Part B - Application of TPACK

After reviewing many of the wonderful and abundant sources that support struggling readers with non-fiction sources, I have chosen to pursue World Books Online as a solution for my problem.

What is the TP knowledge for the solution? 

This technology helps support my teaching strategies and methods because it allows for students independent study.  When students come to my library media program, I initially introduce the tools they’ll need for their exploration/research.  I, then, urge them to explore these tools independently.  This can be a struggle or nearly impossible for students who cannot read the difficult text that non-fiction items usually contain.  Therefore, this software, specifically World Book Kids Online, offers a few features that will allow students to be successful in their independent search.  One of the features that I was most impressed with was the “Hear Text” option.  Students can have the online encyclopedia article read to them.  This is great for struggling readers, as well as, practicing readers because they can follow along as the computer reads each sentence to them.  In addition to this feature, the articles are written for an intended audience and are age appropriate.  World Books has different levels of difficulty in online encyclopedias depending on the age of students in your school.  This is a great way to hopefully implement this program district wide.  Moreover, in all the levels of World Books, videos and images are included for student research.  This is a great tool for visual learners.  Overall, this software meets my pedagogical belief that students are offered multiple ways to learn information and can do so independently because it’s very easy to navigate.

What is the TC knowledge for the solution?

This technology makes the content more intellectually accessible because the information provided is very up-to-date, which is one of the perks of being an online resource.  As most people know, World Book Encyclopedias are a very well-known series.  They update their volumes yearly, but are fairly expensive to repurchase.  Therefore, some libraries wait a few years before they purchase the updated version of their encyclopedias, which in turn can sometimes offer students older material when doing research.  With World Books Online, their encyclopedias are continually updated and you don’t have to purchase the new volumes yearly.  It’s included in your subscription.  I found out from a local representative that subscriptions vary from approximately $695.00 for small districts to $0.55/student for larger districts.  This price can change depending on your school size or whether you’re purchasing for an individual school or the entire district.  In comparison to the $1000+ for print copies of World Book Encyclopedias per year, this is a good deal.  Therefore, with the online subscription students will gain much easier access to information rich articles that contain updated and factual information with images and videos to help them research. 

What is the PC knowledge for the solution?        

My pedagogical choices make the content more intellectually accessible by making it a priority and acknowledging that students learn differently.  The content is introduced to students in various formats.  Students can listen to audio to help them follow along or help them through difficult words, videos and images are provided for visual learners, and there are features that allow students to compare subjects by content.  For instance, students can choose two animals of their choice and compare them by looking at numerical charts, facts, photos, and the other various charted information provided.  The content within the World Books Online Encyclopedias is very rich and provides information within a variety of formats.  Students’ uniqueness is recognized with this program and they have options of how they would like to acquire or view that information.  It is ideal for as a library’s resource where independent research is a desired outcome.