Empowering Struggling Students in the Age of Technology

1. Empowering Struggling Students in the Age of Technology Sean Bennett Fayette County Alternative School Gwin Jordan Whitewater High School

2. “this discovery of yours will create forgetfulness in the learners’ souls, because they will not use their memories; they will trust to the external written characters and not remember of themselves.” 1. There is no Silver Bullet 2. Technology should solve problems 3. Assignment first, then Technology 4. Software shouldn’t cost Anything 5. Teachers are even more important - Socrates against the use of paper in “The Phaedrus”

3. James Kulik (1994) • Aggregated the findings from 500 individual research studies • Control scored in the 50th percentile, Experimental in the 64th Percentile • Increased motivation • Results not generalized in all areas.

4. Jay Sivin-Kachala (1998) • Aggregated the findings from 219 research studies from 1990-1997 • Increase in achievement and motivation • Level of effectiveness influenced by several factors “The level of effectiveness of educational technology is influenced by the specific student population, the software design, the educator’s role, and the level of student access to technology.” - Jay Sivin-Kachala

5. Dale Mann (1999) • Students who participated increased test scores on the Stanford 9 Determining Factors: • Student access • Positive attitudes • Teacher training “BS/CE was more cost effective in improving student achievement than (1) class size reduction from 35 to 20 students, (2) increased instruction time, and (3) cross age tutoring programs.” - Lewis Solomon (1999)

6. TIP Texas (2007) Marked Improvement • 5% Increase in 6th • 42% Increase in 7th • 24% Increase in 8th Key Factors: • Teacher Professional Development • Teacher / Student Engagement

7. Motivation • Significant increase in teacher effectiveness (Lumley 1991) • Staff development increases student learning (Lewis 2004) • Diagnosing strengths with technology is key to Motivation (Lumley 1991) • Students feel smarter and empowered (United States DOE 1991) • Increase in self-esteem and classroom interaction (Page 2002) • Multimedia increases interest, attention, and curiosity (Boster el al. 2002)

8. Meet Mark Mark Johnson • Disadvantaged • IEP data Lacking • General Disorganization • Disruptive in Class • Inattentive • Difficulty with Projects • Struggling Reader

10. IEP Data Collection

11. Remind101 101 Disorganization Step #1: Student opt in by filling out the mobile setup form in calendar settings Step #1: Teacher signs up and receives a code Step #2: Teacher creates a class calendar that students and parents subscribe to. Step #2: Students and parents text the code to the Remind101 number Step #3: Events on the class calendar are automatically texted to the students or parents Step #3: The teacher sends out a message, and all parties get the info

12. Classroom Management Advantage 1: Document student achievement and behavior challenges (carrot and stick). Advantage 2: Instant feedback used to create positive classroom experiences. Advantage 3: Students can keep up with their points, and parents can be accurately informed.

13. Notetaking • Students take notes in class during the day • Notes are recorded in print on internet driven software. • Records audio during class and can replay at the touch of the pen to the notes

14. Poster Projects Students can embed video, text, images, sound bites, and links to other sites – levels the playing field for disadvantaged students.

15. Literature 40,000 free books available on both the internet and smartphones. For audio versions, check out librovox.

16. Meet Beth Beth Smith • Twice Exceptional • Disorganized • Craves Social Interaction • Easily Disinterested • Struggling Reader • Visual Learner • Social Anxiety • Needs Research Help

17. Organizational Resources

18. Organizational Storage

19. Google Docs • Great for grading essays and any writing assignment • Becoming more and more popular at colleges • Student and teacher can work simultaneously • Documents all versions and time stamps • Archived material is useful for classroom examples Google Presentation • Allows students to work simultaneously on the same project • Allows for Chat and Editing Remarks • Integrated with Microsoft PowerPoint

20. Creating Interest

21. Struggling Readers • Converts almost any text into spoken word • Works in a multitude of different languages and voices • With a scanner, NaturalReader can convert printed material to spoken word.

22. Visual Resources Smart Phone Apps Droid – AnkiDroid iPhone – Flashcard Deluxe

23. Speaking and Listening Great for any presentation project – it removes the fear of performing and provides an outline for discussions.

24. Teacher Toolbox

25. Social Classroom Management Online Learning Systems Assign and Grade Assignments Create and Share Quizzes Grades Calculated in a Grade Book Smart Phone Apps Calendar to Keep on Track Works Well with Other Apps

26. Advantages of Edmodo No limits on how many files you can attach You can comment on the assignments themselves Fill in the blank tests and question banks Award students with new badges (awards) Allows for co-teacher access

27. Advantages of Schoology Use threaded discussion boards Interconnectivity with Google and Khan True Learning Management System Analytics function to track student involvement Several learning apps within the program

28. Looking at the Numbers But, My Teachers Won’t Spend the Time Learning New Software. Average Number of Papers 14 a year X Average Number of Students 130 X Average Time Spent Grading 7 Minutes = 12,740 Minutes or 212.3 Hours or 8.85 Days or Saving 1 minute per essay = 30 Hours of Work