Response to Reading
Much of ELA is reading and creating a response, whether it be to express an opinion, think critically, or assess comprehension. Technology can help with these tasks.
Padlet
Padlet (formerly Wallwisher) - Students can post an electronic "sticky-note" with a short message (up to 140 characters) in response to a question. They can also see other posts. The downside is students don't sign in - their responses can stay anonymous or they can create a fictional name, which makes keeping track of responses more difficult. Still, students enjoy this tool.
Padlet (formerly Wallwisher) - Students can post an electronic "sticky-note" with a short message (up to 140 characters) in response to a question. They can also see other posts. The downside is students don't sign in - their responses can stay anonymous or they can create a fictional name, which makes keeping track of responses more difficult. Still, students enjoy this tool.
Padlet example:
Here is a list of great ways to use Padlet (Wallwisher) in the classroom by Tom Barrett. For an introductory video and a list of suggestions for using this sticky note tool, view this blog article.
- Lino It - -
Lino It is similar to Padlet and it works in the same way. You can register for a free account and share the URL with students, or your Lino can be embedded directly into your webpage or blog. Responses can be longer than what Padlet allows. The downside is that you can only see part of the board at a time. Users must move the screen around or it will become cluttered with sticky notes.
Try it out below.
Try it out below.
- Popplet -
Popplet uses virtual sticky notes, similar to Padlet, but students can link them to one another to create a mind map or web. Projects could be done alone or in collaboration with other students. (Thanks to the blog Free Technology for Teachers for the introduction to this tool!)
Fakebook
Fakebook, created by Classtools.net, can be used to generate a fake Facebook page for characters from novels and stories. Students can create a profile and imaginary conversations between the character and his/her friends. This requires a higher level of thinking because students must truly understand the character and his/her motivation in the story, as well as his/her relationships with others in the story. The example below shows the mythological character of Theseus.
Fakebook, created by Classtools.net, can be used to generate a fake Facebook page for characters from novels and stories. Students can create a profile and imaginary conversations between the character and his/her friends. This requires a higher level of thinking because students must truly understand the character and his/her motivation in the story, as well as his/her relationships with others in the story. The example below shows the mythological character of Theseus.
This is the beginning of a student project from the book Devil's Arithmetic. At the beginning, the main character, Hannah Stern, dislikes her family's traditions. After the first two chapters, I had my students begin a Fakebook for Hannah. At the end of the book, when Hannah has a new outlook and opinion about her heritage, students added later "posts" to show the character's change.
- Similarly, Derrick Waddell has created and shared a Google template for a fake Facebook wall he uses with history students. You can view the template and use it here. On his website, Derrick has a video tutorial on using this shared template. Students can create a wall for characters in a novel to demonstrate understanding. This would also be a great tool to enhance critical thinking, since students have to "get into the shoes" of another person.
Fake Twitter and SMS (text) messages
Classtools.net has also created a template where students can create a fake "tweet" from Twister (rather than Twitter). Like their Fakebook template, students must "get into the shoes" of the character and truly understand motivations and relationships. What would the character say and to whom? Students are also forced to be very concise and specific due to the limited number of characters. After creating the example below, Classtools.net found the image automatically (the line is based on a passage from S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders).
Classtools.net has also created a template where students can create a fake "tweet" from Twister (rather than Twitter). Like their Fakebook template, students must "get into the shoes" of the character and truly understand motivations and relationships. What would the character say and to whom? Students are also forced to be very concise and specific due to the limited number of characters. After creating the example below, Classtools.net found the image automatically (the line is based on a passage from S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders).
Like the fake Twitter "tweet," Classtools.net also allows students to create a fake SMS, or text message, between fictional characters, like the one seen at left. This also requires some higher level thinking to consider who the character would talk with, and what they'd say. I would encourage students to choose dialogue that isn't directly from the novel/story. If students can infer a conversation, that is evidence of comprehension and thinking!
ifakesiri
Similar to the fake SMS above, students can create fake Siri messages, if they prefer the iPhone. Students simply enter the conversation, select a wireless carrier, and click "create." The completed conversation, seen at right, provides a unique URL so students can share their projects.
This conversation, based on Ellen Raskin's Westing Game, could help explain the solution to the puzzle on which the characters are working. Note: the "speaker" at the bottom is only decorative. There is no audio with this project.
Similar to the fake SMS above, students can create fake Siri messages, if they prefer the iPhone. Students simply enter the conversation, select a wireless carrier, and click "create." The completed conversation, seen at right, provides a unique URL so students can share their projects.
This conversation, based on Ellen Raskin's Westing Game, could help explain the solution to the puzzle on which the characters are working. Note: the "speaker" at the bottom is only decorative. There is no audio with this project.
Polling - students love to voice their opinion. You can use polling software to accomplish this in class. You can also create multiple choice polls to measure learning as an exit ticket or warm-up.
One site is Polleverywhere.com. Students can take a poll or answer a question via the web or via text message. It's free to register and create a poll. You can embed the poll directly into your website, provide a URL, or download it as a PowerPoint slide. The graph updates automatically once connected to the Internet. Teachers can use multiple choice questions or open-ended questions like the one embedded below.
One site is Polleverywhere.com. Students can take a poll or answer a question via the web or via text message. It's free to register and create a poll. You can embed the poll directly into your website, provide a URL, or download it as a PowerPoint slide. The graph updates automatically once connected to the Internet. Teachers can use multiple choice questions or open-ended questions like the one embedded below.
Replace audience response hardware with Poll Everywhere
For even easier polling, consider using Pollmo.
There's no sign-up required, and you can create a simple multiple-choice poll very quickly. Users are provided with an the code to embed the poll directly into their class website. Try the embedded poll below.
With either website, polling students can lead to great classroom discussions. They also make great bellwork or exit tickets.
With either website, polling students can lead to great classroom discussions. They also make great bellwork or exit tickets.
Polls.io
Polls.io is yet another survey site that is easy to use and requires no sign up. Users simply type a question and multiple answers to create a poll. Each poll has a unique URL. The downside is that you can't embed a poll like you can other free services.
Polls.io is yet another survey site that is easy to use and requires no sign up. Users simply type a question and multiple answers to create a poll. Each poll has a unique URL. The downside is that you can't embed a poll like you can other free services.