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ACTIVITY
ENGAGEMENT
An
observational
study
of
year
0
–year
2
children
engaged
in
independent
reading
activities.
Need:
We
had
noticed
that
some
junior
children
were
engaging
in
independent
learning
activities
for
very
short
times,
with
limited
concentration.
This
was
most
apparent
in
reading
activity
times.
We
wanted
to
improve
engagement
in
learning.
Purpose:
We wanted to discover if engagement in reading activities was enhanced, using ICT as a tool.
Each
class
had
access
to
two
classroom
computers
and
a
pod
of
laptops.
These
were
already
used
regularly
in
the
reading
programmes.
We were aware that later in the year our classrooms were to be fitted with interactive whiteboards.
Literacy
is
a
strong
focus
in
our
junior
classes
so
we
anticipated
that
the
Interactive
Whiteboards
would
also
become
an
integral
aspect
of
our
reading
programmes.
Question:
In literacy, do children engage more in independent learning opportunities, using ICT as a tool?
Literature review
1.embedding
interactive
whiteboards
in
teaching
and
learning:
the
process
of
change
in
pedagogic
practice
Summary:
a
two
year
study
of
schools
with
Interactive
Whiteboards.
Measurable
gains
were
made
in
Maths,
Science
and
English.
Children’s
attention
was
held
more
strongly
than
e.g.
A
shared
big
book.
Interactive
Whiteboards
support
visual
learners
and
led
to
a
positive
trend
in
attention
improvement,
especially
in
low
attaining
boys.
Children
use
the
boards
with
ease.
2.
Effective
literacy
practice
in
years
1
to
4
(ministry
of
education
2003.)
Chapter
5:
engaging
learners
with
texts.
Summary:
Students
need
to
engage
in
text
in
a
variety
of
media.
Electronic
media
can
be
used
purposefully
to
give
opportunities
for
problem
solving,
creative
thinking,
composing
and
presenting
texts.
There
needs
to
be
a
focus
on
purpose;
what
the
teacher
wants
the
students
to
learn
and
how
the
students
will
know
that
the
learning
has
taken
place.
Children need to see good examples of reading and writing.
Small group work at computers can generate a lot of discussion.
Small
group
collaborative
work
is
the
most
beneficial
way
of
using
communications
electronic
equipment.
This
has
implications
for
how
we
will
use
the
Interactive
Whiteboards
in
the
future,
and
in
the
meantime
small
groups
accessing
the
laptops.
ICT can enhance the feeling of being a community of learners in the classroom.
Reading
programmes
need
to
include
a
broad
range
of
text
and
activities
that
are
relevant
to
the
children.
Summary:
Children
need
to
be
motivated
to
engage
actively
in
their
learning
in
order
to
make
expected
progress
in
literacy.
They
are
motivated
by
learning
that
makes
connections
to
their
individual
interests.
In
our
reading
programmes
children
need
to
build
on
prior
experiences
through
lots
of
reading
related
activities
–
engaging
in
text
in
the
broad
sense.
This
can
be
books,
symbols,
signs,
visual.
Our
school
expectations
for
literacy
learners
who
are
turning
6
years
old,
meet
the
national
expectations
of
reading
at
l12
-‐14
by
the
end
of
the
first
year
at
school.
Implementation
While
satisfied
that
the
majority
of
our
junior
children
continue
to
learn
to
read
at
or
above
expected
levels,
we
wanted
to
better
understand
what
activities
motivated
their
engagement
in
learning.
We
each
chose
a
group
of
6
children
as
our
target
group
to
observe.
We
observed
the
target
group’s
engagement
with
reading
activities
using
2
formal
observations.
We
conducted
oral
interviews
with
the
target
group
about
their
attitudes
and
preferences
within
the
class
reading
programmes.
Observations
24
junior
class
children
were
selected.
These
were
12
who
focused
on
one
task
for
a
short
time
and
12
who
were
able
to
focus
for
longer.
They
were
all
observed
while
involved
in
independent
reading
activities,
within
the
reading
programme.
Each
child
was
observed
twice
over
a
15
minute
time
(30
minutes
in
total.)
They
were
observed
at
a
range
of
ICT
and
non-‐ICT
activities.
Observations conclusion
The
results
of
the
observations
show
that
children
are
more
on-‐task
when
engaged
in
an
ict
reading
activity
(on
average
between
85
–
95%
of
the
time)
.
However
it
was
also
interesting
to
establish
that
for
other
independent
reading
activities
the
on-‐task
behaviour
was
still
high
(
on
average
between
65%
-‐
75%).
Interviews
1.what reading time activities do you most like to do?
Why?
2.if
you
could
choose
between
a
computer
activity
and
playing
a
reading
game
with
another
person,
which
would
you
choose?
Why?
3.if you could choose between a computer activity and a making activity, which would you choose?
Why?
4.if
you
could
choose
between
a
computer
activity
and
doing
an
activity
sheet,
which
would
you
choose?
Why?
5.when
you
are
having
reading
time
on
the
computer
what
do
you
enjoy
doing?
6.can
you
get
into
e.g.
Letter
getter
or
pm
books
all
by
yourself?
Interview conclusions
The
children
mostly
prefer
ICT
activities.
When
given
a
choice
they
also
prefer
to
do
making
activities
and
play
games.
Most
of
the
children
are
able
to
access
familiar
computer
activities
independently
and
will
ask
for
help
when
needed.
The
three
main
ICT
reading
activities
(letter
getter,
pm
books
and
starfall
)
are
all
equally
popular.
Our
action
research
has
confirmed
that
ICT
has
a
place
in
helping
to
engage
children
in
reading
activities.
The
children
reported
they
prefer
ICT
activities
and
they
appear
to
remain
on
task
for
longer.
In literacy, children do engage more in independent learning opportunities, using ICT as a tool.
At
the
conclusion
of
this
action
research
study,
interactive
whiteboards
were
installed
in
all
junior
classrooms.
The
action
research
has
shown
us
that
these
will
be
a
valuable
ICT
tool,
along
with
the
existing
class
computers
and
school
laptops.