scholarly journals Literature Circles Online: Practical Strategies for Creating a Reading Culture using Technology

2021 ◽  
pp. 293-301
Author(s):  
Barbara Combes

Providing opportunities and learning environments on-line where students are actively engaged and feel in control of their own learning experiences, encourages lifelong learning skills development such as independence, problem-solving and higher order thinking. Discrete on-line environments can also use the functionality of the technology to facilitate different learning styles and provide a 'safe' environment where students can explore and experiment before presenting their ideas to a larger audience. This paper considers current research and the importance of the fiction collection in the development of literacy outcomes for all students. It also examines an interactive on-line module that: incorporates the concept of literature or reading circles to promote reading; the development of higher order literacy skills and encourages the development of a reading culture. The on-line module was developed using a model that utilizes an holistic approach to learning to create a seamless learning environment where students work within a structured framework that is designed to foster independent learning and teamwork.

2022 ◽  
pp. 149-164
Author(s):  
Monazza Aslam ◽  
Laura Cashman ◽  
Moaaz Hamid ◽  
Shenila Rawal ◽  
Baela Raza Jamil ◽  
...  

Literacy acquisition is important for the formation of higher order skills, further engagement with written forms of knowledge, and deeper participation in society. Yet not all children have the opportunity to acquire literacy skills in their own mother tongue to allow them to continue to advance to these wider benefits of learning. This is particularly the case for girls living in poverty in Pakistan, where about 40% of the poorest girls are out of school compared to 24% of the richest girls not going to school. For those who start school, less than half complete a full cycle of basic education and less than 20% complete secondary schooling. In this chapter, the authors develop evidence for the effectiveness of a remedial learning program—Siyani Sahelian—which aims to support the reintegration of disadvantaged girls into schooling by developing literacy skills in Urdu (among other academic and life skills). The chapter provides evidence of the extent to which the programme supports literacy acquisition in an equitable way, and the main reasons behind the observed trends.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Knight

The Pyjama Foundation is an Australian charity working to improve the literacy and numeracy outcomes for children in foster care. The foundation delivers the Pyjama Foundation Love of Learning programme, a learning-based mentoring programme in which volunteer ‘Pyjama Angels’ visit children in care each week to read books, play games and engage in other learning-based activities.This study surveyed 121 Love of Learning mentors (‘Pyjama Angels’) to assess their perceptions of the relationships they had developed with the children they mentored and of the children's improvement in their literacy skills, a key aim of the programme.The statistical data analysis based on the structural equation modelling and multiple regression approach showed that several factors had a statistically significant impact on the mentors’ perceptions of the children's improvement in literacy skills: relationship with the child, child's engagement and tenure in the programme, and frequency of meetings. Age and gender of the mentors were not found to have a statistically significant impact on mentors’ perceptions of this improvement, while mentors’ perceptions of their relationship with the children was the most important factor influencing their perceptions of improvement in literacy skills. The study did not include objective measures of the children's literacy outcomes, so its results are limited to the mentors’ perceptions. However, this study offers valuable insights for mentoring programmes working with children living in foster care.


2004 ◽  
Vol 861 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. R. Harrison ◽  
P. C. Ray ◽  
M. Fleck ◽  
R. H. Locklin ◽  
A. Weisner ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn addition to a hard-copy textbook, Power-Point presentations and videos, the authors have developed a series of Flash modules and on-line quizzing tools for use in teaching and assessing the fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering. The original thrust was aimed at non-science majors at university, but the modules are also designed for ease of use in high school curricula. In the current paper, we present our philosophy for the presentation of materials' related subject material, using different learning objects, by describing one particular module: on electronic materials.


Author(s):  
Josée Le Bouthillier ◽  
Renée Bourgoin ◽  
Joseph Dicks

This qualitative exploratory study examined the language/literacy tasks performed by elementary students from six elementary French Immersion (FI) classrooms. Various literacy tasks were performed as students rotated through different literacy centres/stations which had been pre-planned by their teachers. Specifically, researchers investigated students’ oral production and opportunities for extended oral output when working at independent learning centres/stations in order to identify key principles for creating literacy-enhancing tasks suitable for developing language literacy skills within second language (L2) contexts. Data were collected through classroom observations ( n = 23) to identify the types of literacy/language tasks proposed to L2 students, the nature of communicative functions, the targeted learning outcomes, and principles of effective L2 learning tasks. Results demonstrate the importance of adapting pedagogical practices, such as literacy centres/stations, borrowed from the first language teaching contexts to maximize L2 literacy/language learning and meet the specific needs of FI students. Results also highlighted the importance of ongoing professional learning opportunities for FI teachers specific to their L2 teaching contexts. Researchers propose principles for creating literacy/language tasks that promote oral language learning in FI contexts.


Author(s):  
Dominic Upton

Context: Behavioural studies can form an essential component of the Nutrition and Dietetics undergraduate degree. Aims: This study aimed to firstly produce on-line teaching material in Behavioural studies suitable for undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetic students. Secondly, to explore students’ views on the online material, and record their performance when taught through this innovative method. Methods: Nutrition and Dietetics students completed an online health psychology/sociology module and their performance compared to students who completed a traditional lecture based course. Student evaluations of the online course were also recorded. Findings: Results suggested that students taught through on-line medium performed no differently to those taught through “traditional lectures”. Students appeared to enjoy the material although there was some reluctance to develop an independent learning style. Conclusion: It was apparent that material has to be developed that can both engage and motivate learners, thereby further developing independent learning, and that this may have to be tailored dependent on a number of student factors.


