Comprehension+(Kallie)

Looking Deeper Into Comprehension

==== **"Comprehension is defined as the process of simultaneously extracting and constructing meaning through interaction and involvement with written language" (Ness, 2009, pg. 143). ** ====

= Area One: Background about topic =

**//__Literacy Research Question__//**
How does the use of technology, varied teaching approaches, and classroom attitude's affect comprehension?

** __// Key Concepts of Comprehension: //__ **

 * Comprehension is the most substantial feature for struggling readers
 * Comprehension is one of the main components in today's society that is being over-looked
 * Students and teachers perceive comprehension differently
 * When comprehension is given a solid foundation which includes variety, technology, or knowledge of attitudes, comprehension levels can rise significantly

**__//The Study//__**
The topic of comprehension was studied by researching the different uses of technology that benefit comprehension, the teaching strategies used by teachers, and the teacher's and student's attitudes in the classroom. The study began by researching articles that focused on the integration of technology, varied teaching strategies, and attitudes in the classroom. After finding extensive information on the three sub-topics, the articles were narrowed down to use the most appropriate, beneficial articles. once the ten articles were chosen through careful consideration the findings and results were significant in understanding how to strengthen one's comprehension.

The findings of the technology research revealed that when students in a control group were compared to the experimental group, the experimental groups that were integrated with technology showed a vast improvement than the control group. The uses of technology such as the Kidspiration software showed significant improvement in the accuracy of the combination of technology and instruction.

The articles that focused on how teaching approaches effect comprehension showed that when teachers take instruction one step further and include additional information comprehension can be more effective, if the instruction is taught properly. What is meant by taking the instruction one step further is that when teachers change their instructional techniques to mold the needs of the students, comprehension abilities can prosper.

The last set of articles focused on the teacher's and student's attitudes in the classroom. The results showed that many students have a negative attitude towards reading and writing. The negativity stems from how they perceive their teachers and their actions. From the teacher's point of view the articles focus on what they can do to better themselves as teachers, whether it is by attending workshops of seeking research, the teachers looked for ways to increase their attitudes which will essentially change the student's attitudes as well. The change from negative to positive attitudes showed an increase in reading skills and fundamentally improved their comprehension.

__//** Resources **//__

 * == Comprehension Resources ==

= = = Area Two: Implications for different Wiki readers =

It is important to understand the foundation of a learner's problem. Comprehension difficulties can stem from a variety of different areas. As classroom teachers and reading specialists who encounter these difficulties daily, it is essential that you understand where the problem started. Knowing why the comprehender is have difficulties is a key component in helping them but also knowing where the difficulty started is more important. As leaders for these students it is important to be familiar with a variety of strategies that can be integrated and emphasize to ensure that the learner is learning to their fullest potential.
 * //Reading Specialist, Classroom Teachers, Psychologists, Administrators//**

As a psychologist you must know a solid background on the students who obtain a difficulty in the classroom setting. Many learning disabilities can be related to the attitude, emotions, and environment that the child is encountered with on a daily basis. Helping the student maintain a positive attitude and experience positive emotions can be beneficial for the academic aspect.

As out of school members, you are the ones who are fulfilling the student's knowledge when they are not in school. It is important for you to know and understand what the student wants and needs to be successful. Being aware of the resources and opportunities outside of school can enhance the student's abilities in the classroom. Practicing positive and appropriate activities can result in a behavioral change for the better for the student.
 * //Family Partners, Parents, Community Members, Mentors//**

= Area Three: Resources =

//**__Professional Resources for teachers, administrators, and pre-service educators__**//
- This website is a preview of what the kidspiration software provides. Teachers and pre-service educators can use this software in the classroom to serve as additional instruction for the visual learners. The software can be used for enhancing reading and writing skills, math, and science. Administrators can use this website to share throughout a school district. It is important that when a good resource is found that it is widely dispersed throughout the school so everyone is on the same track. - I chose this software because it has so much to offer for a student who is struggling with comprehension. As many of the resources in this software are games, activities, and creating different products, the software can serve as an educational extracurricular activity. Because kidspiration is a software designed for technology it fits perfectly with me topic and research findings that discuss the benefits of technology integration.
 * **__[|Kidspiration]__**

