for our students that struggle with it? We need to bring back the creativity in learning how to read and promote a fun and engaging reading environment with new activities to expand our students reading comprehension, skills, and connections.

Fun Activities To Promote Reading

  

Rashmie. Mommy Labs. How to Make Story Stones and Facilitate Group Storytelling.
 (December 4 2012). Picture [Online Image] Retrieved from
 http://www.mommy-labs.com/creative-kids/art_craft_projects_kids/
how-to-make-story-stones-and-facilitate-group-storytelling-plus-birthday-pics/

Story Stones: Who doesn't love a great story filled with twists and turns and an adventure created entirely by the individual telling the story? Well, Story Stones are an excellent tool that students can use to promote storytelling, creativity and let their imaginations run wild. Story Stones are a tool that students in various grade levels can use to promote a fun reading environment. The idea of a Story Stone is that students can use them in large groups, small groups or one on one. Students can create the stones themselves or the teacher can create them based on what they want the students to speak about. Story stones are stones that have individual pictures on them and students use the picture to create and describe a story. Each student must incorporate their stone into the story when it is their turn. Thus, the story is created by the students, it is filled with uncertainty, entertainment and brings life and connections back into reading. I found this terrific idea on the Pinterest Page of Mommy Labs, http://www.mommy-labs.com/creative-kids/art_craft_projects_kids/how-to-make-story-stones-and-facilitate-group-storytelling-plus-birthday-pics/ . Rashmie, the author of the post, states that Story Stones are the perfect tool to help students who struggle with reading because it allows them to become "actively engaged" in the storytelling sessions rather than sitting by and being, "passive listeners". If the student becomes involved in the lesson they will get so much more out of it.



Julia M Kepler. Serendipity from Jewels. Story Bags.
(February 1 2011) Picture [Online Image].
Retrieved from http://www.serendipityfromjewels.com/2011/02/story-bags.html

Story Bags: Story Bags are similar to Story Stones in the sense that they promote storytelling and help to enhance a child's imagination and promote creativity. A Story Bag can be used in groups or with students one on one. Story Bags start off with "Once Upon a Time" and can be filled with anything the teacher or student desires. It all depends on who's making it. A Story Bag is filled with images and objects that the student picks out and has to use to help them tell their story. This is a fun way to get students engaged in reading stories and creating their own unique stories. I found this resource on another Pinterest Page, http://www.serendipityfromjewels.com/2011/02/story-bags.html promoting the joys of reading for students. Again this idea encourages students to think of reading as something fun and not a boring chore. 

 

 

Literature Circles: Below is a video that summarizes the topic and important points about Literature Circles. Literature Circles are another excellent tool that students can use to promote fun group reading. Literature Circles also promote student reading comprehension, the process of making connections, organization, and how to work diligently and effectively in a group setting. Literature circles are usually introduced in the junior grades and done in class. Groups of students read assigned books based on certain reading levels and must evaluate the book based on their specific task. Tasks may include: summarizer, illustrator, word watcher, connector, and discussion director. For example, one student might have the task of summarizing the chapters they read, another student will have to illustrate what they read or another student has to connect the reading to their lives/ the outside world. Literature circles are an excellent tool to get students working in groups and to promote a fun, inclusive and co-operative reading environment. Students can learn from one another and build upon their reading skills by helping each other out if they do not understand something.

 

DeGroat Alyssa. Literature Circles. (August 28 2014) Youtube [Online Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWVVxRDzlgg

Curriculum Connection

All three of the above resources fall directly in line with the Reading Strand under the Ontario Curriculum. Each of these resources can be manipulated to reflect the reading requirements for various grade levels and students skill sets. These 3 resources encourage and promote students to construct meaning and individual understanding behind what they are reading. As well, each resource allows students to communicate their understanding in a fun and informative way. Students can make their own meaning from creating their Story Stones and Story Bags. Moreover, students can work together to build upon their stories and learn to understand other student's point of view/understanding. Likewise, Literature Circles can develop student's reading fluency, identify their strengths as a reader and areas that they need to improve upon as a result of the various tasks they will have to complete for each book. Literature Circles help students to develop their personal views and reading comprehension skills. Students have to connect meaning to what they are reading, whether thats meaning to situations in their personal lives or the wider world. All three of these activities promote critical thinking, and it's development for each individual student as well as, encourage each student to think outside their comfort zones, be inspired by their imaginations and think creatively. 

Conclusion

Furthermore, as a future educator, I believe it is extremely important to promote creativity and imagination among my students. School can become boring for some, therefore, it is key to create a classroom that is always evolving. Some students love reading and others struggle with it. Consequently, it is important to introduce new and fun ideas that can not only build student's skills but also build their love for books and storytelling. Reading and reading comprehension is an imperative skill that all students must develop. However, it can be done in a variety of fun and informative ways that students will thrive off of.

