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Online Discussion and Literature Circles . Jessica M. DeAtley. What are Online Discussions?. Students read novels & fiction/nonfiction related readings Whole-class Student-lead discussions Students pose high level questions to each other & respond Literature Circles
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Online Discussion and Literature Circles Jessica M. DeAtley
What are Online Discussions? • Students read novels & fiction/nonfiction related readings • Whole-class • Student-lead discussions • Students pose high level questions to each other & respond • Literature Circles • Student-lead discussions • Students have various jobs as they read & respond • Vocabulary Enricher • Literacy Luminary • Etc.
The Research Behind It • Rosenblatt’s Transactional Theory • Students bring their life experiences and knowledge to a text • Through collaborative discussions, they take on an active and new way of thinking about text • New meaning is created through collaboration Rosenblatt, L. (1988). Writing and reading: The transactional theory. (Tech. Rep. No. 416). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Center for the Study of Reading.
The Research Behind It • Vygotsky’sSocial Learning Theory • Social collaboration plays an important role in cognitive development • Students are able to interact, share experiences, and learn from one another Stewart, P. (2009). Facebook and virtual literature circle partnerships: Building a community of readers. American Library Association, 37(4), 28-33.
The Research Behind It • Online discussions of texts… • Foster energetic interactions between students and teachers • Promote active learning and collaborative learning • Students reshape and add to their understanding of a text • Motivate students • Engage students more than with face-to-face discussions • Allow for easier discussions of controversial ideas • Prompt deeper critical thinking Kirk, J. J., & Orr, R. L. (2003). A primer on the effective use of threaded discussion forms. (ERIC Documented Reproduction Service No. ED 472738)
The Research Behind It • Online discussions of texts… • Allows students to craft their responses in writing • Essential pieces to the literacy process • Everyone gets an equal chance to participate • Everyone is held accountable for their participation • Shyer students are less fearful • Integrates technology • Allows students to collaborate more intensely • Allows for reflection & reflexivity Bowers-Campbell, J. (2011). Take it out of class: Exploring virtual literature circles. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 54(8), 557-567. doi:10.1598/JAAL.54.8.1
How it Works • Wiki Spaces • Individual or group webpages for information sharing, discussions, etc. • Anyone can have a Wiki Space • There are specific K-12 Wiki Spaces that are private for school use • Teacher-created and monitored • Students do not need to provide an e-mail address
How it Works • www.wikispaces.com • You all have pages and have been added to the 6th-Grade-Teachers page • Please see your name & password sheets • www.6th-grade-teachers.wikispaces.com • Please log on with your passwords and follow along as I explain the components • Dashboard • 6th-Grade-Teachers • Page • Discussion* • Notify • History • Click on “Discussion”
How It Works • To start a new thread, click on “New Post” • A box with a place for the “Subject” and the “Message” will pop up • All other members of the Wiki will be able to view and respond to your post • Click on “post” when you are ready to share • A sample post and response has been added • Click on the post “Online Collaboration” • The initial post and responses are listed
Our Text • “Take It Out of Class: Exploring Virtual Literature Circles” • Insert Strategy to guide reading
Questioning • Costa’s Levels of Questioning
Questioning • Level 1: • What information was collected from the research? Create a bulleted list. • Level 2: • Why might a teacher might want to incorporate online discussions into her classroom? Analyze her reasoning. • Level 3: • How can you apply this information to what you are already teaching?
Questioning on Wiki • Discussion Modeling • New Post • Create a new post for each question • Subject: “Level 1, 2, or 3 Question” • Message: Pose your question • Others will respond to each question separately • In the “Subject,” the question will be repeated • Type your response in the “Message”
Questioning on Wiki • After You Post: The Discussion • Go back to the Discussion Forum • Find at least 3 other posts • Reply with a response to the question • Five sentences minimum