NSW Department of Education and Training

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Technology Tools
for
English Classrooms
Jenny Weal
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WHAT TEACHERS ASK
WHY ?

• New Stage 4/5 English syllabus rational
• learning develops through ever widening
  contexts
• Cross curriculum content in stage 4/5 syllabus
  (ICT)

HOW HARD WILL IT BE ?

• Not hard if you use existing expertise and build
  up from a skills base.

WHAT RESOURCES CAN I USE ?

• District and in-school support
• Tilt trainers, available software, internet

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ITC INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
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celebrating teacher's learning

• Using email
• Getting inspired
• Essay writing using the network
• Web sites

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1. using email
Students can email each other or teachers to help
clarify responses. Below is Jacks yr12 standard
English speech on consumerism
BRACKETS) MEANS LEAVE IT OUT NEW WORDS ADDED ARE
IN ORANGE ITALICS IS WHEN I AM MAKING A
SUGGESTION   Hey, big spenders, do you realize
you ARE A (just like) slave(s) of consumerism and
ARE building your (won) OWN tomb? WE Live without
purpose EXCEPT TO (but )consume, only death is
the final relief. Good morning teacher and
students, do you (discover) REALISE since
Australia introduced consumerism from America,
people (become) spend more time on shopping than
any other thing(s)? THE Catalyst of consumerism
is propaganda, which exaggerate (their) A
product, misleadS consumers and therefore
increase (its) A PRODUCTS selling rate.  
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1. using email
Using email language for communication and
analysis
Year 7 Two Weeks with the Queen (drama) Email
from Colin to a friend back home in Australia by
Lachlan
Hey How r thins in aus Thins ova here r fine but
the otha day I was tryin 2 climb ova the fence 2
get in2 the palace and they put a huge spotlite
on me.god it was crazy there were dogs cops and
alister was wimping out real bad
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2. getting inspired
Using Inspiration Yr 9 Film The Power of One By
Daniela and Tammy
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3. exposition using the network
Antz is just a kid's flick Discuss.
This year 8 discussion plan was networked onto
the school system to enable students to work at
the appropriate level
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Level three example Paragraph two Antz can be
viewed on many levels and this is why adults
would also appreciate it. Adult can recognise
familiar stories that have been appropriated. One
story is (1.describe the story 2.explain how it
is appropriated 3. If you can say what meaning it
adds to the text)   Paragraph three Adults are
not only able to recognise the familiar stories
but also relate to the universal theme of
(insert the one you
chose in your introduction) This is seen through
the character of Z who (describe what Z does in
the film that allows us to gain greater insight
into that theme.)
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4. www.cths.nsw.edu
Spinners
Welcome oh avid (or not so avid) student of the
ancient (well, relatively) of Film Appreciation.
Movies are a way for directors and
actors/actresses alike to express their opinions
and emotions on issues. Movies Uncensored is a
website dedicated to helping students such as you
in their study and appreciation of films. Film
appreciation is a part of the English Curriculum
in Australia, but just because it is "school
work" by no means diminishes its fun. It is hoped
that this website will provide the resources
which will aid you in the path of success in this
section of the current, and have fun in the
process.
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Writing Reviews (I)   What is a review?   A
critical article about a new book, film, play,
art exhibition, etc A review is usually written
by an individual who has experienced the literary
work in order to inform the readers about the
merits and/or disappointment of the work. Writing
reviews is very much an integral part of studying
films. One has to learn to both write reviews and
interpret reviews. Here, we have everything you
need to get started, all in a nutshell. What is
the purpose of a review?   To assess the appeal
and value of an artistic work and to encourage a
favourable or otherwise response to a visual or
written work.  Where would you find one?   School
certificate and Higher School Certificate English
and Art answers, newspapers, book and film
reviews.  What are they written about?   Books,
plays, films, paintings, TV shows, songs, CDs,
etc. What are the features of a review?  What
do I include? Context        
Introduction Text Description
Plot .cont.
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6. Using the internet
In this activity you will be exploring the
websites of commercial television stations and
making evaluations about their effectiveness and
usefulness. You will also assess the layouts of
these sites and decide which is more user
friendly.
 
The commercial television stations all have
websites. Channel seven www.seven.com.au Channel
nine www.ninensm.com.au Channel ten
www.ten.com.au   The focus questions for this
exploration are 1.      Which website do you
prefer and why? 2.      What uses can you think
of for this website for a) yourself
b) the general public? 3.    Which site do
you think is more user friendly? Explain your
answer. Could you offer any suggestions for
change?  
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You should only try to explore 2 sites to make
your comparisons and could consider some of the
following steps to help you. v     Sketch the
layout of the homepage? v     Try to get into one
specific area in both sites and compare the
treatment of that text/graphic? It would be good
to compare the same story and its treatment from
one website to another. v     Make a brief note
of the time it takes to access particular
information? v     Compare visual elements such
as layout and graphics and jot down notes about
what appeals to you about particular elements?
(eg use of video footage) v     Make decisions
about the intended audience and how you reached
that conclusion. v     Consider the available
links and their effectiveness for providing extra
information, try a search and see what you come
up with??? This example could be used in
formulating an answer to question 2 or  
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final comments

• I learned heaps.
• Teachers learn to be more confident using
  technology
• Students already know a lot and can teach you
  and peer tutor each other
• Students engaged in learning
• Using technology requires persistencesometimes
  it does not work
• Use of technology encourages an ongoing
  commitment to life long learning