Literacy-Technology Links By Stephen Jamieson, South Shore Regional School Board Literacy Mentor Aug. 2004

The role of information literacy and the research process …… ~ requires a systematic approach for students to experience success with defining, investigating and developing solutions to problems and questions. (ELA 4-6 p.178)

To conduct research and solve information related problems students must develop …… Creative, critical and cognitive skills Communication processes such as reading, viewing, writing, representing, speaking and listening in a range of media and multimedia formats Technological competencies (ELA 4-6 p.178)

The research process involves… Planning Gathering information Interacting with information Organizing information Creating new information (synthesizing) Sharing and presenting information (ELA 4-6 p.179)

How do we help our students develop the strategies required to conduct research and construct meaning? Explicit instruction and modeling of the Big 6 comprehension strategies Explicit instruction and modeling of various electronic media

Making Connections I use what I know to understand what I read Text to Self Text to Text Text to World How does this strategy assist the learner in successfully constructing meaning?

Questioning Thinking and wondering Every answer should lead to a new question Asking questions before, during and after I read AND looking for answers How does this strategy assist the learner in successfully constructing meaning?

Visualizing Creating pictures in your mind as you read How does this strategy assist the learner in successfully constructing meaning?

Inferring Drawing conclusions, making predictions and reflecting on our reading Cause and Effect Maybe … I think … It could be … I’m guessing … How does this strategy assist the learner in successfully constructing meaning?

Determining Importance Reading for specific information Relying on conventions of print eg. Bold print, table of contents, index Skim and scan strategies / keywords How does this strategy assist the learner in successfully constructing meaning?

Synthesizing Combining what I know with new information to understand the text Retelling information in own words Comparing and contrasting topics based on research How does this strategy assist the learner in successfully constructing meaning?

Navigating Text Features of the Technological Genre As in all text genre it is important to… set a purpose for it’s use guide readers through the text features Discuss any unfamiliar or important features pertinent to that genre

Every literary genre or form has certain features that define it. We explicitly teach and model the use of these features so our students can construct meaning

When navigating a web site or CD Rom students should note… links or buttons to move to other sections of a web site Web Page/CD Rom are linked in a linear and non-linear arrangement Web Page/CD Rom site index and/or table of contents headings and sub-headings text links to other pages animations, pictures, sounds, video

Don’t forget…… Many complex sites have a search locator to help the user locate specific information Graphic organizers such as diagrams, maps, tables, illustrations, photos with accompanying captions and labels tell the reader so much Look for cue words, bold print, colour print, italics,and bullets to locate key concepts and ideas

Also….. What is important to read and what to ignore Banner ads Pop up ads Reliability and validity of information is often indicated by type of site eg).gov,.org,.com,.edu

Remember…… Delivering effective instruction always involves modeling in one form or another. “When we take the time to show kids how, we reap big rewards” Strategies That Work, Harvey & Goudvis. P.31