While our world is becoming more and more reliant on technology and the powerful tool it has become, I am concerned about it encompassing the simple act of reading a good book. There are numerous ways of downloading books for convenience and a variety of companies out there that are trying to tap into the educational market by offering “reading programs” online.
This is where my concerns lie. Students sitting in front of computers reading levelled books from a computer screen. Technology should enhance what we do in the classroom, not just replace it. There is much research to support that reading engagement comes from being able to choose the books you want to read based on interests and being able to share your passion by discussing the books and making recommendations to others. Playing with the language of the book by making your voice “sound like” the character or flipping back a few pages to read a funny part to your friend seem to be lost opportunities when immersed in an online reading program. Even the texture and smell of books is missing with online reading and to some readers this is an important aspect of a book. So I am not sure you will get that type of passion and enjoyment from technology where students are listening or reading a levelled story and answering comprehension questions before being able to move to the next level.
Having students listen to an “expert reader” reading a story online so they can hear the fluency and expression or having students, themselves, record their own reading and self-assess are valuable ways to use technology to enhance students learning. But please beware of the levelled online reading programs. Use technology to enrich your reading instruction, not just replace it.
This is where my concerns lie. Students sitting in front of computers reading levelled books from a computer screen. Technology should enhance what we do in the classroom, not just replace it. There is much research to support that reading engagement comes from being able to choose the books you want to read based on interests and being able to share your passion by discussing the books and making recommendations to others. Playing with the language of the book by making your voice “sound like” the character or flipping back a few pages to read a funny part to your friend seem to be lost opportunities when immersed in an online reading program. Even the texture and smell of books is missing with online reading and to some readers this is an important aspect of a book. So I am not sure you will get that type of passion and enjoyment from technology where students are listening or reading a levelled story and answering comprehension questions before being able to move to the next level.
Having students listen to an “expert reader” reading a story online so they can hear the fluency and expression or having students, themselves, record their own reading and self-assess are valuable ways to use technology to enhance students learning. But please beware of the levelled online reading programs. Use technology to enrich your reading instruction, not just replace it.
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