2. Technology and Literacy Lori Shanks Myra Washington Christy Micek Kristy Bahr

3. Effects of Technology on Teaching Literacy Within one generation--30 years--our ideas of what every educated person should be able to do will change dramatically. This heightened expectation will “raise the bar” for literacy. Information technology will influence literacy education as much as print technology has, and the effect won't take hundreds of years.

4. Advantages of Technology in Literacy “Creating something in a digital electronic representation gives a result that is easily stored, copied, shared, revised, and combined with other things”. This will make the electronic form of reading and writing and the ability to create it more highly valued and worthwhile to learn.

5. Objections to Using Technology in Literacy... Many people believe that using technology will not challenge students but will make things too easy for them. Spell check is an example of this view. However, students will still need spelling, and with the help of things like spell check will be able to focus on higher level skills like editing and revising.

6. Public Awareness The public will realize that technology allows people to do things that take learning to a new level, challenging students in ways never experienced. Eventually, all educated people will be expected to do these things with technology.

7. In the next generation teachers will be expected to teach students to: Use several symbol systems Apply knowledge in life Think strategically Manage information Learn, think, and create as part of a team

8. Managing Information... In the past, educators have struggled to give students other cultures and experiences simply through reading books. Providing libraries, books, and librarians all took up space that limited resources. Now, with one computer, students have access to a lifetime of information, more volumes than ever imagined before.

9. New Skills for Reading Students: Students will need to learn how to evaluate sources and determine what is valuable information Teachers must instruct students how to search for and obtain relevant information. Students must be critical thinkers, asking “What do I really need to know, and have I already learned this in some other form?”

10. Benefits of Using Technology for Independent Literacy Practice Provides immediate feedback Engaging and motivating Allows for differentiation

11. Management Tips in Using Technology for Literacy Connect computer to TV or other projection device. “Had a Turn, Need a Turn” board “Each one Teach One ” Always model expectations. Hold students accountable Assign Roles Start Small

12. Things to Consider when Using Technology to Teach Literacy Choose software that supports a balance of exposure to meaningful text and phonetic/spelling patterns. Combine resources and use different programs/activities at different times to support student needs. Remember that technology is just another instructional tool.

13. Where Teachers Can Get Help Teacher’s Guide and support materials Internet Resource Books Journals Colleagues Students

14. Sites to Promote Reading Baker Street: http://members.tripod.com/msherman/holm es.html Mother Goose Page: http://www- personal.umich.edu/~pfa/dreamhouse/nurser y/rhymes.html Poet’s Corner: http://www.geocities.com/~spanoudi/poems /

15. Sites to Promote Writing Biography Maker- http://bham.wednet.edu/bio/biomaker.htm Kid Pix- http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littl ekids/KidPix_phon_aware.htm Young Authors’ Workshop- http://www.planet.eon.net/~bplaroch/indexb.html

16. Integrating Science with Literacy Sites Phonemic Awareness & Farm Animals- http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littl ekids/lesson_farmcenter.htm Butterfly Life cycle- http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littl ekids/lesson_butterflylifecycle.htm Squirmy Wormy Research- http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littl ekids/lesson_wormresearch.htm

17. Multicultural Literacy Sites History Timelines- http://www.searchbeat.com/history.htm The Human Languages Page- http://www.june29.co m/HLP/ Global SchoolNet Foundation- http://www.gsn.org/

18. The Problem (1993) Rise in discipline problem low test scores high drop-out rate students entering high school reading on a 3rd grade level

19. Stumbling Blocks a lack of reading fluency comprehension skills lacking learned helplessness

20. Goal of the School set up an intervention program 90 minutes of uninterrupted literacy class size of 20 or fewer taste of success and build self-esteem professional teacher training

21. The Solution 90 minute literacy workshop students rotate through reading activities small group instruction with teacher technology

22. The Numbers two year testing period students grades 6 through 8 the mean score reading comprehension grade point average discipline/attendance

23. Conclusion “I used to think I was going to be a bum or a junkie. Now being a bum or a junkie no longer crosses my mind.” The above student started the literacy project as a seventh grader with a grade-2.5 reading level-and little or no hope of success in school and beyond. Currently in 12th grade and earning A’s and B’s, she plays on the varsity basketball team and has been a powerful, positive role model for her friends.

24. RESOURCES USED IN THIS PRESENTATION Walker, Decker. “Technology & Literacy: Raising the Bar.” Educational Leadership. October 1999. Vol.57, Issue 2. Pp 18. Literacy and Technology Web Site: http://campus.fortunecity.com/newton/40/h ome.html

25. Resources (cont’d) Early Childhood Technology Literacy Project- http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littl ekids/lesson_plans.htm Reading Strategies: Authentic Learning through Technology- http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archi ves/WCE/archives/hodges.htm

26. Resources Turning The Tide, by Patrick Daley, Instructor Magazine, May/June 1999, pages 23-26

27. Graphic Credit http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,5-1513,00.html http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org//../jjbulletin/9808/solutions.html http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/11.26.97/cover/teens9-9748.html http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/specialneeds/turntide.htm#one