conferences & events
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Diane Fine, PhD
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Rebecca Maddas, PhD
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The Power of the Emoji: Enhancing Vocabulary Development with Vocamojis
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Convocation Center North - Conference Room #9 (in pink)
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Morning Workshop (11:00-12:10 PM)
DIANE FINE, PhD
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Prior to joining the faculty at California University of Pennsylvania in 2014, Dr. Fine taught in the field of education for over 20 years. She has taught at both the elementary and middle school levels in both general education and special education classrooms, and has served as a middle school reading specialist. Dr. Fine holds teaching endorsements in elementary K-6, mentally and/or physically handicapped, reading specialist, gifted education 1-12, early childhood K-4, early education PK-K, English 5-9, general science 5-9, and social studies 5-9. Dr. Fine also holds a graduate certificate in technology integration K-12.
Dr. Fine is the coordinator for the graduate Reading Specialist Program and the graduate STEM Education Program at Cal U. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate level courses in reading, language arts, literacy, and field experience. Dr. Fine also serves as a faculty co-advisor for the Student-Pennsylvania State Education Association and as a professional development school liaison for Elizabeth Forward School District.
REBECCA MADDAS, PhD
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Dr. Rebecca Maddas is an assistant professor in the Childhood Education Department at California University of Pennsylvania where she supervises student teachers and teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses related to instruction, assessment, and literacy. Her educational background includes a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, a post-graduate certification in educational administration K-12, a master’s degree in school counseling K-12, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education K-6, and certification in language arts 7-9. Additionally, her research interests include pre-service and in-service teacher development, best practices in teaching and learning (e.g., differentiated instruction, co-teaching), and language arts and literacy. Prior to her appointment at CalU, Dr. Maddas taught at both elementary and middle levels and served as a K-8 school principal.
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The Power of the Emoji: Enhancing Vocabulary Development and Vocamojis
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Workshop Description:
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Teachers, have you considered how we can capitalize on using emojis in the classroom? Would you like to find an easier way to help even your most reluctant students develop an extensive vocabulary? If these are questions you have contemplated, then this presentation is for you. We will share how digital literacy tools (such as emoticons and emojis) can be used to bridge the divide between simply memorizing challenging vocabulary to students ‘owning’ challenging vocabulary. Come to this session to see how the creation of “Vocamojis” not only increased engagement and motivation for learning challenging vocabulary, but also broadened the vocabulary of struggling readers.
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Target Group:
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Teachers at all grade levels
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