Young Children's Knowledge Building and Literacy Development Through Knowledge Forum®

Abstract

This study examined how the use of Knowledge Forum (KF)®, a networked, Internet-based learning environment, was related to the literacy development of 4-year-old children in a laboratory school affiliated with the University of Toronto. Over the course of the year, children participated in a longitudinal photo journal project. With adult support, children posted their photo journals and ideas to KF® in the form of electronic "notes," which allowed children to view each other's work and to build on ideas by posting their responses and comments. A comparison group employed a paper-only format to write notes about their photos. Results showed that children were motivated to read others' notes and to respond using invented spelling. There were gender differences in the number of notes posted. Implications of the study are discussed regarding the motivation for literacy among boys and girls and the benefits of having electronic archives of literacy development.