Reading and Technology:The Man/Machine Interface

Reading comes first:

When thinking about adding technology to lessons, keep the integrity of the lesson in tact; the most important thing is that students master the skill.

Technology should be seamless; it should support the instruction.

Technology can be used to help students make a personal connection to what they are reading.

Let’s look at some examples:

iPads

More and more students are using iPads in class. Using an iPad allows students to have text that is interactive:

Highlight Take notes Use the dictionary

Graphic Organizers

Students can use graphic organizers to complete thoughts. For example, the teacher gives a statement and the students have to fill in the evidence.

John is an evil man.

Digital Books

A big advantage to some of the digital books is that students can hear the text being read to them. This is especially useful for students who struggle with comprehension.

Digital books are becoming more interactive; for example, if you click on the picture you get more information about what is happening. This encourages students to be engaged and explore as they read.

WebQuests

Students can use webquests to explore beyond the story. They can research the: Setting Characters History Etc.

Blogging

Teachers can leave “food for thought” on a blog concerning what is happening in the novel students are reading. For example:

What did you visualize when you read about James and his Aunt?

Can you make a personal connection to how Sarah felt when she realized her mother was not coming back?

Newsletter

Students can use the computer to create a newsletter about the time and place in the book they are reading. For example:

In Charley Skedaddle, students are reading about a young boy in the Civil War. What would his family be reading about while he was away?

Teachers can also use newsletters to keep parents informed about what is happening in the reading class.

Drill and Practice

There are many software programs or websites that allow students to drill on things like sight words or spelling words.

Example: www.spelling.com

This website allows teachers to enter the words and students can drill from any computer at school or at home.