Session+4

Session Four

__4.1 - 21st Century Vocabulary Terms__
Widget: An icon that allows a user to see that there is more information/picture available on a particular subject. A device or control that is very useful for a particular job.

Embed: Placing work from one source to another. Fix or set securely or deeply.

Embed Code: The code the computer needs to "embed" an idea from one place to another.

Link: A series of letters and numbers that leads the user to a new webpage. A fastener that seeks to join or connect.

URL: The series of letters and numbers that are associated with a link to a new webpage. The address of a page on the World Wide Web

Upload: The act of borrowing work or ideas from a different website. Transfer a file or program to a central computer from a smaller computer. Example: Putting a picture from Google Images onto your Facebook page. . Download: Not sure how this differs from Upload. Transfer of a file or program from a central computer to a smaller computer. Example: I downloaded the latest best selling novel onto my Kindle.

Search Engine: A computer version of an encyclopedia: Google, Bing. A computer program that retrieves information based upon a particular request.

Web 2.0: Not a clue... Upon checking the definition of Web 2.0, Vocabulary.com gave me the definition of "Feb 2".
 * a use of the world wide web as a means to allow all computers to operate as both users and creators in which digital media is both produced and used collaboratively. This is in contrast to users being given information in which they only view the information, becoming much more passive in their activity. I collected this definition from "additional resources". Thanks! **

__4.2 - Vocabulary.com__
Students and teachers would find Vocabulary.com useful because it provides the definition of the word, but also provides a clear context that the word is used. Vocabulary.com provides more than a textbook definition that students faithfully copy into their notebooks. The website gives more information for a deeper and richer understanding of the word. When students only copy a definition, they often do not read what they've written or do not understand the definition. This website insists that the student go further than rote copy.

All students would benefit from using Vocabulary.com but struggling readers and ELLs would be exposed to a more sophisticated definition that would be more likely to stick with them when provided in context. Taking it one step further and asking the struggling readers to now create their own definition would assess if they have a true understanding of the word or idea.



__4.4 Using Word Sift__
**Online Word Reference Tools -** www.visualthesaurus.com, **Support Reading and Word Learning With Just-in-Time Vocabulary Reference Support -** Some word reference tools can be mounted on the browser toolbar, allowing you to right click on any word to look it up and have a brief definition display (see www.thefreedictionary.com/add2ie.htm#addonfor Internet Explorer and Mozilla). Two popular free online dictionaries/thesauri are: dictionary.reference.com/ and www.merriam-webster.com. Tools expressly designed for students include Word Central from Merriam-Webster (www.wordcentral.com), Back in School from Dictionary.com, and Yahoo Kids! American Heritage Dictionaryof the English Language (kids.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/english).
 * Digital Vocabulary Field Trip -** Teachers can create a digital version of a vocabulary field trip using a free online program called TrackStar (trackstar.4teachers.org).

__**WORD SIFT SCREEN SHOT**__
 * How is Word Sift an effective pre-reading strategy? ﻿Word Sift presents possibly unknown vocabulary in a creative, fun format. Students will be more likely to review the larger words, possibly click on the words to get quite a bit more information. Sets the stage for scaffolding vocabulary and conceptual ideas.
 * How would Word Sift help students who struggle reading? ﻿Students who struggle with reading may find the Word Sift format fun. Fun ususally = completing the assignment. Additionally, a student can work at their own pace which provides a more comfortable learning atmosphere. If students see a word or concept presented in several varied ways, they are more likely to get a deeper understanding.