
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

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