Software Evaluation

Learning to evaluate software give a definite advantage to a Reading specialist, as it allows for authentic student learning. Damage can be done to any student if the technology used is not relevant to their needs. Many manufactures attempt only to become commercially viable and seek to make sales by making false claims. If a Reading Specialist falls for this children can receive the wrong teaching causing them to find it difficult to cope with literacy. It is a serious responsibility to be given into your care a soul which must be molded and given hope and skills to survive and contribute positively to society. It is therefore very important to be able to evaluate the web 2.0 technologies and any other new technologies which may come to the fore for the benefit of improving student literacy. For this we must thank Ms. Aisha Wood-Jackson who brought this out as it threw new light on how careful one must be in selecting material for the benefit of our students.

Dropbox

I have discovered a tool called drop box. I like it because it offers the opportunity to access your files from anywhere. You can synchronize your devices so that you can access your files from anywhere in the world and from any technology such as a cell phone or laptop. Drop box offers a free two gig space with the option to purchase more space if needed. I am encouraging everyone to go and check it out and see the various features. I am sure that you will find it useful and relevant to your field of work. http://cdn.dropbox.com/Dropbox%200.7.110.exe.

Networking

The networking aspect of Wikis is amazing, it is so easy to coordinate events or share information via this web page. For example i was able to link with my classmates to find out about class schedules and changes to our program. The responses came quickly and other members of the group were able to benefit from the responses. So apart from sharing vocabulary words, building word walls, and developing comprehension and constructing pieces of writing students can use wikis as a very effective tool to network or communicate and work on projects which will benefit their literacy development.

ebooks

Well we learnt how to crate eBooks and i must tell you that we were all excited about what we learnt. The use of navigation nubs and the adding of sound to the project was exciting for us as we were able to create an eBook which we did not know how to create before. I am just thinking that if we were so excited and motivated by our experience creating eBooks and our students are more technology based than us, then what will happen when we begin to teach them to do this. I can picture the excitement and the motivation they will have to learn to create through Web 2.0 technology. We can teach phonics, phonemic awareness, letter sound co-relation, comprehension, listening skills and much more. This tool is surely a winner in student literacy and the mastery of reading.

Blogging-Creative expression

One advantage of being able to blogs is the ability to be creatively expressive. Students can use expression and explore emotive language which is essential for human development. Students can express as well, how they feel about the technology they are using. In this way the teacher can gage the students attitude toward the task they are doing and the medium they are using to do it. Teachers can then adjust tasks and select more appropriate technology to meet the needs of the students. The creativity of the student can then be brought out as they will have a space to express themselves in writing. When they read their peers work they can comment on it as well as get valuable reading practice from a medium with which they are comfortable. Web 2.0 offers students the ability to improve their reading and writing fluency through interactive tools which allow them to confidently express themselves in both reading and writing.

A picture Tells

It is said that a picture tells a thousand words and this is true as pictures can capture a memory in an instant. Whats even better is that they can be used with Web 2.o technology. Cameras today take pictures at high mega pixels giving high resolution. These pictures can be automatically taken with the correct adjustment in light and focus. Pictures are useful as they can be used in eBooks and slide shows and are effective in bringing to life stories which can be used in comprehension and vocabulary. Videos have become common now as live content can be used to record and examine student fluency in reading. Students can publish themselves and create power point presentations and slide shows to build portfolios and promote reading. Images give students the added advantage of learning to scan, download, and print non copyrighted pictures to use in presentations and build confidence from creating their own product.

Interactivity

Now, you know what i like about blogging, its interactive. Other people can interact with you and give their views on a variety of topics. Together we make each other more knowledgeable, we become a part of a creative work. ICT offers us other interactive options such as hyper-links and action buttons. Other ICT's like Google docs can actually allow you to edit other people's work. The potential for interactive learning, expression,building self esteem, vocabulary and comprehension is enormous as students can use a medium which they are familiar with to learn and teach others.