Talking about literature online

Claudia WickhamEDUC 506Technology Tutorial

How often have you said, we just don’t have enough time?“Online threaded discussion allows the teacher

and students to expand the classroom beyond the

school day and beyond the school walls so that

more thoughtful exchanges can take place

(English, 2007).”

English, Cathie. 2007. "Finding a Voice in a Threaded Discussion Group: Talking About Literature Online."

English Journal 97 (1): 56-61.

http://www.ncte.org/pubs/journals/ej/articles/127929.htm

Have you considered…“…if our students are not reading and

composing with various electronic

technologies, then they are illiterate…right

now (Wilhelm, 2000).”

Virtual Circles: Using Technology to Enhance Literature Circles & Socratic Seminars

How to implement online discussions1. Select your online forum where the

students can communicate. I will use Gaggle blog as an example.

2. Decide how you want to organize your students into groups for discussion.

3. Set up your discussion board.4. Guide students through the process of

accessing the board.5. Explain your expectations to the students

1. Select your online forum where the students can communicate. Here are some examples:GaggleMoodleBlackboard/ANGEL

Websites to explore for other implementation ideas:

Classroom blogs and wikis

Get your students blogging

2. Decide how you want to organize your studentsWill students get to choose a book from a

preselected list of literature?

Are you going to need to assign students particular books for differentiation?

Will students’ responses be posted by their real name or with a pseudonym so their responses are anonymous?

On your Jump To menu, click on My Blog.You will see a message that you must first

name your Blog by clicking on the link in the message.

On your Blog Setup page, type the name of your blog in the Blog Name box.

Choose your Blog color scheme from the drop down menu.

Click Update. Your Blog Entry screen will then open.

1. Access the Directory (Original Interface: Click the Directory button at the top of the page. Velocity Interface: Expand the Contacts Folder on the left toolbar and click on Directory.)

2. The Blog link to the right of the individual name will open that Blog in a new window.

5. Explain your expectations to the students

Here’s an excellent example from

WandaWiki

Consider this as you explore the possibilities for on-line literature discussions in your classroom“The technology has the potential to serve as

an environment for exploring one’s own interpretations, constructing one’s own meanings and negotiating and/or defending these with peers. Because it offers student-centered experiences, it can encourage constructive discourse and empower independent, critical thinking.”