L A connections to Internet and E-mail

The following information has been gleaned from the Program of Studies for English Language Arts, Kindergarten to Grade 9 to show curriculum connections and cross-referencing to the Information and Communication Technology programs of Studies. Specific student outcomes that refer to using the Internet and online communication are listed below with comments added where appropriate.

General Outcome 1:
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.

From the preamble: “…Students use exploratory language to share thoughts, ideas and experiences…Exploratory language enables students to discover and understand what they think and who they are.”

“…(Students) use conversation to collaborate on projects…”

(While G. O. 1.1 Express ideas and develop understanding does not refer specifically to such communication tools as e-mail or discussion groups, their use is implied and would facilitate the achievement of the specific outcomes.)

1.1 Discover and explore

Express ideas and develop understanding
- explore ideas and feelings by asking questions, talking to others and referring to oral, print and other media texts GR. 3

- share personal responses to explore and develop understanding of oral, print and other media texts GR. 4

- engage in exploratory communication to share personal responses and develop own interpretations GR. 6

- express personal understandings of ideas and information based on prior knowledge, experiences with others and a variety of oral, print and other media texts GR. 7

- seek out and consider diverse ideas, opinions and experiences to develop and extend own ideas, opinions and experiences GR. 8

- explore and explain how interactions with others and with oral, print and other media texts affect personal understandings GR. 9

The student outcomes listed in 1.1 Experiment with language and forms are compatible with ICT outcomes for Internet use and would enhance the understandings necessary for the achievement of the specific outcomes.

Experiment with language and forms

- select from provided forms of oral, print and other media texts those that best organize ideas and information and develop understanding of topics GR. 5

- experiment with a variety of forms of oral, print and other media texts to discover those best suited for exploring, organizing and sharing ideas, information and experiences GR. 6

(Note: links to research sites should be provided by the teacher)

The following outcomes should include the Internet as a source
of information:

- discuss and respond to ways that content and forms of oral, print and other media texts interact to influence understanding GR. 7

- discuss and respond to ways that forms of oral, print and other media texts enhance or constrain the development and communication of ideas, information and experiences GR. 8

- develop and extend understanding by expressing and responding to ideas on the same topic, in a variety of forms of oral, print and other media texts GR. 9

(All of the student outcomes listed in G. O. 1.2 are compatible with the use of such communication tools as e-mail or discussion groups to achieve of the specific outcomes.)

1.2 Clarify and extend
Consider the ideas of others
Combine ideas
Extend understanding

All grades

(The student outcomes for G. O. 2 and G. O. 3 assume the extended interpretation of text which would include the Internet, multimedia and online conversations. Specific references are highlighted.)

General Outcome 2:
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print and other media texts.

2.1 Use strategies and cues

Use textual cues - identify and use visual and textual cues in reference materials, such as catalogues, databases, web sites, thesauri and writers' handbooks, to access information effectively and efficiently GR. 8

- use knowledge of visual and textual cues and structural features when skimming and scanning various print and other media texts to locate relevant information effectively and efficiently
- analyze and discuss how the structural features of informational materials, such as textbooks, bibliographies, databases, catalogues, web sites, commercials and newscasts, enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of communication GR. 9

2.2 Respond to texts

Experience various texts

- experience oral, print and other media texts from a variety of cultural traditions and genres, such as essays, broadcast advertisements, novels, poetry, documentaries, films, electronic magazines and realistic fiction GR. 9

2.3 Understand forms, elements and techniques

Understand forms and genres

- identify and explain the use of various communication technologies GR. 2+

Understand techniques and elements

- analyze creative uses of language and visuals in popular culture, such as advertisements, electronic magazines and the Internet; recognize how imagery and figurative language, such as metaphor, create a dominant impression, mood and tone GR. 9

General Outcome 3:
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to manage ideas and information.

From the preamble: “…The use of technology enhances student’s opportunities to access, create and communicate ideas and information. Skill in managing ideas and exchanging information helps students encourage, support and work with others.”

3.1 Plan and focus

Plan to gather information

- contribute ideas for developing a class plan to access and gather ideas and information GR. 3

- develop and follow a class plan for accessing and gathering ideas and information GR. 4

- develop and follow own plan for gathering and recording ideas and information GR. 5

- develop and follow own plan for accessing and gathering ideas and information, considering guidelines for time and length of investigation and presentation GR. 6

- choose a plan to access, gather and record information, according to self-selected parameters GR. 8

- select information sources that will provide effective support, convincing argument or unique perspectives GR. 9

3.2 Select and process

Use a variety of sources

- locate information to answer research questions, using a variety of sources, such as printed texts, bulletin boards, biographies, art, music, community resource people, CDROMs and the Internet GR. 6+

- obtain information reflecting multiple perspectives from a variety of sources, such as expository essays, graphs, diagrams, online catalogues, periodical indices, film libraries, electronic databases and the Internet, when conducting research GR. 9

Access information

- use text features, such as table of contents, key words, captions and hot links, to access information GR. 2+

- use a variety of tools, such as bibliographies, thesauri, electronic searches and technology, to access information GR. 6+

Evaluate sources
- evaluate the congruency between gathered information and research purpose and focus, using pre-established criteria GR. 6

- use pre-established criteria to evaluate the usefulness of a variety of information sources in terms of their structure and purpose GR. 7

- develop and use criteria for evaluating the usefulness, currency and reliability of information for a particular research project GR. 8

- evaluate sources for currency, reliability and possible bias of information for a particular research project GR. 9

General Outcome 4:
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to enhance the clarity and artistry of communication.
From the preamble: "In school and in daily life, students are required to communicate ideas and information using well-organized, clear and precise language. They use artistic language to create, to express who they are and what they feel, and to share their experiences with others in a variety of oral, print and other media texts."

General Outcome 5:
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to enhance the clarity and artistry of communication.

From the preamble: "Students learn collaboration skills by discussing in groups, by building on the ideas of others, and by planning and working together to meet common goals and strengthen community."

5.1 Respect others and strengthen community
Appreciate diversity
- appreciate that responses to some oral, print or other media texts may be different GR. 4
- discuss personal understanding of the lives of people or characters in various communities, cultural traditions, places and times portrayed in oral, print and other media texts
-compare own and others' responses to ideas and experiences related to oral, print and other media texts GR. 5

- compare personal challenges and situations encountered in daily life with those experienced by people or characters in other times, places and cultures portrayed in oral, print and other media texts GR. 6

- clarify and broaden perspectives and opinions, by examining the ideas of others GR. 8

Relate texts to culture

Use language to show respect
-demonstrate respect for the ideas, abilities and language use of others GR.3

- determine and use language appropriate to the context of specific situations GR. 5

- demonstrate respect by choosing appropriate language and tone in oral, print and other media texts GR. 6

Compiled by Faye J Brownbridge Educational Consulting

English Language Arts Curriculum Connections to Online Research and Communication (Internet and E-mail)