Web Passion: Web Passion:

Developing Interests Using the Web Developing Your Interests Using the Web

Fiona Knight Fiona Knight

http://MultiliteraciesEarlyYears.Publisher-Site.com
http://MultiliteraciesEarlyYears.Publisher-Site.com
 Web Passion: Web Passion:
Developing Interests Using the Web Developing Your Interests Using the Web

Fiona Knight Fiona Knight

http://MultiliteraciesEarlyYears.Publisher-Site.com http://MultiliteraciesEarlyYears.Publisher-Site.com
This Learning Element is published by the Early Years This Learning Element is published by the Early Years
Multiliteracies Project, Victoria, Australia 2003 at: Multiliteracies Project, Victoria, Australia 2003 at:
http://cgpublisher.com/publishers/5/web/index.html http://cgpublisher.com/publishers/5/web/index.html

First Published in Melbourne, Australia in 2004 First Published in Melbourne, Australia in 2004

Copyright © Fiona Knight Copyright © Fiona Knight

All rights reserved. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of study, All rights reserved. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of study,
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This work has been produced as part of the Learning by Design This work has been produced as part of the Learning by Design
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Contents Contents
Learning Focus What We’re Learning

Knowledge Objectives Finding Out

Learning Activity 1.1: Identify What Children Know about the Task 1.1: What Do You Already Know About Web Pages?
Internet Task 1.2: A Personal Profile
Learning Activity 1.2: Planning Information for Inclusion on a Class Task 2.1: View a Web Site
Web Site Task 3.1: How does a Web Site Work?
Learning Activity 2: 1 Exploring Web Sites Task 3.2: Naming the Parts of a Web Site
Learning Activity 3.1: Identifying the Elements of a Web Site Task 4: Are All Web Sites the Same?
Learning Activity 3.2: Representing the Elements of a Web Site Task 5.1: Planning to Research your Passion
Learning Activity 4: 1 What Makes a Web Site? Task 6.1: What Makes a Web Site Easy to Use?
Learning Activity 5.1: Planning Research on the Internet Task 6.2: Plus…Minus…Interesting
Learning Activity 5.2: Introducing and Planning a Passion Project Task 7: What Makes a Non Fiction Text and How Does it Compare to
Learning Activity 5.3: Investigating on the Internet a Web Site?
Learning Activity 6.1: Considerations for Designing Web Pages Task 8.1: Making a Web Page of Your Own
Learning Activity 6.2: Analysing the Elements of an Effective Web Task 9.1: Presenting Your Passion
Site using PMI
Learning Activity 7: Comparing Non Fiction Texts and Web Pages
Learning Activity 8.1: Designing Web Pages Moving On
Learning Activity 9.1: Creating and Presenting a Digital Presentation
How Well Have You Learnt?
Knowledge Outcomes

Learning Pathways
Using the Internet calls for a range of information and literacy skills.
We need to provide students with learning experiences to develop a
framework for analysing web sites and to find information, solve
problems, think critically and creatively when using and designing
internet resources. This Learning Element will provide a structure for
students to explore the world wide web building on their learning
interests and experiences.
This Learning Activity asks you to work out what makes a good web
site?
What kinds of things need to be considered in designing a web
site? (eg, content, layout, links, graphics, use of colour and
fonts)
Is the site easy to read and navigate?
You will also learn how to use the internet to research your passion.

Knowledge Domain
Our Subject
Literacy
Literacy

Scope of Learning
Our Topic
Developing a passion through using the Internet for literacy
Finding Out About Our Passion and the Internet

Learning Level
Years 3 and 4 Our Class
Years 3 and 4

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As a result of completing this Learning Element, students will be
able to:
Access and navigate web sites.
Develop familiarity with how search engines work.
Distinguish different ways of using design elements in web
pages to navigate and find information.
Identify useful key words or phrases to use while researching
using a search engine.
Use the concepts of web site design: purpose, audience,
content, navigation.
Think about how particular presentation styles and techniques
assist in meeting different audience needs.
Critically appraise web sites in terms of design layout and the
relevance of the information being presented.
Develop a web site
Research and present in a digital format a project on a subject
of interest
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By doing this work, you will be able to:
Locate, use and read web pages.
Use search engines.
Understand and use web sites to find information.
Use and understand the terminology of the internet eg,
hyperlink, navigation bars, download, graphics.
Identify what makes a good web site.
Find appropriate information to support your passion.
Think critically about the relevance of the information being
presented.
Develop your own web site
Research and present a Passion Project on an interest
Learning Activity 1.1: Identify What Children Know Task 1.1: What Do You Already Know About Web
about the Internet Pages?
Draw on student’s prior knowledge, experiences and background to
Independent writing
ascertain their understanding of the internet.
Draw a Concept Map showing all that you know about web pages.
Modelled writing whole class focus
Brainstorm words and phrases
The teacher models a concept map of their understanding of the Expand each of these further by writing a sentence to show
internet, brain storming words and phrases associated with web pages. your understanding
Expand each of these words/phrases further to illustrate your Include images to show your understanding also.

