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Reading and creative writing |
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TKI
Hot Topic for 21 March 2002
ICT for reading and writing
One of the major benefits of integrating ICT into classroom
programmes is the interactive nature of the Internet. Interactive technology
engages learners, allows classrooms to make connections across geographical
and cultural boundaries, and often adds an extra visual or audio stimulus
to enhance the learning process.
This Hot Topic explores how interactive sites on the Internet can be
used to encourage students to engage in reading and writing. We focus
on three types of interactive activities:
Pick-a-path and continuous stories
Pick-a-path
You are on a newspaper run in a strange neighbourhood when a storm comes
from nowhere. Do you take your chances in the rain and try to get home,
or do you decide to sit out the storm in the abandoned house you just
passed?
Pick-a-path stories have long been used as teaching and learning materials
to involve students in literature and encourage them to read. When read
aloud, not only do pick-a-path stories exercise reasoning, comprehension,
and memory, but they also involve the whole class in an enjoyable collaborative
activity.
Online pick-a-path stories offer an extra dimension to print pick-a-path
stories. With students in control of the mouse, learners' participation
in the direction of the story is literally hands-on! Many online pick-a-paths
also include pictures, as well as the opportunity to submit original artwork
to decorate the site.
Continuous stories
Several reputable language and literature sites offer a continuous story.
The sites listed below provide the first sentence of the story or a new chapter of the story, and students are free to write the next episode and submit
it for publication.
Submissions will go through a moderation process, and the best entry
is chosen to appear as the next instalment.
Why not submit an entry as a class? Even if you do not submit your stories,
these sites offer good ideas and starting points for creative writing
activities.
Online publishing
The Internet also offers students a medium for publishing their work.
Several literary sites provide students with the opportunity to send poetry,
prose, or reviews for moderation, then publication online.
Teenagers are particularly well catered for by online magazines created
as a platform for young authors to share their work.
The goal of publication could provide a useful impetus to encourage
students to express their thoughts and creativity through writing.
Book backchats
Students can also publish reviews and literary critique online.
Many different levels of backchat are available on the Internet – from
beginner readers through to teenage level.
These backchats or book-raps often call for students' responses to questions
posed by the sites' authors. Different perceptions and interpretations
of literature often result, with active literary debate being the goal.
These sites present ways to introduce literary criticism to students,
and guide them towards a deeper understanding of the material they both
read and create.
Resources
on TKI
Pick-a-path
stories
Powerpoint pick-a-path learning experience http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ict/ictpd/pick_a_path_e.php
Unitec pick-a-path
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/pathways/home.html
Theodore Tugboat Interactive Stories http://www.cochran.com/theodore/activities/interactiveStories/default.html
Bubble Dome
This interactive website invites students to read a story and submit their
ideas as to how problems within the story could be solved. Students will
need to join the Bubble Dome club to submit their ideas.
http://www.bubbledome.co.nz
The Haunted Castle
http://www.coder.com/creations/tale/tales/The_Haunted_Castle
Write
your own pick-a-path
How to write an online story
Advice and examples from Raumati Beach School. http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/hyperfiction/link4.html
Collaborative
Stories
Montage
A website designed to encourage worldwide links between schools, teachers,
educators and students. Students are encouraged to submit work to online
collaborative projects and publish their research on the Internet. http://www.montage.edu.au
Book backchats
Book Backchat
This part of the English Online website enables groups of students to
participate in an online discussion about a particular book. The Backchats
involve New Zealand books and other books mainly used in New Zealand schools.
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/bookchat/home.html
Read Away
Students complete the unit with a contribution to the "What's Hot" page
on the English Online website.
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/reading2/home.html
"The Rabbits" Rap
This website provides a Book Rap on the book "The Rabbits" by John Marsden
and Shaun Tan. Book Raps enable groups of students and their teachers
to participate in an online discussion about a particular book, usually
of relevance to Australian schools.
http://www.schools.ash.org.au/asspa/Rabbits.htm
Harry Potter Novel Exchange
This website features an online project that involves two classes who
agree to read the same novel, to be enrolled at the website. Once the
novel has been read the students email each other with at least one of
the participants in character. http://www.sd68.bc.ca/coal/potter/potter.htm
On
the Web
Headline Deadline
As Ashley Stevens, student reporter, you must choose which lead to follow
to get your scoop...
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/0,6709,109362,00.html
Kids' space
A site dedicated to children's writing, art, and music, with a strong
multi-cultural focus.
http://www.kids-space.org
The Young Authors' Magazine
http://www.yam.regulus.com
Please
note: These links were valid when this page was posted. However the Web
is very volatile, and TKI has no control over outside websites. Please
let us know if you find a broken link or if you have an update for a link.
Te Kete Ipurangi recommends that teachers view all websites we link to
before using them with students.
You can register
to receive Hot Topics via email for free by emailing hottopics@tki.org.nz.
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