In Practice

Use of Technology

Our focus at Got Lit? is not to dazzle people with the hottest technological trends, not do we use technology just for the sake of it. We aim to help students and teachers better utilize available technology while at the same time applying the grounded pedagogical approaches of anchored instruction and collaborative learning.

The technologies utilized are:

• The internet - for obtaining hyperlinked version of the text use to learn vocabulary, as well as, find historical and biographical information.
• Power Point - allow the teacher to provide tailored instruction and delivery of content. Presentations are used as an anchor for class dicussion and lectures.
• Webquests - are a way to help teachers develop collaborative learning exercises to obtain historical and biographical background as well as vocabulary.
• Film - films are used as a point of comparison, in hopes the student will realize the fuller experience of the written word.

Framework Components

The componets of the Got Lit? framework are straight forward and flexible. The process can an should be adapted to meet individual classroom needs:

1. Select Text - in selecting a text to study make sure it is available in hypertext and film, and one for which "reliable" internet sources are available. It should also be relatively short. Edgar Allan Poe's short stories are usually a favorite.
2. Personal Connection Exercise - develop a writing or discussion exercise to get the students speaking about the theme of the text. It is not necessary at this point to involve the text, just discuss the theme.
3. Historical/Biograpical Connection - introduce the author, and the historical context by developing a Webquest that will help the students collaboratively discover this information on their own.
4. Vocabulary Exercises - traditional vocabulary building exercises can be used but should be paired with technology to drill and reinforce. PowerPoint presentations formatted like Jeopardy to test knowledge are an example of how to do this.
5. Reading Circles - traditional vocabulary building exercises can be used but should be paired with technology to drill and reinforce. PowerPoint presentations formatted like Jeapardy to test knowledge.
6. View film - at this point in the process, obstacles such as vocabulary and background knowledge have been removed and the student has engaged in the text and discussed it with peers. The purpose of viewing the film of the text they have read is to demonstrate uniqueness of the reading experience and see that, while the film is more "attention getting", the book is more personal and engaging. After all did you ever hear someone say, the movie was better than the book!