Using Technology to Help Teach Reading Blending reading instruction with technology provides powerful and meaningful tools

for literacy instruction. Over the past many years, technology-related tools used to teach reading have evolved, along with the techniques teachers use to implement those tools in the classroom. New advances in technology have resulted in a variety of tools that can be smoothly incorporated into the classroom. Reading resources and activities are widely available on the internet and often contain graphics, sound, video, and animation. Some of these tools include: 1. Text-Reading Software: Also referred to as text-to-speech software, this type of software converts written text, such as word processor documents and web pages, into spoken words. Students may also be able to copy and paste text into the translation area for the software to convert it to speech. These tools are typically web-based and require an internet connection. Most sites read the text aloud but some will also provide audio files via download or email that can be played back on demand using a computer or portable device. Many sites highlight the written word as it is spoken, allowing the student to follow along visually, and some also provide definitions, synonyms, and spell check. 2. Fundamental Skills Software: Sites that reinforce fundamental skills typically focus on word attack, sentence mastery, symbol recognition, and phonics. Word attack strategies teach students to break words down piece by piece and analyze them from different angles to understand and pronounce unfamiliar words. Sentence mastery involves coaching students to combine a series of related simple sentences into complex sentences. Symbol recognition and phonetic awareness provide the keys to sounding out words. Students must be able to connect written letters (symbols) with the sounds they make (phonics) in order to pronounce and read words. 3. Word Play and Phonics-Based Games: Sites with interactive games assist early readers with phonetic awareness, sound identification, and vocabulary building. These games often involve identifying starting and ending word sounds, matching letters to their sounds, completing partially spelled words, and matching words to pictures. 4. Leveled Reading and Digital Text Resources: Leveled reading resources allow users to search for books according to reading level or to enter a title and find books at a similar level. Some sites will also rate the reading level of the title entered. Teachers can use these resources to help students build a reading list that is challenging but realistic and appropriate. Digital text resources are typically free online libraries of classic literature, summaries, interactive activities, and study guides. Some sites include audio components that will convert the text to speech. For younger students, online storybook sites contain libraries of picture books and other elementarylevel stories. Some sites will read the book aloud to the student, often highlighting words as they are spoken, and continue to the next page based on student commands, allowing students to proceed at their own pace.

5. Dictionaries, Thesauri, and Vocabulary Tools: This set of online tools provides auditory pronunciation, definitions, common usage, and lists of synonyms and antonyms. Vocabulary building sites may present video-based demonstrations or representations of words, virtual flashcards, or games. Using Technological Teaching Tools Beyond the innate appeal that technology has for students, there are many compelling reasons to incorporate technology into reading instruction in the classroom. Technology can be used to accommodate learning disabilities, different learning styles, and variations in student interests and academic performance. The interactive nature of web-based tools can also be used to motivate students and stimulate their interest in reading. Technology can make lessons fun and entertaining for students and can also provide them with positive reinforcement and instant feedback.

Many educators view the Internet and multimedia technology as factors contributing to a reduction in the amount of time children are engaged in reading books. Teaching in the Information Age requires that educators modify their view and transform their instructional practices to utilize technologys power to improve the reading ability of students. Todays students need to be guided in developing the ability to make use of the Internet and multimedia technology to increase critical literacy skills. Inquiry-based instruction in a collaborative classroom environment helps teachers to do just that. Students are motivated to read not only to find answers to their questions about the world, but also to read for enjoyment.

The National Reading Panel has identified five crucial components of reading instruction that must be delivered in an explicit and organized way. The components of a balanced reading program are phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension instruction. Reluctant readers may struggle in one or more of the crucial areas of reading or merely lack motivation to read. Teaching with technology allows educators to better meet the needs of students with diverse abilities while at the same time increasing motivation of all students. Technology functions as a bridge to higher reading achievement by engaging students in learning that is relevant and meaningful.

