Group items tagged

Reading through hypertexts or interactive multimedia is an active process in which the reader develops an internal narrator who synthesizes meaning and decides which link to follow next and why.

I had seen and heard much about the impact of computers on literacy, but the Internet seemed to make a quantum leap over word processing and interactive multimedia CD-ROMs.

Teachers said they observed that Internet-based activities make reading enjoyable for students

Internet use enables students to engage in collaborative discussions and authentic information research experiences that enhance understanding of content.

Our results also indicated that higher-order literacy skills, such as organizing information research around a research question, comparing and contrasting, and evaluating and synthesizing information into new and meaningful structures, are important uses of the Internet in literacy education.

found three primary areas in which the Internet provides curricular benefits.

fostering self-directed literacy learning habits among students, which researchers and teachers indicated are not only vital to, but also achievable through, Internet-based literacy learning.

This chapter includes a discussion of the vital role the Internet plays in literacy education for students growing up to live and work in networked cultures of the 21st century as well as historical and cultural technology trends that influence the current nature of literacy and approaches to learning.

audiobooks help improve children's reading skills

electronic books always provide the text in a visual component. Some electronic books incorporate text enhancements, such as definitions of words or background information on ideas. Others offer illustrations that complement the story

With access to an Internet-connected computer, students can find a wide variety of free online reading materials, including books, plays, short stories, magazines, and reference materials. This benefit is especially useful for students in schools that have few resources for the acquisition of new books

The use of hypermedia to improve student comprehension of text likely is related to its ability to respond to the needs of an individual learner for information, which results in an increased sense of control over the learning environment and higher levels of intrinsic motivation (Becker & Dwyer, 1994)

electronic talking books

may provide an effective means for increasing decoding skills and reading fluency

increase motivation to read as well as promote basic word recognition.

an aid to help children improve their comprehension of texts

The computer program helped the children learn to discriminate and sequence the sound in words, which improved their word-reading ability.

Programmed Reading Instruction

word-processing tools such as spelling checkers are useful aids that improve the quality of student writing. Research indicates that students who are comfortable with word processing write longer papers, spend more time writing and revising, and show improved mechanics and word choice (Lehr, 1995)

promotes collaborative writing among students

Desktop Publishing of Student Work

they can gain practice in desktop-publishing their reports, stories, and poems

technology encourages students to integrate visual and aural multimedia in their school projects

presents a means of self-expression and provides support for development of reading and writing skills.

Providing opportunities for online publishing of students' work is another means to motivate student writing

promote student writing is through electronic mail (e-mail), electronic bulletin boards, and e-mail lists

Writing to an authentic reader has a positive effect on students' writing performance and motivation

(Reinking & Bridwell-Bowles, 1996). "Simple exchanges of e-mail can get students writing and reading with the same intensity they bring to the most exciting video game," note Meyer and Rose (2000). "Receiving feedback from across the globe conveys to young children the power of reading and writing and demonstrates their ultimate purpose—to communicate across time and space.

Use of the Internet search engines can promote students' research and investigation skills and enable them to locate online information on any possible topic

evaluate online information sources is gaining importance as a basic literacy skill

Educational technology is nudging literacy instruction beyond its oral and print-based tradition to embrace online and electronic texts as well as multimedia. Computers are creating new opportunities for writing and collaborating. The Internet is constructing global bridges for students to communicate, underscoring the need for rock-solid reading and writing skills. By changing the way that information is absorbed, processed, and used, technology is influencing how people read, write, listen, and communicate.

Literacy instruction traditionally refers to the teaching of basic literacy skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In today's digital world, however, technology has contributed to an expanded understanding of literacy. Besides having basic literacy skills, today's students also need technology skills for communicating, investigating, accessing and using information, computing, thinking critically about messages inherent in new media, and understanding and evaluating data. As policymakers and educators ponder what it means to be literate in a digitized society, an array of literacy definitions is emerging

The internet can also be useful in finding materials that specifically target children who have been identified in having difficulties with their literacy development.

For example, some will target reading skills, whilst others will focus on spelling or handwriting.

Many children do not enjoy their education or any learning tasks. This may be particularly the case with those who have difficulty in attaining literacy skills. One of the ways in which problem can be combated is to make this fun. The internet can be a particularly useful tool in achieving this. Type literacy games into the toolbar of your search engine and it will come up with a large number of websites that offer activities which are both fun and educational.

There are games on the internet that suit all ages and ability levels.

The internet can also provide homeschoolers with a wealth of free resources that will ensure that their child has the appropriate materials for learning.

Whereas 60 per cent of bloggers say that they enjoy writing, only 40 per cent of nonbloggers find writing enjoyable.

He notes, “When I was a kid, I used to write in exercise books kept in a drawer, but now that young people write on the web, there’s a whole community out there to read their work. It’s interactive, and that makes it more appealing to them.” Jordan believes that encouraging students to share their writing boosts their confidence in their writing abilities.

Research suggests that young people who blog are reading and are becoming more confident writers.