+ Technology Tools to Help Improve Literacy Stacey Walsh Technology Integration Specialist Crawford Central School District

+ Let’s Get to Know Each Other…. Who is in the audience? Poll Everywhere How this presentation came about…. Former CFF Coach, now a Technology Integration Specialist with Crawford Central School District In-service follow up

+ What is Literacy? Various forms of literacy Digital literacy Media literacy Information literacy Computer literacy Global literacy Cultural literacy Financial literacy Literacy for the purpose of this presentation:

+ Startling Facts When the State of Arizona projects how many prison beds it will need, it factors in the number of kids who read well in fourth grade. It is estimated that more than $2 billion is spent each year on students who repeat a grade because they have reading problems. Sixty percent of America's prison inmates are illiterate and 85% of all juvenile offenders have reading problems. It is estimated that the cost of illiteracy to business and the taxpayer is $20 billion per year.

+ The Path to Literacy Phonics/Phonemic Awareness Fluency Prior Knowledge Vocabulary Comprehension

+ Phonics & Phonemic Awareness Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds—phonemes—in spoken words. This ability is a strong indicator of reading and spelling success. Activities to improve phonemic awareness: Identify and categorize sounds Blend sounds to form words Delete or add sounds to form new words Substitute sounds to make new words Example: changing /h/ to /b/ to /m/ to form hat, bat, mat

+ Decoding at its best... “Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.” Source: Unknown. Please also read the LearnThatWord blog regarding this experiment.the LearnThatWord blog Taken from

+ Web Tools to Aid Phonemic Awareness VocarooRecord audio and then embed in a wiki or share as a link. YodioRecord audio via phone and match it with pictures (also great to use with vocabulary). Lit2GoDownload MP3 files along with PDF printouts of stories and poems. / PowerPointUse the record tool (under Slide Show menu) to record audio to match with images. Garageband or Audacity Create a podcast with spoken sounds that match with images.

+ Fluency Fluency is the ability to read text easily, steadily, and with expression. This is the bridge between phonemic awareness and comprehension, because readers do not have to decode words and can focus on meaning.

+ Web Tools to Aid Fluency SpreederSpreeder is a free online speedreading software designed to improve reading speed and comprehension. CuePrompterCuePrompter is a web-based teleprompter and speeds can be controlled. SkypeUse Skype to have children read to other classes. Audacity or Garageband Create podcasts of students reading text. They can identify long pauses and edit.

+ Prior Knowledge It is important to learn what your students know before they acquire new information. Prior knowledge can provide a framework to make connections to reading material. Will students know the vocabulary? Will they be able to visualize the content?

+ Web Tools to Determine Prior Knowledge ClassmarkerDevelop an online quiz as a pre-test to determine prior knowledge. WordleCreate a visual image of upcoming material or vocabulary and discuss unfamiliar words or ideas or have students create a Wordle of what they know about a topic. Bubbl.usCreate a graphic organizer to gather input from students. Google FormsUse KWL questioning techniques in a Google Form

+ Vocabulary Vocabulary are the words that we need to know in order to communicate effectively. The larger a child’s vocabulary, generally he/she will be a better reader. Vocabulary should be taught both directly (introduce new words before a reading selection or studying roots/suffixes/prefixes) and indirectly (general approach where students are exposed to lots of words and read a lot). Depth of vocabulary is a significant factor in comprehension.

+ Vocabulary Visual Dictionary Online dictionary with imageshttp://visual.merria m-webster.com QuizletStudents and teachers can make online flashcards and practice tests. LingroMakes every word on a web page clickable. When clicked, a definition comes up and words can be saved to a bank. Microsoft Word Use the Thesaurus feature (under the Review tab) to replace overused words. PowerPointOne new word per slide….can add narration for correct pronounciation. Upload to slideshare.net for student access at home.

+ Comprehension A process that leads to understanding and remembering what was read. To be able to comprehend, students need to be able to decode what they have read and make connections to what they already know (prior knowledge). Readers who have strong comprehension skills are able to draw conclusions, which leads to higher-order thinking.

+ Web Tools to Aid Comprehension Scavenger Hunts Internet scavenger hunts sson/archives/hunt.shtml#mar ch Graphic Organizers Graphic organizers can help organize information/thoughts to aid in understanding. EdublogsCreate a web log (blog) to give students a forum to write. EdmodoAn online learning environment….create discussions and have students post replies. MarkkitHighlight text on a web page

+ Writing The ability to write effectively is also part of the “literacy” definition.

+ Web Tools Jog the Web

+ Web Tools to Improve Writing PaperraterAnalyzes documents immediately and provides analysis to improve grammar and writing. r.com/free_paper_gra der# EdmodoCreate an online discussion board. Google DocsCollaborate to track revisions and add comments. StoryBirdCreate digital books using a bank of images. One WordOne-minute online writing prompt provided by one word.

+ Reading Levels Based on the Google search engine, find internet sites and articles based on reading level Google Advanced Search allows users to find materials by reading level.

+ Sources “Define:Literacy”. Retrieved February 6, 2012 from Google. Web site: 8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&surl=1&safe=active 8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&surl=1&safe=active Reading, Literacy & Education Statistics. (2012). Retrieved February 6, 2012 from The Literacy Company. Web site: comprehension/ comprehension/ vocabulary-build-literacy vocabulary-build-literacy comprehension-instruction.htm