If a teacher can constantly encourage her students to think outside the box, she is a successful educator. If a teacher can empower her students to love reading in our digital age, she is a successful educator. This post was directed at teachers to go outside their comfort zones and create a lesson that is out of the ordinary for teaching reading because not only will they be proud of it but so too will their students.

Positivity To Success. 15 Inspiring Jim Rohn Quotes on the Importance of Reading. Picture [Online Image]. Retrieved from http://www.positivitytosuccess.com/15-inspiring-jim-rohn-quotes-on-the-importance-of-reading/

Cheers, Courtney Helt

Week 5: Media Studies Blog Post

Week 5: Media Studies Blog Post

Stewart, Sarah. (March 25 2015). Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved From http://www.sais.org/news/223237/Schools-Using-Social-Media-in-Savvy-Ways.htm

 

Social Media's Relevance In The Modern Day Classroom

Technology is a huge aspect of our modern society. Specifically, social media impacts each and every one of us, especially the younger generations. Today's students, compared to my generation, are so plugged in and attached to their mobile devices, particularly engaged in social media. Thus, integrating social media into our classrooms has huge relevance for students in various grades. Students' today are extremely technologically advanced, therefore, they need to learn in a technological way in order to be successful. It's time to throw away the archaic overheads and handouts and promote a technological classroom through the use of social media. Below is a brief video stating the significance of using social media in the classroom setting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riZStaz8Rno

Cassidy, Kathy. (May 21 2013). YouTube Video [tvoparents].
Retrieved From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riZStaz8Rno

As the video above states, our schools are filled with students who have grown up with technology and grown up with the internet. Hence, technology is a tool for these students and social media is another way for students to access information and learn. Kathy Cassidy, a primary school teacher in Saskatchewan states that her students, as early as six years old can use social media such as blog sites and twitter to promote their learning.

This type of technological learning keeps students interested and engaged when it comes to school work. Social media provides various outlets for all different types of learners. Students can use videos, pictures, and writing to express their thoughts and knowledge on various subjects. As well, the excellent example of the use of blogs within our modern classrooms helps to track and record students work from the start of the year to the end. This digital record is created for each student and is always there. Thus, the excuse that a student has forgotten their homework or lost it becomes none existent. Kathy also states that the social media app Twitter allows students to connect with other classes and find out what other kids are learning. This promotes a wide outlook of learning and connections between differing classes and students.



Munson, Kristen. (2016). Picture [Online Image]
Retrieved from http://socialmediamom.com/social-networking-in-schools-yes-or-no/

Examples of Social Media in the Classroom

There are so many exceptional tools and apps that both teachers and students can use together to enhance learning within the classroom. There is still negativity that surrounds the word "social media". However, it is important to educate our students in regards to positive social media sites that help foster our students learning. For example, on the site teachthought.com there is a list of 10 social media sites applicable for both teachers and students. Such sites include: Edmodo, Wikispaces Classroom and Blackboard. Each of these sites proves that social media is relevant and prosperous within our classrooms.
http://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/technology/10-different-social-media-sites-for-education/

Similarly, another key video below promotes the importance and growth that technology has within the classroom, particularly digital media for both students and teachers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbVKPhVCRFI

Gabgorrilla. (October 20 2011). YouTube Video.
Retrieved From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbVKPhVCRFI

Curriculum Connection

In regards to the curriculum outlining Media Studies, both the videos and the article promote the use of a variety of multi-media sources that both teachers and students can use in the classroom. The curriculum states that students must use various media sources to communicate their ideas effectively. Thus, the numerous apps and websites are used by students to communicate and develop their technological skills. As well, students can work collectively together when exploring various social media apps, hence, promoting collaborative group work that can move on into independent work. Furthermore, this development promotes critical thinking and helps students to relate back to their own lives and experiences through the multiple forms of media.

Conclusion

Accordingly, it is my duty as a future teacher to educate myself on the advancing and growing classroom, tips and tricks to engage students and the constantly changing technology. Student's today are far more advanced when it comes to technology, their lives are consumed by it. The relevance of technology, specifically, the use of social media within the classroom is more important now than ever. Therefore, it is imperative to re-shape our lessons to fit each and every one of our unique students. This re-shaping of lessons and experimenting comes with the responsibility to properly educate our students on the uses of media devices within the classroom. Students are already using their devices 95% of the time while they are home. Why not educate the students on proper social media usage for their studies as well as their free time. This will then promote an exciting learning environment in which the students are always wanting to learn more.


Rosenthal Tolisano, Silvia. Poster [Online Image] Retrieved from  http://langwitches.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/social-media-for-schools_tolisano_1.png