Hyperlinking…is when links allow you

WebPages to go to another page or part of the web site.
understanding. For example:
Ask the students to make their own concept map to show what they
know about the internet, brainstorming words and phrases that they
know. Have the students expand this further by writing a sentence to
illustrate their understanding of the word/phrase selected. Ask the
students to include images to illustrate this understanding.
Task 1.2: A Personal Profile
Learning Activity 1.2: Planning Information for Inclusion on a
Class Web Site Independent Writing
Modelled writing whole class focus
The teacher models a plan for a Personal Profile on themselves, as a Plan a Personal Profile about
basis for development of a class web site. For example: Youself.
Name
Age Include the information that is
Interests important and special to you so
The emphasis is on purpose and audience for the web site including that it can be added to your
relevant and ‘safe’ details that may be used on the school intranet and page on our class
possibly, at a later date, on the world wide web. web site.

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Learning Activity 2: Exploring Web Sites Task 2.1: View a Web Site
Learning Centre Activity Reading Research Tasks Learning Centre Activity – Reading Research Task 1

Ask the students to view a web site related to a current interest or topic Go to this website: http://www.memfox.net. Spend time looking at
of study, eg the Mem Fox site, while doing a literature study of Mem and reading the different pages. Listen to your favourite story read
Fox’s books. by Mem.

The first viewing involves directions as to how to type in a url and

allows students time to navigate, browse, read and listen to Mem Fox’s
stories.

Learning Centre Activity – Reading Research Task 2

While viewing the Mem Fox web site, using Chapter 1: All About
During a second viewing, students are asked to write a profile of Mem
Mem,
Fox based on their gathering and reading of information from her web
site. find information to write a profile on Mem based on what you have
learnt about her from your reading. Use this worksheet to help you.
Chapter 1: All About Mem
1. Hot News Space!
2. Mem's Biography
3. Author's Profile
4. Mem's Loves and Loathings
5. Mem's Peace File
6. Mem's Favourite Recipes
7. Mem's Favourite Books
8. A Bit About Adelaide (where Mem lives)

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Learning Activity 3: Identifying the Elements of a Web Task 3.1: How does a Web Site Work?
Site
Shared Reading whole class focus
Shared Reading whole class focus
While reading Mem Fox’s web site in shared reading as a whole class,
As a whole class reading focus have a shared reading session of Mem be thinking about how we navigate through the text and between
Fox’s web site (or similar) with the focus on the reading and navigation pages.
of the text. It will be necessary to use a data projector or AVER key to How do we move down the page of text?
ensure the text is able to be of a readable size for the whole class to How do we move to another page or section?
access.

I have many letters from

kids, teachers, parents and
would-be writers. I seem to
answer letters more often
than I eat, sleep or write,
which is why this website
has been set up. Sleeping is
my favourite activity.

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Task 3.2: Representing the Elements of a Web Site Task 3.2: Naming the Parts of a Web Site

Shared Writing whole class/small group focus Shared Writing whole class/small group focus

Ask students what they noticed about the organisation and navigation of What did you notice about the organisation and navigation of
the Mem Fox web site. Elements and features for the discussion the Mem Fox web site?
include: What else can you think of that allows us to move around
Layout of the site resembles the structure of a book – contents through the text on web pages?
page, chapters for each new section and navigation icons to
‘turn the page’. As shared writing we are going to make a Glossary and list as many of
these web site words as we can. You will be able to print out
Brainstorm, as shared writing, a glossary of web site terms that the examples from web sites to add to the Glossary as you find them.
students have come across through their use of the internet that allow
for movement through web sites and the content on these.
Have students print out different examples as they come across them to
add to the glossary.

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Learning Activity 4: What Makes a Web Site? Task 4: Are All Web Sites the Same?