Author(s):  
Trimo Septiono

The study aims to describe and identify aspects during the thesis writing process. This study uses a qualitative approach with the type of case study research on alumni of the Library and Information Science Study Program Universitas Brawijaya. Then the selection of alumni as informants considers the impact after writing the thesis is completed. The results showed that the reflection of alumni there is a learning process in each stage of thesis writing. The learning process that occurs is quite complex because it is not only done independently but also involves other parties. Independent learning focuses on the process of applying information literacy skills possessed by alumni. Where there is an information management process which is the most important part, because the process affects the decision making for each action. Meanwhile, the involvement of other parties is another role of the thesis as a forum for collaborative learning. Not only that, the whole process forms a new understanding that can be useful across generations.Keywords: Thesis, Reflection, Information Literacy, Knowledge Sharing Practice, Collaborative LearningABSTRAKRefleksi pengalaman alumni merupakan kajian yang bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan dan mengidentifikasi aspek-aspek selama proses penulisan skripsi. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian studi kasus pada alumni Program Studi Ilmu Perpustakaan dan Informasi Universitas Brawijaya. Kemudian pemilihan alumni sebagai informan mempertimbangkan dampak yang ditimbulkan pasca penulisan skripsi selesai. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa refleksi alumni terdapat proses pembelajaran dalam setiap tahapan penulisan skripsi. Proses pembelajaran yang terjadi tergolong kompleks karena tidak hanya dilakukan mandiri tetapi juga melibatkan pihak lain. Pembelajaran secara mandiri menitikberatkan pada proses penerapan kemampuan literasi informasi yang dimiliki oleh alumni. Dimana terdapat proses pengelolaan informasi yang merupakan bagian terpenting, karena proses tersebut berpengaruh pada penentuan keputusan untuk setiap tindakan. Sedangkan untuk pelibatan pihak lain merupakan peran lain dari skripsi sebagai wadah kolaborasi pembelajaran. Tidak hanya itu, secara menyeluruh proses tersebut membentuk pemahaman baru yang dapat bermanfaat lintas generasi.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Coiro

ABSTRACT: This paper details a number of challenges and opportunities for today’s learners when reading for information on the Internet. After defining online reading comprehension from a new literacies perspective and how it appears to be different than offline reading comprehension, I highlight details about four of the biggest challenges for today’s learners. These include 1) understanding and becoming proficient with the new literacy skills and practices needed for online research; 2) developing a special kind of digital wisdom that focuses on learning how to learn with the Internet; 3) taking on new roles in a digital culture that expects learners to actively participate and contribute with new knowledge as a member of their community; and 4) developing positive attitudes toward using the Internet for academic work. The second part of the paper shares examples of how skilled online readers can use the steps of online inquiry to think more deeply about topics that interest them; develop a personal voice as they share ideas with others; and work collaboratively to build meaning and new digital products that enable them to make a difference in their world, or matter. You can explore the research and resources from this presentation in more depth at <http://coiroevidosol.wikispaces.com/>.KEYWORDS: online reading comprehension; online inquiry; digital literacy; reading on the Internet; online readers. RESUMO:Este artigo detalha alguns desafios e oportunidades para o aprendiz contemporâneo, quando ele lê para obter informações na Internet. Depois de definir a compreensão da leitura online pela perspectiva dos novos letramentos e de mostrar como ela parece se diferir da leitura do impresso, eu destaco detalhes a respeito de quatro dos maiores desafios para os aprendizes na atualidade. Eles incluem: 1) compreender e se tornar proficiente nas habilidades dos novos letramentos e nas práticas necessárias para a pesquisa na Internet; 2) desenvolver um tipo especial de conhecimento digital que focaliza o aprender a aprender com a Internet; 3) a assumir novos papéis na cultura digital que espera que alunos, como membros de uma comunidade, participem ativamente e contribuam com ela trazendo novos conhecimentos; e 4) o desenvolvimento de atitudes positivas em relação ao uso da Internet para o trabalho acadêmico. Na segunda parte do artigo compartilho exemplos de como leitores de Internet habilidosos podem usar as etapas da pesquisa online para pensar mais profundamente sobre temas que interessam a eles; como podem desenvolver sua própria voz quando eles trocam idéias com outras pessoas; e de como eles podem trabalhar de forma colaborativa para construir sentidos e produtos digitais que lhes permitam fazer a diferença em seu mundo, ou naquele assunto. Você pode explorar a pesquisa e os recursos usados nesta apresentação de forma mais aprofundada no <http://coiroevidosol.wikispaces.com/>.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: compreensão da leitura on-line; pesquisa on-line; letramento digital; leitura na Internet; leitores online.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Yu ◽  
Silvina Ferradal ◽  
Danielle D. Sliva ◽  
Jade Dunstan ◽  
Clarisa Carruthers ◽  
...  

AbstractFunctional brain networks undergo extensive development within the first few years of life. Previous studies have linked infant functional connectivity to cognitive abilities in toddlerhood. However, little is known regarding the long-term relevance of functional connections established in infancy for the protracted development of higher-order abilities of language and literacy. Employing a five-year longitudinal imaging project starting in infancy, this study utilizes resting-state functional MRI to demonstrate prospective associations between infant functional connectivity fingerprints and subsequent language and foundational literacy skills at a mean age of 6.5. These longitudinal associations are preserved when key environmental influences are controlled for and are independent of emergent language abilities in infancy, suggesting early development of functional network characteristics in supporting the acquisition of high-order language and pre-literacy skills. Altogether, the current results highlight the importance of functional organization established in infancy as a neural scaffold underlying the learning process of complex cognitive functions.


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