Reading-to-Learn from Subject Matter Texts

Abstract

Digital storytelling circles (DSCs) are multimodal platforms aimed at improving students' comprehension of subject matter texts. In a small group, students in a DSC engage in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, using digital tools, and manipulating texts and instructional strategies. Roles are assigned to each group member as they use the tools provided by the multimodal platform to create a digital story. Most of the literature supports the notion that the experience of creating digital stories can have a positive impact on students' acquisition of literacy skills and their motivation to engage with the text. This chapter presents a model for using DSCs in the post-reading phase of a Directed Reading Activity (DRA). Case study findings highlight two DSCs that exhibited qualities of developing the literacy strategies necessary in reading-to-learn with complex content area texts.