MsCGong

Technology and Inquiry in the Primary Grades + My Reflection

For my Final Vision project, I researched the topic that I mentioned in Reading Assignment Part A because I was still curious and wanted to find out more about it. I wondered how to prepare primary students to be 21st century literate and be proficient in technology while engaging them in inquiry-based learning. Inquiry-based learning requires students to search for information and solutions to their questions but how do students who are beginning to read and write do that? How do students with developing fine-motor skills operate a computer and browse…read more

Aug.12

Mobile Technology and Developing Nations (Inquiry Blog #4)

Posted by carmen gong in Inquiry Blog Post, LIBE 477 Blog

Visualizing and creating a school library learning commons (SLLC) can be quite exhilarating because there is learning potential for all learners but it can also be quite costly with the integration of various programs and technologies. This brings up the issue of whether access is the same or similar in developing nations because there are students who have the right to education as well. A study from Botswana observed school libraries in various developing countries and noticed that the physical space of the library is quite small, computers and Internet…read more

Aug.05

Virtual SLLC (Inquiry Blog #3)

Posted by carmen gong in Inquiry Blog Post, LIBE 477 Blog

Teacher-librarians are leaders in supporting reading promotion, information literacy, and technology support. However, the responsibility of the teacher-librarian often goes unknown which may affect the stability of this role. Teacher-librarians can make their library programs known through staff meetings, bulletin boards, or even emails. It is important to not only establish an approachable physical presence at your library but making an online presence is also important for the 21st century students. Not only do students have constant access to the web but teachers do too. Online platforms like the school…read more

Jul.31

Professional Development Through Connections (Inquiry Blog #2)

Posted by carmen gong in Inquiry Blog Post, LIBE 477 Blog

My teacher colleagues and social media apps are where I often get resources, tools, and strategies to improve and develop my profession. What these resources have in common is that they involve connecting with other people. There is no better way to learn about teaching than from other teachers! Teachers and teacher-librarians at your school are important people to connect with because they cater to the same school community as you and are accessible because they work in the same building. Admittedly, I was nervous to ask for help and…read more

Jul.28

Thinking About Improving the Reading Culture… (Inquiry Blog #1)

Posted by carmen gong in Inquiry Blog Post, LIBE 477 Blog

As a relatively new teacher, I am always wondering how can I foster a better reading culture in my class. There are some strategies and routines that work well in my class but I am always looking for new ways to further encourage the love of reading. CURRENTLY Read aloud is an engaging way to learn as well as to promote dialogue about social issues (Kesler et al., 2020). Some books I have used include, I am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Meet Viola Desmond by Elizabeth…read more

Jul.24

Reading Assignment Part B

Posted by carmen gong in LIBE 477 Blog

As I think more about integrating technology into inquiry-based learning for primary students, I became curious as to what other teachers around the world have been doing. In my first blog, I looked at research articles to find out more about using technology in the classroom with younger students. In Escoda’s article (2014), she found that children are already daily users of the Internet and that 95% of children in Spain have computers at home. Since students as young as 6 years old are already exposed to technology, this welcomes…read more

Jul.16

Reading Assignment Part A

Posted by carmen gong in LIBE 477 Blog

The topic that interests me is how to incorporate the use of technology into literacy learning among primary students. A lot of the inquiry-based learning and resource-based learning qualities seem to aim towards older students who are able to find resources on their own to answer their inquiry questions. I wonder what would this look like for primary students in kindergarten to grade 3 who are beginning to develop their reading and writing skills. They would not be able to type yet because of their developing fine-motor skills and would…read more

Jul.07