Read. Write. Sparkle. Coffee: Educational Application Integration Scenario: Voxer

The Voxer application is a means of sending voice messages and text messages to an individual or group. This application can be integrated into many different learning and teaching experiences in the middle school English Language Arts (ELA) classroom.

One specific way to use this application in ELA is creating a virtual literature circle, creating a place for groups of students to continually and actively discuss the books they are reading. Providing students with the platform to share thoughts and ideas of the literature and gain further insights through the information gathered from their class-mates and teacher. Application assists with both time and differentiation for a better student focused classroom that a teacher can effectively manage.

Time is consistently an issue with middle school teachers. There is never enough of it for reading, discussing, analyzing, teaching, etc. This application allows more time for discussing and analyzing the literature we are reading in the classroom. A student reads the assigned portion of book at home, prepares his or her thoughts, and records them in his or her literature circle created on the Voxer app. Other students currently reading the same book, also completes the above steps. Later, the students return to hear the conversation that is being formed. Allowing all students to take part in the learning activity. This will be extremely beneficial to those who are learning English as a second language and those with learning disabilities in which an auditory platform can be of assistance. The teacher can join into the conversation, ask questions, and assess the knowledge that is being offered in the conversation. The teacher can also direct specific situations of the days lecture to the story in which they are reading.

Differentiated learning is simplified with this application, as students can be placed into groups reading different books based on reading level, interests, and more. Lecture time can be held to discuss what literary elements the students are looking for within their texts. Students are learning such literary elements through the story and group they are assigned to. No longer are the too low or too high of a reading level or the lack of interest in the book subject, barriers to learning the required skills of the ELA class.

References

Voxer Walkie Talkie Messenger. (2010). Voxer LLC (Version 3.20.1) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved from http://itunes.apple.com