Virtual Literature CirclesErika Tyner

Yancey County Schools

East Yancey Middle School

Using Action ResearchTo Empower North Carolina Educators

A Race to the Top Initiative

NC Department of Public Instruction

Educator Effectiveness Division

Questions?Jot them down!

Let’s Take a Quick Poll

What are your experiences with Literature Circles?

Problems of PracticeTraditional Literature Circles

•Teacher Not Present 100% of Time•Distractions•Missed Teachable Moments•Students “Flying Under Radar”

(reading, work, and discussions)

Why is this Research Important?

English Language Arts Common Core Standards

• Reading: Literature • Speaking and Listening

Who Might Benefit from Research ?

● Middle Grades Teachers● Language Arts Teachers● Reading Specialists● Technology Facilitators● Media Specialists

How will this Innovation Benefit Students ?

● Deeper Understanding of Texts● Richer Literature Circle Discussions● Additional Student Accountability (reading, work, and in discussions)● Whole Class Lessons Targeting Issues● Written Platform (for students struggling with verbal communication)

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Research Question

Can Technology Enhance

Engagementand

Reading Comprehension?* *(as compared to traditional face-to-face experiences)

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an Study Participants• 6th grade Language Arts

• All Ability Levels (emergent, struggling, & above grade

level readers)

• Rural Area (Western North Carolina)

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an Study Variables

Independent Variable• Discussion Method during Literature

Circle Meetings

1st Nine Weeks - Traditional (Face-to-Face)Vs.

2nd Nine Weeks - Virtual Discussion

Dependent Variables • Reading Comprehension Abilities • Engagement/Interest in Reading

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an Innovation/Intervention

• Online Discussion Format• Teacher present for 100% of time • Record of Student Participation• Documented Discussion

(used as teachable moments later)• Active Dialogue - leading to a richer,

deeper understanding of the text(between students and

students/teachers)

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an Implementation in the Classroom

Virtual Classroom Discussion Options

Edmodo (used in study)Google DocsBlackboard

GOODREADSBLOGGER

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an Implementation in the Classroom

Planningis

Key!http://goo.gl/2UQRD1

Link to Google Doc Folder - ALL Handouts

Materials

Book

Literature Circle Packet

Post-it Notes

Planning for Virtual Literature CirclesLink to Teacher Planning Information

Literature Circle Teacher Log

Link to Teacher Log

Group 1

Book Title

Student Book # Assigned Letter (A, B, C, or D)

Book Returned

Lit. Circle Log

Grade

Virtual Literature Circle Packet

Link to Packet*A Modified Packet is also in the Google Docs Folder*

Examples

Examples

Literature Circle Participation Rubric

Link to Online Discussion Rubric

Student Name: Book:Class:

Meeting All Materials

(Check off)

# of comments in correct form

(10 points per comment, 8 comments required)

# of replies to teacher

(10 points per reply, 2 replies required)

Grade(# x 10)

1

2

3

4

5

6

Virtual Literature Circle Handouts

Also in the Google Docs Folder:

http://goo.gl/2UQRD1

● Modified Virtual Literature Circle Packet● Virtual Literature Circle Packet Rubric for Grading● Virtual Literature Circle Meeting #6 Questions

Traditional Literature Circle Handouts

In the Google Docs Folder:

http://goo.gl/G0n6TR

● Traditional Literature Circle Packet● Modified Traditional Literature Circle Packet● Traditional Literature Circle Order of Events

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Example #1 Discussion in Edmodo

Link to Discussion

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Example #2 Discussion in Edmodo

Link to Discussion

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Example #3 Discussion in Edmodo

Link to Discussion

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Dat

a Co

llect

ed

Data Collected● Student Interest Surveys ● Parent Surveys on Interest of Students

(Homework)● Homework Completion ● District Benchmark Scores

(Fiction Questions Only) ● Teacher Collected Engagement Data ● Plot Diagram Scores ● Literature Circle Student Grades ● Student Self Assessments● Student Interviews● Student Case Studies/Anecdotes

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Dat

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ed Anecdotal Data

❖David’s Story

❖Elliot’s Story

❖Ivy’s Story

❖Ilene’s Story

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ata Preliminary Findings

While students seem to be fairly equally engaged in

both Traditional and Virtual Literature Circles,

Virtual Literature Circles have a

more positive impact on reading comprehension.

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ata Recommendations

Combination of

Traditional and

Virtual

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ata Additional Thoughts

• Open-ended Questions vs. Post-it Notes

• Authentic Experience

• Roles

• Badges

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ata Limitations of Online

Format

• Students Struggling with Written Expression

• Technology Availability

• Technology Problems

• Internet Availability (school and home)

• Misspellings

Questions

Is there anything you would like to

discuss or

ask?

Conclusion of PresentationThank you for your participation.

Name: Erika TynerSchool/District: East Yancey Middle SchoolPhone: 828-682-2281Email: ehschultz@yanceync.net

Virtual Literature Circles Handouts http://goo.gl/2UQRD1

Traditional Literature Circle Handouts http://goo.gl/G0n6TR