Skip to main content Skip to main content

Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop

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.

Video Summary

In “New Literacies of the Internet,” Professor Donald Leu discusses the new literacy skills that our students need for questioning, searching, critically evaluating, synthesizing, and communicating information found on the Internet. You will also see classroom examples that illustrate his research. As you watch, consider the following questions:

 

  • What skills do students need to use the Internet?
  • How can teachers use the Internet to teach content?
  • How can teachers provide for child safety on the Internet?

What skills do students need to use the Internet?

In the first segment Professor Leu discusses the importance of teaching students how to find, evaluate, and synthesize information from the Internet. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image at the beginning of the video.)

  • What strategies can you use to teach your students to find information on the Internet?
  • What strategies can you use to help your students evaluate the validity of the information they get on the Internet?
  • How is synthesizing information from the Internet different from synthesizing information from books?

How can teachers use the Internet to teach content?

In this segment Professor Leu suggests strategies for using the Internet as a resource to build background knowledge about a subject and to locate information about a content-area topic. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image approximately 13 minutes into the video.)

  • What are some activities that you can design in which students achieve two or three learning goals from a single activity?
  • How can you make sure that struggling readers participate fully in using the Internet?
  • How can you find the best resources related to the topics or content areas you are teaching?

How can teachers provide for child safety on the Internet?

In the final segment Professor Leu discusses how districts and teachers can make sure that students use only acceptable Web sites when on the Internet. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image approximately 22 minutes into the video.)

  • How can you make sure that students understand the purpose of the Acceptable Use Policy?
  • How do you make sure your students are safe while using the Internet?
  • Based on Professor Leu’s comments and the classroom examples, what changes might you make in your instruction?

Series Directory

Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop

Credits

Produced by WGBH Educational Foundation. 2006.
  • Closed Captioning
  • ISBN: 1-57680-815-7

Workshops