RESEARCH THROUGH

TECHNOLOGY:NEW STRATEGIES IN ENGLISH

EDUCATION

Leilani Freeman

W200 Final Project

April 29, 2011

New Strategies in English

Education Articles

Writing for the Instant Messaging and

Text Messaging Generation: Using New

Literacies to Support Writing Instruction

Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts:

More Power for your Reading Block

Motivating Students to Use Newly

Learned Study Strategies

Writing for the Instant Messaging and Text

Messaging Generation: Using New Literacies to

Support Writing Instruction*

Today’s students communicate with each other constantly. They use Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and text messaging to socialize and share information.

Although these forms of communication are often filled with slang and shorthand, they are still a valuable form of communication. In this sense, it’s more important that the exchange of ideas occurs than the style of grammar used.

*Sweeny, Sheelah M. (October 2010). Writing for the Instant Messaging and Text Messaging Generation: Using New Literacies to Support Writing Instruction. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Vol. 54. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2077567

Writing for the Instant Messaging and Text

Messaging Generation: Using New Literacies to

Support Writing Instruction

Teaching students with the

communication styles they use

daily with their friends will increase

their learning power

Some examples of how teachers

have integrated these new

technologies in the classroom are:

◦ Using different kinds of music to

stimulate writing sessions

◦ Creating assignments where students

must use Twitter s several times a

week to communicate with

classmates

◦ Text messaging assignments to the

class and receiving assignments by

text

Writing for the Instant Messaging and Text

Messaging Generation: Using New Literacies to

Support Writing Instruction

I think using new technology in the classroom should be required

for teachers. Today more than ever, teachers need to connect with

students in areas they are most comfortable in. The more teachers

engage with students, the more students will learn.

I think the example of using Twitter to discuss a reading assignment

is really valuable. I like the idea of creating a digital dialogue with

students. To find out more about Twitter, go to

http://www.twitter.com.

Other resources for new teaching strategies:• http://www.writesite.org

• http://www.thescriptorium.net

• http://www.enchantedlearning.com

Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts:

More Power for Your Reading Block*

Teachers rely too heavily on Leveled Texts to classify reading groups.

New methods show educators that reading is not one size fits all◦ The focus should be on student needs’, not teacher organization

◦ Not all students can use the same types of readers. Diversity is key in gaining interest and continued learning.

◦ Not all groups will require the same level of instructional support. Be creative when entering the reading group.

* Glasswell, K., & Ford M. (September 2010). Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts for Your Reading Block. The Reading Teacher, Vol. 64. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/27867523

Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts: More

Power for Your Reading Block

Readers need variety in the levels of text available. Choose texts above and below grade levels. Build confidence in students.

Use additional type of materials:

◦ Magazines

◦ Newspapers

◦ Plays

◦ Poetry anthologies

◦ Digital and Online Texts

Teaching Flexibly with Leveled Texts: More

Power for Your Reading Block

Often, I think students are grouped together by a perceived level. I

like the idea in this article that students of all levels should be

grouped together, but I wonder if the higher level students will be

held back by their lower level counterparts. I think diversity in the

classroom is key, but it does not come before learning. Teachers

who use this approach should tread carefully and use check points

to clarify student’s progress.

I think the most important part of English Education is to teach a

love of reading. Education is the door to improvement and it starts

with reading. Giving a child a book is the first step in their future.

More areas to explore:

◦ http://www.readwritethink.org

◦ http://www.readingrockets.org

Motivating Students to Use Newly

Learned Study Strategies* When teaching new study

strategies, teachers must make an effort to show how the new strategies may be applied

Students must see the value in trying a new strategy, particularly if their current strategies are already successful.

Ease of learning and use are the keys to success

*Rauch M., & Fillenworth C. (April 1995). Motivating Students to Use Newly Learned Study Strategies. International Reading Association, Volume 38. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40016665

Motivating Students to Use Newly

Learned Study Strategies Motivation factors for

using new strategies◦ Foster a positive,

friendly classroom◦ Make strategies

relevant to courses◦ Confer with students◦ Have students keep

journals◦ Give more

assignments◦ Share your own

experiences◦ Create goal lists◦ Offer Extra Credit

Motivating Students to Use Newly

Learned Study Strategies

I think, as an educator, one of the most important aspects

is constant improvement. Motivating students to use

new, better study strategies might prove difficult,

especially if students are already successful. I think the

new strategies would have to show better efficiency, be

easier to remember, or offer some other type of reward.

I’m not sure I agree with the authors that new is always

better; I think it depends on what is being taught. If I

were the student, I would be skeptical of any new study

strategy. Usually, students have a system that works for

them. I think sharing these within the classroom and

providing personal testimonies might be better than

using unproven methods.

Conclusion Overall, the number one priority of any educator should be to

connect with students to empower learning. In these articles, I wanted to illustrate that change is constant. Educators must change with technology, adapt to more diverse cultures, and constantly be creative in their classrooms. Change will continue to thrive in our technology driven world and education must keep up.