It's Good Stuff

Reading and writing is arguably the most important part of education. It is the skills acquired here that will translate into successful futures in college, professions, and life in general. Not to mention the high school qualifying exam. Therefore, if there is technology available which helps students learn to read, then it should be used.

At first, I was skeptical of this article and its 'teacher in a can' technologies. I assumed these computer programs were simply gimics and crutches used to entertain poor readers, and enablers for kids who lack the drive to learn to understand the written word. But the examples given in the article show that students actually become better readers and writers.

For example:

• READ 180 provides students with background knowledge to connect the student to the material
• Read & Write Gold will read a students writing back to them, allowing them to make editing changes
• Students have been able to overcome obstacles which frees them from failure that easily can hold a student back

In the end, the author explains how these programs are nothing more than tools. Quality instruction cannot be replaced with a computer program, but the program can be used to augment the teaching being done. It is a vehicle that can produce great results if used properly, but alone the assistive technology will not produce higher quality readers and writers.

It makes sense to me to use these new technologies. If it keeps a student interested, and advances their skills, then I believe that it can be a good tool for the classroom.