Virtual Literature Circles
Erika Tyner
Yancey County Schools
East Yancey Middle School
Using Action Research
To Empower North Carolina Educators
A Race to the Top Initiative
NC Department of Public Instruction
Educator Effectiveness Division
Questions?
Jot them down!
Let’s Take a Quick Poll
What are your experiences with
Literature Circles?
Problems of Practice
Traditional Literature Circles
•Teacher Not Present 100% of Time
•Distractions
•Missed Teachable Moments
•Students “Flying Under Radar”
(reading, work, and discussions)
Why is this Research
Important?
English Language Arts Common Core Standards
• Reading: Literature
• Speaking and Listening
Who Might Benefit from
Research ?
● Middle Grades Teachers
● Language Arts Teachers
● Reading Specialists
● Technology Facilitators
● Media Specialists
How will this Innovation
Benefit Students ?
● Deeper Understanding of Texts
● Richer Literature Circle Discussions
● Additional Student Accountability
(reading, work, and in discussions)
● Whole Class Lessons Targeting Issues
● Written Platform
(for students struggling with verbal communication)
*(as compared to traditional face-to-face experiences)
Make Knowledge Public
Collect Data
Analyze/Interpret Data
Can Technology
Enhance
Engagement
and
Reading Comprehension?*
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Research Question
Make Knowledge Public
• Rural Area
(Western North Carolina)
Analyze/Interpret Data
• All Ability Levels
(emergent, struggling, & above grade
level readers)
Collect Data
• 6th grade Language Arts
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Study Participants
Dependent Variables
• Reading Comprehension Abilities
• Engagement/Interest in Reading
Make Knowledge Public
1st Nine Weeks - Traditional (Face-to-Face)
Vs.
2nd Nine Weeks - Virtual Discussion
Analyze/Interpret Data
• Discussion Method during Literature
Circle Meetings
Collect Data
Independent Variable
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Study Variables
Make Knowledge Public
Online Discussion Format
Teacher present for 100% of time
Record of Student Participation
Documented Discussion
(used as teachable moments later)
• Active Dialogue - leading to a richer,
deeper understanding of the text
(between students and
students/teachers)
Analyze/Interpret Data
•
•
•
•
Collect Data
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Innovation/Intervention
Make Knowledge Public
Edmodo (used in study)
Google Docs
Blackboard
GOODREADS
BLOGGER
Analyze/Interpret Data
Virtual Classroom Discussion
Options
Collect Data
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Implementation in the
Classroom
http://goo.gl/2UQRD1
Link to Google Doc Folder - ALL Handouts
Make Knowledge Public
Analyze/Interpret Data
Planning
is
Key!
Collect Data
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Implementation in the
Classroom
Materials
Post-it Notes
Book
Literature Circle Packet
Planning for
Virtual Literature Circles
Link to Teacher
Planning Information
Literature Circle Teacher Log
Link to
Teacher Log
Group 1
Book Title
Student
Book #
Assigned Letter
(A, B, C, or D)
Book
Returned
Lit. Circle
Log
Grade
Virtual Literature Circle Packet
Link to Packet
*A Modified Packet is also in the Google Docs Folder*
Examples
Examples
Literature Circle
Participation Rubric
Link to Online Discussion
Rubric
Student Name:
Book:
Class:
Meeting
1
2
3
4
5
6
All
Materials
# of comments in correct
form
# of replies to
teacher
(Check off)
(10 points per comment,
8 comments required)
(10 points per reply,
2 replies required)
Grade
(# x 10)
Virtual Literature Circle
Handouts
Also in the Google Docs Folder:
http://goo.gl/2UQRD1
● Modified Virtual Literature Circle Packet
● Virtual Literature Circle Packet Rubric for Grading
● Virtual Literature Circle Meeting #6 Questions
Traditional Literature Circle
Handouts
In the Google Docs Folder:
http://goo.gl/G0n6TR
● Traditional Literature Circle Packet
● Modified Traditional Literature Circle Packet
● Traditional Literature Circle Order of Events
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Example #1
Discussion in Edmodo
Link to Discussion
Make Knowledge Public
Analyze/Interpret Data
Collect Data
Implementation in the
Classroom
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Example #2
Discussion in Edmodo
Link to Discussion
Make Knowledge Public
Analyze/Interpret Data
Collect Data
Implementation in the
Classroom
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Example #3
Discussion in Edmodo
Link to Discussion
Make Knowledge Public
Analyze/Interpret Data
Collect Data
Implementation in the
Classroom
Make Knowledge Public
● Student Interest Surveys
● Parent Surveys on Interest of Students
(Homework)
● Homework Completion
● District Benchmark Scores
(Fiction Questions Only)
● Teacher Collected Engagement Data
● Plot Diagram Scores
● Literature Circle Student Grades
● Student Self Assessments
● Student Interviews
● Student Case Studies/Anecdotes
Analyze/Interpret Data
Data Collected
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Data Collected
Data Collected
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
❖David’s Story
❖Elliot’s Story
❖Ivy’s Story
❖Ilene’s Story
Make Knowledge Public
Analyze/Interpret Data
Anecdotal Data
While students seem to be
fairly equally engaged in
both Traditional and Virtual
Literature Circles,
Virtual Literature Circles
have a
more positive impact on
reading comprehension.
Make Knowledge Public
Analyze/Interpret Data
Collect Data
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Preliminary Findings
Analyze/Interpret Data
Collect Data
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Combination
of
Traditional
and
Virtual
Make Knowledge Public
Recommendations
Analyze/Interpret Data
Collect Data
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
• Open-ended Questions
vs.
Post-it Notes
• Authentic Experience
• Roles
• Badges
Make Knowledge Public
Additional Thoughts
• Students Struggling with
Written Expression
• Technology Availability
• Technology Problems
• Internet Availability
(school and home)
• Misspellings
Make Knowledge Public
Analyze/Interpret Data
Collect Data
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Limitations of Online
Format
Questions
Is there anything you would like to
discuss
or
ask?
Conclusion of Presentation
Thank you for your participation.
Name: Erika Tyner
School/District: East Yancey Middle School
Phone: 828-682-2281
Email: ehschultz@yanceync.net
Virtual Literature Circles Handouts
http://goo.gl/2UQRD1
Traditional Literature Circle Handouts
http://goo.gl/G0n6TR