The article described a three-week summer camp for high school students that focused on literacy skills. The instructors modeled reading, writing and technology strategies. Lessons included searching on the Internet and writing online book reviews. The instructors also included comics and excerpts from graphic novels. The students created four projects during the camp. The projects included an individual comic, a group research project and informational comic strip, individual reader response, and individual book critique.
In regard to using technology in the individual and group projects, the instructors were surprised by the lack of knowledge related to technology. The instructors used the time to assist and model the use of technology such as creating a PowerPoint presentation and using the digital camera. The students provided assistance to other students when creating the projects.
Overall, the researchers concluded the students did demonstrate improvement in informational literacy.
I liked this article because it addressed student motivation to read and the use of tools most teachers are reluctant to use. The researchers used graphic novels and comics to model lessons. They also required the students to use technology to complete the projects that were connected to the instruction. In today’s classroom, teachers should use students’ interests and the newest technology to engage students. While standards are so important and need to drive the instruction, why not use material of interest and technology to engage? I would use such practices in a classroom.
Lawrence, S., McNeal, K., & Yildiz, M. (2009, March). Summer Program Helps Adolescents Merge Technology, Popular Culture, Reading, and Writing for Academic Purposes. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 52(6), 483-494. Retrieved April 14, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.
I would have loved to attend a summer camp like this! I think that there are a lot of students who would benefit from being able to attend a camp that allows them to work on their writing skills in a comfortable and supportive environment. I know that I used to feel self-concious about my writing, but I would have really loved to share at a place like this.
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