General+Resources

= **Technology and the Classroom (General)** = toc [|"Integrating Technology into the Language Arts Classroom"] This site gives a lot of great pieces of information for ideas on integrating technology in the classroom including ways to create visual aids for teaching, online literature libraries and much more. There are some great ideas such as assign digital presentations, connect to books online, use WebQuests, etc. This article provides a lot of information with lesson ideas and much more.

Jeff Wilhelm discusses the importance of using technology in the classroom. He urges teachers to think of literacy as using the latest technological tools available and to acknowledge that throughout history technology has evolved. It will continue to do so and teachers need to prepare students for the present and future. He also ponders how we can see ourselves as literate when we don’t know how to use the technology available to us. Wilhelm advocates for teachers to embrace technology and use it in conjunction with classic forms of text, not as a replacement for those texts.
 * [|“Literacy by Design: Why Is All This Technology So Important?”]**

[|Choice Literacy] - has a weekly free newsletter. You can also become a member and receive full benefit of all their articles, videos, etc. This is a site/resource for literacy leaders, and they have materials across ages/grades.

__Vision of Students Today__. The video (see below) provides a visual argument for integrating technology in K-12 education. media type="youtube" key="_A-ZVCjfWf8" height="188" width="227" =﻿=

=Technology and Teaching Writing= [|The Digital Writing Workshop] In this book, author Troy Hicks presents a range of strategies for using technology to support the teaching of writing. Rather than advocating for teaching writing in a whole new way, Hicks situates his book within the familiar landscape of the writing workshop, and presents clear strategies for incorporating new technology in smart ways in writing classrooms. Very readable book.

[|Writing, Technology and Teens] A study of the impact of technology on students’ writing. Includes research on students’, parents’ and teachers’ views of how use of texting (and other digital devices ) impacts writing. Explores the negative and positive impacts of the use of social digital technology.

This article highlights why schools are still so insistent on using such cut and dry pencil and paper procedures even with today’s vast availability of technological tools. There are many useful and innovative ideas which allow students to be collaborative and creative in the process of writing. The digital tools available make for authentic and engaging tasks in which students will engage in learning new technological skills and solid conventions of writing. [Note: many of the ideas featured here require digital devices in classroom.]
 * [|“Writing Re-Launched: Teaching with Digital Tools]**

=Speech-Text Software Applications= __[|Listening to Themselves]__ Ira Socol’s blog - in the above link he discusses text-to-speech software (both purchased and free online) to support student writing. He focuses on supporting students with who struggle with reading, such as students with dyslexia, and the application of them being able to hear their text read to them as they work on editing and revising. Could be applications as well with second language students and possibly emerging readers. Check out the comments at the bottom as well for other programs suggested.

=Professional Development Opportunities= [|Creative Teacher Ed Website] This is a great professional development web site. It's run by a couple who offer on-line courses. A few teaching with technology courses are offered. They're running a two for one summer special now!

=﻿Resources on Digital Writing and Technology in Action= Unsure about what people mean by //digital writing//? Curious about how elements of design and mode figure into digital writing? Visit our Digital Writing page. Want to see videos and other specific examples of teachers and students using technology and writing? Visit our Technology in Action page.