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English and ICT
ICT and teaching literacy
Evaluating electronic texts critically
The evaluation of packages available for using with the interactive whiteboard is also important. For example, student teachers often encounter electronic books in use in the classroom. Their availability can make them an attractive option. We feel that it is important that they evaluate such texts critically and select them with care. This activity is used to encourage student teachers to be aware of the limitations of such texts.
Activity summary – Books on-screen
- Reflect on features of quality in children's literature.
- Review electronic books and compare the features.
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- Early in the course, our student teachers are expected to create a database of children's literature. During taught sessions and independent work they become familiar with different authors and illustrators and aware of the range of genres and the forms and style of illustrations and their varied role in relation to the printed text. They look closely at the structure of written texts and the use of language. They also compare a range of non-fiction texts books aimed at children of various ages, exploring their use of illustrations, retrieval devices, language etc.
- Through such experience, student teachers are encouraged to become confident and critical in evaluating texts for use in the classroom. They are expected to apply the same level of critical analysis to the evaluation of electronic books, which currently rarely seem to offer the same high standard of texts available in print. Student teachers are also expected to consider whether electronic books are simply screen versions of print texts, or if they exploit the potential to extend the nature of the text by using sound, movement and non-linear reading paths.
Example of evaluation sheet:
 
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