A Bird in the Bush: Pathfinders as a Tool for the Development of Multiliteracies

At Caldwell Community College, Developmental Reading students are introduced to literacy concepts through the means of a popular literary novel, such as Kathryn Stockett’s  The Help .  The library (learning resource center) works with the developmental reading program by preparing research topics for the novel as well as an associated “Pathfinder.”  The Pathfinder serves to:

1. Provide sources for the student research topics in multiple formats;
2. Teach students information literacy precepts, such as:  where to find,   how to find, how to evaluate.
3. Lead the student to sources which will assist with digital production products and/or the use of Web 2.0 tools, such as wikis.

 

Accordingly, this session will demonstrate:

1. the Pathfinder (including sources of varying formats) created for T he Help ;
2. the instruction provided in association  with the Pathfinder;
3. the digital stories created by students in association with the reading of The Help  and the use of the associated Pathfinder; and
4. the student wiki which makes reference to Pathfinder sources and/or the research process.