Using Technology in K-8 Literacy Classrooms

by Anderson, Rebecca S.; Speck, Bruce W.

• ISBN13: 9780139363375
• ISBN10: 0139363378
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

This practical book is designed to equip K-8 teachers with an array of computer tools they can use to promote reading, writing, and critical thinking in their classrooms. A direct and efficient writing style will make it a frequently used reference. The book focuses on the major concerns that teachers face when integrating computer technology into the classroom and provides realistic suggestions and lessons that can be easily implemented. Coverage includes important information on how to become a facilitator who helps students use technology, how the Internet can enhance students' literacy education, and how to help students write and publish their work. An ideal resource for all teachers who are interested in improving their instruction with technology.

Table of Contents

Teaching Literacy Using Computers	1	(18)
Attacking Literacy With Computers	2	(1)
Computer Classroom Snapshot	3	(1)
Context	3	(1)
What I Did and Why	3	(1)
What I Learned	4	(1)
Why Teach Literacy With Computer Technology?	4	(4)
Redefining Literacy	5	(1)
Shifting Paradigms	6	(2)
Linking Constructivism, Literacy, and Computers	8	(3)
Ways to Teach Literacy Using Computers	11	(3)
Computer Classroom Examples	14	(1)
Techno-Teacher Tips	14	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions	15	(1)
References	16	(3)
Teacher as Facilitator in the Electronic Classroom	19	(24)
The Teacher's Various Roles	20	(1)
Computer Classroom Snapshot	21	(3)
Context	21	(1)
What I Did and Why	22	(1)
What I Learned	23	(1)
Facilitating Integrated Literacy Units	24	(2)
The Integrated Literacy Unit Model	24	(1)
Example of an Integrated Literacy Unit	25	(1)
Facilitating the Unit Model	26	(1)
Facilitating Assessment	26	(6)
A Philosophy of Assessment	27	(2)
Rubrics	29	(2)
Student Self-Assessment/Reflection	31	(1)
Facilitating Record Keeping and External Communication	32	(5)
Grading	32	(1)
Parent Communication	33	(4)
Computer Classroom Examples	37	(2)
Techno-Teacher Tips	39	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions	40	(1)
References	41	(2)
Using the Internet to Teach Literacy	43	(38)
What Is the Internet?	44	(1)
Why Use the Internet to Teach Literacy?	44	(2)
The Internet Promotes Problem-Solving Skills	45	(1)
The Internet Promotes Cooperative Learning	45	(1)
Computer Classroom Snapshot	46	(2)
Context	46	(1)
What I Did and Why	46	(1)
What I Learned	47	(1)
What Types of Internet Services Are Used by Literacy Teachers?	48	(5)
World Wide Web (WWW)	49	(1)
Electronic Mail (E-mail)	50	(1)
Listservs	51	(1)
Newsgroups	52	(1)
Chat Forums	52	(1)
Emerging Technologies	52	(1)
How Do You Use the Internet to Teach Literacy?	53	(4)
Publishing	53	(1)
Accessing Information	53	(2)
Communicating and Collaborating	55	(2)
Computer Classroom Examples	57	(4)
Techno-Teacher Tips	61	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions	62	(1)
References	63	(2)
Appendix: Creating Web Pages	65	(16)
Using Additional Electronic Tools to Teach Literacy	81	(38)
Why Use Additional Electronic Tools to Teach Literacy?	82	(1)
Computer Classroom Snapshot	83	(1)
Context	83	(1)
What I Did and Why	83	(1)
What I Learned	84	(1)
Additional Electronic Tools to Teach Literacy	84	(27)
Hypermedia	84	(10)
Databases	94	(4)
Spreadsheets	98	(7)
PowerPoint	105	(5)
CD-ROMs	110	(1)
Electronic Texts	111	(1)
Evaluating Software	112	(2)
Computer Classroom Examples	114	(3)
Techno-Teacher Tips	117	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions	117	(1)
References	118	(1)
The Writing Process, Computers, and Your Classroom	119	(20)
The Writing Process: Getting Started	120	(2)
Computer Classroom Snapshot	122	(2)
Context	122	(1)
What I Did and Why	122	(2)
What I Learned	124	(1)
Explaining the Process Approach to Writing	124	(5)
Teacher as Facilitator	126	(1)
Abandoning Skill and Drill	127	(1)
Reasons for Integrating Computers Into the Writing Curriculum	127	(2)
Integrating Computers Into the Writing Curriculum	129	(4)
The One-Computer Classroom	129	(2)
The Multi-Computer Classroom That Is Not Networked	131	(1)
A Networked Computer Classroom/Lab	132	(1)
Internet Access	132	(1)
Computer Classroom Examples	133	(2)
Techno-Teacher Tips	135	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions	136	(1)
References	136	(3)
Using Electronic Technology to Publish Students' Writing	139	(20)
Exploring Classroom Publishing	140	(1)
Computer Classroom Snapshot	140	(2)
Context	140	(1)
What I Did and Why	140	(2)
What I Learned	142	(1)
Why Use Classroom Publishing?	142	(1)
Traditional Classroom Publishing	143	(5)
Compatible Software	145	(1)
Style and Format	145	(1)
The Publication Committee	146	(2)
Printing and Binding	148	(1)
Computer Classroom Publishing	148	(5)
How to Create Electronic Products	149	(1)
How to Download Information From Other Forums	150	(2)
How to Post Materials to Electronic Forums	152	(1)
Computer Classroom Examples	153	(2)
Techno-Teacher Tips	155	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions	156	(1)
References	156	(3)
Working With Special Education and ESL Students	159	(33)
Technology in Special Education: The Time Is Now	160	(2)
Context	160	(1)
What I Did and Why	161	(1)
What I Learned	162	(1)
Teaching Literacy to Students With Special Needs Using Technology	162	(8)
Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)	162	(2)
Assistive Technology	164	(5)
Using the Internet	169	(1)
Literacy Development and Students With Disabilities	169	(1)
Moving With Technology: Teaching ESL K-8	170	(16)
Whole Language Learning Via Computer Assisted Language Learning	173	(2)
Technology-Enhanced ESL for Each Grade Level	175	(7)
How to Keep Up With ESL Instructional Technology	182	(4)
Computer Classroom Examples	186	(2)
Techno-Teacher Tips	188	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions	188	(1)
References	189	(3)
Index	192

