W1_Reading

The picture above is a portion of the Word Wall in my classroom.  A Word Wall is exactly what it sounds like.  It is a wall that words are placed on.  The Word Wall is a very helpful tool for 1st graders.  They can read the words to practice recognition or use the words in their writing.  Throughout the year we constantly add words to the Wall Wall.  1st Grade Sight Words take up most of the space on the Word Wall.  My ARP is dedicated to Sight Word Recognition.  I want to use technology to increase sight word recognition and ultimately increase reading abilities.  Below you will find the articles I have chose to help research my topic.  

Holum, A., Gahala, J., & North Central Regional Educational Lab., O. (2001). Critical Issue: Using Technology To Enhance Literacy Instruction. Retrieved from ERIC database.

Using Technology to Enhance Literacy Instruction

This article is a study of how technology can be used as a tool to better literacy instruction through the use of technology and best practices.  The authors gave clear definitions of literacy terms such as digital literacy. They also stated that teachers are now responsible for teaching students how to use and create through technology.  The article gave several examples of technologies that support students’ reading development, such as audio books, online texts, and programmed reading instruction.

Meadan, H., Stoner, J., & Parette, H. (2008). Sight Word Recognition among Young Children At-Risk: Picture-Supported vs. Word-Only. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits, 5(1), 45-58. Retrieved from ERIC database.

Sight Word Recognition among Young Children At-Risk: Picture vs. Word-Only

This article is a study to see if children benefited from picture support when being taught sight words. The article defined sight words and described the study. The study was done on 4 to 5 year olds who were at-risk.  The students were in two groups.  The intervention group used cards with pictures to support the word.  They control group used a set of cards with the words only.  The study lasted for a short period of time and the result was that pictures do support sight word recognition. 

Skouge, J., Rao, K., & Boisvert, P. (2007). Promoting Early Literacy for Diverse Learners Using Audio and Video Technology. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(1), 5-11. doi:10.1007/s10643-007-0170-y.

Promoting Early Literacy for Diverse Learners Using Audio and Video Technology

This article described the endless ways that teachers can use audio and video to enhance literacy in the classroom.  The article also stressed that students are embracing the technology culture so teachers need to respond to their needs for the future.    

Van Scoter, J., Boss, S., & Northwest Regional Educational Lab., P. (2002). Learners, Language, and Technology: Making Connections That Support Literacy. Creating Communities of Learning & Excellence. Retrieved from ERIC database.

Learners, Language, and Technology: Making Connections That Support Literacy

This article focused on the resources available to teachers to support literacy in the classroom.  It is organized into sections.  The section I found most beneficial in relationship to my Action Research Project is the section titled: Understanding Technology’s Role in Literacy.  This portion of the article focused on combining traditional ways of teaching with technology.