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ELA Today

ELA Today is an online journal compiled and edited by the ATEQ Board featuring content relevant to English Language Arts Teachers in Quebec. It includes contributions from people in Quebec and from abroad in order to foster beneficial dialogue and share information, knowledge and pedagogical approaches.

Below are excerpts from ELA Today. Click on an excerpt to read the full article. Access to ELA Today articles is exclusive to ATEQ Members – make sure you are logged in to access content, or become a member if you aren’t one already!

Embracing the Power of Podcasts: Enhancing Oral Assignments

    In today’s educational landscape, fostering engaging and interactive learning experiences is paramount. As educators, exploring innovative teaching methodologies is key to captivating students’ attention and enhancing their learning journey. One such avenue that has gained significant traction is the utilization of podcasts as an effective oral assignment tool.

    But, will they do the reading?

      My grade 9 students have just started reading their books for book clubs. Every time I assign a book – whether it’s a whole class novel or a book club text – I struggle with what they should be doing in class while reading their books at home and during independent reading time. I also worry that they won’t keep up with the reading or that the reading will be meaningless to them. Over the past few years, I’ve collected a few handful of tips and tricks – mostly from colleagues – to help keep us all on track, and keep my worry at bay.

      Discord in the Post-Post Covid Classroom

        We are officially in the POST-post-Covid universe.  Most of the technology that teachers were required to learn during the pandemic, like Zoom or Teams, is already starting to collect dust on our desktops.  In the post post-Covid era, we need to think about not only the new tools that have come and gone, but also how we can iterate on the lessons and techniques we internalized, and adapt them in this crazy world. 

        Stand Up for Storytelling

          Everyone loves a good story, especially if it’s funny. Nothing increases engagement and connectivity more than laughter. Many students feel that they are not funny or don’t have humorous stories to tell. What they don’t know is that humour can be found hiding within their story, and if they still can’t find it they can find ways to layer it in.

          Digital Diversifications: Special Edition for ELA Today

            Commonly depicted as frivolous entertainment, wasted time, or even dangerous, students’ out-of-school digital interests are largely excluded from formal learning contexts. Moving past our own potential biases (and the ever-present technophobic headlines shouting “SCREEN ADDICTION!” and “VIOLENCE IN VIDEOGAMES!”), helps to reveal the ways in which youth turn to the digital to learn, forge community, and discover voice: processes most educators would deem as essential in ELA.  

            Exploring the ‘why’ of language education

              Why not mix formal learning structures, encompassing grammar and syntax, with something more youth-centered that  amplifies different voices, perspectives, and cultures? I’ve traveled to many countries, and broken English has never stopped me from understanding others, connecting with others, or even falling in love. So when it comes to teaching language, why not start with what you have?

              Connecting Classroom and Fandom: Reflecting on the Changing Landscape of Fanfiction and its Potential in the ELA Classroom

                In our context as educators, fanfiction is meaningful to the ELA classroom because it challenges the notion that there is only one “right” or appropriate format for storytelling and authorship. It challenges passive approaches to texts by promoting active engagement, which can facilitate deeper critical reflection and empower students by making storytelling more approachable. In other words, fanfiction can expand the possibilities for ELA teaching and learning by integrating creative production into the study of canonical and other texts.

                Multimodal Companion Texts

                  The use of multimodal and digital companion texts peaks the interest of students in the classroom by using media they are already looking at, listening to, and playing with outside of the classroom. Considering these potentials, these texts can provide teachers with a great opportunity to connect student interests to in-class learning, ascribing value to the learning that takes place outside of the classroom.

                  Teaching Creative Writing Through Video Games 

                    Although technologies like phones and video games have become increasingly important in students’ personal and school lives, many educators have been trying to find ways to prevent their use in classroom spaces. But I wonder if we’ve been heading in the wrong direction when it comes to technology… What if instead of banning, we try to tie these new and emerging technologies into our classroom practice? 

                    The Algorithmic Elephant in the Room: The Use of AI in ELA 

                      For many English teachers, the rapid development of AI (Artificial Intelligence) writing tools like ChatGPT is causing widespread panic. If you feel intimidated by this reality, you certainly are not alone. Let me explain why there may also be cause for relief, and maybe even excitement.