Week 7 Activate

Chapter 3 - Content Analysis

Content is the area of study. I know that there are four main content areas that are taught at an elementary school - Social Studies, Math, Science, Reading and Writing). I know that content can also be specific to a subject or also a book. Each book has its own subject and area of focus.

I am guessing that content analysis analyzes the content of different literature. The content of books is a determining factor in whether the student will achieve comprehension when reading the text. Depending on the complexity of the text, the student's reading level, and his/her background knowledge, the student may or may not be able to understand the reading.

I wonder how I can use my new knowledge of content analysis to help my students understand the content that they read.

Chapter 6 - Discourse Analysis

Conversation needs to be an important component of any classroom. Talking with others allows students to expand their thinking, ask questions, answer questions, and understand other points of view. Talk is not only a great way to learn, but it is a good way to socialize. In the age of technology, we cannot loose face to face conversation. This still needs to be a prominent part of the educational world.

I am thinking that discourse analysis looks at oral language in the classroom and how this language can affect classroom performance. I am unsure if discourse analysis refers to both teacher and student conversations or just student to student conversations.

I am curious how discourse analysis research supports the use of conversation in the classroom.

Chapter 7 - Discourse Analysis

Discourse can also be written. Written literature allows you to see into the mind of someone you have never met. You can also explore new worlds and expand your mind or your ways of thinking. The way a text is organized and the content of a text affect if one is able to understand and learn from the text.

I think that discourse analysis looks at the ideas of the text, the words used, and how the text is written. The genre, the purpose, and the individual writer's style all make a difference to how the text is written.

Discourse Analysis of written text seems to be an important area of study for teachers and students. Understanding why a text is written a certain way can be helpful to increase understanding of the text.