The Read-Write eConnection

I believe we need to support a balanced approach to literacy instruction in our schools--one that integrates both reading and writing and not compartmentalizes them as separate and apart. If we look to the cognitive/information processing theory the mind is compared to that of a computer and no doubt as we become more reliant on online/internet resources (whether for pleasure, business or academia)the way our minds interact and process information will be increasingly similar to that of a computer.

Our students are living in a digital world and we need to teach them to manipulate digital tools. While print material is still the foundation, what I will call basic literacy 1.0, there is no denying the differences between print texts which are linear and sequential and online texts which are non-linear, multimodal, interactive and intertextual (Vacca & Vacca et al 2010).There is now the New Literacies (Literacy 2.0) that we must prepare our students to navigate and critically evaluate --hypertexts, hyperlinks,etc..

Rumelhart (2004) posited that reading and writing are both mean making processes and so required an integrated approach. He viewed readers and writers as active learners who used knowledge and strategies to solve problems. Rosenblatt (2004) explained that readers' interpretations of text are individualised as they negotiate meaning based on their own experiences and background knowledge.

The cognitive/information processing theory lends support to my position that web 2.0 tools can be used to instruct, assess and motivate our students to read and write in authentic ways in conjunction with traditional printed texts. These tools can be used to provide individualised experiences for our students so that they can become owners of their learning.

Allington (2006) states that struggling students need to spend more time reading and writing, which is why I decided to focus on online reading and writing as the direction for my blog. The e-connection refers to using the internet to further integrate and reinforce the reading and writing processes that we must teach to our students. They spend most of their time online now: far more hours on facebook than watching television or reading books so why not use this to our advantage and their benefit?

Reading and Writing using Web 2.0 tool: Wordle

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This is a word cloud made by using the tool wordle (www.wordle.net). This online tool could be used as a great pre-reading and pre-writing activity with students of any age. You simply upload the text that you want to use and select the different options from the drop down menu.

I created this cloud by copying and pasting selected text off of myelearning that described our course edrl6004 and VOILA got this cloud of words: the bigger words are the ones that appear most frequently in the text.

The word cloud could be used to build students' vocabulary and fluency. Before doing a reading assignment you can upload the technical or difficult vocabulary and create a cloud that students could use to preview the assignment, they could use the words to activate prior knowledge about what they think the reading is about or they could use the words to do a 'quick writing' exercise.

The cloud could also be used in the diagnostic stage, for instance after doing a running record with your students the words that the students struggled with could be made into a cloud for them to practice and they could tick them off as they master each one. The possibilities are endless... can you brainstorm and share any other ways to use this great tool?

AdLit.org: Adolescent Literacy - All About Adolescent Literacy

AdLit.org: Adolescent Literacy - All About Adolescent Literacy

This is a great site packed with resources for educators and parents who want to assist struggling adolescent readers and writers. I consider it a 'must go to' for tackling adolescent literacy issues. You can sign up for the free newsletter which gives you updates on research based programmes and strategies that you can try with secondary aged students.
The site has webcasts that feature experts, videos that showcase current classroom strategies,it also spotlight books and authors that might interest our students and then there are lesson ideas and tips, and so much more to explore.
I strongly recommend that everyone take a look see at this site as you can gain insights and fresh perspectives on literacy issues that can not only help you to reflect on your own practice but the resources here can be used to stimulate dialogue in your school among your peers on ways to improve literacy in your classrooms or you can use the material here for professional development.

'i' am a literacy warrior

I am a business teacher for thirteen years and a head of department for much less than that at a mixed secondary school in the port of spain area. For me teaching is a challenging but rewarding endeavour.

Male underachievement worries me and I witness every day the struggles that my students face in mastering the textbook and the content matter. I wanted to be able to make a difference, if you will an informed attack against the problem. I have a passion for reading and I want to unlock that untapped potential in my students: reading and writing is for life not just school.

As a future reading specialist I want to be a literacy warrior and I believe web 2.0 tools can be valuable in motivating our adolescents to read and write in meaningful and relevant ways. I am willing to share and collaborate with my colleagues and all those concerned about the state of literacy in our schools and our society...so to borrow a popular/current phrase let's waka waka together-it's time for literacy action!