Using Adobe Connect

At first, I felt overwhelmed about using Adobe Connect because it is a technological tool that I was completely unfamiliar with and had never used before. Even though I reviewed how to use it via the forum posts before class today, I still remained apprehensive about using it. I do think that by being in a group and putting our heads together to figure out how to use Adobe Connect definitely helped me understand the program more. After figuring out the basics, it seems that Adobe Connect is relatively easy to use, once all of the programming issues are solved, such as getting the audio and video to work. I personally would only be comfortable using it in the future if I was a participant in an online chat, like what we did in class today. Since I was in the TTL with two other groups, I was able to explain to another group how they could use Adobe Connect to present their project. But I definitely would not feel confident enough to run my own online session unless I was shown how to do it. Also, I would not recommend using this in a middle school or high school classroom between a teacher and his or her class because I find it would be challenging to keep students on track. But, one way I do think that Adobe Connect could be used for in an English class would be potentially connecting with an author of a poem, short story, or novel that we were reading in class. That way, the author could possibly read something to the class or answer questions regarding the book or poem we were reading at the time. Using Adobe Connect in this manner would enhance students learning because they would generally not have the opportunity to meet one of the authors of a book or poem they were assigned to read. Also, the teacher could monitor his or her students involvement with the program because he or she would be present in the classroom with them, listening to the author as well.

Inspiration

I reviewed the content exploration tool called Inspiration, specifically for Language Arts Education. I plan to teach middle school English, so using this tool would definitely benefit my teaching. Inspiration offers more efficient ways for both teachers and students to organize their ideas. It allows them to create concept maps, webs, and/or idea maps. Then, in one click, any diagram can be turned into an outline.

Another feature of Inspiration is that it can help improve writing proficiency. It does this by providing users with auto spell checker and an innovative dictionary and thesaurus called Word Guide. Inspiration also allows its users to "drag and drop" their information, allowing teachers and students to organize their thoughts in a quicker manner. It offers many different symbols and templates for people to utilize if they desire and permits video and/or audio to be inserted into projects or assignments. Inspiration presents teachers with 50+ curriculum packets that provide unit plans with multiple templates that they could use to teach high school-level English, Social Studies, or Science. In addition to the packets, Inspiration also has on-demand training videos that either teach one how to use the program or how to complete a project in an efficient manner.

As I said, Inspiration provides teachers with many different templates that can help them teach their students a concept or idea that will benefit their learning. But a teacher can also create their own diagram or outline to help teach a more complicated topic by providing an organized visual aid for the students to see. For example, if a teacher wanted to explain to his or her students how to write a proper biography, the teacher could create a diagram similar to this one.

Inspiration also offers certain tutorials, videos, and webcasts that can help teach an important concept to students. For instance, here is a video that explains how students can write a research paper with Inspiration. Once you have clicked on the link, scroll down and select the video that says "Writing a Research Paper with Inspiration" under Webcast Archives in order to view the correct one.

Storybird

The last website that I am posting is called Storybird. This website allows students to create their very own storybooks. To see Storybird, visit http://storybird.com.


Storybird provides students with an opportunity that they would not be able to do at their age. It gives them the correct tools and directions to make a professional looking story that they could share with their classmates. Therefore, instead of having to write and draw their own story by hand, Storybird provides students with all of the necessary tools they would need to make it all completely online. Thus, Storybird enhances students' learning because it provides students with the opportunity to create a very professional-looking story without even picking up a pencil.

Scholastic

Another website that I found is called Scholastic. It promotes interactive learning through its online activities. There are games and lessons for all ages ranging from PreK to the 12th grade. Scholastic can be found at http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/learn.jsp.


Scholastic provides students with games, recordings, workshops, and other types of lessons on their web page. These multiple online tools offer a more innovative and exciting way for students to learn their different subjects because it offers help in language arts, social studies, science, and math. By offering a variety of activities, students will be able to pick and choose which ones will help them learn most effectively.

Revizr

Another useful website is Revizr. It is an online tool that allows its users to edit and revise papers by using technology rather than having to print off the paper and correct it by hand. One can find Revizr at http://www.revizr.com.


Revizr eliminates many steps in the process of editing a paper by allowing individuals to edit their own and other people's papers online in a simple, quick fashion. It has easy-to-follow directions and revises the paper in a logical and organized manner, making it easy for the writer to follow what should or should not be corrected. Therefore, Revizr is an online tool that provides its users with a much more efficient approach towards editing a paper.

Reading Logs

The next website I find interesting is called Reading Logs. It claims to make reading, spelling, and vocabulary more simplified for students. To visit this website, go to http://www.readinglogs.com.


Reading Logs is a online learning tool that makes learning more efficient for both teachers and students. This website helps get rid of having to distribute reading logs and/or spelling lists because it provides online versions of them. For reading, teachers can upload reading logs for their students to fill out online. This eliminates students' excuse of saying that they left their reading log at home because it can all be posted on this website. Then for spelling, teachers can upload spelling lists for students to use and play games with in order to learn the words. Lastly, instead of having to make a billion note cards when trying to learn new vocabulary words, this website will make online note cards for the individual, which eliminates preparation time and allows the student to spend more time actually studying. All in all, Reading Logs provides a learning tool that helps students learn their English material at a faster pace.

Lexipedia

This first website that I found is called Lexipedia, and it helps students with their vocabulary, grammar, and spelling. One can access this website at http://www.lexipedia.com/english.


This website helps a student learn more effectively. The learning tool allows for an individual to type in any word into the search bar. Along the left hand side, definitions are posted of the word in question. Then, in the plain white space covering most of the web page, the word will appear with what looks like a web coming out of it from all angles. Along each web line are points containing other words similar to the original word, as well as synonyms and antonyms. One can also read definitions and usages of the words that correlate with the initial word by dragging these points around with the cursor. Thus, the multiple options this website offers proves its overall effectiveness. By using this tool, students can search for words they do not know, as well as learn about other words that are similar to the original word and how to use them in a sentence.