LEARNING DIFFICULT VOCABULARY TRANSCRIPT
Strategy Transcript: Common Sense Media
Strategies: Learning Difficult Vocabulary
(Nichole Niebur in Class)
We have 1,2,3,4,5 vocabulary terms; Fair Use, Commercial Purpose, Copyright, Creative Commons, and Public Domain
(Nichole Niebur Interview)
When we’re talking about people being online and using digital literacy, I think it’s really important that they understand the vocabulary.
(Nichole Niebur in Class)
Underneath the term is the definition, so we have term: fair use, the definition
(Nichole Niebur Interview)
If you don’t understand the vocabulary context behind a lesson, you’re at a distinct disadvantage. It’s important to kind of look at a lesson and look right away at what vocabulary terms might a student struggle with; what things might be new and different to them before they get into the actual lesson so that they can really have the background knowledge that they need.
(Nichole Niebur in Class)
All you need to do is tell me what fair use means in your own words. Restate that definition.
(Nichole Niebur Interview)
I use a vocabulary worksheet based on the first couple of steps of the Marzano process. It is broken down into boxes with each of the vocabulary there and it’s got the vocabulary term with the definition. And then underneath the vocabulary definition it asks the student to restate that term in their own words. In order just to restate it, you have to think of that and think, okay, what does this mean –so how would I put this in my own words.
(Nichole Niebur in Class)
Anyone want to share their restatement?
Student
A law protecting creative work?
(Nichole Niebur in Class)
Okay. A law protecting creative work
(Nichole Niebur Interview)
Just in general, people need to know vocabulary, but often when you’re online, you’re by yourself. There’s not someone there to ask. There’s not a teacher there to say what does this term mean? Does this mean I can use it? Does this mean I can’t use it? So if the students really do –very thoroughly and very clearly understand what that vocabulary term really means, they can be there at home, surfing online and see a web site that says all of these imagines are creative commons. And know I can use this but I have to give credit back to my source. Or if they see if it’s public domain they’ll understand that that means this is free for me to use.
(Nichole Niebur in Class)
Do you think that it’s important to give credit and get permission when you’re using someone else’s work? Show of hands….
48 Comments
Chris Doherty May 7, 2023 11:09pm
The teacher has the students redefine the term in their own words, which helps them to relate the definition of the word to something they are familiar with.
Michael Horun Oct 19, 2022 10:43am
Before reading a text, students should put the vocabulary into their own words to better understand the reading in context. Ms. Neibur has her students put the vocabulary into their own words before beginning her lessons.
Chris Ryan Jun 5, 2021 2:20am
To practice using new words in conversation, students need time to talk to each other in small groups. There, students can feel safe as they strengthen understanding. This may also allow them to more easily summon and use "hard" tier three content-specific words. By allowing students to generate definitions in their own words, we can better help them understand their meanings and nuances. Vocabulary building is easiest when students encounter words in context and it's important to provide multiple encounters with them. Word games, mnemonics, and illustrating words are different ways to help students better "own" new words and give them the confidence to use both common and complex words with equal precision.
Cynthia Leland May 12, 2021 1:14pm
This technique is critically important to use especially with Special Education students. Student's comprhension of the material will increase if they not only know what a word means but being able to explain it in their own words.
Joanna Asvestas Feb 12, 2021 6:56pm
As a foreign language teacher, teaching vocabulary in context is key to students' understanding. I introduce vocabulary in a similar manner to Ms. Niebur. First, on a Google Slides presentation, I make the vocabulary word visible, along with an image that represents it. In addition, the students will also be able to see the word being used in context through an exemplary sentence or question. After all new vocabulary has been introduced in this manner, I have students work in small groups to create their own definitions in the target language concerning a specific number of assigned vocabulary words. Upon completion, students share their definitions in spoken form and then in written form on a shared Google Doc.