Technological Teaching Tools

When browsing the "Free Technology for Teachers" website, it was surprisingly difficult to find resources that were applicable for an English classroom. It makes sense though, most of the new technology for classrooms we hear about are geared more toward the fields of science, math and social studies. I think this might be why I've been slightly skeptical of how technology can be realistically applied to an English curriculum. Seemingly, the best way to learn to read and write is to do just that: read and write in the traditional manner. This may just be my technologically naive side coming out again, and I do think technology has a place in the classroom, but I just question how much it can be utilized by English teachers. I'm sure I have a lot to learn and can certainly be proved wrong on this point. But for now, I'm still struggling to see that proof.

I did, however, find a pretty neat resource on the website regarding the conduction of research online. "Google for Educators" offers free posters that list some of tips on how to make most of a google search. I think this would be incredibly valuable in an English classroom, seeing as any research paper usually requires anywhere between two and ten outside sources, and almost all research is done explicitly online these days. When I was a younger student, nobody told me the tricks and tips of conducting a successful google search, so I think this would be a great thing to hang on the wall of my own classroom. The posters are organized in a well thought out manner: they start with a simple search on the left and explain how to get more and more specific as the text moves right. Even fourth and fifth graders would be able to interpret the graphic. 

The link is here, so check it out. Look at all five posters. They all seem really useful.