Digital Whiteboards

Digital whiteboards can make learning fun. While being interactive, digital whiteboards have a way to keep students engaged in learning. Many teachers are discovering the fun and easily accessible tool to use in their classrooms. Digital whiteboards can make teaching an interactive lesson for their students. Students are able to manipulate words and letters with the whiteboard markers, as well as, their own fingers. Teachers enjoy this tool because while using the internet or PowerPoint to teach a lesson, the teachers also have complete monitoring view of the classroom. Teachers have students help plan and organize the lesson for the next day. It is important to keep students involved with the lessons so the teacher knows what needs to be taught, and what needs to be reviewed. With digital whiteboards, the teacher is able to pull up the internet to teach lessons and the students are able to write on the webpage that is pulled up by using a computer. Digital whiteboards are making their way into many more classrooms. Teachers need to be educated on how to use the whiteboards properly so their students can learn in a fun and engaging way!
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Internet

The use of the internet in the classroom should be used frequently. Computers are in the classrooms and so the teacher has an endless amount of knowledge at her fingertips. The internet is free, so why not use it for teaching? The internet has been around for decades and there is no reason why teachers and students should not be using the internet for learning purposes. The internet is a great resource for students who are struggling to read and write. There are many activities and websites that students can go on to gain extra help with those two subjects. Teachers can use the internet to find interactive websites for her students to go on whether at school, or at home. As students become more technologically aware of the cool types of technology, reading from a textbook is boring stuff. The internet provides teachers and students with numerous ideas of how to teach reading and writing while on the computer. Take some time to try and find websites that work to your advantage. Bookmark those websites so they will be easily accessible. Teach your students in the way that they want to learn...interactively and engaged!
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Computers

Computers have been around for many, many years. So why aren't teachers using them more frequently? That is a question that many scholars have wondered about for years. The school gives teachers at least one computer in every classroom. Computers are beneficial to students and to teachers when it comes to learning strategies to read and write more proficiently. Many students have grown up with technology all around them. Most students have a computer in their own household. Computers may make people nervous, but what is important to remember that computers can make teaching and learning fun. There are many different websites that teachers can use to make reading and writing engaging. Many computers at schools come equipped with reading and writing programs already installed. The job of the teacher is to figure out how to use the program and then teach that program to their students. Students love when teachers show videos, why not use the computer to make a video to show your students? Computers are a dream to have in the classroom. There are many more engaging tools on the computer that teachers have yet to discover. Find one that works for you and share that tool with your students!
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iPods

What a great tool to use for students and teachers. iPods are making there way into the classrooms more and more frequently. Students are able to use iPods to create many different tools to help them with reading and writing. With the new iPods, students are able to make videos and post those videos online. An example of one video that a teacher could make would

be the teacher reads a book, while video taping the book. That way the students are able to read along with the teacher or listen to the teacher read the book out loud. Movies are able to teach children and keep them engaged in their learning. With iPods, students are able to create their own books as well. Students are able to write their own stories and draw their own pictures and then make their stories into a movie. Once every student has written and illustrated their own stories, the stories can be shared with the rest of the class. This is how students can be engaged with their reading when they are engaged in their reading!
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Interactive Storybooks

Interactive storybooks allow students to create their own books online. Related to the tools that the iPod has, students are able to type their own stories and have their stories published to the internet. On some specific websites, students are actually allowed to record their own voice reading the text that they had written by themselves. Once the stories are published online, anyone in the world can access those books. This is beneficial for a school-wide program on getting students involved with reading and writing. As each grade level completes a book, the school can have an "Interactive Storybook Slam" for those specific grade levels! Interactive storybooks keep the students involved and engaged. Interactive storybooks are also fun for everyone. Using storybooks, teachers are able to access the books that their students have written and the students are able to show the teacher all of the hard work that they have accomplished. The teacher is also able to see what strategies and topics students may need remediation with and what topics students excel at.