Shared Reading whole class/small group focus Shared Reading whole class/small group focus

View another web site and discuss the structure and layout. Look at another site such as the Braille Bug Web Site
Do all web sites have the same structure? http://www.afb.org/braillebug and think about the structure and
What is similar and what is different? layout.

Are all web sites the same in the way they work?
What is similar and what is different?

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 Learning Activity 5.1: Planning to Research your
Learning Activity 5.1: Planning Research on the Internet
Passion
Shared Reading Whole Class Focus Shared Reading Whole Class Focus
As a whole class reading focus (or teaching group focus) read the As a whole class (or teaching group) we are going to read the
introductory page from the 'Ask Jeeves' Kids Web Site, introductory page from the 'Ask Jeeves' Kids Web Site,
http://www.ajkids.com. This is a search engine suitable for children to http://www.ajkids.com. This is a search engine that you are going to
access in terms of its layout and the quantity of text on each page. use.
What does a search engine do?
Consider the function of the search engine in locating information. How does it do it?
Ask the children how they can be effective in their use of this. How can you use this search engine to find the information that you
Key points to discuss will include: need?
Relevant key words to use
Formulating simple questions
Making appropriate topic choices from a pull down menu of
selections.

Learning Activity 5.2: Introducing and Planning a Passion Project

Modelled Writing whole class focus

Task 5.2: Planning for your Passion Project
The teacher introduces and models a Passion Project for the whole class
based on an interest. The focus is on demonstrating the choice of a Independent Writing
topic, the choice of sub headings and the brainstorming of ideas to
investigate further. For example: You will need to decide on a topic that interests you and that you
Water skiing already know a lot about. This is going to become your Passion
Water skiing equipment Project. Think of the sub headings that you will need and write a plan
Types of boats for your Passion Project to guide you in your research.
Rules and regulations
Safety
Instructions for how to water ski

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Learning Activity 5.3: Investigating on the Internet Task 5.3: Researching your Passion

Learning Centre Activity: Reading Research Task
The students research their passion on the internet using Ask Jeeves
Kids as a search engine to locate information. Students need to be
critical and discerning to determine the relevance of the information on
the sites in relation to their needs.
Learning Centre Activity: Reading Research Task
When researching you Passion Project use this worksheet to guide you
through the process.
Keep thinking about the information that you find on the web sites:
Is it relevant to your topic?
How up to date is the information?
Where could you check that this information is correct?

Learning Activity 6.1: Considerations for Designing Web Task 6.1: What Makes a Web Site Easy to Use?
Pages Shared Reading whole class focus
Shared Reading whole class focus While reading some different schools’ web sites in shared reading you
As a whole class reading focus (or teaching group focus) read a number need to be considering the good, bad and interesting aspects about
of Years 3/4 school web sites from around the world. This will need to each of the sites read.
be done over a series of lessons.
Some suitable online sites school sites include:
Cheltenham Primary School
http://www.cheltenhamps.vic.edu.au/classes/Classes2001/34l.html
Jells Park Primary School
http://www.jpps.vic.edu.au/years3and4.htm
Rosetta Primary School
http://www.rosetta.primary.tased.edu.au/oldsite/convicts/default.htm
After shared reading of each one ask the children to consider how and
why the sites are the same and different?
Who was the site written for?
What was the purpose of the site?

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Learning Activity 6.2: Analysing the Elements of an Effective Web Task 6.2: Plus…Minus…Interesting
Site using PMI
Shared Writing whole class focus
Shared Writing whole class focus
What were the plus (positive), minus (negative) and interesting
Ask students what they considered to be the positive, minus and aspects you found on this school web site?
interesting aspects of each of the sites read previously during shared Plus Minus Interesting
reading.
Brainstorm with the students, as shared writing, a table that includes As a group brainstorm a list of ideas to complete the table for each
each of these aspects for each site. Consider: school site.
Purpose
Audience From your discussion:
Content What have you found out is important in designing a good
Layout web site?
Graphics What makes the site easy to use?
Background colour and design What captures your interest?
Animation Which site did you like best and why?
Font style, size and colour

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Learning Activity 7: Comparing Web Sites and Non Task 7: What Makes a Non Fiction Text and How Does
Fiction Texts it Compare to a Web Site?
Shared Reading whole class focus Shared Reading whole class focus

Conduct a Shared Reading of a non-fiction big book. Focus on the While we are reading the big book I want you to think about how we
characteristics of this text type and how it supports the reader to gain use the book to find information.
information:
Contents Page What makes it easy for the reader?
Chapters or sections How is this different or the same as using a web page to find
Glossary information?
Key words highlighted
Photographs and captions
Diagrams
Maps

Compare and contrast the structure and layout of the big book to a web
site.

