1. Reading and Technology:
The Man/Machine Interface

2. Reading comes first:
 When thinking about adding technology to lessons,
keep the integrity of the lesson in tact; the most
important thing is that students master the skill.
 Technology should be seamless; it should support
the instruction.
 Technology can be used to help students make a
personal connection to what they are reading.

3. Let’s look at some
examples:

4. iPads
 More and more students are using iPads in class.
Using an iPad allows students to have text that is
interactive:
 Highlight
 Take notes
 Use the dictionary

5. Graphic Organizers
 Students can use graphic organizers to complete
thoughts. For example, the teacher gives a
statement and the students have to fill in the
evidence.

6. Digital Books
 A big advantage to some of the digital books is that
students can hear the text being read to them. This
is especially useful for students who struggle with
comprehension.
 Digital books are becoming more interactive; for
example, if you click on the picture you get more
information about what is happening. This
encourages students to be engaged and explore as
they read.

7. WebQuests
 Students can use webquests to explore beyond the
story. They can research the:
 Setting
 Characters
 History
 Etc.

8. Blogging
 Teachers can leave “food for thought” on a blog
concerning what is happening in the novel students
are reading. For example:
 What did you visualize when you read about James
and his Aunt?
 Can you make a personal connection to how Sarah
felt when she realized her mother was not coming
back?

9. Newsletter
 Students can use the computer to create a newsletter
about the time and place in the book they are
reading. For example:
 In Charley Skedaddle, students are reading about a
young boy in the Civil War. What would his family
be reading about while he was away?
 Teachers can also use newsletters to keep parents
informed about what is happening in the reading
class.

10. Drill and Practice
 There are many software programs or websites that
allow students to drill on things like sight words or
spelling words.
 Example: www.spelling.com
 This website allows teachers to enter the words and
students can drill from any computer at school or at
home.