Instructional Techno English 5-12

Volume 1, Issue 3

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November 2012

BVCPS

Using Technology to Inspire Writing

Sometimes getting our students to write is a frustrating task. Most kids dont like to write. They see it as a chore, rather than a fun way of expressing themselves. Here are some ways to use technology to make writing more fun. You can use these activities for creative writing or use them to reinforce content SOLsvocabulary, parts of speech, sentence structure, etc.

Inside this issue:

Feature Article: 1 Using Technology to Inspire Writing Recommendations: 2 Writing apps for the iPad

Ask students to pick out the most important words in a story to create a cloud. Give the students a word and have them create a cloud with all the synonyms or antonyms they know.

a word cloud based on the most significant words. The student then shares the word cloud with the class. If the class cant figure out the theme of the paper from the cloud, theres a good probability its because the theme isnt well defined.

Wordle Wordle is a free online word cloud creator. The options available are minimal making this great for a quick activity or younger students. Make words larger by repeating them. Tagxedo Comics Using comics to inspire writing is easy and students typically enjoy this form of writing. Some of the ways comics can be used: Practice new vocabulary words Illustrate a book read for class Autobiographical Biography For more ideas visit this site: http://voices.yahoo.com/ teaching-strategies-usingcomic-strips-1734093.html Comics Lab Extreme Create a comic on any topic using the library of backgrounds, props, characters, etc. provided through this free online activity. Students must reg-

Word Clouds Word clouds are created when the user submits a group of words to a cloud creator. The words are combined graphically into a cloud enhanced by the use of color and font choices. Some of the ways to use word clouds with your students:

Give the students an unusual object, have them describe the object using nothing but adjectives.

Better for older students or when you have more time because the options are quite extensive. Students can change the fonts, layout, color theme, shape, and more with the click of a button. Students can also import their own picture to use as the shape which provides another tiein to the topic. An unusual, but excellent, use is to have students copy and paste their papers into the generator. The program will scan the words and create

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Instructional Technology

Using Technology to Inspire Writing (cont from page 1)

ister first to use the site. Comics are saved and can be reopened and edited at any time. Garfield Comics Lab Students are limited to 3 panels per strip. But strips can be joined together to create serial stories which students could add to each class. Graphic Organizers Popplets Popplets are a wonderful way for students to organize their thoughts at the beginning of the writing process. They create a mind map, add pictures and even draw on their map. Free accounts can only create 5 Popplets and registration requires an email address. Mystery Cube Helps students determine the key parts of a story then use these skills to write their own. Bio Cube Guides students as they develop an outline of a biography theyve read or their own autobiography by asking specific questions. Essay Map Students develop an outline which includes an introductory statement, main idea, supporting details and conclusion. Story Map Organizer helps students focus on the key elements of a book theyve read or a story they are writing. Different sections for character, setting, conflict and resolution combine to make a complete map of the story.

Better for the younger student or for quicker activities. The characters are mostly limited to those from the Garfield cartoons, although there is a character creator which allows students to personalize and add simple human characters. Backgrounds and props are also limited compared to the Extreme lab. Cartoons are limited to 3 panels. MakeBeliefsComix

Recommendations
Writing Apps for the iPad OnLive Desktopregister for a free account on your PC, then download the app. Gives user complete (free) access to Word 2010. Documents are automatically synced with the online account so they can be accessed from a computer at any time for editing, etc. Requires Internet connection. A Novel IdeaApp guides user through the process of character development, location, scenes with detailed questions that create a detailed, well-thought out story background. Storyboardscreate a movie script, plotting out each scene in detail. The free app limits user to 2 storyboards of 10 drawings. Inspiration Maps Litethe free iPad version of the graphic organizer Inspiration. Students use brainstorming to create mind maps and turn them into a detailed outline with one touch. Moleskin Journala virtual journal to record thoughts, images, and more. Can type or handwrite in the journal. PlainTextDropbox text editingThis is a simple text editor which allows the user to create and organize documents into folders and sync with Dropbox. Get a free Dropbox account at www.dropbox.com My Writing Spot for iPad Create documents on the iPad and easily sync them to the free My Writing Spot website. Can also be synced with Dropbox. Writing can be password protected. Includes spellcheck, dictionary and thesaurus. MaxjournalA journal app with so much more. App allows user to create separate journals for all the various parts of our lives. Can add up to 30 photographs for each journal entry which makes it great for recording significant events. Journals can be converted to PDF and mailed to friends and family.