E-book Reading Experience

E-book Reading Experience

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

            Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books of all time.  I have several print copies of this book on my shelf at home.  To me, there is nothing like a good book, in a quiet low-lit room with a blanket and cup of something hot to drink.  Recently, however, I purchased an ipad and I found that I can take Pride and Prejudice with me anywhere.  This is so much easier than toting a paper copy of the book around and it wouldn’t look as weird if all of my family and friends began seeing me everywhere with a copy of this book in tow.   Therefore, with my Daily Lit subscription and  my Amazon Kindle Cloud Drive, I am able to keep at least two copies of the book with me electronically.  I also used the Guttenberg Project website to download a copy of the book and convert it to a mobi file. 

            Reading an e-book is also convenient because I don’t have to worry about making room in my tote bag for an extra book.  Additionally, I can increase or minimize the font size, electronically highlight my favorite parts of the book, and flip to any page almost instantaneously.  What’s more, if an e-book is on an application such as a cloud drive, it not required that you use the same device to read your book.  For example, if you forget your ipad at home, there is no need not to read it because you can always pull up the copy on another device. 

            Overall, my e-book has been well-worth the value.  Not only has it been of convenience for space and time, but it saved me money as well.  Books are traditionally purchased online or in a bookstore, however, the e-copies of this book been downloaded for free like many other classics from free e-book websites.  I would definitely recommend an e-book to anyone looking for leisure, time, and space conveniences. 

Literacy Center

Literacy Center

Tiger Academy, Jacksonville, FL

            I am a 2^nd grade teacher at Tiger Academy Charter School in Jacksonville, FL.  Tiger Academy has been in existence since the Fall of 2009.  This school is affiliated through Florida’s First Coast YMCA and serves students in Northwest Jacksonville.  Although anyone can apply for admittance into the school, this school specifically caters to economically disadvantaged children living in Northwest Jacksonville.  The mission of Tiger Academy is to “change educational opportunities for children living in Northwest Jacksonville”.  In other words, Tiger Academy focuses on providing educational experiences that cannot be obtained through traditional public schooling. 

            As a second grade teacher, I enjoy giving varied educational experiences to my students.  Historically, students who live in this part of Jacksonville often come with the stigma that they cannot learn.  This is not true.  Some of the most concrete opportunities for learning have come when children are thirsty for knowledge and new experiences.  I recently attended a workshop that focused on student engagement.  In the workshop I learned that there are 13 different states in which people learn and grasp new information.  One of these thirteen states is anticipatory.  In the classroom I make sure that students are always anticipating new information to learn or add to their schemata. 

            The best time to take advantage of student learning to make students anticipate is during reading.  As an avid reader, I fell in love with reading at an early age.  I want kids to do the same in my classroom.  Thus, I’ve revamped the traditional reading block so that it is highly effective and meaningful to students.  In my reading  block, I include all aspects of reading fluency.  These aspects are phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.  To begin the day, we usually start out with reviewing foundational skills related to sounds and spelling patterns.  I also include vocabulary during this time that consists of cloze activities for which students use context-clues and a reverse context-clues process.  Additionally, we enrich our vocabulary skills by reviewing multiple-meaning words and “every day vocabulary”   In introducing the reading skill, I use a variety of high-sensory tools such as the Smartboard, reading program applications, audio and visual aids, and hands-on applications.  Likewise, similar programs and tools are used while students are practicing oral fluency skills.  Examples of these tools are Zap Reader and the sound recorder application on the PC.  By using these, students are able to self-evaluate how they read and improve based on what they “see” and hear.  To help students read the words on a page better, I use assistive technology tools such as colored filters, card stock, and different font sizes to track words more effectively.

            Comprehension is definitely the most important part of reading.  This time of my reading block known as “centers”  is infused with not only technology but differentiated instruction.  Small group/guided reading time consists of leveled text based on data scores through SAT or MAP testing.  Here the foci and instruction is also individualized.  Students also rotate to their “leveled reading folders” center where a variety of literature and informational text is presented for them to read.  Each reading is followed up with an activity for which they must work alone or with a partner.  Additionally, students can travel to the computer as a follow up activity and work on their digital reading journal by typing or sound recording their thoughts. 

            Finally, reading couldn’t be reading without a class book club and read aloud  novel.  This is also an important time because students learn based on group discussions because they are able to participate in others’ trains of thought.  Additionally, students are also targeted for individualized higher order questions to help gauge their level of higher order thinking.  Also, the opportunities for students to do “booktalks” are available.  This is highly motivating for students because I have personally found that they enjoy talking about books as if they are movies.  I’ve also learned that the most important thing as a teacher is that teaching reading should not be rote and isolated; it should be fun, engaging, and meaningful in every way possible.

