Computer Technology into Reading Instruction - Assignment Example

How to integrate Computer Technology into Reading Instruction Introduction The rapid advancement in the field of science and technology has greatly influenced all aspects of our daily life. The use of technology has significantly improved the quality of life and has positively contributed towards a better understanding of man-machine relationship. The application of technology in the field of education has especially been a great asset in improving the overall standard of education and learning methodologies. The technology has brought in a plethora of new ideas and innovation in the field of education that has not only helped catch the attention of the students and teacher alike but it has gone a step further and generated a healthy curiosity among the students thereby providing them with fresh incentives for improving their learning skills for higher achievements. The wide scope of the computer and computer technology has necessitated the urgent need for global awareness for introducing computer as an intrinsic part of part of education. The technology has influenced our educational system in a number of ways. While it has served as a means to improve the quality of education, the use of technology has also greatly facilitated a better understanding and developed a mutual respect in the ongoing teacher-pupil relationship. The wide ranging implications of the use of technology in education, has been an ongoing concern of the authorities who have continued to introduce better learning facilities and optimise the learning process leading to quality education. The inclusion of computer technology in the curricula has greatly facilitated the reading, writing and comprehension skills of the students, including those with special need. The essay would be looking at the three major ways of using technology into the reading instruction that improve and improvise the achievement skills of the students: Web quest; PowerPoint; and use of websites and special web pages. Use of WebQuest in the classroom While teaching is an important aspect of teachers, the training of the teachers is equally relevant. The world is fast changing and therefore it is important for the teachers to keep abreast with the changes that are taking place. The need to learn advanced techniques and teaching methodologies is an essential part of a teacher’s training. The use of technology in teaching has become an integral part of the curricula so knowledge of various technological teaching aids like computers and interactive boards has become vital for teachers. WebQuest is one device that vastly promotes learning process in the classroom. According to Teclehaimanot and Lamb, ‘A WebQuest is an inquiry-based approach to learning that helps students explore essential questions. WebQuests provide an authentic, technology-rich environment for problem solving, information processing, and collaboration. This approach, developed in the mid-1990s by Bernie Dodge of San Diego State University, involves students in tasks that make good use of Internet-based resources’ (Teclehaimanot and Lamb). The advent of internet has redefined the communication and has become one the most powerful tools of information. It is also the most widely used application to access all types of information by one and all. The internet has been the greatest and the largest store of information that is being utilized on a continuous basis across the world. It has become an extremely important part of school curricula as it not only helps students to complement and supplement their study curricula but it also gives them a platform to exploit their potential and creativity in a manner that was unimaginable a decade back. The use of web quest on the internet has become a strong medium to acquire knowledge and help gain an extensive understanding of the various areas and issues. The students are encouraged to use WebQuest to expand their knowledge base through web based research on subject curricula. Exposure to technological advancements, have also helped them (teachers and students both) to become more creative and innovative in their approach to teaching and learning. It has instilled in them a sense of exploring the unknown which will remain one of their most important traits in all their future endeavours. Bertelsen and Fischer assert that ‘by searching for nonfiction texts, video, and Web-based resources they (teachers) can provide their students opportunities to construct meaning within a literacy-rich environment… begin to enhance students’ skills with expository text skills’ (Bertelsen and Fischer). Indeed, the use of computers and internet in the learning process has been appreciated by the student fraternity. While on one hand, the use of computers has vastly improved the technical proficiency of the students, it has, at the same time, dramatically improved their problem solving and critical thinking skills and techniques. Use of PowerPoint in the classroom By introducing reading instructions technology, it must be realized that the students may not be proficient in the use of computer and related technology. Hence, introduction of classroom brings in more learning enthusiasm amongst the students and they are more prone to improve and improvise their reading instructions capabilities. The various interactive devices and computer software become highly relevant in the classroom environment and hugely promote learning processes within the students. The PowerPoint has been one of the most widely used software package to be used by the students to present their ideas and class projects. The use of new technology has helped the students to communicate more effectively by improving their reading and writing capabilities. PowerPoint is a computer package that facilitates a platform to develop creative presentation of the projects. It uses word processing to develop ideas in text format that is arranged in creative way to give a good presentation by using graphics and artistic layout on the PowerPoint. Word processing allows the students experiment with ideas