The Curriculum Through ICT Program

Ideas Bank

An Electronic Big Book Inquiry

THE TASK

Early childhood students worked collaboratively to create a whole-class electronic big book. This eBook was based on students' text innovation of a well known Australian children's story which features Australian natural environments and animals.

In order to complete this task, students conducted research about Australian natural environments and animals. In groups they then created their text innovation page set in their chosen environment. Individual pages were brought together into the electronic big book using presentation software. Hyperlinks to the students' animal reports enriched the electronic big book by offering readers the opportunity to learn more about each animal.

View the task (pdf)

ICT ENRICHMENT

• The task and associated resources were provided on the school intranet for flexible student access. All templates, including assessment criteria, were linked to the online task.
• Appropriate use of ICT was negotiated: paper based lessons were undertaken when students found online work unproductive.
• Information was collected from print and Internet resources. Students compared sources and evaluated the validity of each.

SUGGESTED RESOURCES

• The Task (pdf)
• Assessment rubric (pdf)
• Research planning sheet (pdf)
• Environment Research chart (pdf)
• Animal Research chart (pdf)

ASSESSMENT

• An assessment rubric was provided at the outset, for students to engage at an appropriate level. This information was transferred to student outcomes assessment profiles.
• Students presented their eBook learning journey on parent night.
• Overall assessment, based on the rubric, was included in student portfolios.
• Active Citizenship was monitored.

LEARNING AREA OUTCOMES

English
Reading
Writing

Society and Environment
Place and Space
Active Citizenship

Technology and Enterprise
Information

Developed by Jan Holland.