Leveraging Computer Technology for Literacy Instruction in the Classroom

Most students also have access to the Internet at home and the media center is open before or after school for those who need extra time or assistance. Academically, there is quite a range of diversity among learners. There are three students in the classroom that are identified as exceptional leaners in need of extra reading support. Two are identified regarding written expression. Five are identified as having attention deficit disorder. To make the lesson comparable for all I made sure to use a variety of tools from print sources, to digital tools and I allowed for small group and whole group instruction. Students were encouraged to communicate via print methods on day one, but not required to sign their names. This took away a level of intimidation that may have prevented students from sharing. This makes the content of the lesson equitable for each

The author of this article is a professor in the Department of Special Education at San Diego University. In addition to his participation in the Department of Special Education at the University, Rena B. Lewis, PhD is a member of the faculty of the San Diego State University-Claremont Graduate University doctoral program. She focuses much of her research on the application of technology for individuals with learning disabilities. Her qualifications alone would make me feel confident in her writing and findings. The article was published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities in

Wilson, Faggella-Luby, & Wei (2013) present a cogent plan for Tier 3 Response to Intervention (RTI) for secondary students with reading disabilities, content, and pedagogy planning tools, content instruction, and instructional method implementation. Both research application lacks concerning Tier 3 RTI in high schools (Wilson et. al). RTI is curriculum that addresses the learning needs of all students that also includes screening and monitoring progress. Continuing, Wilson et. al define Tier 1 RTI, core curriculum for all students serving the needs of 80% of students, Tier 2 RTI, small group instructional intervention, serving the needs of 15% of students, and Tier 3 RTI, an intense one to one intervention for students who continue to struggle beyond Tiers 1 and 2, serving 5% of students. Wilson et al. provides information the reader needs to understand in the article without clutter, expressing their writing with economy (Zinsser, 2013). The article is unified in theme, gives enough information without giving too much, and follows a clear progression (Zinsser). “More simple, than complex” (Henson, 1999, p. 58), Wilson et. al’s article is an example of good writing.

The state of Texas, the first to adopt a law requiring instruction for students with dyslexia in 1985, continues to set the standard when it comes to dyslexia education reform (T. Flanders, personal communication, August 30, 2011). Until recently, little consideration was made in the use of assistive technology (AT) for students with mild disabilities, specifically in the field of dyslexia education and intervention (Edyburn, 2006, p. 18). With the passing of Senate Bill 866, concerning the implementation of classroom technology plans for students with dyslexia, the pursuit of reform has become of utmost importance (The Texas State Senate-Information News and Events of the 82nd Legislative Session, 2011). Although Texas is proactive in

According to the Georgia Department of Education, the Georgia State School Board of Education adopted a new set of standards known as the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. Since the Common Core Standards State Standards assess the same English Language Arts standards as the Georgia Performance Standards, Georgia’s curriculum is called Common Core Georgia Performance Standards. Of the ELA standards for first grade, one requires that students be able to ask and answer questions based on the details in a text. This standard also requires that the student be able to retell stories, including details, and demonstrate comprehension. This could be an issue for special needs students. Students with a learning disability in reading often have difficulty comprehending texts in books and other reading material that is written at their grade level. However, there are many strategies to use to improve reading comprehension in struggling readers. With the increase use of technology, my review is written to determine if pre-recordings readings are more effective than teacher-led read aloud in improving comprehension skills of students with disabilities.

Several studies have been conducted on reading disabilities, looking at the possible causes and treatments of this neurological difference. McArthur, Ellis, Atkinson, and Colheart (2008) employed the use of the computer program Fast ForWord Language ® to train and develop the children’s skills needed for reading. Register, Darrow, Swedberg, and Standley (2007) utilized the general music classroom. Register et al. developed a specialized curriculum that targeted

He focuses on how technology is supposed to significantly impact a student’s performance and completely forgets to mention how important technology may be for someone who cannot learn well without responsive instruction; for example, technology in the classroom can be beneficial to students that are physically or mentally impaired. On the contrary, the article ‘Technology and Literacy for Adolescents with disabilities’ describes how technology “can be universally beneficial for all students as a vehicle for learner engagement or conveyance of instructional content, and it can also promote participation, learning, and performance by students with disabilities”(King-Sears, Swanson, Mainzer, 569). The article then illustrates an example of how technology can specifically facilitate classroom learning by stating “For example, an electronic picture board with voice output might be considered assistive technology for a student whose disability included significant oral language deficits” (King-Sears, Swanson, Mainzer, 569). In this sense, technology does have a significant role in students’ life, not only making it important, but necessary. Also as mentioned above, the performance of these students have been affected in a significant way. Throughout the article, they describe how these new assistive technologies have changed the two specific students, Brian and Michelle. Brian has dysgraphia which prevents him from being able to transfer his thoughts onto paper and Michelle has Asperger’s Syndrome, which gives Michelle “genius-level intelligence” (King-Sears et al.). The technologically advanced tools that they have both been given are not only specialized to assist them, but also help them do tasks that

