Using technology in the classroom has been proven to enhance the educational experiences for students. As a teacher, differentiated instruction is key and expected by administration. The question that many educators ask themselves is "What technology resources are available to me that are not only meaningful, but beneficial to my students?" and "How do I use them?"
Below is a list of resources that we think will help enhance ELA (and content) instruction in your classroom:
1. Google Read & Write
Google Read & Write is an extension for Google Chrome that makes reading more accessible to all students. While reading text online (including PDF's) students can use the various features on the toolbar to make the reading more engaging and understandable. To add the extension simply go to www.google.com and type in "Google Read & Write'' and add the extension. A Google account (Gmail) is required and you get a 30 - day free trial. A subscription is required, but I think it’s well worth the money!
The most important features to highlight are:
- The dictionary and picture dictionary allow students to select words and get kid - friendly definitions and images as they’re reading the text. This saves them the time and trouble from having to stop the reading and go look up the words in outside sources which disrupts their reading and comprehension.
- The play, pause, and stop feature allow students to click text and have it read aloud to them which helps with reading fluency and comprehension.
- Screen mask will darken out everything on the screen but the selected text so students can focus their attention on the words that they are reading.
- The highlighters will allow students to highlight different text in different colors and collect highlights will put the similar colored text together in a new document. This is great for doing research where students are categorizing different information. This helps students keep their information organized.
- The simplify page will allow students to change the reading (or Lexile) level of the text, but keep the same content and meaning.
- The practice reading allow allows students to record themselves reading the text and send it off to others (the teacher) to hear it!
2. Grammarly
Grammarly is an automated proofreader. It is a Google Chrome extension that checks for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Grammarly works to enhance vocabulary usage, and suggests synonyms to enhance students' writing. As students continue to use Grammarly the smart technology predicts appropriate words to enhance their level of vocabulary. It improves communication by helping users find and correct writing mistakes. The extension is simple and will continuously help students improve their vocabulary throughout their writing process.
3. NewsELA 
NewsELA is a database of articles on a broad range of subjects. It encourages differentiated instruction by allowing the instructor to change the lexile level of the articles to meet the needs of students. Articles can be researched by subject, grade level, or reading level. There are elements of the website that allow for annotations, the ability to monitor student progress, and the opportunity to enhance literacy skills in a meaningful way, specific to the content area. This app is perfect for creating interdisciplinary unit plans and is useful for creating a various text sets!
4. Khan Academy 
Khan Academy is a free for everyone website that allows students to study and review core subjects by selecting the subject itself, as well as by breaking down the subject by what students are expected to know by grade level. Teachers can set up a classroom for their students, monitor their progress, and better suit their classroom instruction to help support students based on the progress monitoring system on Khan Academy.
5. Flocabulary
Flocabulary is a website similar in style to Schoolhouse Rock! Teachers can share educational hip-hop videos with their students concerning subjects such as Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Flocabulary also offers videos to help students with vocabulary, current events and life skills. If you’re not sure if Flocabulary will be helpful for you or your students, you can sign up for a free forty-five day trial! If you and your students think this website is helpful, there are options for individual, school and district subscription plans. With content that ranges from Kindergarten to twelfth grade, students of all ages will love to sing along with content specific Flocabulary videos!
6. Bookopolis
One of the challenges for teachers to instruct students in reading is to first get students to want to read. We all know motivation is HUGE! Bookopolis is a website that really helps solve the motivation problem with reading. It's set up a social media website in which students can locate and share books with each other. They can rate and review the book, write a "book buzz'' in which they share brief information and explain why a reader HAS to read it, and they can recommend books to each other. Additionally they can earn badges, keep track of all their progress such as total minutes read and participate in events to earn free books! As teachers we can keep track of updated book winners and find instructional resources tied to the standards to help supplement our instruction and make it more meaningful and engaging! The reading log allows students to track their book progress on the website and write comments. It's a great way to digitally build a community of readers!
A companion website as the students get older is Goodreads. By introducing them to Bookopolis it serves as the perfect transition to the website.
6. Bookopolis
One of the challenges for teachers to instruct students in reading is to first get students to want to read. We all know motivation is HUGE! Bookopolis is a website that really helps solve the motivation problem with reading. It's set up a social media website in which students can locate and share books with each other. They can rate and review the book, write a "book buzz'' in which they share brief information and explain why a reader HAS to read it, and they can recommend books to each other. Additionally they can earn badges, keep track of all their progress such as total minutes read and participate in events to earn free books! As teachers we can keep track of updated book winners and find instructional resources tied to the standards to help supplement our instruction and make it more meaningful and engaging! The reading log allows students to track their book progress on the website and write comments. It's a great way to digitally build a community of readers!
A companion website as the students get older is Goodreads. By introducing them to Bookopolis it serves as the perfect transition to the website.
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