Language Arts and Technology

I interviewed Mrs. Tova Pir, a well know experienced educator in Newark, New Jersey. Mrs. Pir is a teacher’s advocate in implementing technology into ELA and Math lessons. I am glad that I was able to discuss some of the ways she uses technology in her classroom to further enhance her students learning. Mrs Pir began, by telling me that her main concern is that all students should succeed. She believes when using technology her students are more engaged in their learning which has a direct impact on their success. She also uses a computer programs that make it very easy and organized to assess student’s achievement, class participation and grades.   Mrs. Pir uses a Smart board and its many interactive functions as her main technological tool. Firstly after every lesson she can save whatever was written on the board that day as a document. The next day when she comes in to class and wants to have a review she just opens up the document and everything that was on the smart board...

ELA is something students need to master and be proficient at, in order to become successful individuals in their careers and lives. ELA teaches critical thinking skills in reading as well as creative writing, language and speaking/ listening skills. It is how people communicate and how people understand what they are reading. The standards provide and outline the knowledge and core concepts in detail. ELA can be taught in all subject areas and it is important that teachers of all studies implement ELA into their lessons. Language can’t just be passively taught. The students must receive the opportunity to use their new language in different contexts. Dialogue with new vocabulary, using language their taught in writing and critical thinking are all important factors of ELA. The standards of ELA help teachers have a clear goal for their students learning.

Common Core State standards is very important because students across the states are all expected to be on the same learning level. Therefore when students from all different states go to college they will all have met the same standards of learning. Because the standards vary so drastically from one school to the next it becomes a large challenge for students that switch schools or even move states. The Common Core State Standards were put together to make sure all students are learning what they need to know to make sure they are prepared for college and careers successfully.