Literacy & Technology
Follow the C2L boards on Pinterest.  

The boards cover a variety of educational technology topics.  

Featured Presentation

How to Implement Goodreads in the Literacy Classroom and Encourage the Love of Reading

Abstract:   With all of its helpful tools and features, Goodreads can be effectively implemented in any classroom that involves literacy. This website can motivate students to become avid readers by making it exciting to add books to the bookshelves while also seeing other peers' bookshelves. This website can also strengthen student comprehension and fluency by allowing students to create/take quizzes and review books they have read or reading others' reviews.
​
Chelsea Mann (Twitter: @Chelsea_B_Mann) and Haylee Morris (@hayleelynn21)
Tarleton State University

Literacy & Technology Presentations

Comprehension and Summarization with Tellagami

Using BoomWriter as a Literacy Strategy
Abstract: This video is an explanation of how comprehension and summarization can be enhanced with the app Tellagami.  Tellagami can help students make a 90 second video on topics that the teacher wants to assess. In this example, we explain how a student can create their own summaries of each part of the story plot.

Gloria Lara and Marianna Hill (Twitter: @MariannaHill17)
Tarleton State University
Abstract:  This website can be used as a tool for vocabulary word use and writing prompts. It helps teachers assess the use of vocabulary words introduced in their classroom, and assess their writing skills. It also gives the students to do assessment like activities but in a interactive setting.  

Viviana Rodriguez (Twitter: @viviana_tsu)
​Tarleton State University 

PlayPosit for the Literacy Classroom: Play, Pause, Learn It!
Abstract: PlayPosit is an interative browser-based tool teachers can utilize for flipped and/or blended learning environments that will enhance the literacy classroom by allowing teachers to assign videos for students to watch and embed questions at key points in the videos in order to increase comprehension and to assess learning. By using PlayPosit, teachers can make literacy lessons more engaging and add accountability for student learning.

Lisa Colvin
Tarleton State University
Assistant Professor
Curriculum and Instruction
​(Twitter:  @LisaColvin16)

Using Technology to Enhance Literature Circles

Using Flipgrid

Using Do Ink

Using TodaysMeet
Abstract: Flipgrid is a video discussion tool that puts a twist on the traditional Literature Circle or Book Club to enhance the overall appeal of discussing a novel. Teachers can say goodbye to forcing students to discuss in class, because Flipgrid allows everyone to share their opinion in a way that isn’t terrifying to students that rarely share their ideas. Students can expand on their creativity skills and create videos that allow them to share and define their voices! With Flipgrid, all students are engaged and enjoy discussing their ideas in a more interesting way. 

Brittany Adamcik and Danielle Badillo 
Tarleton State University
(Twitter: @briittanny12 @dani4113)
Abstract: Literature circles are a great collaborative ELA strategy used in classrooms to further student engagement and allow them opportunities to be creative. Literature circles can be further enhanced with the use of Do Ink. By incorporating Do Ink with literature circles students have the capability of expanding their technology knowledge and connect to literature in the classroom with a different perspective. Students get to utilize this application by creating stimulating videos using a green screen effect.


Annabel Hodgson
​Tarleton State University
(Twitter: @hodgsons_class)
Abstract:  Students will still meet face to face in the classroom and use their own device to join the teacher's discussion in order to make connections about their readings. The teacher can use the projector for everyone to see while also monitoring group answers, contributions, and comprehension. Also, the teacher can use this tool as a grading method to make sure everyone is on track with their readings. 




Bethany Vega and Martha Marquez
​Tarleton State University
(Twitter: @memarquez713 @bethyvega18)

Using Digital Storytelling to Enhance Learning

Abstract: This presentation explores ways to use digital storytelling in the classroom to enhance learning. It gives detailed ways that both teacher-created digital stories as well as student-created digital stories can allow students to learn in our digital era. It also includes the Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling from the Center for Digital Storytelling. The video also goes into detail about how to use the Storybird app to create a digital story, and gives examples of other websites or applications to use.

McKayla Cusker
​Spring Hill College
Twitter: @mckaylacusker

Read-alouds and Little Bird Tales

Abstract: This presentation is a supportive tool for incorporating read-alouds and technology into classrooms. Read-alouds can stimulate student curiosity and provide opportunities to motivate and engage students to read and write. Read-alouds provide the perfect opportunity to support and stimulate student learning! The Little Bird Tales app is a great interactive tool that can easily be adapted to suit all ages and developmental levels of students and cover a broad spectrum of assignments. In the video, we demonstrate the easy four step process of creating your own Little Bird Tale and include a real student sample to reveal the simplicity of the app.

