Interview with ELA Instructor

What are some technologies used in literacy instruction?

Smartboards offer opportunities to use the most updated reading programs in a visual way and participate. Technology helps learners tap into different learners' modalities, for example audio or visual tools in instruction in literacy.

Any specific examples of how you use technology in literacy instruction?

Literature instructor can use the internet to build units to find information, text to tet, text to world in context of the content being taught and the reading material can be built into a unit with other informative texts and connections.

Do you experience any specific challenges in implementing technology into literacy instruction?

Some of the challenges we experiences is that of the lack of technology familiarity on the part of the teachers, as well as schools not being able to afford to have technology in the classrooms the way it would be used best. Another challenge in our community is sensitivity to cultures which are wary of technology in children's instruction.

What is one technology usage that you do not use that you think would make a difference in literacy instruction? Why don't you use it?

Because of the limitations mentioned above, the teachers are the ones who use the technology to prepare all the material and connections. If students would have access to internet, we would be able to conduct student-centered learning in which students would actually do the research themselves, make connections between text, real life, other texts and experiences. When students are the ones conducting the work, it leads to greater understanding and deeper connection to the lessons.