Integrating Technology: New Literacies

Technology has increased within the past decade. Technology offers great amount of resources that can integrate in a classroom.  The new technology such as Ipads, Nook, Kindle, and computers are a great source for students.  Technology can be used in several different ways.  The Ipad offers hundreds of applications (apps) provided for their brand.  There are several great teaching apps that can be used for students in a classroom.  The ipad is known to be a magnificent learning tool for students with special needs. The kindle and nook offers a "paperless" reader.  Having a device such as the kindle offers multiply programmed books.  This can help the school cut back on supplies such as books, papers, pens, and pencils. It also helps the earth go green! There will be no need for pencils and papers when the kindle, nook and ipad is already programmed for the student(s) to begin their reading(s). The kindle has great features especially for diverse learners.  The kindle offers a computerized voice program that can read the chapters   out loud to the student(s). It also contains a highlighter to highlight the words throughout the chapters and a dictionary as well. All the student has to do is tap on the word they do not recognize than tap on the dictionary.  Therefore, the kindle will be able to define the word (it can also define the word by speaking out loud to the student).  That is a great way for ELL students to learn the meaning of new words,  and help improve their reading in English and speech.

 Another source of technology that benfits the teacher is a smart board.  The smart board saves time and engargy rather than using a chalkboard,  The teacher can use the smart board in many ways.  First the teacher can connect her computer to the smart board and do a lesson without having to write it out on the board. Second the smart board is touch screen.  The teacher can just tap on the smart board to get from one assignment to another.  This saves a lot of time for both the teacher and the students.  It can help increase more time for the lesson.

Technology can be used outside of the classroom as well.  The teacher can post the homework assignment on the board, and also use the schools website to post their homework assignment as well.  This is a great way to make sure students do not forget to do their homework.  Sometimes a student may be busy, or forget to write down their homework; the student can log into the school's website and download their homework assignment.  It is also great way for students who are absent to see what they have missed.

Technology that Supports Literacy:

- Smart boards

- Computer softwares

- Ipad

- Kindle

- Nook

- Applications for all devices

- Computers (desktop, laptops and notebooks)

- Blogs

- Informal websites

- Wikipedia

- Word Processing

- School Website (for homework)

- Electronic books (E-Books) 

and many more...

Ways in which Technology can Promote Literacy:
- Students can type out their journals and put them in their notebooks to help them be organized.
- Note taking can help students study for test by having the computer use text read out loud.
- E-mailing students different articles or assignments they can read for homework, or on their free time.
- Using web blogs in a classroom can help students write out their emotions, or topics on their mind (like a journal).

Using Technology as a Source of Communication:
- Blackboard
- Discussion Board
-Announcements (school website)