Library Analysis

Library Analysis

Jacksonville Public Library: Bradham and Brooks Branch

            The Jacksonville Public Library system located in Jacksonville, Florida has 21 branch locations for residents of northeast Florida.  With the exception of Mondays, most branch locations are open weekdays and Saturdays.  Recently I visited the Bradham & Brooks branch located at 1755 Edgewood Avenue.  This branch opened in 1991 and serves residents of Northwest Jacksonville.  Located near are several schools that service many economically disadvantaged youth, so this branch is a great resource for many students.  Bradham & Brooks branch has many resources ideal for residents and students including a full library collection such as books, audiobooks, and DVDs; library cataloging, internet, and wireless internet access; and an adult, teen, and children’s area.  Additionally, programs for all library goers such as adults, teens, and children are available throughout the week.

            The most interesting aspect of the Bradham & Brooks branch is the programs offered to teenagers and children.  Duval County Public Schools is the local school district and due to teacher professional development requirements, schools are dismissed half-day every other Wednesday.  Therefore, this branch offers an early dismissal program for Duval school district students in the surrounding area.  This program provides students with a variety of resources such as homework help and book club discussions.  Additionally, students are offered other resources through programs such as the after-school program where they are able to get homework help, have book club discussions, surf the internet in a designated area, play board games, and make crafts. 

            Bradham & Brooks also offer resources to adult learners and library goers.  Available at this branch is a learn to read program that has a group of volunteers who meet with adults interested in learning to read according to interested person’s schedule.  Due to the sensitivity of  this type of program, sessions are conducted in one of the 5 meeting/group areas “below” the main entrance on the 1^st floor.  Additionally, other sessions and programs such as a the “Tech Petting Zoo” is a class offered in a meeting area where adults can learn about computer basics.   In addition to adult learners, this branch offer several resources for special needs populations such as “talking books” and a braille collection. 

            Overall, this library branch is a friendly, family atmosphere that offers a variety of learning resources for adults, teens, children, and special populations. 

           

Audio Book Experience

Audio Book Experience

As a full time parent, teacher, and wife working into today’s society, I am left with little time to enjoy what I like doing best: reading.  There is nothing like a good book to put in one’s hand while relaxing with a good cup of Joe.  However, I am not able to enjoy not only the art of reading, but a good book.  Therefore, I recently decided to cut the reading process in half by listening to an audio book.  To further my own personal development, I listened to a book called Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. 

This audio book was neither a biography nor autobiography, but more of an account of experiences and inspirational scenarios about people who have made fortunes.  This book also chronicles Napoleon Hill’s financial experiences.  There are many life lessons that could be learned from the experiences in this book.  Most of the experiences include lessons about putting yourself in the right frame of mind so that you can develop wealth-inducing habits. 

Due to the narrative accounts of financial experiences, the narrator read the book like a story.  Each person’s experience was read like a story.  For example, in the beginning of the Hill related a story about a man named Edwin C. Barnes who was a hard-working, yet poor entrepreneur who wanted to partner with inventor Thomas Edison.  This story told of the determination and resilience of Barnes who was initially turned away but persevered until he eventually convinced Edison to go in on a partnership with him.

I actually learned a lot about how famous people in history made a fortune although they started out with nothing.  This includes a story about Henry Ford who had little schooling but was able to initiate one of the biggest chains of car companies known in this world. 

The point of Think and Grow Rich was to provide motivational and self-help to the individuals who desire to have wealth.  By relaying actual accounts of financial experiences, the author wrote the book well because he also provided “steps” to acquiring wealth.  Every part of this audio book inspired me in the way of believing in myself and not giving up when things get tough.  To me, my personal journey is not only about acquiring wealth but also about believing in myself even if others don’t.   I will read more titles by this author.  I am interested in continuing my journey to success, so I’d like to read more about what this author advises on a journey like mine.

Overall, by listening to an audio book, I was able to save time “reading” and developing myself without making time to sit down and read in the traditional way.  I would definitely recommend for anyone to try the audio book experience. 

 

Hill, N. (1987). Think and Grow Rich. New York: Random House Publishing Group.

