Research Category: K-12

During this session, we will: 1) discuss the emergence of new literacies, especially digital storytelling, in the teaching and learning of English Language Learners (ELLs); 2) engage participants in an interactive discussion concerning the implications of the various new literacies for pedagogical practice; 3) demonstrate the power of digital storytelling in promoting the learning of ELLs by showing on a laptop a digital story produced by one of our students; 4) share the process of creating personal stories using a storyboard technique as a learning and teaching tool; and 5) invite participants to share their experience of creating a personal story as a way to explore how they would translate this written story into a digital form. Through these activities, we hope that participants will be motivated to explore other pedagogical possibilities for helping ELLs acquire new literacies and literate skills, thereby broadening these students’ educational experience.

The integration of technology and literacy is essential to developing 21st century skills to create successful learners. In this presentation, presenters will describe how iPads are being utilized by primary grade teachers to enhance literacy instruction in their classrooms. Participants will: (1) gain knowledge of the iPad as an instructional tool to provide differentiation using multiple modalities, (2) become more knowledgeable about choosing and using appropriate apps for instructional purposes, (3) gain knowledge of the various grouping methods conducive to iPad use. Presenters will describe technological support essential to beginning iPad use, provide criteria for choosing appropriate apps, provide opportunities for participants to discuss educational apps supportive of individual learning outcomes, and provide opportunities for teachers to reflect and ask questions via VoiceThread, an online multimedia tool.

This article defines active learning before explaining the theory and practice of VoiceThread technology. It is a provocative, persuasive presentation of VoiceThread technology in action including available resources and how to produce it. Keywords: active learning, interactive learning, experiential learning, constructivist learning, engaged learning, motivated learning, hands-on learning, authentic learning, problem-based learning, case-based learning, group learning, team-based learning, collaborative learning, cooperative learning, simulation, game-based learning, discussion learning, production-based learning.

“I feel very strongly that parents are important stakeholders, so we want them to have opportunities to connect with their children’s learning. VoiceThread is one of the ways we facilitate this connection.”

“You know what would be wonderful? If there was some type of tool where you could post a picture and have the students interact with the picture, talk to each other and comment”