BP3_2010031_Web2.0Tools1(Knowtes)

Based on the findings of the National Reading Panel (2000), Bay District Schools adopted a Reading Frameworks program for use when remediating students in reading.  Vocabulary is one component of the Frameworks program.   Consequently, my students receive extensive exposure to affixes: prefixes, roots, suffixes, and the vocabulary words that emanate.  Students are exposed to the words and their parts in several ways.  For those of the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence (Gardner, 1999), students manipulate affixes and words on a wall to uncover the word’s meaning.  In addition, students use a computer software program that allows them to build a city using the word parts.  However, their experience with the words and their parts does not carry over to the home.  Even when they know an assessment is forthcoming, rarely will they study the words outside the classroom.  Knowtes offers an avenue by which the students can engage with the material outside the classroom.

         Screenshot courtesy of: http://www.knowtes.com

Knowtes is a Web 2.0 tool that promotes itself as a flashcard-based learning community.  Knowtes permits access to a database of flashcard or an individual can create his own.  The Knowtes Adaptive Learning Engine adjusts how frequently the user should to study the cards based on previous performance.  The program allows the user to view his learning progress by watching the cards move from short to long-term memory as they’re studied.  The program also sends reminders when it’s time to study.

This tool will allow me to establish a group (students) and a deck (affixes and words) for the students to study individually or collaboratively.  More importantly, each student can create their own cards, study program and ultimately, their own personal learning environment.  As such, students now move learning out of my classroom, take it into their own environment, and hopefully begin to own and use the information beyond my class period.  And finally, students can collaborate with classmates or others in the Knowtes community to effectuate their own learning or that of others.

                 Screenshot courtesy of: http://www.knowtes.com

My students begin a new set of affixes and words later this week after our state’s standardized testing is complete.  I plan to introduce this Web 2.0 tool to them at that time.

References

Gardner, H. (1999). Intelligence reframed: Multiple intelligences for the 21^st century. New York: Basic Books.

National Reading Panel (2000), Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and its implications for reading instruction.  (NIH 00-4769).  Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.