al, 2016). ICT provide safe and controlled environments, motivation, high level of interactivity, immediate feedback, and contribute to the improvement of visual processing skills and short-term memory or working memory inadequacies (Kalyvioti et. al, 2012). They also help develop interactive experiences and optimistic learning surroundings, that can motivate and help children, thus helping them address their disability early on and possibly mitigate its various negative effects (Skiada et.al, 2014). The use of ICT offer support in several fields concerning learning difficulties (Kalyvioti et. al, 2016). Digital technologies can be used in order to train, assist and even enable the learning process (Skiada et.al, 2014). Specifically designed applications can stimulate students interest, but may also help students with disabilities fit into and progress within mainstream school environments (Skiada et.al, 2014). One of the main groups of people with special educational needs, such as dyslexia, could potentially gain many benefits from ICT (Skiada et.al, 2014). As an ICT, this Chrome Extension has the ability to be able to motivate and help children learn and improve their comprehension of the English

Reading, writing, and speaking is difficult for many people. In honest opinion, these subjects are hard for me. So, imagine the struggles for those students that have a learning disability and those who are learning English. Luckily, I attended a session at the LDA conference that promoted tips and strategies to help students with these subjects. Moreover, how to help both ELL students and students with learning disabilities access these curriculums. Session W32 by Linda Tilton showed me how to help students get organized and become active learners. Not only that, but how to give high interest review strategies to reinforce vocabulary, reading, and writing. As Linda stated, “These are the nuts and bolts to take back and use!” For example, she

The inventions of modern technology beneficial for both the children with disabilities and the typical children. Especially, internet enhances all children in many ways; it shapes children’s reading skills through different reading strategies, such as learning activities, games, and songs. There are many internet based learning resources that help educators, parents, and students to promote learning in a critical way. Starfall is one of the greatest educational resources; it provides its services on stream as well in classroom. I will review this great website in general, however, I will explore the reading principles and their strategies in details. Starfall website is a provision of “Starfall Education Foundation” that was initiated in September,

The use of technology in educating children with special needs has widely grown in the past few decades, and has since has changed the way people with disabilities live, work, and learn” (Winzer, 2002, p. 98). Individuals with special needs are unique and all have different areas in which they need assistance. Due to the advancements in assistive technology, computer programs, software, and other technology tools, have helped people to find useful and easier ways to become educated.

Students with disabilities are at a higher at-risk for dropping out of high school at a greater rate than typically developing peers (Pyle & Wexler, 2012). Students with identified disabilities are required to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) according to law, and these students have unique needs that general education curriculum cannot meet on its own. However, there is abundant research that discusses various literacy interventions and strategies that can be effective. These interventions can be used in a school setting by any certified teacher (regular education or special education). This literature review will discuss some of the various reading and writing strategies as well as best practices for literacy in order to ensure students with disabilities are given the best chance for success. By providing timely interventions, monitoring progress, and analyzing data, it can be possible to increase achievement for those students with identified disabilities.

Students incorporating educational technology into their studies seem to develop improvement, especially those with learning disabilities. A special education professor from the University of Delaware performed observational studies of third and fourth grade students; his data concluded that the students with spelling issues increased their ability to spell from 42-75% accuracy, and legibility of words from 55-85% (Allen 2008). With this observation, it can be concluded that students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, benefit greatly from the involvement of computer programs into their education. As stated in an interview with Lake-Lehman High School’s English 10 teacher, Stacey Ruddy believes that “auto-correction is certainly helpful for students to utilize in improving their work, but I urge students to understand why the error occurred and how to edit the conventional mistakes” (S. Ruddy, personal communication, September 14, 2017). Teachers, students, and staff see the benefits of technology in the classroom through the increase in grade point levels, and grades themselves. But, “no one medium is good for everything. [...] If we want to develop a variety of skills, we need a balanced media diet” (Wolpert, 2009). This requires an equal harmony between technology and

The use of technology in educating children with special needs has widely grown in the past few decades. Individuals with special needs are unique and all have different areas in which they need assistance. Due to the advancements in assistive technology, computer programs, software, and other technology tools, it has become much easier for people to find useful and easier ways to become educated. Because of this, “technology has changed the way people with disabilities live, work, and learn.” (Winzer,98)

Many students around the United States have reading difficulties, which can be due to a variety of reason such as: low socioeconomic status, family history of learning disabilities, a neurological disorder, limited exposure, etc. Reading difficulties can lead to further problems with education and learning, therefore the struggles should be addressed and intervention techniques should be implemented promptly. The interventions need to be individualized for the student based on their needs in order to improve the student’s reading to the best of their abilities.