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=Exploring Literacy and Technology: How can Web tools and resources support literacy?=

Welcome to the //Exploring Literacy and Technology// Wiki! Below is a partial listing of tools and resources for K-12 that we will be exploring today. I have tried to include a variety of types of tools and resources targeting different ages, some of which are very new and innovative that will challenge your thinking about appropriate tools for literacy development. Each table group will explore the tools and resources assigned to their table and post their work on a wiki page. Each table has been assigned 4 websites that can be categorized either as tool or a resource; they are listed on your table's wiki page (see navigation bar on left). For each tool or resource the group will collaboratively write a brief but thorough description (two or three paragraphs) including the purpose, the major components/features with particular emphasis on interactive features, appropriate age levels, easy of use/design, and how it supports literacy. Design your Wiki page to best present your findings; be creative, give your group a name and perhaps your Wiki page a title. List the group members with their roles on the bottom of the page.

Before you begin your task --

1. Ask group/table members to volunteer to act as: 2. Decide on the questions that will focus your exploration. Your time is limited so explore purposefully. At the end of the day please post your questions on the "Reflecting on Questions" wiki page.
 * Group facilitator: organizes the group's work; helps group to set up a timetable for successful completion, suggests how the group members will work with limited computers best utilizing everyone's time; keep everyone on task.
 * Navigator(s): sits at the computer(s) and helps group to explore websites.
 * Presenter: presents tool/resource at end of day.
 * Timekeeper: keep group moving along on time; assists Facilitator to keep members on task.
 * Writer(s): writes up annotation in a creative, well structured manner.
 * Wikimaster: posts questions to wiki at the end of the day; cleans up and organizes wiki page after class
 * Other?

At the end of the day each group will choose one tool/resource that they feel best supports literacy to give a 3-5 minute report to explain why. Be prepared to compare this resources/tool to the other resources/tools in your group and defend your decision in relationship to the phases of reading, reading advocacy, literacy strategies, etc.

Students can explore the //Exploring Literacy and Technology Wiki// in more depth after the class to read the full reports on each tool/resource. If your group is not finished posting to the wiki by report time, it's the group responsibility to finish the work and post to the //Exploring Literacy and Technology Wiki// by Friday, August 3.

The tools and resources we will be exploring are: **Story Line Online**, **Arts Books, Kids Read****, The Spaghetti Book Club, The Story Book Online, Highlight Kids, Book Adventure, Story Place: The Kid's Digital Library, RIF Reading Planet, Epals,** **Kid's Review,** **Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature Site**, **The Comic Creator, Read Think Write, LitLinks, EduBlogs, TourMaker, Filimentality, ALAN Book Club, CyberGuides, Leafletter, Twitter, The Comic Creator, Keebook Creator, The Spelling Bee, Ning, TK3 Author, Whyville, Literacy Resources on the Web...and more.**