This document discusses strategies for integrating technology into elementary classroom research projects to encourage critical thinking and prevent copying. It recommends changing research product assignments, such as having students write poems instead of reports, to require using information in new ways rather than just copying. Different thinking modes and appropriate resources, websites, and models are also presented.

1. Ummmm….. Teacher, What is
an Encyclopedia?
Strategies for developing
authentic research reports for
Elementary Students with the
Integration of Technology

2. Research Without Copying
• Nancy Polette
– Professor Emeritus (retired) at Lindenwood
College-St. Charles, Missouri
– Author of over 150 professional books
including Research Without Copying
– Married to Paul
– Owner and Publisher of Book Lures, Inc.
– Currently an Educational Consultant

3. Goals for Research
• Have Students Think critically about what
is read and/or heard by seeking facts that
support information
• Allow students to use information in a
variety of ways instead of copying
information
• Have students use various avenues of
technology for effective research

4. The rewards of Integrating
Technology into the classroom
for English and Language Arts
• Gives motivational, individual instruction and/or
practice in individual reading and writing skills
• Supports the reflection and frequent modification
called for in process writing
• Supports all stages of the writing process:
planning, drafting, revising and editing, and
publishing.

5. Technology Integration Strategies
• Language Skills Development
– Teaching decoding skills
» Digitized speech support
» Interactive websites, games
» Videos
» Ebooks
– Developing other reading skills
» Software-based and online systems
» Reference resources
» Electronic devices
– Creating everyday teacher activities
» Spreadsheets
» Electronic presentations
» Using word processors

6. Technology Integration Strategies
• Literacy Development
– Networked literacy projects
– Activities with interactive storybooks, Ebooks,
and talking books
– Uses of tracking systems
– Connections to online reading materials to
engage students
– Writing in blogs
– Motivating writing with video projects
– Threaded discussions at a distance

7. Technology Integration Strategies
• The Process Approach to writing
– Prewriting
• Electronic outlining
• Concept mapping software
– Drafting
• Word processing program
• Electronic note cards
– Revising and editing
• Projection of the students typed draft on a screen
• Easier using a computer
• Word process capabilities
• Spell and grammar checkers
• Student interaction
• Group assignments

8. Technology Integration Strategies
cont.
• The Process Approach to writing cont.
– Publishing
• Traditional (paper) publishing
 Desktop publishing programs
 Word processing software
• Electronic publishing
 Share writing n electronic forms (i.e. EBooks, websites,
multimedia slide shows, and news broadcasts)
 Students can publish their work
 Email and website projects
 Electronic penpal
 ePALS

9. Ummm… Teacher what’s an
Encyclopedia
• Copied directly from Mrs. Polette
• Written Reports are usually copied
information-thus becoming a true false
paper
– Martin Luther King, Jr. Paper
• Standard research papers encourage
copying and data dumping from websites
• Wikipedia causes the traditional
encyclopedia to become obsolete

10. Few People Really Like(s) to
(NOBODY)
Research
Specialized Modes of the Four Quadrants
(Sorry-Gotta Give the Research)
A-THE THINKER- Let’s Get it Right D-THE CREATOR- What if we did it a new way?
Quantify Fluency
Analyze Flexibility
Theorize Originality
Conceptualize Elaboration
Interpret Synthesize
Hypothesize
Descriptive and Historical Research Experimental Research
Research will be accurate and fact based Original Research Products
B-THE MOVER- We have to meet the deadline. C-THE NURTURER-How can our data help others?
Plan Recieve
Forecast Respond
Decision making Value
Problem Solving Organize
Organizing Characterize
Sequencing
Data-based, Well organized Case and Field Studies
Correlation Research People Oriented Research

11. Match Research to Strongest
Thinking Mode
Student A Likes Historical Research (reconstruct the past)
Descriptive Research (systematic description)
Developmental research (finding patterns of change)
Student B Likes Correlation Research (discovering relationships)
Student C Likes Case and Field Studies
Group Projects
Student D Likes Action Research to examine change as a result of action
(Original Products)

12. Resources
• K-5th Grade Products for Differentiation in the classroom-
www.pieces of learning.com
– Rubrics accompanies each product
• Research Reports to knock your teacher’s socks off-by
Nancy Polette
• Research Without Copying-by Nancy Polette
• Research Without Copying for Primary Grades-by Nancy
Polette
• Internet resources to motivate student reading
• Concept mapping software to help students plan their
writing

13. REMEMBER MLK,JR?
• AVOID THIS:
• Topic: Famous Black/African American
• Assignment: One page report on a person
What Students WILL DO:
Copy pages from an online article about his/her
subject
Thinking Level: KNOWLEDGE

14. Examples
• Packet-Types of Research
• If you CHANGE the research Product you
also CHANGE the thinking and research
Processes the student used to develop the
product.

15. TRY THIS
• Topic: Famous Black/African American
• Assignment: A narrative poem about an
important incident in the life of a Famous African
American
• What the student will do:
– Locate and Analyze Information
– Choose and important incident
– Verify Information
– Write a poem incorporating the most important data
• Thinking Level: Comprehension, Application,
Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation

16. When the Product is Changed
so that Students Have to Use
Information in New Ways,
Copying STOPS.

17. Issues and Problems
• Expanding the • Exploring New
Definition of Literacy Instructional Practices
– Incorporate electronic – Knowledge of
forms of hardware (e.g.,
communication computers, televisions,
– Shift our conception to VCRs, scanners,
new literacies camcorders, digital
cameras)
– Learning to create and
present multimedia
products

18. Issues and Problems cont.
• Making Decisions • Critical Social
About Keyboarding Learning
Instruction Environments
– Qwerty keyboard – Technology helps
– Proper usage of a students become
keyboard – Networked
technologies allowed
world wide
communication
– Technology
interactions provide
multicultural benefit

19. Issues and Problems cont.
• Working with Diverse • Motivating Students
Learners – Educators are using
– Appropriate use of interactive and visual
technology (e.g. , qualities of software
books on CD, tapes, and websites to
online, and software increase motivation
– Internet resources for – A variety of technology
non readers has increased the
students willingness to
write
– Computer based
tracking systems (i.e.
Accelerated Reader)

20. Issues and Problems cont.
• Teachers’ Growth as Literacy Professionals
– Teachers who are skilled in the effective use of
technology for teaching and learning,
– A literacy curriculum that integrates the new literacies
of technology into instructional programs,
– Instruction that develops the critical literacies
essential to effective information use,
– Assessment practices in literacy that include reading
and writing technology tools,
– Opportunities to learn safe and responsible use of
information and communication technologies, and
– Equal access to technology

21. Research Activities
• Largely teacher selected
– Best if hands on observational experiences
• Students learn about and relate information by
interacting with materials
• If possible use independent learning centers in
elementary
• Using instructional websites, social networking
• Using proofing and editing software

22. Models
• Upper Elementary
– Review packet-Evaluation-packet
• Lower Elementary Ideas
– Review Packet

23. Develop Good Research Skills
Ask Good Questions

24. Benefits
• Students gain knowledge and have fun
• Students proud of product
• Class is truly interested in product
• Teacher not bored
• Fosters Creativity

25. Websites
• www.duab.qsnhjz.co.cc
• www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/learning_tools/students/el
ementary.htm
• www.lps.lexingtonma.org/Libdept/elem.html
• www.lauriefowler.com/esheet.html
• www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/bats/research/research.htm
• www.mzpf.xalgjo.co.cc
• www.connect.spps.org/Elementary_Research_Tech
niques2.html

26. Thank You