Learning through ICT: Session 3 1

Creating interactive text

Session 3:

Literacy

Learning through ICT: Session 3 2

Session Objectives:• To learn to use hyperlinks (in PowerPoint) to

create simple interactive texts.• To explore the creation of interactive text,

both at consultants’ own level, and as potential classroom activity.

• To consider the learning opportunities provided by writing/designing interactive text.

Learning through ICT: Session 3 3

Session 3: ‘route map’

3.3 Create a simple interactive text and consider its classroom potential.

3.1 Introduce the potential importance of writing/creating interactive text.

3.2 Demonstrate and practise using hyperlinks to create non-lineartext (for those who need this).

3.4 Explore the use of interactive ‘writing frames’ to extendand develop the creation of non-fiction texts.

3.5 Consider the literacy (and general) learning opportunities provided by writing/designing interactive text.

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3.1• The creation of interactive text brings the

content and structure of writing into a new and very dynamic relationship.

• Writing interactive text involves strong elements of design as well as language and style considerations.

• Writing interactive text requires particularly careful consideration of the potential readers, and how and why they will access the content.

Why might these features be particularly salient in a literacy (and general) learning context?

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3.2Using hyperlinks to create a simple, non-linear text.

Learning through ICT: Session 3 6

3.3 Activity

Use PowerPoint and the pictures in the Fantasy Images folder (itself inside the Session 3 folder on your CD) to create a simple hyperlinked text of about 4 pages, with several links on each.

Make hyperlinks using: images; selected text;action buttons. (Tutorial available in the Session 3 folder)

Try to tell a simple story and use the hyperlinks to add additional (and surprising?) information about the characters and situation.

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3.4 Interactive ‘writing frames’ for non-fiction

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3.4 Activity 1

In your Session 3 folder is a PowerPoint for a generic ‘interactive writing fame’ for non-chronological reports, but without the necessary hyperlinks (called: Unlinked Report)

Task: Insert hyperlinks to make the text work interactivelyand/or

More challenging task: Re-design the frame to cover more sub-topics and info pages - and make it ‘work’

Learning through ICT: Session 3 9

3.4 Activity 2

Create/design (in PowerPoint) a generic ‘interactive writing frame’ for either an EXPLANATION TEXT or a DISCUSSION TEXT.

You have Writing Flier 8: Explanation and Writing Flier 10: Discussion in your pack should you wish to remind yourself of the salient structural features.

Can you use hypertext to ‘add value’ to the writing of this particular text-type? How would you support a teacher in exploiting this in the classroom?

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3.5 Activity

Complete your response grid to unpack some of the ways in which you think writing/designing interactive texts might contribute to each aspect of learning, both in literacy and in a more general context.

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3.5 Plenary

Discussion of classroom implications.

Sharing of some of the the interactive texts and frames created

in this session.

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