Reading online involves knowledge and competencies that are different to those that apply to print – such as hyperlinks, images and icons, formatting conventions and site 'maps'. The Internet, therefore, is both a resource in support of learning and an environment in which learning occurs.
See PEN117 (Else-Mitchell, 2003) for a full presentation of this information. The information here covers:
Planning
Planning for computer use in schools involves, in the first instance, access to computers. You, therefore, should consider:
- booking computers/lab/library;
- coordinating small groups and managing access time to ensure equal opportunity;
- engaging the expertise of informed staff, parents and/or community members.
It's always good to plan for 'down time' when you have connection difficulties or computer problems. Have alternative activities lined up in anticipation of these possible hiccoughs.
Getting started
Before you get going, you and your students need to understand the rights and expectations associated with Internet use. For some policy, planning and negotiating guidance, try the Victorian Department of Education and Training site.
When accessing a literature website, ask yourself the following questions.
- Who created the website?
- Who hosts the site?
- What is the main content of the site—what is it mostly about?
- What are the aims and purposes of website?
- Is there any information about the creator or host that helps to validate their information and their purposes?
- Who is the site targeting? How can you tell?
- When was the site built? When was it last updated?
- What types of sites are represented in any links?
Searching for a book to read
If looking for a particular author or illustrator, you can enter the name into anyone of many search engines (eg. Google). An excellent gateway to Australian titles is found at EdNA Online.
A number of publishers — eg. Allen & Unwin, HarperCollins, Pan Macmillan, Penguin Books, Random House and Scholastic — also have their own databases that allow students to preview recent releases, read short overviews, see book covers and read sample extracts.
Researching an author/illustrator
Publishers’ websites are useful for author studies, with author profiles and links to the author’s/illustrator’s own website. Often, authors can be contacted directly by email through their website. They are usually happy to respond to class questions and comments. Remember to support students to bookmark any author sites so that they build up an ‘author address book’ for future research. Booksellers’ sites are also excellent author-study locations. Author studies can lead to technology-focused activity. The research material can be downloaded, printed, entered into a word-processed document or a desktop program. Author photographs and/or book covers could be included in a slide show. Students can also scan their own drawings based on their reading.
Responding and recommending
Through the Internet, students can communicate with other interested readers and writers through email and discussion sites.
Further Resources
Finding a book
Children’s Book Council of Australia (to identify short listed books)
Finding a publisher
Australian Publishers’ Association
Choosing/Adapting a narrative
John Marsden’s online version of Cool School
Libby Hathorn’s Weirdstop site (access fee applies)
Discussing literature
E-pals
KidPub
Netlibris International
OzTeacher-Net
Sharing/Submitting student writing
Special Forever
Reading/Submitting a book review
Cool Reads
Yabba