Screenr, the Hero-r

 Screenr is an effective tool that could be implemented into the classroom for a variety of purposes. One purpose is to review students' work in real time.  Students could submit their work via e-mail and the teacher could read through whatever they submit one or two times before using Screenr to highlight key points/strengths and weaknesses. Students could even respond to the teacher's Screenr with one of their own, asking questions and explaining revisions. Students could also use the device as a tool to peer edit outside of the classroom.

Another purpose is to use Screenr as a form of assessment. The teacher could assign students a homework assignment in which they must utilize Screenr. Then teachers could assess whether or not each individual student is comprehending classroom material without, once again, reducing valuable class time.

Ultimately Screenr expands the classroom walls. Thus, activities that usually take up a whole class period, like peer editing, could be done during the afternoon/evening hours at students' own leisure. Screenr also allows teachers to assess student comprehension on a more personal level. By taking the time to devote no more than 5 minutes per student, teachers have the opportunity to establish interpersonal relationships and continue dialogue that happens within the classroom.

Presentation for Parents

This is an excerpt of a presentation I would present to parents at a future Back to School Night. This presentation would be used to inform parents about how 21st century skills were being integrated into the academic realm of English. I tackle the Information, Media, Technology strand of 21st century skills by communicating my intentions to utilize a variety of technological mediums, as well as present students with a dystopian/utopian unit that focuses on the influence technology has on both literature and the real-world society.

Creating this presentation was made easier after viewing the video Life After Death by PowerPoint 2010, by Dan McMillan. McMillan really displays what not to do in a PowerPoint-like presentation, including the presentation being saturated with unnecessary words and distracting images. He also does a hilarious font analysis, explaining how the font you choose is reflective of your personality.

ba BUM/ba BUM/ba BUM/ba BUM/ba BUM: Iambic Pentameter Podcast

For my podcast I chose to do a review of iambic pentameter. I simply reviewed points that would have already been discussed in class and read the first sentence of William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?," which is an example of iambic pentameter. I then wrote my own sentence of iambic pentameter- With you I walk from dawn to dusk and back- and asked students to write their own and share via podcast.

Assigning students to complete a podcast allows the teacher to hear each of their voices (including the quiet ones that hesitate to speak in class). I also think students can benefit from listening to their teacher do a podcast, especially individualized ones- for example, a teacher reading a student their essay to them and making verbal comments throughout. I think using a podcast is extremely effective not only because they are easy to make and take very little time, but also because they extend learning beyond the forty-five minutes allotted to class time during the day.

Below is my podcast:

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