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Learning Activity 8.1: Designing Web Pages Task 8.1: Making a Web Page of Your Own
Independent Writing Independent Writing

The children use the computer to publish their planned Personal Profiles Using Microsoft PowerPoint publish your Personal Profile.
using Microsoft PowerPoint.
Here are the instructions for using PowerPoint.
Students reflect on the effectiveness of their slides based on the
considerations that they have already identified as important elements of
web sites.
J amal Nicole
• My name is Nicole.
• Name Jamal
• My age is 9.
• Age 9
• School Rosedale P.S • I go to Rosedale P.S, my grade is 3/4k, my
• Birthday 17th July 1993 friends are everybody in the grade .
• Grade 4 • My birthday is on the 3rd of August,1993.
• Games spy • I live in Rosedale. It’s COOL.
• Town Willung
• I like Pasta and Chinese.
• Friends Reuben,Josh,Kerrie,Tom,Bonnie.
• Sports Basketball

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Learning Activity 9.1: Creating and Presenting a Digital Task 9.1: Presenting Your Passion
Presentation
Ask children to publish their finished Passion Project using a computer
program of their choice, eg Microsoft Word, PowerPoint.
Discuss considerations of format and layout. At the completion of the
task children make an oral presentation to the class.
17
Publish your Passion Project on the computer. Think about the
software program that you are going to use for the purpose.
How are you going to set out your project?
What format is your project going to be in?
You will need to hyperlink your Passion Project to your web site.
Where is an appropriate place to have this link?
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At the conclusion of the Learning Element, have students complete a Individually, draw and write a Concept Map to show what you now
Concept Map to demonstrate the knowledge they have gained about know about web sites.
web sites.

Students complete a KWL chart on their knowledge of web sites, a 1. What we Know
thinking skill involving predicting and evaluation. 2. What we Want to find out
3. What we Learnt

Individually, in pairs or groups, have students complete a PMI on a Complete a Plus, Minus and Interesting chart on a new web site.
new web site.

18 18
Observations of student’s abilities to transfer their knowledge of web Present your web site and Passion Project to the rest of the class.
site design, gained through reading and discussion into their own web Do you think you made a well designed web site and Passion Project?
site layout and project presentation. Observe their ability to consider What were the best parts?
purpose, audience, content, layout, graphics, background colour and Which parts would you change next time?
design, font style, size and colour. Use a five point scale to rate the Rate your friends’ work.
effectiveness of the students’ web sites. What were the best parts?
Rating 1 2 3 4 5 Which parts do you think they should change next time?
Content – interesting,
relevant
Text – colour, size, fonts,
headings
Images – relevant, clear,
background
Navigation – links

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Extend student knowledge of multimodal literacy knowledge by Find some new web sites to read.
exploring and analysing other elements of web sites such as the use of Look for some sites with animation, sound and video elements
animation, sound and video elements. included. How do these make the sites more or less effective?

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About this Learning Element About this Learning Element
This Learning Element offers ideas for the exploration and critical Learn about:
analysis of the world wide web. It suggests a pathway for the students
to build on their learning interests and experiences utilising and
How to use the internet
enriching a range of information and literacy skills.
What you can find on web sites
It gives opportunities for students to transfer knowledge gained to the How a web site works
creation of their own web site as well as the presentation of a research How to research on the internet
project on a passion of their choice. What makes a good web site
How to make your own web site
Keywords
World Wide Web resources
How to present a project in a digital format
Web page structures
Design elements
Analysis of web sites
Creation of web sites
Presentation of a research project
Knowledge Domain: Literacy
Learning Level: Years 3 and 4
About the Author
Author: Fiona Knight
Position: Early Years Coordinator, Rosedale Primary
School
Affiliated Organisation: Department of Education and
Training, Victoria
Short Biography: Fiona Knight is an Early Years Literacy Trainer for
the Gippsland Region and Early Years Coordinator at her school. Fiona
is particularly interested in the use of technology within the classroom
environment as a rich tool to enhance and support traditional text based
literacy. Fiona teaches in a Years 3 and 4 classroom.

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