NSF - Rockford School District
Spring 2003 Discipline Updates: English, Level I
April 5, 2003, Reavis Hall 308 All times are approximate! We'll decide as a group how much time to take on each activity.Michael Day
8 AM: Session 1. Getting to know YOU: Introductions and Assessing NeedsWhat content are you expected to teach and what teaching strategies do you use in your classes?
What technologies have you heard of, and which would you like to try out?
8:50 AM: Ten minute break
9:00 AM: Session 2. Web Page EvaluationGo to Michael Day's Web Evaluation Site
9:50 AM: Ten minute break
10:00 AM: Session 3. Internet Search TechniquesGo to NIU's Web Search Tutorial
10:50 AM: Ten minute break
11:00 AM: Session 4. Generating Ideas: Hands on Activities You Can TryPrewriting, Freewriting, Blindwriting, Clustering.
Investigate software:
Rosemary West's Poetry Generator and Electric Mind
12:00 - 1 PM: Lunch
1 PM: Session 4. Generating Ideas: Hands on Activities You Can Try, ContinuedInvestigate software:
Alternative Monster Exchange Page
1:50 PM: Ten minute break
2:00 PM: Session 5. Finding New Ideas in Language Arts on the Web: Resources and Discussion GroupsNCTE's Read Write Think Program
Discussion Groups for Language Arts Classes
2:50 PM: Ten minute break
3:00 PM: Session 6. Final investigations, wrap up questions and comments, and fill out evaluation form
Some further resources:1. Ideas for English class activities, stand-alone or non-networked computers:
Lorrie Felts’ compilation of activities from the Teacher to Teacher mailing list
Strategies on how to organize equal sharing of one computer in the Language arts classroom.
Jeanine DuBois: Going Solo: Creative Ideas for the One-Computer Classroom
Good ideas for having students use online resources such as almanacs and encyclopedias, create multimedia presentations, and even games.
Serena Roberts’ One Computer Classroom
A theoretical overview, as well as activities using skills tests, college test preparation banks, brainstorming software such as Inspiration, and a link to a bank of collaborative activities you can borrow.
Janine Lim’s The One Computer Classroom
Information on using offline browsers such as WebWhacker, ideas for class projects, links to educational software sites, teacher aids, and class management tools.
2. Ideas for English class activities on the Internet or in networked classrooms:A case study and model web site for those interested in using the Internet in high school English classes. Be sure to look at some of the published reviews, look through the course syllaweb, and browse through some of the amazing online reference materials.
Nancy Patterson's Middle School Student Web Sites
Like Ted, Nancy is another pioneer in using the Internet and the Web to their fullest in the secondary language arts classroom. Check out what her students have done!
3. General resources for English and Composition Teachers:The National Council of Teachers of English Home Page
Links to standards, position statements, guidelines, articles, references, discussions, and much more.
Teacherfest, the National Council of Teachers of English Online Conference
Links to presentations and discussions from a recent conference; lots of good ideas and guidelines for common English class concerns here. Click on HyperNews Sessions and MOO Transcripts to get a feel for what asynchronous and synchronous discussions look like.
The NCTE Assembly on Computers in English
The group within NCTE concerned solely with using computers and the Internet. Check out the links to the ACE Journal.
Created by Michael Day
Last Update: April 4, 2003
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