#littlebirdtales       #readalouds

Racheal Pritt & Mayra Hernandez
Tarleton State University

Flocabulary:  Comprehension Across All Literacy Objectives

Abstract:   This presentation is an overview of the website Flocabulary and its valuable resources. It has a plethora of rap videos to assist in the teaching of comprehension skills for many different content goals. It also includes resources for each video including, but not limited to lesson plans, printable lyrics for each rap, and a student rap creator. Whether the video/lesson is fact and opinion, cause and effect, or any of the other content goals, this website gets students engaged and interested in what they are learning. 

​Phoebe Whitney
3rd Grade Teacher at Dallas Park Elementary in Crowley, Texas
(Twitter:  @phoebewhitney23)

Fluency Tutor:  A Great Literacy Tool

Abstract: Fluency Tutor is a great technology tool to use for literacy in the classroom. It helps struggling readers and English-language learners with the tools they need to improve their reading and boost their confidence to read in the classroom. Fluency Tutor lets students record themselves reading different types of texts. Students are able to listen to their recordings and self-reflect before submitting it for teacher feedback. Fluency Tutor is a great tool to nurture student's reading development by them being able to listen to their reading, sharing their recordings, and then receive direct feedback from their teacher.
​
Briseida Valdez and Jamie Martinez
​Tarleton State University
(Twitter: @briseidavala and @jmartinez061093)

Improving Fluency using the iSpeech App

Abstract:  This purpose of this presentation is to show how iSpeech can be implemented in classrooms to help improve fluency of students during reading. In this presentation, we used the free iSpeech application compatible with iPhone as one example of text-to-speech technology. We discussed the features of the application, how to incorporate it into a lesson, and the benefits of using iSpeech in the classroom. This technology tool can be used to create individualized learning opportunities for students and allows teachers to differentiate instruction in the classroom.


O’Brien Norris and Victoria McDowell
Tarleton State University
​(Twitter: @Obrien_a921 and @vlmcdowell521)

Using Storyjumper as a Literacy Tool in the Classroom

Abstract: Story Jumper is an online story book maker that can be used in many different ways in the classroom. Story Jumper helps to improve the writing skills of students while also keeping students engaged and interested in writing. This video shows how Story Jumper can be used in the classroom.

Emily Mitchell
Tarleton State University 
​(Twitter: @love_n_teaching)

Using PowToon in the Literacy Classroom

Abstract: This is a brief presentation about how powtoon.com could be used to assess student knowledge of summary writing. 


Michaela Wood
Caitlyn Lauro
​Tarleton State University
(Twitter: @MsCaitlynLauro)
Abstract: PowToon is a website where students, educators, and everyone else can create their own animated video. This can be used in the classroom for review videos, announcements, or for students to create their own stories and bring them to life. This presentation was made using PowToon and is just a sample of what the website has to offer.
​
Anna Kathryn Moorehead
Spring Hill College
(Twitter: @annakmoorehead)

Endless Reader:  A Literacy App to Help Students with Word Work

Abstract: Endless Reader is a free-app that can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. This app would be beneficial in a classroom where there are younger students and/or struggling readers. Endless Reader is a great supplement to instruction that helps to teach students about sight words, phonemic awareness, directionality of print, and using words for communication.

Ashley Brozovich and Stephanie Dunson
Tarleton State University
(Twitter: @Abrozy1022 and @SDunson91)

Spelling City App:  Helping Students Practice Spelling

Abstract:  Spelling City is an app that gives students a fun and interactive way to practice their spelling and phonics skills. This tool allows teachers and/or parents to create personalized spelling lists. Teachers are able to differentiate spelling lists for different learners. The students can practice their words through several fun activities. The app also allows teachers to access their students knowledge through spelling tests.
​
Kiley Williams and Jazmine Asyn
Tarleton State University
(Twitter: @kileyyy14 and @jaz_asyn)

My Story App:  Helping Students With Comprehension

Abstract:  Comprehension is one of most difficult skills for students to learn to use effectively. Actively keeping them engaged is the biggest obstacles teachers face every day. With the My Story: School Edition app, students are able to create and narrate stories from books they have read, or create stories of their own. By allowing students to create their own stories, or ones pertaining to books being read in class, teachers can assess the mastery of any subject or comprehension of a book being taught. 

Brittany Vaughn
Tarleton State University
(Twitter: @Brittan74457223)

Teaching Idioms with Spiral
Abstract:  Spiral is a free education tool for formative assessment. It does not have to be downloaded and is completely accesible for teachers and students from any device. I will demonstrate how Spiral can be used to teach 5th grade students about idioms. I will use Spiral for almost every phase of the lesson starting with introducing idioms, then by having students brainstorm idioms, which will serve as a quick formative assessment. I will use the Spiral online tool to have the students collaborate with a group to come up with a definition of idioms, view other examples, present a paper and pencil activity with an example. Finally, I will present a review of idioms followed by a summative assessment to assess their detailed understanding of idioms.

Jennifer Bonilla
Tarleton State University​