Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop

Professional Development > Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop > 5. New Literacies of the Internet

New Literacies of the Internet

This workshop focuses on the evolving use of networked technology in education. Literacy expert Donald Leu discusses strategies that help students effectively read, write, and communicate on the Internet. Classroom examples illustrate strategies for using Internet resources in the classroom.

How has the Internet changed traditional views of literacy instruction? What reading strategies are necessary to comprehend text on the Internet? What challenges do teachers face in providing instruction in the new literacies in grades 3-5? In this session, literacy expert Donald Leu addresses the reading and writing strategies required for using the Internet and how these new literacies are changing the way we teach. You will learn how to integrate technology into your literacy curriculum and enhance literacy learning in your classroom.

Learning Goals

At the end of this session, you will better understand how to:

organize your curriculum and instruction to meet the demands of the new literacies
integrate technology into your content-area curriculum
provide equal access to computer use for all of your students
teach your students to critically read and evaluate information on the Internet
ensure safe use of the Internet in your classroom

“To be newly literate means to take advantage of the information resources that are on the Internet, and that requires new reading and writing skills. These new literacies are central to our students’ futures. Their futures are going to be defined by their ability to read, write, and communicate within networked information environments.”

Donald Leu
John and Maria Neag Endowed Chair in Literacy and Technology
University of Connecticut

Meet the Expert

Donald J. Leu holds the John and Maria Neag Endowed Chair in Literacy and Technology at the University of Connecticut, and formerly taught at Syracuse University. He specializes in reading and Internet technologies. Professor Leu’s work addresses issues of both theory and practice, as the Internet has fundamentally redefined what it means to be literate. His research has been published in Reading Research Quarterly, Handbook of Reading Research, The Reading Teacher, Teaching with the Internet, and Effective Literacy Instruction.

Assignments

If you are taking this workshop for credit or professional development, submit the following assignments for Session 5: New Literacies of the Internet.

1. Examine the Literature

In this assignment, you will read two articles on new literacies and complete the Examine the Literature Response Chart.

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2. Research an Author

In this activity, you will develop a lesson that guides your students to use the Internet to find out information about an author whose work they are reading in class.

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3. Develop Background Knowledge

In this activity, you will determine the background knowledge that is required to enhance students’ understanding of a novel you teach in your literacy program.

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4. What Did You Learn?

In this activity, you will write a summary of the ideas and strategies you explored in this session.

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5. Create a Literacy Practices Portfolio

In this activity, you will continue to build your portfolio of instructional practices.

Related Resources

Print Resources

Labbo, L. D., D. J. Leu, Jr., C. Kinzer, W. Teale, D. Cammack, J. Kara-Soteriou, and R. Sanny. “Teacher Wisdom Stories: Cautions and Recommendations for Using Computer-Related Technologies for Literacy Instruction.” The Reading Teacher 57, no. 3 ( 2004): 300-304.

Leu, D. J., Jr. “Internet Project: Preparing Students for New Literacies in a Global Village.” The Reading Teacher 54, no. 5 (2001): 568-585.

Leu, D. J., Jr., D. D. Leu, and J. Coiro. Teaching with the Internet K-12: New Literacies for New Times, 87. Norwood, MA: Christopher Gordon, 2004.

Wepner, S. B., W. J. Valmont, and R. Thurlow. Linking Literacy and Technology: A Guide for K-8 Classrooms. Newark, DE: International Reading Association, 2000.

Web Resources

Cyber Guides
This site provides supplementary, standards-based units of instruction focused on core works of literature.

Enchanted Learning
This site provides an extensive, organized resource for teachers and students.

Hazel’s Homepage
This site contains ideas for utilizing the Internet as a resource for curriculum material, with links to other useful sites

Series Directory

Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop

Credits

Produced by WGBH Educational Foundation. 2006.

Closed Captioning
ISBN: 1-57680-815-7

Related Materials

Sections

5.1 Before You Watch | New Literacies of the Internet

5.2 Analyze the Video | New Literacies of the Internet

Watch the video, "New Literacies of the Internet," taking notes as you watch. After you watch, jot down your answers to the questions below. If you prefer to watch the video in segments, pause the video when you see the next chapter heading.

5.3 Extend Your Knowledge | New Literacies of the Internet

5.4 Put It Into Practice | New Literacies of the Internet

5.5 Reflect on Your Learning | New Literacies of the Internet

Supplementary: Examine the Literature Response Chart

Handout

Supplementary: Reading Comprehension on the Internet

Handout

Supplementary: Integrating Literacy and Technology in the Curriculum: A Position Statement of the International Reading Association

Handout

Workshops

Workshop 1 Creating Contexts for Learning

This session examines how classroom organization, routines, and grouping practices can enhance literacy skills in the middle grades. Literacy expert Jeanne Paratore discusses teaching strategies that foster reading and writing skills. Classroom examples illustrate the research.

Workshop 2 Fluency and Word Study

This session focuses on how students in the middle grades develop vocabulary and reading fluency. Literacy expert Richard Allington discusses specific teaching strategies that help build fluency and vocabulary, illustrated by classroom examples.

Workshop 3 Building Comprehension

Comprehending text is one of the main goals of reading. In this session, literacy expert Nell Duke discusses what good readers do and strategies teachers can use to help students build comprehension skills. Classroom footage provides examples of comprehension strategies.

Workshop 4 Writing

This workshop examines the relationship between reading and writing in the middle grades. Literacy expert Nadeen Ruiz discusses the connections, conventions, and inventions that provide a framework for teaching writing, illustrated by classroom examples.

Workshop 5 New Literacies of the Internet

This workshop focuses on the evolving use of networked technology in education. Literacy expert Donald Leu discusses strategies that help students effectively read, write, and communicate on the Internet. Classroom examples illustrate strategies for using Internet resources in the classroom.

Workshop 6 Teaching English Language Learners

Changing classroom demographics call for a range or teaching strategies. In this session, literacy expert Robert Jim�nez discusses strategies teachers can use to create a successful learning environment for all students, while supporting English language learners. Classroom examples illustrate the research.

Workshop 7 Teaching Diverse Learners

In this session, literacy expert Dorothy Strickland discusses how teachers can meet the diverse needs of readers and writers in their classrooms. Classroom examples and teaching strategies address different aspects of diversity, including culture, language, background, ability, and learning approaches.

Workshop 8 Assessment and Accountability

This session explores assessment, standards, and outcomes. Literacy expert Kathy Au discusses the strategies teachers can use to assess students' understanding in reading and writing. Classroom examples illustrate how students can participate in their own assessment.