EMERGING TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT Joann Duff

Learn Idioms

Type of Technology: iPad; iOS 7.0 ; $1.99 (Updated December 9, 2015)

Description: For ELL children (all ages). Uses interactive notebook to present an idiom,
its meaning and an example showing how the idiom is used in context. A graphic illustrates its
meaning. App also includes three interative activities.”Missing Word” - spell missing word that has
been left out of idiom. Select from five words. In “Match-Up” student selects correct idiom for an
expression. Chooses from five idioms. “Word Drop” - complete idiom by choosing missing word from
a list of 5. Sound effects and speech reinforce learning objectives.
Uses:Students learning a new language often find communication difficult as Idioms frequently are
used in everyday communications. A misunderstanding of the idiom can cause embarrassment and
frustration for the ELL student. This app useful for one-on-one tutoring session with the teacher or a
peer. It also could be used in small group sessions with the class as some idioms are not understood by
them as well.
Citations: Ventura Educational Systems, “Kidioms on the App Store,”
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kidioms/id475844040

Find a Word by the Way It Sounds

.
Type of Technology: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch. $1.99 (January 29, 2016)
Description: Grades 3-4 and above. Also helpful for English Language Learners (ELL). This app
answers the question, “If you can't spell, how can you use a dictionary?” A student spells the word like
it sounds and the app searches for it. It also cross-references the word with other words which may
sound similar or are spelled the same. (Is it petal or pedal or peddle?) It also provides suffix endings
that may be associated with the word. For example, funny, funnies, funnier, funniest.
Uses: For independent work or small group with teacher modeling the blending of sounds into words
to increase students' phonemic awareness. Can be used for students with learning disabilities such as
Dyslexia. Sounding out words encourages children to focus on vowel patterns and blends. Students'
writing also is focus of this app.
Citations: American Wordspeller i.m. Press; http://www.readingrockets.org/literacy apps/dyslexia-and-
learning-disabilities.
 Record Your Voice While Learning.

Type of Technology: iPhone; iPod Touch, iPad. $3.99. (Updated April 11, 2013)
Description: Grades K-1. Reading Raven is a bird wearing goggles with books strapped to his back. He
guides children from lesson to lesson as they engage in fun activities. It allows students to record and
play back words and sentences they learn. The app uses a different environment for each lesson.
Exciting graphics and mini-games.
Uses: For small group or independent work. Teacher can set the options based on student's reading
level. The activities teach letter recognition, tracing, phonics, writing words and sentences. This app
can be customized for students who are at below-level reading. The fun animals such as flying
penguins and fly-catching frogs keep children entertained and motivated.
Citations: Publisher: Early Ascent, LLChttp://www.readingraven.com/pt-guide-pdf
//www.huffingtonpost.com/brad-spirrison/the-best-five-ipad-apps:

. “Don't Like the Ending? “Change It!”

Type of Technology: Phone, iPad, iPod Touch, $1.99 (Updated November 13, 2013)
Description: Grades 3-6. Brush of Truth – a story about a brush with magical powers - an app with a
twist. It allows students to make choices about what they want to happen as they read along. There are
20 different endings; 65 different choice points; 125 pages of story. Illustrations are colorful. .
Uses: Useful for a whole-group lesson; a small group encourages collaboration. Reading skills refined
as well as vocabulary. Word choices are crucial for dramatic effect. Technology motivates students who
find reading boring. Students challenged by the varied ideas/ relationships among the characters. This
app will teach story structure and sequencing.
Citations: Written by Julie Landry Laviolette; Story Bayou, Inc.; www.StoryBayou.com;
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brad-spirrison/the-best-five-ipad-apps.
 Objects Inspire Theme Poems

Type of Technology: Website . Use on SmartBoard or individual computers. Free. For grades 3-5.
(Updated October 23,2013)
Description: This is an online interative game downloaded from “Poetry-Interactive Learning Site for
Education.” Students create a theme poem based on objects seen in everyday life and that have a rich
connection. Students select from several themes such as school, nature, sports, shapes, celebrations. For
example, if a student selects “school,” objects such as an apple, bus, book, desk and so on are
displayed. If a student selects “apple,” he then lists the words that remind him of an apple such as tree,
red, pie, fruit. Using his list, he then types his poem on the screen. Poems can be read to class with
expression, using voice and gestures to convey meaning. Repeated readings will result in students
becoming fluent readers with increased comprehension skills.
Uses: Theme poems are useful for independent work. Poetry challenges students to use words in new
ways, therefore, the teacher may want to pair up some students for additional help. Students also are
learning the writing process is showing up in a different genre: deciding what to write about; thinking
of ideas; coming up with a title; writing, revising, publishing. Inspired by everyday life, students – no
matter how young – are discovering their poetry may linger with them in a way that other writing may
not. Their emotional response evokes visual images of childhood experiences.
Citations: “Poetry- Interactive Learning Sites for Education”;
http://interactivesites.weebly.com/poetry.html
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans (Janet Beyersdorfer)

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