Excerpts

PREFACE INTENT Using Technology in K-8 Literacy Classroomsis designed to provide K-8 teachers with an array of computer tools to promote reading, writing, and critical thinking in their classrooms. Thus, this text can be used not only in a preservice course but also by seasoned teachers who recognize the need to continue their education by becoming adept at using computers in their classrooms. Each chapter provides rationales for using computer technology to teach literacy and gives many examples of how teachers can use technology effectively. The chapters deal with issues such as how the teacher can facilitate students' use of technology, how the Internet can enhance students' literacy education, how the teacher can develop integrated lesson plans, how technology can be used to help students write and publish their work, and how teachers can use technology to work with ESL and special education students. Each chapter provides information the teacher needs to use technology in the literacy classroom and sample lessons that can be imported into his or her classroom. This two-fold intent, providing continuing teacher education and pedagogical materials for classroom use, structures the chapters. Each chapter consists of a scenario that dramatizes the topic; includes a Classroom Snapshot of a actual teaching situation whereby a teacher handles the topic in his or her classroom; and provides discussion of the topic, Electronic Classroom Examples, Techno-Teacher Tips, and Frequently Asked Questions. In short,Using Technology in K-8 Literacy Classroomscovers the major concerns K-8 teachers face as they integrate computer technology into their classrooms and provides numerous suggestions for applying the ideas described in the text in real classrooms. FEATURES The following features makeUsing Technology in K-8 Literacy Classroomsparticularly valuable: The book provides teachers with theoretical information so that they have the assurance that the information conveyed is based on solid research. The book focuses on major issues and gets to the point; it allows teachers to save time by looking at the significant issues without getting bogged down in the details. The Computer Classroom Snapshots provide real-life examples of how teachers are integrating technology into the K-8 literacy curriculum. Lists of electronic sources provide teachers with easy access to URLs that can give them more materials for their classes. The Techno-Teacher Tips provide important pointers on using technology in the classroom. Print sources cited throughout the book provide numerous resources, including References at the end of each chapter that identify sources to promote the integration of technology and literacy in the classroom. As an ancillary text,Using Technology in K-8 Literacy Classroomsdoes not belabor points but treats each subject in enough detail to get the message across. The book is practical, so that teachers can either use the materials straight from the book or easily adapt them for their classes. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This book would not have been possible without the support and help of many people. That the book was published was due to the faith that our editor, Brad Potthoff, had in us, and we know that we tried that faith during our prolonged period of writing the text. We thank Brad for bearing with us and giving us the opportunity to provide a book that will help K-8 teachers integrate literacy via computer technology into their classrooms. We are also grateful to the reviewers who provided helpful comments on drafts of the book: Donna Camp, University of Central Florida; Kara Dawson, University of Virginia; Laurie Elish-Piper, Northern Illinois University; Patricia P. Fritchie, Troy State University-Dothan; Joan Hanor, California State University-San Marcos; Kim MacGregor,