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Virtual Literature Circles Erika Tyner Yancey County Schools East Yancey Middle School. Using Action Research To Empower North Carolina Educators A Race to the Top Initiative NC Department of Public Instruction Educator Effectiveness Division. Questions?. Jot them down!.
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Virtual Literature Circles Erika Tyner Yancey County Schools East Yancey Middle School
Using Action Research To Empower North Carolina Educators A Race to the Top Initiative NC Department of Public Instruction Educator Effectiveness Division
Questions? Jot them down!
Let’s Take a Quick Poll What are your experiences with Literature Circles?
Problems of Practice Traditional Literature Circles • Teacher Not Present 100% of Time • Distractions • Missed Teachable Moments • Students “Flying Under Radar” (reading, work, and discussions)
Why is this Research Important? English Language Arts Common Core Standards • Reading: Literature • Speaking and Listening
Who Might Benefit from Research ? • Middle Grades Teachers • Language Arts Teachers • Reading Specialists • Technology Facilitators • Media Specialists
How will this Innovation Benefit Students ? • Deeper Understanding of Texts • Richer Literature Circle Discussions • Additional Student Accountability (reading, work, and in discussions) • Whole Class Lessons Targeting Issues • Written Platform (for students struggling with verbal communication)
Research Question Can Technology Enhance Engagement and Reading Comprehension?* *(as compared to traditional face-to-face experiences) Analyze/Interpret Data Make Knowledge Public Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan
Study Participants • 6th grade Language Arts • All Ability Levels (emergent, struggling, & above grade level readers) • Rural Area (Western North Carolina) Analyze/Interpret Data Make Knowledge Public Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan
Study Variables Independent Variable • Discussion Method during Literature Circle Meetings 1st Nine Weeks - Traditional (Face-to-Face) Vs. 2nd Nine Weeks - Virtual Discussion Analyze/Interpret Data Make Knowledge Public Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Dependent Variables • Reading Comprehension Abilities • Engagement/Interest in Reading
Innovation/Intervention • Online Discussion Format • Teacher present for 100% of time • Record of Student Participation • Documented Discussion (used as teachable moments later) • Active Dialogue - leading to a richer, deeper understanding of the text (between students and students/teachers) Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Make Knowledge Public Action Research Plan Collect Data
Implementation in the Classroom Virtual Classroom Discussion Options Edmodo (used in study) Google Docs Blackboard GOODREADS BLOGGER Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Make Knowledge Public Action Research Plan Collect Data
Implementation in the Classroom Planning is Key! Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Make Knowledge Public Action Research Plan Collect Data http://goo.gl/2UQRD1 Link to Google Doc Folder - ALL Handouts
Materials Post-it Notes Book Literature Circle Packet
Planning for Virtual Literature Circles Link to Teacher Planning Information
Literature Circle Teacher Log Link to Teacher Log
Virtual Literature Circle Packet Link to Packet *A Modified Packet is also in the Google Docs Folder*
Literature Circle Participation Rubric Link to Online Discussion Rubric
Virtual Literature Circle Handouts Also in the Google Docs Folder: http://goo.gl/2UQRD1 • Modified Virtual Literature Circle Packet • Virtual Literature Circle Packet Rubric for Grading • Virtual Literature Circle Meeting #6 Questions
Traditional Literature Circle Handouts In the Google Docs Folder: http://goo.gl/G0n6TR • Traditional Literature Circle Packet • Modified Traditional Literature Circle Packet • Traditional Literature Circle Order of Events
Implementation in the Classroom Example #1 Discussion in Edmodo Link to Discussion Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Make Knowledge Public Action Research Plan Collect Data
Implementation in the Classroom Example #2 Discussion in Edmodo Link to Discussion Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Make Knowledge Public Action Research Plan Collect Data
Implementation in the Classroom Example #3 Discussion in Edmodo Link to Discussion Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Make Knowledge Public Action Research Plan Collect Data
Data Collected • Student Interest Surveys • Parent Surveys on Interest of Students (Homework) • Homework Completion • District Benchmark Scores (Fiction Questions Only) • Teacher Collected Engagement Data • Plot Diagram Scores • Literature Circle Student Grades • Student Self Assessments • Student Interviews • Student Case Studies/Anecdotes Innovation/Intervention Analyze/Interpret Data Make Knowledge Public Data Collected Action Research Plan
Anecdotal Data • David’s Story • Elliot’s Story Innovation/Intervention Analyze/Interpret Data Make Knowledge Public Data Collected Action Research Plan • Ivy’s Story • Ilene’s Story
Preliminary Findings While students seem to be fairly equally engaged in both Traditional and Virtual Literature Circles, Virtual Literature Circles have a more positive impact on reading comprehension. Make Knowledge Public Innovation/Intervention Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Action Research Plan
Recommendations Combination of Traditional and Virtual Make Knowledge Public Innovation/Intervention Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Action Research Plan
Additional Thoughts • Open-ended Questions vs. Post-it Notes • Authentic Experience • Roles • Badges Make Knowledge Public Innovation/Intervention Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Action Research Plan
Limitations of Online Format • Students Struggling with Written Expression • Technology Availability • Technology Problems • Internet Availability (school and home) • Misspellings Make Knowledge Public Innovation/Intervention Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Action Research Plan
Questions Is there anything you would like to discuss or ask?
Conclusion of Presentation Thank you for your participation. Name: Erika Tyner School/District: East Yancey Middle School Phone: 828-682-2281 Email: ehschultz@yanceync.net Virtual Literature Circles Handouts http://goo.gl/2UQRD1 Traditional Literature Circle Handouts http://goo.gl/G0n6TR