Office Chat: Importance of Quality Children’s Literature

Now you may be wondering about the connection between children’s literature and teaching and learning online. With apologies to Malcom Knowles, it is my belief that we can benefit greatly by investigating how successful teaching and learning occurs with any population. Here Kelly Andrus of the University of Mary Washington College of Graduate and Professional Studies discusses issues related to reading and the importance of using visuals to help those students having problems with text-only books.

Andrus provides several examples drawn from books intended for primary grade students with appealing graphics as well as interesting stories. And as Kelly points out, many of these stories have deeper implications with which the teacher can address historical and social events as applicable for their grade level. But back to the connections – as Kelly discusses grade leveling books with font sizes, use of white space, etc., I am reminded of cognitive load issues with which we deal in designing text and graphics in a web environment.

And in terms of teaching, notice how Andrus speaks with passion and intensity about these reading issues – just as Epps showed her passion for Understanding by Design, Hooper about Strategy Instruction, or the others professors in this series of office chats.It is clear that each is striving to finds methods to assist learners and ensure that they are successful. Each talks about differentiated instruction – teaching in a manner that recognizes that each student is an individual with unique strengths and weaknesses – and by addressing these unique characteristics teachers can provide the best possible environment in which to learn.

Just as children differ in their interests and abilities, so too do adult learners in face-to-face or online learning environments. Each have their own particular learning style – whether visual, aural, kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, etc.  Adults enjoy a good story with interesting graphics – I know I do and I’m a boomer. So, as we are designing our online courses we should of course incorporate quality academic materials, but lets also remember back to the days when we were children.  Children are excellent learners, full of curiosity, open to new experiences, and fascinated by both story and picture. Let’s take that into account. by looking for those quality academic resources that also appeal to the inner child in all of us.

References:

American Library Association Newberry Award Page. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm.

American Library Association Caldecott Award Page. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.cfm.

Reading is Fundamental. http://www.rif.org/.

UMW Literacy Specialist Program. http://www.umw.edu/cgps/med/teaching_literacy/default.php.

PBS Online Quiz on Classics of Children’s Literature. http://www.pbs.org/now/quiz/quiz13.html.

Noteworthy Boooks For Children at Capitol Choices. http://capitolchoices.org/.