Classroom-Tested Tech Tools Used to Boost Literacy

Several teachers explained how they used the existing technology in the classroom. They did not need to buy programs; they just used what already exists in various ways. One teacher had her student teacher read the vocabulary words and then created a PowerPoint to go with the words. Then she burned the presentation onto DVDs and gave each student a DVD. This allowed each student to hear the words pronounced properly and also gave a visual for each word. The teacher found that it made students more adept at recognizing the words. Audio books were also found to help students with fluency and comprehension.
In an elementary school, one teacher utilized webcams to help improve student’s reading. He had the students read aloud while being recorded. Then, the teacher was able to view the video with the student and help point out some errors and how they could improve. Within 5 weeks, the teacher found that students made at least 2 fewer mistakes in their reading.
Blogs are also a way for students to practice fluency and engage students in reading and writing. When students connected with other students from other countries with their blogs, it forced the students to polish their grammar and pronunciation. The students were excited and wanted the other foreign students to know the proper way to speak and write; therefore, the American students wanted to perfect their speech and writings.
Some other technology tools that were used were VoiceThread, Storybird and Teachers’ Domain, an online repository of free media resources for teachers run by the Boston-based WGBH Educational Foundation, provides multimedia-rich science and social studies curricula infused with literacy lessons. The overall concept for utilizing existing software was to cut down on purchasing pre-packaged, expensive software and to use the tools in an effective way to make a difference.

Ash, K. (2011). Classroom-tested tech tools used to boost literacy. Educational Week Digital Directions, 4(2), 22-24.