- This website provides many different printable activities for student use. The website would be great for teachers, administrators, and pre-service educators because it gives them guidance when they are helping readers. Some teachers may have a difficult time figuring out how to reach out to their students when they are struggling. Especially for pre-service educators, this website is a great way for them to learn appropriate handouts for their students. These printables provided in the link give specific questions and guidelines for the teachers to follow. - I chose this website because it connects with my topic findings about teacher's limited knowledge in problem areas. This website gives teachers the opportunity to find what questions and guidelines fit best with each particular student. The research showed that when teachers vary their instructions, it enhances the student's learning. By using the printables the teachers can change up their original instructional techniques to be more unique and fitting.
 * **[|Reading Comprehension Printables]**

- Helping students maintain a positive attitude in school is important. Many attitudes and self-esteem issues can be corrected if students are taught how to have a positive attitude from their teachers and pre-service educators. Once a student is able to maintain positive attitudes in school towards work, their teachers, or classmates, research has shown that students will prosper academically. Other administrators such as physical education and music teachers can incorporate these songs into their activities as well. - I chose this website of songs because I feel that attitudes is a component that is often forgotten in teaching. Many disinterests are a result from negative experiences that students have encountered. By providing students with educational music that teaches them how to be optimistic, academic skills such as comprehension have shown to increase. Modeling appropriate actions is essential for middle school aged children.
 * **[|Songs for teaching]**

- Teachers and pre-service educators can use this website of strategies to change up their traditional instruction on comprehension skills. The website provides a variety of ways that one can teach text comprehension to the students. Administrators can use this resource to better understand how to have school-level leadership and the skills to teach reading. - I chose this website because it offers information for the entire school; the students, teachers, and administrators. This website connects with my research findings that reveal that if teachers alter their instruction based on the needs of the students, the students will benefit greatly.
 * **[|Seven Strategies]**

- This is a great resource for all the professionals in a school. This website offers an ample amount of variety in instruction from crossword puzzles, to coloring pages, to bulletin board ideas, to test prep, in all content areas. -This fits in well with my research touching base again with the significance of teaching strategies. Edhelper provides the strategies and the knowledge that the teachers may be lacking.
 * **[|Lessons]**

- This website it a great source for exploring new writing prompts, lessons, and resources in the classroom. The website displays a variety of writing genres, mentor texts, teaching processes, resources and many more. Every member of the school district can benefit from using Writing Fix. With some much to offer, it is a perfect resource for meeting the low achievers and the highest achievers. - Writing Fix really touches all aspects of my research and the findings. Writing fix not only incorporates technology but it also includes varied teaching strategies and even lesson on attitudes.
 * **[|Writing Fix]**

**__General Resources for family members/general public__**
- This website provides different ways for parents to model positive attitudes about schools. The language is easy to read as the website is broken up into components. The website provides an explanation of different ways to model as well as examples that are more specific.
 * **[|Modeling]**

-This literacy resource provides many different sections on how a parent can work with their struggling reader. The website provides links to how to read together effectively, connecting with the school, summer learning, good books and authors, and testing.
 * **[|Parent Resources]**

- The Resource Room has lessons on assisting with reading comprehension. While some may think that lessons should not be taught at home, these lessons actually include attachments for practice at home. For example, based on the book __Holes__ by Louis Sachar, there are attachments for chapters. Each attachment has some sort of activity that can enhance the reader's comprehension.
 * **[|Resource Room]**

- Students love to play games and that is exactly what this link has to offer. When thinking about comprehension there are a lot of subtopics involved such as cause and effect, character traits, drawing conclusions, etc. Each component that is important in comprehension is linked to a game of some sort that emphasizes that trait.
 * **[|Comprehension Games]**

- The University of Missouri has provided tips that parents can follow in order to help their children read at home. Not only are there tips but there are also strategies and activities to reinforce reading at home. The tips also include feedback from other family partners and their successes.
 * **[|Tips]**

- This website it a great source for exploring new writing prompts, lessons, and resources in the classroom. The website displays a variety of writing genres, mentor texts, teaching processes, resources and many more. Every member of the school district can benefit from using Writing Fix. With some much to offer, it is a perfect resource for meeting the low achievers and the highest achievers
 * **[|Writing Fix]**