School Librarian's Role in Reading Toolkit

Web 2.0

Sections

Introduction    

Technology provides SL a wealth of tools to use in the teaching of reading and the possibilities are endless! In today’s media centers students are reading e-books, sharing their stories online on wikis, creating book trailers, blogging as their favorite book character, participating in online book discussions, and taking online literature field trips. The SL should begin by learning the reading curriculum standards. Then work with the teachers as they plan for their reading instruction by bringing them ideas for collaborating to create new and exciting options for their students.

Motivation is often cited as an important factor in reading development and teachers often question how to engage students in this process. These new Web 2.0 participatory resources provide for an exciting and authentic way to motivate students to read. Digital texts and media are allowing students to create and connect to the text through engaging them as active readers and giving purpose to their learning.

The SL is knowledgeable in the areas of children’s literature and technology; by participating in reading instruction the SL is afforded the opportunity to combine literature and technology to create an engaging learning experience for students.

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Professional Resources    

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Articles/Books    

Alexander, B., and A. Levine. 2008. Web 2.0 Storytelling: Emergence of a New Genre. EDUCAUSE Review, 43.  (Accessed May 28, 2009).

Banister, S. 2008. Web 2.0 Tools in the Reading Classroom: Teachers Exploring Literacy in the 21st Century. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 4, 109-116.

Ben-David Kolikant, Y. 2009. Digital Students in a Book-Oriented School: Students’ Perceptions of School and the Usability of Digital Technology in Schools. Educational Technology & Society, 12 , 131–143.

Royer, R., and P. Richards. 2009. Learning Connections: Language Arts: Digital Storytelling. Learning & Leading With Technology, November, 29-32.

Hamilton, B. 2009. Transforming Information Literacy for Nowgen Students. Knowledge Quest, 37, 48-53.

Hastings, R. 2009. Collaboration 2.0. Library Technology reports, 45, 7-9.

Desilets, B. 2008. Learning Connections: Language Arts: Interactive Fiction Enhances Reality. Learning & Leading With Technology, March/April, 31.

Leu, Jr., D.J. 2002. The New Literacies: Research on Reading Instruction with the Internet. In A.E. Farstrup, and S. Samuels (Eds.), What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

McPherson, K. 2004. Multiplying Literacies in School Libraries [Electronic version]. Teacher Librarian, 32, 60-62.

Smolin, L. I., and K. A. Lawless. 2003. Becoming Literate in the Technological Age: New Responsibilities and Tools for Teachers [Electronic version]. The Reading Teacher, 56, 570-577.

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Online Web 2.0 Resources for Reading Instruction    

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Integration Ideas    

  • Create your own modern day fairy tale, myth or fable – podcasts or blog
  • Blogs for reader’s response to a prompt or classroom connection
  • Continue classroom discussions online on blog or wiki
  • Teach sequencing with putting pictures from Flickr in order on VoiceThread or SlideShare
  • Teach setting with Google Earth
  • Digital storytelling using various online tools (Animoto, VoiceThread)
  • Online reading circles or literature discussion groups using blogs or wikis
  • Wikis to publish a class newspaper
  • Blogs of keep a journal or respond to current events they have read
  • Create podcasts of book character interviews
  • Create book trailer videos as an alternative to traditional book reports
  • Student read, write and record a podcast of original poetry
  • Students create book review podcast
  • Get students excited about reading when they follow KidderLit on Twitter. Everyday they post the first line of a young adult or children's book. The trick is that they don't tell you what the book is or who the author is. A research project perhaps or a challenge between groups, classes or schools? You can also limit the age groups and/or genre of the books that are chosen.
  • Have students develop messages as historic or fictional characters might have communicated in 140 character tweets - "Historical Tweets"
  • Create an account that only students access and use it to recommend books. Keep kids reading through the summer. Students will need to be creative in "hooking" their peers to read in only 140 characters.
  • A new spin on the old cumulative story. Start with you posting a story starter and then use TwitterFall to have students add their part to it.

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Online Books and Periodicals    

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