Best Technological Ways to Increase Engagement in the Classroom

Snehansu, K. (2013).  Best technological ways to increase engagement in the classroom.  EdTech  

      Review. http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/485-increase-engagement-in-classroom-           using-technology

           In this article, author Kumar Snehansu, provides useful technological tools and strategies teachers can use in their classroom to engage students in active learning.  In the article he provides technology related suggestions specific for primary age children and then suggestions geared toward secondary and higher education.  He reported the education dropout rate is 10-15% each school year.  The reasoning varies from student to student, but one reason for drop out was due in part to a “loss of interest toward studies.”  As we are moving toward technology rich educational settings, it important we know how to utilize these tools in the classroom.

         At the primary level Snehansu suggests iPads to foster creativity and provide interactive learning experiences for students.  Another tool he suggests is using videos, animations, and humorous videos to create excitement and interest in learning activities.  He also said the use of email with parents was important at the primary level to communicate and keep parents informed. 

            I was shocked by the number of dropouts each school year, especially 10-15% at the primary level?!  I think he is right that education is changing.  In my opinion, technology is what we need to make a positive change in education.  I can see the difference technology makes in my classroom with the limited tools I have.  During center time, my students are most engaged and able to sustain attention for the longest period of time when they are using the ipad or computer.  Throughout the day, I supplement lessons and activities with videos and songs.  The beat from the music, animations, and movement makes learning both fun and engaging for students.   Not only do I use technology to support instruction but I also use it for classroom management purposes. 

          I think some teachers are hesitant to incorporate technology into the classroom because of the unknown.  With proper training, support, and guidance, I think a 1:1 environment where all student have access to a device can provide a powerful educational experience. 

Learning to Read with Multimedia Materials

Research Center- Center for Implementing Technology in Education.  Learning to read with multimedia materials.  

      http://www.cited.org/index.aspx?page_id=144.

     This article outlines benefits and provides tips for incorporating multimedia into the 4 main areas of reading instruction- phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension.  Research shows these are vital areas to provide students with explicit instruction as these skills are necessary for success in reading.  Much research has been conducted on ways to enhance literacy instruction and support struggling readers.  Researchers have been making great efforts to enhance literacy instruction through the use of technology.  According to the Center for Implementing Technology in Education (n.d.), “technology and the understanding of how to support reading instruction and achievement have both advanced.”  Multiple studies reveal multimedia integration into literacy instruction can positively support students’ learning. The article provides tips based on research for integrating multimedia into the classroom.  It is important to note multimedia materials should be used to support and supplement explicit instruction; they should not be used as a replacement. 

Phonemic Awareness

     Students need to be able to hear sounds in words and understand that these sounds can be manipulated.  For some students this skill comes naturally while others it has proven more difficulty, especially for English Language Learners.  Multimedia programs have been shown to improve students’ phonemic awareness “because they are able to animate the relationships between oral language and print, therefore concepts are less abstract.” When choosing a program to support phonemic awareness, the article recommends choosing an individualized program to provide differentiation. With an individualized program each student can learn and advance at their own pace.  The article also recommends a program that focuses exclusively on print and language concepts and skills.

Phonics

      Students also need to understand phonics rules and spelling patterns.  The article states multimedia computer and video based programs have proven to be an effective means for supporting phonics instruction and improving students’ word recognition skills.  Animated videos and computer based games create an engaging, memorable way to understand word knowledge.  Animated videos and interactive games present concepts in a way that makes these skills more concrete for students.

Fluency

      Fluency is necessary for comprehension and can be improved upon through continued practice reading and rereading texts.  Multimedia programs can support fluency instruction.  The article recommends programs with text to speech and speech recognition features.  These features provide students with word recognition and fluency guidance/feedback.  Suggested programs are Reading Tutor and Reading Assistant. 

Comprehension

     Comprehension is understanding what we read.  Multimedia programs can support comprehension instruction “through the use of pop-ups, linked questions, online resources, and animated reading coaches or e-tutors who engage in questioning, prompts, and think aloud”(Research Center, n.d.).  Students who struggle with reading comprehension tend to have low language and vocabulary skills.  The article suggests multimedia programs with vocabulary links and supports to assist with comprehension. Recommended multimedia supports for comprehension include iSTART and Thinking Reader.

     After reading this article, I reflected on the ways I am currently utilizing multimedia to supplement and enhance my literacy instruction.  During my literacy block I use a lot of YouTube videos/songs to supplement my phonics instruction.  One of my class’s favorites is the Have Fun Teaching letter videos.  My students’ attention is immediately captured by the upbeat music.  Kindergarteners find the video’s images and letter stories silly and quite humorous.  I also like the kinesthetic piece where the students skywrite the letters using the visual cue.  The Have Fun Teaching videos are a tool I utilize on a weekly basis to supplement and reinforce our skill of the week.  These videos can reach your auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners.   We also use the Heidi Songs sight word and phonics songs in my classroom.  The songs engage the students and make the skill more memorable and fun for students.  Often times when the kids are writing, I hear them singing one of our Heidi Songs to help them recall which phonics skill to apply or how to spell one of our sight words proving to be useful tool for students.   I also use our Pearson Reading Street videos whole group to introduce and demonstrate the comprehension skill we are focusing on during the week.  After watching the video, we discuss the skill.  I find the videos to be developmentally appropriate for kindergartners and a good visual for understanding comprehensions skill. 

     I also use multimedia tools to support reading instruction during literacy centers.  This year I am using Earobics to support my students who are struggling with phonemic awareness.  I find the program is stimulating for my students who are difficult to engage during our whole group Heggerty time.  I would love for all of my students to be able to use this program. Unfortunately, I have a limited supply of devices and program licenses. 

     I would like to find more tools to incorporate into my comprehension instruction.  Is there a tool you like to use to aid comprehension instruction? Can anyone recommend an individualized comprehension program that is developmentally appropriate for kindergartners?