Using Technology to Facilitate Teaching the Language Arts in the Elementary School By Michael Foster Website Click Here for a Video Introduction Click Here for a Video Introduction

AGENDA My background Introduction Emergent Literacy Information Objectives for Using Technology as a Tool for Learning Contact Information

My Background I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Temple University. I have been a long term substitute techer in the Pennsbury School District at the kindergarten/first grade level. I will have completed by Master’s Degree in Elementary Education by December at Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Introduction As the use of technology in the elementary classrooms becomes more prevalent, it is necessary for teachers to use these instruments as a tool to facilitate learning.

Emergent Literacy Information Research shows that learning to read is a process that begins long before children enter kindergarten.. Here are a few ways that teachers influence literacy: Posting signs in the classroom Making a list of classroom rules

Influencing Literacy (Continued) Using literacy materials in dramatic play centers Writing notes to students in the class Exchanging messages with classmates Reading and writing stories

Teachers can facilitate the learning of certain techniques to develop great literacy skills in the early years of elementary school. ) )Sound-Matching Activities ) )Sound-Isolation Activities ) )Sound-Blending Activities ) )Sound Addition or Substitution Activities ) )Segmentation Activities

More than 20 years of research has identified three key skill areas necessary for learning to read: Print knowledge – a child’s understanding of books, printed letters, and words Emergent writing – a child’s first efforts to use print in a meaningful way Linguistic awareness – a child’s understanding of how language works

Some Concerns? Educators now have to deal with the effectiveness of computer-based education, and with the appropriateness of the many possible roles computers can play in language arts instruction.

What do we do? Emphasis should not be on using computers to increase reading and writing achievement Teachers need to use computers for meaningful reading and writing instruction that are locked into computer- based drill and practice software.

Objectives Some good resources: These teaching programs are good for incorporating technology with a good language arts program Using phonics with computers Using phonics with computers Great language arts program for emergent readers Great language arts program for emergent readers

Some Helpful Websites nology.com/tutorials/techinclass/pri nt.htm nology.com/tutorials/techinclass/pri nt.htm view.html view.html 2/computer.htm 2/computer.htm schools.net/tutorials/interactive.htm schools.net/tutorials/interactive.htm t/eng.shtml t/eng.shtml dex.html dex.html

Contact Information Click Below to check out my website:

References nology.com/tutorials/techinclass/print.htm nology.com/tutorials/techinclass/print.htm elines.computers.html elines.computers.html ComputerReading ComputerReading smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans /language_arts.html smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans /language_arts.html