Content+Area+Research

= Teaching reading with technology =

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teleread.com

Concern #1:
Technology cannot provide direct feedback to students, and is not a sufficient way to teach kids how to read. Teachers are the only ones who have the capability to teach children how to read; technology has no roll in teaching reading.

Suggestion:
Well - designed software has the ability to read words aloud and provide students with accurate definitions and visual aids. It is much more interactive, and can provide answers to questions (sometimes more quickly than a teacher could). Technology, in this way, provides for easier, quicker reading comprehension through these different tools.

Concern #2:
Catching fluency mistakes is something that only teachers are able to do.

Suggestion:
While teachers are the ones with the knowledge of how to pronounce different words, children themselves are also teachers to themselves. Without being able to hear yourself say something, it would be almost impossible to know what you're saying right, and what you're saying wrong. One idea is to have students create their own podcast. Have students record themselves reading a section of a text. Next, and most importantly, have them listen to their voices on the podcast. This will give them the ability to hear all their mistakes, and hopefully, correct them. This will also allow for parents to listen to their child's progression in fluency.

Concern #3:
Using technology early on in a child's life will only create an unnecessary dependency on technology.

Suggestion:
Use an equal ratio of technology-teaching time and teacher-teaching time to have a greater impact on student learning. In addition, show students both the benefits and the drawbacks of using technology in everyday life. Also, allow students to make their own decisions when it comes to using technology.

Some helpful sites:
bookadventure.com Students read books cover-to-cover, and get rewarded for their work!!

Book reviews A way to look up book reviews by students, for students.

Kid podcasts Have your child create their own podcast, right here!

Play Comma Chameleon! A fun, interactive game that requires students to place punctuation in the correct spots.

starfall.com An interactive website that helps to teach children to read.