Describes efforts to integrate technology into a reading methodology course for secondary English majors. Discusses the use of e-mail, multimedia, distance education for videoconferences, online discussion technology, subject-specific software, desktop publishing, a database management system, a concept mapping program, and the use of the World…

Presents a scene from the multimedia performance of "We're Not Nice Little Old Ladies." Notes that the performance was the culmination of a 3-year research project called "Stories of Ageing" intended to explore what ageing means from the point of view of the older woman. (SG)

Addresses two interrelated factors needed to be resolved at the commencement of any Critical Literacy approach in the mainstream subject classroom--the nature of the texts presented and the concept of resistance. Lists three strategies that help to build background knowledge: activating existing prior knowledge; building on that knowledge from a…

Explores the notion of masculinities and the impact that social contexts and power relations have on how boys display and practice masculinity as they participate in literacy activities. Presents a quick overview of the study in which the activity took place. Concludes that educators must continue to challenge existing practices of gender in order…

Offers examples of dramatic experiences (student produced soap operas) in two classrooms in British comprehensive secondary schools. Concludes that students in other countries would find such experiences as meaningful and enjoyable as their British counterparts. Notes that the two teachers managed to be flexible, appropriating effective…

Describes how three middle-aged educators have been working with and helping to connect adolescent young men, from an alternative educational program for troubled youth, and independent elders in an assisted living complex. Notes the connections are built around storytelling and writing. Discusses positive results from this program. (SG)

Describes a team-based approach for creating Sentence Verification Technique (SVT) tests, a development procedure that allows teachers and other school personnel to develop comprehension tests from curriculum materials in use in their schools. Finds that if tests are based on materials that are appropriate for the population to be tested, the…

Demonstrates how students who use background knowledge, context, morphology, and dictionaries learn words more effectively. Adapts a vocabulary web consisting of eight identical bubbles to provide students with a word map, intertwining most of the elements to clarify word meaning described by J. M. Harmon as essential to vocabulary instruction.…

Studies how people--scientists, writers, teachers, students--come together to share their expertise, to construct something more than they might have alone, and to learn from one another in the process. Notes the powerful collaboration tools being developed and explored in a "virtual workspace." Lists websites where educators can get involved. (SG)

Presents a program that encourages struggling adolescent readers in a special education classroom to engage in the narrative mode of thinking when reading and interpreting texts. Notes that the results are promising, and there are implications for helping preservice teachers develop an awareness of narrative thinking. (SG)

Addresses a concern that integrating packaged technology (such as Accelerated Reader) is taking precedence over maintaining theoretically sound instructional practices. Addresses several arguments against the use and effectiveness of the Accelerated Reader program. Challenges educators to read the results and analysis of the National Assessment of…

Presents an example of how professional development measures and an integrated approach to literacy positively affected one urban high school. Notes that the reading achievement of these urban high school youths was influenced by quality instruction and support for classroom teachers. Indicates that school structures influence student achievement.…

Considers how educators can all learn how to better help second-language learners, cultural outsiders, and students they often do not have time to know. Describes how one girl's desire to succeed collides with cultural roadblocks to contribute to her lack of literacy. Presents a list of nine strategies for achieving inclusive classroom…

Suggests that learning more about what draws adolescents to particular texts and practices can help teachers to facilitate literacy events that are meaningful to students. Concludes that, by allowing youth's ways of constructing meaning and identity to inform academic practices, play becomes a fruitful endeavor both in and outside of classrooms.…

Describes how political and ethical positioning in classroom discussions can be intertwined with productive conversations about the subject matter. Follows a sociocultural approach to literacy, exploring how teachers and students borrow ethical positions from the larger social world and adopt these positions through classroom discussions of…