Chapter 5: Sites & Selection Criteria For Ebooks

Chapter 5: Sites & Selection Criteria For Ebooks

“The dynamic and flexible environment of the Internet offers new opportunities to scaffold and level the playing field so that all individuals are contributing to and benefit from expanded models of literacy” (Johnson,65)

When discussing or talking about models of literacy, there are many forms or models in which to choose from. In particular this chapter was about digital formatted models of literacy for example; online books, online read-alouds, Interactive Storybooks, E-narratives, Hybrid Books, Ebooks on E-reader devices and Apps.

Category: Online Ebooks

Subcategories: Online Read-Alouds & Interactive Storybooks

To be considered an “online ebook” this type of book is accessible only online.

·       Online Read Alouds: The way in which we model reading to our children, is by modeling reading itself. Children love listening to the adults in their lives read to them.

·       Online Read Alouds incorporate not only the audio of a book, but can also involve visuals; videos or pictures going along with the story; strengthening  their comprehension of the story itself.

·       Some Online Read Alouds or other Ebooks will highlight words/phrases to help encourage and enhance concepts about print, word recognition and fluency.

Ø  Interactive Storybooks are a little different from Online Read Alouds.

Ø  Interactive Storybooks take a traditional form of print, and simply change the model to an online literacy model, however interactive storybooks add sound, animation, and video.

Ø  Sound, animation, and video is what makes this an interactive story.

Ø  Interactive Storybooks also help/improve concepts of print, but they also allow the student to find a level of independence when it comes to reading.

Ø  All the functions of an Ebook are what enhances or strengthens the child’s reading experience and their comprehension of what they read as well.

When selecting an online Ebook for children to use in and outside the classroom, it is important to keep in mind the teacher plays a huge role in making the experience successful.

Ø  The teacher must make sure the type of Ebook(I.E Interactive Storybook, etc.) and the book itself in the ebook format are appropriate for the child/children reading it.

Ø  The teacher also must keep in mind it is their responsibility to enhance the children’s learning when using an Ebook by making sure the child/children understand how to navigate the Ebook/Site. Without knowing how to do so, the site/Ebook are not being uses to its greatest potential.

Ø  Finally, the teacher is also responsible for evaluating the Ebook and Site. (Quality, Credibility, Accessibility, and readability of the Ebooks.

Chapter 4: Vocabulary & Fleuncy

“An individual’s knowledge of words is made up of both general terms used in everyday language and academic terms used in specialized subjects such as math and science.” (Pg45)

·       I chose to include this quote in my blog this week because I feel as if it exemplifies an important part of fluency and vocabulary learning. I think in terms when people think of one’s vocabulary they assume it’s the word knowledge they learn in school is the most important/common. I think it is important to keep in mind children gain a sense of word knowledge through their experiences and interactions with people.

This chapter’s focus is on how to teach vocabulary to improve one’s comprehension skills using technology and technology based lessons and activities.

Two uses of technology to teach vocabulary knowledge and improve comprehension skills that I really enjoyed looking into for this module are; Wonderopolis and Virtual Fieldtrips.

v Wonderopolis is a website in which focuses or highlights multiple fun facts each day. When you click on each fun fact it divulges into facts about that specific fact. Vocabulary words that tie into the theme of the fact.

v For example the fun fact I researched this week was fact # 672 “Are elephants afraid of mice?”

v When I clicked on that fun fact it then explained the concept of what an Urban Legend is, and how this fun fact is considered to be one. It also expresses the concept of a phobia and then explains and defines the terms that relate to Mice related phobias.

v This website also includes links to informational video clips. To then extend on the learning of this theme/fun fact.

v I found myself really enjoying this site, it involves the children being active learners, and pulls them in leaving them to want to know more.

The other form of technology I really enjoyed using to improve vocabulary and comprehension was the use of virtual field trips.

v I looked into both a history lesson and a science(lab) lesson.

v History Lesson: Pilgrims: the focus was on their life, where they lived, how they lived(lifestyle) the Mayflower and Plymouth Plantation.

v Included: pitures, videos, sound effects, which enticed the reader/student leaving them wanting to know/learn more.

v Science Lesson: Discussed Electricity and Magnesium.

v Included: articles, games, activities to be taught and experiments to perform in a classroom setting.

Virtual fieldtrips model things or knowledge you would learn outside of a classroom setting, but then exemplify and express ways to bring these concepts into a classroom setting to improve fluency and comprehension.

Overall I find this to be an interesting concept in which you use technology to improve a child’s vocabulary knowledge that in return will improve his or her comprehension of a subject/topic.I think using Wonderopolis and Virtual fieldtrips are two great uses of technology to do so. These are two useful activities/strategies I plan to use in a classroom setting one day.

Chapter 3: Classroom Community/ Connecting With Families

Due to my experience in the education field as a toddler teacher in a daycare facility, I get to experience this concept of a classroom community closely. I think it is a very important factor in which one has to lead to a successfully run classroom. Parents need to feel comfortable with their child’s teacher, know they can ask questions, and feel as if there child is in a happy safe and fun-filled environment.

Chapter 3: Classroom Community/Connecting With Families

“The processes involved in literary understanding are as important as the instructional environments.” (pg30)

This quote is expressing that the instruction activities and assignments taught in a classroom are important, but the environment of the classroom is also very crucial to the success of it. Students need to feel comfortable and safe with their teachers and their classmates.

Teacher’s use of language and technology contributes to the improvement or creation of a classroom community.

Language is important throughout the classroom community.

·       Teacher Talk: communication between student and teacher.

·       How teachers ask questions in this environment shapes the amount of knowledge the child is able to take in.

·       Teachers should shape their questions of a lesson or an activity around its purpose. What is being learned?

A Digital environment is also very important when developing a classroom community.

Digital Story Telling: Provides opportunity for students to bring their culture into a classroom. This could be used in many ways. It could be an introductory project in which students are telling their classmates and teacher a little about themselves. A way to get to know one another, teach your community about your culture, what is important to you, and who “YOU” really are.

IRT LESSON: Younger Students:

Phase 1: Teacher Modeling, plan the lesson.

·       Choose a digital story telling app(Voicethread)

·       Decide what photograph students should bring in

·       Show students what you expect through creating your own story telling

Step 2: You as the teacher want to introduce the lesson and its purpose, and also show your students how to navigate and use the digital story telling app.

Step 3: Allow your students to jump into the project and beginning working on it independently. Be there for assistance when needed.

IRT LESSON: Older Students

Step 1: Plan the lesson.

·       Choose story telling app

·       Determine a time frame of when this needs to be finished and number of pictures each student needs

·       Create own story telling for an example

·       Decide what students will be required to use throughout the program

Step 2: Introduce the lesson and its purpose, and then model the activity.

Step 3: students will work independently on this project.

Overall Thoughts: I think it is vitally as future teachers that we make it an important factor in order to create a successful classroom, that one has a successful classroom community. Making sure the kids feel comfortable in their learning environment is going to improve their learning/intake greatly. I also find it very important that parents understand the openness of the community. Knowing they can express concerns about their child’s growth, ask questions, see their child’s growth, etc. Open communication between both the parents and teacher and the child and the teacher will lead to a safe and successful learning community.