 

 

 

Daily Lit Subscription

Daily Lit Subscription

            Daily Lit.com is a website that subscriber readers can subscribe to a book to read.  The book is separated in segments and these segments are sent to the subscriber’s email daily.  The segments are long enough for about 5-10 minutes of reading time every day.  This is a great method of reading because a person doesn’t have to worry about toting a book around or remembering to pick it up.  What’s more, book subscriptions are free.  Due to copyright laws, numerous titles are not available, but most classics are.

            The book I’ve subscribed to for the past several months is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.  It is one of my favorite novels of all time and one of the world’s most original love stories.  Since I enjoy reading this book many times, I’ve found that it’s easy to receive a portion of the book by email daily.  Due to my current schedule as a teacher and mother, it’s hard for me to have true reading time for myself for which I am able to read leisurely.  With daily lit, the 5-10 minute reading can be done on my break at lunch or on my smartphone or iPad if I’m waiting at the doctor’s office. 

Teachers can use Daily Lit in a classroom setting if he/she doesn’t have access to print copies of books.  Daily Lit subscriptions can be used for read alouds or guided reading instruction.  In these cases, teachers would simply log in to his/her email and pull up the daily subscription. 

Overall, I enjoy receiving the daily lit subscriptions because it reminds me that I should read every day and it gives me a segment of suggested reading time that fits my home and work schedule. 

Technology-Enhanced Literature Circles

Technology-Enhanced Literature Circle

            Literature circles are great to have in the classroom to enhance reading comprehension.  Literature circles allow students to “take roles” reading a book and can have a variety of roles.  The typical roles of a literature circle are discussion director, illustrator, word wizard, and summarizer.  Other roles can be introduced in the circle such as researcher or connector.  Literature circles can be fun if the book is engaging for the students; however, if the book is not engaging, students will view literature circles as a chore.  Thus, literature circles can be enhanced with technology integration. 

            The three main components of a literature circles include communication, a common text, and an activity.  Technology can be infused with all of these components.  The communication piece can include a variety of methods and activities such as voice recording for others to hear and reflect on, having pen pals to exchange ideas about the books, using meeting platforms such as Illuminate or Face Time, and possibly instant messaging.  Although these are not typical methods of communication, these are great activities for alternative literature circles.

            In regards to having a paper text, students can use a tablet, desktop, or laptop to use an electronic book for reading.  This way, teachers can have multiple copies of books without having to obtain them from a library or bookstore.  A teacher can use free e-book websites such as wegivebooks.org or books from the Guttenberg Project website.

            Finally, many activities related to the group’s reading can be done with the use of technology.  For example, students can use programs such as Microsoft Power Point or the paint program to create a representation based on the reading.  Additionally, students can use a program such as Movie Maker on the ipad to film a scene from the book or shoot a news report.  Of course, all of this takes times for the teacher to be as effective with technology and class room instruction, but with enough practice, anything process can be close to perfection.

Text-to-Speech Software for Editing

Text-to-Speech is a great tool to use on a Microsoft program or online program.  Text-to-Speech converts typed (written) text into word sounds read by a programmed reader.  The text-to-speech tool can be used for many things including the editing process.  This tool can be used for the editing process because being a good writer means that you can be a good reader.  Often times, students’ writing is not clear because they are not adept to really reading as a reader should.  If their papers (essays, book reports, etc.) are read back to them and something doesn’t sound right, they are able to immediately pinpoint what it is that they need to correct.  If their writing is converted to sound using a text-to-speech tool, the editing process can be easy.  Additionally, sophisticated text-to-speech software applications allow students to “… control the voice, rate of speech, and which sections of text they need to listen to. Some students have a much higher auditory fluency than printed text fluency and will perform better academically in an auditory setting.” (Davis, 2011) Several authors and students as stated on blogs, have personal testimonies that using text-to-speech software for the editing process is beneficial for the work they do. 

However, as with all technology applications, there are setbacks as well.  My questions is: will using this tool make a writer or reader to become lazy and not learn the basic fundamentals of what it is to reciprocate both areas?  Another point to make is that the programmed readers on this tool is not reading based on “real-in-the-moment” reading or using mind reasoning; therefore, it can be hard for a writer using this tool to distinguish the appropriate emotional verbiage related to their writing and thus make the editing process more difficult than not. 

Overall, I feel that the pros of using text-to-speech software outweigh its cons.  This tool is more beneficial to students’ reading and writing skill than it is not beneficial.  Teachers should implement this type of technology in the classroom during reading and writing times so that students are able to listen and ultimately pinpoint their own mistakes in writing or improve their reading comprehension skills.

Davis, D. (2011). Top 10 Classroom Technology Strategies.