Role of Technological Resources in Learning to Read

1. Children face a new set of challenges emerging from our modern technological society in regards to learning how to read and practicing reading with technology.

2. Role of Technological Resources in Learning to Read • It becomes essential for children to understand that technological resources are tools that allow children to practice reading, instead of tools that read for them. A student that has access to an iPad doesn't mean that he or she will be any better off than a student without one. If both children are finding effective ways to practice reading, neither child has an advantage

3. Role of Technological Resources in Learning to Read Continued • . The advantage comes from finding quality activities and exercises that enable children to improve reading skills with these technological resources. Learning to read is still going to take massive amounts of effort and time. This distinction puts technology in its place, instead of holding it up as a solution to all of education's problems.

4. Quality Reading Activities • Many of the most successful online ebooks are flashcards of sight words. This reading activity shortage reminds us of the broken intersection of "learning to read" and "technology." Finding a quality reading activity is difficult because it is difficult to find a balance between making the child work on reading skills (which requires effort), and at the same time, keeping them interested

5. Elements of Quality Reading Activities • The reading practice should engage the student. Participation is key to learning to read. • The activity should be short enough to keep the student's attention high. A short reading practice session is effective and efficient when learning to read. • The reading activity should engage as many senses as possible. By stimulating the auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and vocal areas of the brain, you will enhance the reading activity and get more out of each reading practice session.

6. Elements of Quality Reading Activities Continued • The reading practice must be repeatable. Repetition allows children to learn words on a deeper level and become comfortable with the words in a story. • The reading activity should be easy to access and navigate. It shouldn't have video thumbnails, tons of things to click, or several advertisements to distract the reader. Within this online environment, the reading practice should be clearly defined, with expectations of participation.

7. Information Received From.. • http://www.mrmcglover.com/tips/readingtech.html