Blog #6 How can technology be used as a tool to engage struggling middle school readers?

In a previous blog post, I mentioned the importance of students talking about books in order to build a community of readers in the classroom. Today, I want to share a tool that can be used to promote discussion and build a community of readers in your classroom. 

I currently work at a school that has an adopted one-to-one device program. In my classroom, I am continually striving to use technology as a tool which promotes learning and enhances my lessons and activities. Last year, I was looking for tools to help engage struggling readers when I discovered Flipgrid. 

What is it: 

Flipgrid is a website which creates a social learning platform that allows educators to ask a question, then the students respond in a video. Teachers create “grids” to facilitate video discussion. Students are then able to respond to one another, creating a “web” of discussion. Increasing the level of student talk in the classroom can help to increase students level of engagement and comprehension. When students engage in discussion about the text it pushes students to reason together, rather than simply holding on to their initial impressions. Students might even reconsider or question their beliefs through these powerful discussions (Pierce & Gilles, 2008).

How can it be used to engage readers: 

1. Discussion: By posting reading discussion questions in Flipgrid it provides all students in the classroom the opportunity to process, think, and respond to a particular question. When using Flipgrid, students can then listen to each other's responses and post a comment or video to respond. Flipgrid has increased the quality and quantity of responses in my classroom. After posting a question, I am able to listen to each students response and provide feedback to each individual student. 

2. Fluency Practice: I often have students that are working to improve their reading fluency. In my intervention groups, students focus on improving the Fountas and Pinnell Six Dimensions of Fluency. At times, motivating a middle school student to work to improve reading fluency can be challenging. So, how did Flipgrid help? In my classroom, I have begun a regular practice where students recording a flipgrid video of them reading a selected passage of text. After completing the fluency recording I asked students to listen to their recording and then post a second video where they reflect on their fluency using the fluency rubric. Flipgrid not only allows me to hear each student read and provide feedback but it also provides students with the opportunity to self-assess and reflect on their own learning process. 

Getting Started with FlipGrid: 

Here is a video which explains how you can set up Flipgrid and get started using it in your classroom. 

Flipgrid has been a powerful tool in my classroom to increase the level of student talk, reflection and engagement. What is your favorite technology to promote student learning? 

References: 

Pierce, K.M., & Gilles, C. (2008). From exploratory talk to critical conversations. In N. Mercer & S. Hodgkinson (Eds.), Exploring talk in school (pp. 37–54). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.