Four+Literacy+Models

by: Ken Macrorie || •research process •student writing •metacognative thinking || •keep a log of actions, thoughts and feelings about the process •have a clear focus with personal meaning || •Select a topic •Find Information •Use Information •Develop Final Product || •Inquiry || by: S. Hughes || •research process •analytical/critical thinking skills •organization of information || •brainstorm ideas •plan for proper research •choose a proper presentation method || •Preparing •Accessing •Processing •Transferring || •Inquiry || by: Bernie Dodge and Tom March || •communication skills •information processing •problem solving •knowledge of current global issues || •competently use technology •be able to cooperate and collaborate •analyze and synthesize ideas || •Research •Evaluate •Conclude || •Inquiry ||  After comparing all three of these models, I noticed that I chose all literacy models that involved student inquiry. For me that was incredibly important because students learn best when they are wholly committed to a task. The more they are curious about a topic, the more likely they are to complete consume themselves in the research process (without realizing all the valuable skills they are improving). I also noticed that I tend to lean more towards research based models that can be turned into paper topics. As an English teacher it makes a lot of sense that I would choose a model that could help students as they went through the process of writing a research paper, or presenting a theory to the class. So much of the 21st century English classroom is geared toward communicating effectively because it has become a valuable business resource. With that in mind, it is crucial for me to make sure that I include a literacy model that will allow the students to present their topics in more than just paper form. When considering the different factors that drew me to each of these models, I might create a literacy model that followed the following steps:
 * ~ A Comparison of Three Literacy Models ||~  ||~   ||~   ||
 * Information Literacy Model || Improves... || Students must... || Steps... || Based on... ||
 * **I-Search**
 * **Research Helper**
 * **Web-quest**

•**Presearch-** brainstorming, selecting a topic, deciding where best to find the correct data, asking for others opinions
 * PREP: For a writing a Paper ** (the fourth literacy model)
 * •Research-** using resources to locate data and information, organizing and arranging the information,
 * •Evaluation-** analyzing the data, drawing and synthesizing one's own conclusions
 * •Presentation-** choosing the best way to present the data (paper, presentation, website, etc.), creating the finished product, writing a reflection on the process itself

Using this literacy model, my students would prepare, create and present their final product. This model is extremely inquiry based and allows for the students to pursue their own topic within the context of the assignment. It also requires them to confer and collaborate with other students which helps the brainstorming and interactive process. The students also much use their critical thinking and decision making skills as they come up with the best way to present their new information to the rest of the class. Using this model, students will improve their writing skills as well as understanding the valuable process they went through to obtain their final product.

Sources: Virtual Inquiry Web Page http://www.virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/models.htm

I-Search http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/formatsheet.html http://www.delta.edu/sgrobins/I-Search.html

Research Process Helper! http://www3.sympatico.ca/sandra.hughes/sandra.hughes/research/default.html

Webquests http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/webquests/index.html http://webquest.org/index.php