1. Ummmm….. Teacher, What is
an Encyclopedia?
Strategies for developing
authentic research reports for
Elementary Students with the
Integration of Technology
2. Research Without Copying
• Nancy Polette
– Professor Emeritus (retired) at Lindenwood
College-St. Charles, Missouri
– Author of over 150 professional books
including Research Without Copying
– Married to Paul
– Owner and Publisher of Book Lures, Inc.
– Currently an Educational Consultant
3. Goals for Research
• Have Students Think critically about what
is read and/or heard by seeking facts that
support information
• Allow students to use information in a
variety of ways instead of copying
information
• Have students use various avenues of
technology for effective research
4. The rewards of Integrating
Technology into the classroom
for English and Language Arts
• Gives motivational, individual instruction and/or
practice in individual reading and writing skills
• Supports the reflection and frequent modification
called for in process writing
• Supports all stages of the writing process:
planning, drafting, revising and editing, and
publishing.
5. Technology Integration Strategies
• Language Skills Development
– Teaching decoding skills
» Digitized speech support
» Interactive websites, games
» Videos
» Ebooks
– Developing other reading skills
» Software-based and online systems
» Reference resources
» Electronic devices
– Creating everyday teacher activities
» Spreadsheets
» Electronic presentations
» Using word processors
6. Technology Integration Strategies
• Literacy Development
– Networked literacy projects
– Activities with interactive storybooks, Ebooks,
and talking books
– Uses of tracking systems
– Connections to online reading materials to
engage students
– Writing in blogs
– Motivating writing with video projects
– Threaded discussions at a distance
7. Technology Integration Strategies
• The Process Approach to writing
– Prewriting
• Electronic outlining
• Concept mapping software
– Drafting
• Word processing program
• Electronic note cards
– Revising and editing
• Projection of the students typed draft on a screen
• Easier using a computer
• Word process capabilities
• Spell and grammar checkers
• Student interaction
• Group assignments
8. Technology Integration Strategies
cont.
• The Process Approach to writing cont.
– Publishing
• Traditional (paper) publishing
Desktop publishing programs
Word processing software
• Electronic publishing
Share writing n electronic forms (i.e. EBooks, websites,
multimedia slide shows, and news broadcasts)
Students can publish their work
Email and website projects
Electronic penpal
ePALS
9. Ummm… Teacher what’s an
Encyclopedia
• Copied directly from Mrs. Polette
• Written Reports are usually copied
information-thus becoming a true false
paper
– Martin Luther King, Jr. Paper
• Standard research papers encourage
copying and data dumping from websites
• Wikipedia causes the traditional
encyclopedia to become obsolete
10. Few People Really Like(s) to
(NOBODY)
Research
Specialized Modes of the Four Quadrants
(Sorry-Gotta Give the Research)
A-THE THINKER- Let’s Get it Right D-THE CREATOR- What if we did it a new way?
Quantify Fluency
Analyze Flexibility
Theorize Originality
Conceptualize Elaboration
Interpret Synthesize
Hypothesize
Descriptive and Historical Research Experimental Research
Research will be accurate and fact based Original Research Products
B-THE MOVER- We have to meet the deadline. C-THE NURTURER-How can our data help others?
Plan Recieve
Forecast Respond
Decision making Value
Problem Solving Organize
Organizing Characterize
Sequencing
Data-based, Well organized Case and Field Studies
Correlation Research People Oriented Research
11. Match Research to Strongest
Thinking Mode
Student A Likes Historical Research (reconstruct the past)
Descriptive Research (systematic description)
Developmental research (finding patterns of change)
Student B Likes Correlation Research (discovering relationships)
Student C Likes Case and Field Studies
Group Projects
Student D Likes Action Research to examine change as a result of action
(Original Products)
12. Resources
• K-5th Grade Products for Differentiation in the classroom-
www.pieces of learning.com
– Rubrics accompanies each product
• Research Reports to knock your teacher’s socks off-by
Nancy Polette
• Research Without Copying-by Nancy Polette
• Research Without Copying for Primary Grades-by Nancy
Polette
• Internet resources to motivate student reading
• Concept mapping software to help students plan their
writing
13. REMEMBER MLK,JR?
• AVOID THIS:
• Topic: Famous Black/African American
• Assignment: One page report on a person
What Students WILL DO:
Copy pages from an online article about his/her
subject
Thinking Level: KNOWLEDGE
14. Examples
• Packet-Types of Research
• If you CHANGE the research Product you
also CHANGE the thinking and research
Processes the student used to develop the
product.
15. TRY THIS
• Topic: Famous Black/African American
• Assignment: A narrative poem about an
important incident in the life of a Famous African
American
• What the student will do:
– Locate and Analyze Information
– Choose and important incident
– Verify Information
– Write a poem incorporating the most important data
• Thinking Level: Comprehension, Application,
Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation
16. When the Product is Changed
so that Students Have to Use
Information in New Ways,
Copying STOPS.
17. Issues and Problems
• Expanding the • Exploring New
Definition of Literacy Instructional Practices
– Incorporate electronic – Knowledge of
forms of hardware (e.g.,
communication computers, televisions,
– Shift our conception to VCRs, scanners,
new literacies camcorders, digital
cameras)
– Learning to create and
present multimedia
products
18. Issues and Problems cont.
• Making Decisions • Critical Social
About Keyboarding Learning
Instruction Environments
– Qwerty keyboard – Technology helps
– Proper usage of a students become
keyboard – Networked
technologies allowed
world wide
communication
– Technology
interactions provide
multicultural benefit
19. Issues and Problems cont.
• Working with Diverse • Motivating Students
Learners – Educators are using
– Appropriate use of interactive and visual
technology (e.g. , qualities of software
books on CD, tapes, and websites to
online, and software increase motivation
– Internet resources for – A variety of technology
non readers has increased the
students willingness to
write
– Computer based
tracking systems (i.e.
Accelerated Reader)
20. Issues and Problems cont.
• Teachers’ Growth as Literacy Professionals
– Teachers who are skilled in the effective use of
technology for teaching and learning,
– A literacy curriculum that integrates the new literacies
of technology into instructional programs,
– Instruction that develops the critical literacies
essential to effective information use,
– Assessment practices in literacy that include reading
and writing technology tools,
– Opportunities to learn safe and responsible use of
information and communication technologies, and
– Equal access to technology
21. Research Activities
• Largely teacher selected
– Best if hands on observational experiences
• Students learn about and relate information by
interacting with materials
• If possible use independent learning centers in
elementary
• Using instructional websites, social networking
• Using proofing and editing software
24. Benefits
• Students gain knowledge and have fun
• Students proud of product
• Class is truly interested in product
• Teacher not bored
• Fosters Creativity
