Running head: Virtual Literature Circles: Best Practices 1 Virtual Literature Circles Best Practices A Project Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Education Jeremy Ferebee California State University San Marcos Fall 2013 Running head: Virtual Literature Circles: Best Practices 2 Project Abstract The growth of online communication technologies creates great opportunities in education. New tools such as asynchronous discussion forums allow for greater flexibility, convenience, and autonomy in learning. Teachers have used the Virtual Literature Circle in this new online learning environment to support the development of both digital and traditional literacy skills for students. The purpose of this project is to gather best practices from a wide body of research that includes traditional Literature Circles, distance learning and blended learning, Social Learning Theory, and Self- Determination Theory in order to support teachers in creating a successful Virtual Literature Circle unit. The handbook includes a rationale for Virtual Literature Circles, best practice strategies, and handouts to support teachers in implementing the unit. Keywords: Virtual Literature Circle, asynchronous discussion forum, distance learning, blended learning, digital literacy, Social Learning Theory, Self- Determination Theory Running head: Virtual Literature Circles: Best Practices 3 Table of Contents Virtual Literature Circles ......................................................................................................1 Best Practices............................................................................................................................1 Project Abstract................................................................................................................................. 2 Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................. 3 Chapter One: Definition of Problem........................................................................................... 5 Purpose of Project............................................................................................................................ 5 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................................. 6 What We Know about Student Attitudes and Motivation .............................................................6 Preview of Literature ...................................................................................................................... 8 Preview Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 9 Significance of Project..................................................................................................................... 9 Summary of Chapter......................................................................................................................12 Definitions.........................................................................................................................................13 Chapter 2: Literature Review .....................................................................................................14 Rationale for Literature Circles.............................................................................................................. 14 Challenges in Literature Circles............................................................................................................. 15 A Shift in the Learning Paradigm .......................................................................................................... 16 Rationale for Asynchronous Discussion Forums ........................................................................... 17 Best Practices:................................................................................................................................................ 20 The role of the instructor.......................................................................................................................... 20 Summary............................................................................................................................................26 Chapter Three: Methodology......................................................................................................28 Format of the Handbook ..............................................................................................................29 Intended Audience .........................................................................................................................30 Procedures Taken to Create the Handbook...........................................................................31 Step 1:................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Step 2:................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Step 3:................................................................................................................................................................ 32 Summary............................................................................................................................................34 Virtual Literature Circles: Best Practices for Teachers .....................................................35 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................38 Best Practices...................................................................................................................................40 Beginning......................................................................................................................................................... 40 Figure 1: Sample Reading List ................................................................................................................ 44 Figure 2: Sample Letter to Parents:...................................................................................................... 47 Figure 3: Student Book Selection ......................................................................................................... 48 Before the Literature Circle..................................................................................................................... 49 Figure 4: ........................................................................................................................................................... 50 Reading Schedule ......................................................................................................................................... 51 Figure 5: Virtual Literature Circle Organizer................................................................................... 53 Setting Clear Expectations........................................................................................................................ 55 Figure 6: Virtual Literature Circles: Instructions........................................................................... 56 Digital Citizenship........................................................................................................................................ 59 Figure 7: Digital Citizenship Guidelines ............................................................................................. 60 The Use of Role Sheets............................................................................................................................... 62 Through .............................................................................................................................................64 Running head: Virtual Literature Circles: Best Practices 4 Student-Constructed Prompts: Promoting Depth and Complexity........................................ 64 Figure 8: Creating Your Question.......................................................................................................... 66 Responding to Classmates........................................................................................................................ 70 Figure 9: Guidelines for Students.......................................................................................................... 71 The Teacher’s Role: Facilitator and Mediator.................................................................................. 72 Figure 10: Specific and Individualized Feedback.......................................................................... 74 Analyzing the Transcript .......................................................................................................................... 76 Figure 11: Example Student Discussion............................................................................................. 77 Closing ................................................................................................................................................81 Assessment ..................................................................................................................................................... 81 Figure 12: Student Self-Evaluation and Peer-Evaluation