Chapter 12 Response

CHAPTER 12: The World of Online Children's Literature

Children now are way more adapted to the use of technology as a learning tool than even myself. I remember the long loading page times, the limited use of a computer, and not ever hearing the term smartboard, laptop, or memory card. Now that technology is a major component in today's classroom, it is important for the modern teacher to know them and include them in the classroom. Now teachers must help to prepare their students for the modern world where they must develop proficiency in technology. This means incorporating digital tools into lesson plans.

The internet provides virtually every children's book made where students can now access them either in their traditional form, or in a new interactive way such as online read alouds interactive storybooks, and virtual meet the authors.There are many author websites where student's can look up their favorite authors, see more books they wrote, and learn more about the book.  Through these outlets, students can discover much more about their favorite book than previously possible.

It iss extremely important for students to learn how to do their own research online as it will be important for their studies in the future. I really like the search strategy proposed in the book.

Set a purpose for searching
Employ effective search strategies
Analyze search engine results
Read critically and synthesize information
Cite your sources
How successful was your search?

Through this process of searching, students gain critical thinking skills, while having fun looking up something interesting to them. It is important for the teacher to analyze websites for the students, too, to make sure they are kid user-friendly and be sure it is safe and credible information.

Online discussions, blogs and wikis are a way for students to reflect and discuss their readings in a virtual way using modern digital media. While it is important to still use group and class discussions, when a lesson is coming to an end, the students can use a blog or online discussion to share their final thoughts. Or, it can be used as the lesson persists so the students ideas are continuously logged.