and innovative approach to writing. Rita Mulholland affirms that retrieval of information from the internet and PowerPoint presentation greatly promotes the learning process in the struggling students and observations show that ‘how engaged the students were in learning’ (Mulholland). Their reading and writing skills are greatly enhanced through easy use of creating drafts and revision on the computer. The use of audio video technology in the classroom has brought in a new concept of teaching which has gone down well among the students. The use of multimedia in the classroom has been much appreciated, both by the students and teachers alike because it enhances the learning abilities of the students by addressing the needs and requirements of every student and suiting their individual style of learning so as to optimise their achievement. Through its use, both the teaching and the learning process have become more effective and have generated a greater desire to learn among the students. PowerPoint facilitates multimedia presentation that promotes better comprehension and retention of the content. Its use also helps the students towards more creative approach to express their ideas and textual content, expressing better understanding of the subject. ‘The technology allowed for interesting, exciting learning to occur, but I was interested in looking at how the technology influenced how the students read, wrote, and used language’ (Tancock). Indeed, use of interactive feature and the multimedia technology in PowerPoint also helps to cross the barrier of language and culture to emerge as one of the most effective learning tool in the contemporary times of advancing technology. Using special websites/ web pages to enhance learning experience The use of internet in the school curricula has revolutionized the early concepts of learning as well as of teaching. The internet has taken the learning process from the classroom to the virtual world with its infinite possibilities. The use of internet as a potent means of information has encouraged students to develop effective communication skills and expand their knowledge base. The internet has enriched their general awareness and embellished their classroom learning with technical proficiency. ‘Social studies curricula are about building knowledge of the world. The Internet allowed these children to see places they had never even heard’ (Tancock). Technology in the form of teaching aids, especially that with interactive boards and internet has substantially improved the learning process among the students with low attention span. The use of technology in the classroom has promoted interest and lively interactive skills that has facilitated better understanding of the subject. The content rich curriculum has been widely perceived as complex and difficult to understand by the majority of the students in United States, especially by students with learning disability. As per an article, the major overhaul of curricula, methods and materials, incorporate technology based ‘online content area textbook that uses contemporary multimedia technology to meet the needs of diverse learners’ (Pisha and Coyne). The technology has helped to customize the curricula as per the individual needs of the students and has provided them with a methodology that is non threatening as well provides facilitating environment for repetitive learning tasks. The internet surfing and information retrieval from websites are strong motivators for struggling students and students with special needs, who need to improve their knowledge through non traditional format of teaching and learning. The use of technology has greatly facilitated teaching to students with special needs. The learning aids and devices, developed especially for such students have helped to improve the quantitative and qualitative education for this segment of students. The process of integrated learning with the help of internet while applying new collaborative techniques has had overwhelming positive response from the parents as well as the from the students. The use of modern technology in the classroom has effectively reduced the dropout rates of students with special needs. Use of technological gadgets in the classrooms has also helped improve the basic learning skills of the students. The students, with technology in the classrooms, have shown better results in overcoming their uncertainties and have developed self confidence. Their learning process regarding reading, writing and comprehension, has been faster than those who have had to make do with the traditional ways of teaching. Conclusion It can therefore be successfully concluded that impact of technology on education is far reaching and extensive. The use of computers, in school and at homes, has opened a whole new world of learning and knowledge based possibilities that have immensely contributed in exploiting their potential of achievement, both academically and psychologically. Higher grades in academics have boosted their self confidence which has in turn, translated into better all round performance in the classrooms. The use of technology in the learning process not only facilitates easy learning but it also helps develop a scientific temperament in the students. In the fast changing world of globalization, it has become imperative that the new system of education must incorporate essential technological modules and corresponding technologies so that the students are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century with equanimity and self confidence. Reference Bertelsen, Cynthia D. and Fischer, John M. (199). Mediating Expository Text: Scaffolding and the Use of Multimedia Curricula. Mulholland, Rita. Using High-Interest Materials to Engage Secondary Students in Reading. Pisha, Bart and Coyne, Peggy. Jumping off the Page: Content Area Curriculum for the Internet Age. Tancock, Susan M. Reading, Writing, and Technology: A Healthy Mix in the Social Studies Curriculum. Teclehaimanot, Berhane and Lamb, Annette. Reading, Technology, and Inquiry-based Learning Through Literature-Rich WebQuests. Read More