Once students installed the extension, they were able to explore some of the features. At this time, it was recommended for students to experiment with the “prediction”, highlighting, and playback features. I am excited to see how the playback feature helped students catch run-on sentences and misspelled words within their papers. I know the prediction feature was a helpful accommodation for those who struggle with spelling. I look forward to exploring this app more in future projects! Our Chromebooks were a new endeavor that began the middle of January. It couldn’t have been better timing let me tell you! You see, the middle of January is also when we were sending our fourth graders in the scary world of research. I have never really fallen in love with research. To mean, research means I spend my day running around checking in with each student to make sure they are understanding a text that is most likely above their reading level. Chromebooks and research. A match made in technology heaven. You may be wondering, how would a chromebook help with research besides give them a one to one device. Since we already have iPads having the ability to easily put websites into the hands of our students wasn’t a real benefit. The benefit in the Chromebooks came from the extension Read Write. My students used Read Write from the onset of their research. The benefits? All students were able to access all resources that pertained to their topic. Students highlighted important information making it easier to record their notes later. Students were able to define words they didn’t know. Simplicity of use. Once students began typing, word predict helped students branched out to try words they may have otherwise not tired. Students who struggle to spell can spend more time focusing on their ideas and less on spelling a word, thanks to word predict again. Students listened to their writing to catch grammatical and typing errors. The negatives? Students loved the ‘read it to me’ feature and used it even if they didn’t need that additional support. I got a lot less steps because I didn’t need to chase all around the room. In case you haven’t tried it yet, see Jenny’s slideshow about how to install Read Write. Once installed, simply play with the toolbar. The icons are pretty self explanatory.
How have your students become better problem solvers, thinkers, learners through Read Write?
0 Comments
Throughout this blog you will see the voices of two teachers. If you are new here, take a moment to get to know who we are. Look for Jenny's posts in red and Elizabeth's in blue.Hi! My name is Jenny. I am a teacher. I teach 4th grade at Richmond Intermediate School in St. Charles, IL. I have been teaching there for the past 5 years. I enjoy looking for new ways to engage students through technology and rigorous activities. I am also a wife and a mom. I have been married to my husband, Jeff, for 6 years. We have a daughter, named Riley, and we are enjoying every moment with her! Over the past year, I have worked to find the balance between work and home and Google has helped me with just that. Thank you for joining me on my blogging journey! Hi! My name is Elizabeth. I am so excited to have you join us on our Google and Technology journey. I am a fourth grade teacher at Richmond Intermediate. Our school is unique amongst the district. Our uniqueness comes from have only 3rd through 5th grade students, having an additional 40 minutes a day where students take SciTech, and a foreign language, and being a 1 to 1 school. Right now we are utilizing iPads with our students but we are also piloting Chromebooks and have multiple class sets throughout the building. Our school is constantly innovating our instruction and finding new ways to reach our students. I have been teaching for eleven years, with fourth grade filling 9 of those years. When I am not teaching I love training for and competing in triathlons, writing, or spending my time with my three amazing blonde headed boys. My husband and I are kept busy by their constant curiosity and movement. |
AuthorMy name is Elizabeth, I am a mother of 3 boys, and a 4th grade teacher of Math and Science. I teach at 1 to 1 Chromebook school and love to innovate in order to reach my students. Archives
November 2017
Categories |