National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2009

National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2009 Project Report

Project title: Enhancing Learning through Reading and Web 2.0 tools

Project description: Students from Years 4–6 will have the opportunity to enhance their learning through reading titles from the Curriculum Corporation’s Reading enhances learning’ website focusing on Values Education. Incorporating Web 2.0 tools, students will discuss their learning through both asynchronous (wikis, blogs, and email) and synchronous communication (VOIP, Skype).

It is intended that students will form Literature Circles to appreciate and explore the relevant texts, using online pro formas and activities to enhance the literary experience. The students will engage with students both within and without the school throughout the time-frame. Resources will be shared with a neighbouring school so their students can engage in the process through online communication. Students will be encouraged to embed RSS feeds into their blogs along with appropriate websites.

Students will be able to utilise their preferred style of learning, through reading, writing and talking. With the integration of Web 2.0 tools, students will have the opportunity to broaden their thinking and learning.

During National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2009, parents will be invited to participate in students’ online discussions and their development of wikis and blogs.

The interaction between themselves and other students from other schools will be sustained in their subsequent activities and learning experiences. The shared experience of all students will enrich and enliven students’ learning.

Person responsible for project: Mary Walsh

School : Mary Help of Christians Primary School Region: Mid-North Coast Diocese: Diocese of Lismore

Contact person’s email: [email protected]

Number of students, teachers, parents, other community members directly involved: Students 170 students in Years 4, 5 & 6

Teachers 5 plus 2 Teacher Aides

Parents: 4 to assist throughout the process. All parents during National Literacy and Numeracy Week

Intended literacy and/or numeracy outcomes: Students will be able to:  Form opinions about texts they have viewed and read  Read and respond critically to a range of texts for a range of purposes  Read a range of texts (independently and in shared and guided reading)  Read widely and compare, discuss and justify different interpretations of texts read and /or viewed  Consolidate information skills by locating appropriate resources on the Internet  Develop critical and evaluative skills  Utilise a variety of Web 2.0 based tools to enhance their learning.  Engage in asynchronous and synchronous communication, e.g. wikis, blogs, VOIP (Skype)  Develop a love of reading for both leisure and meaning.

Evidence of achievement of intended literacy and/or numeracy outcomes:  Students read selected texts and were able to discuss the texts having formed deep opinions  Students engaged in the activities on the REL website and were able to respond critically to a range of texts  Students used various Web 2.0 tools to share their opinions and engage in further dialogue with their peers both within and without the school through the use of Skype, wikis and blogs  Students developed their own Blogs to share their interests and views inviting others to comment  Students enjoyed the range of texts and have continued to read for pleasure and meaning referring texts to each other. Literature Circles have become an important aspect of the reading program  The increased interest in reading has been evident through loan statistics  Students engaged in deeper thinking conversation when using Skype.

Other information:  Reading Enriches Learning website: www.curriculumpress.edu.au/rel basis for activities which incorporate higher order thinking  Students talking to peers through Skype

Literature Circles: http://www.cap.nsw.edu.au/teachers/tech_based_resources/literaturecircles.ppt

Feedback about making grants available for such projects: Excellent opportunity to be able to initiate new learning opportunities. Excellent resources are able to be acquired and there is strong motivation for students and staff to engage in a range of learning activities embracing new learning technologies.

Resources are able to be further developed and partnership with the community enables ongoing relationships.