2+-+Best+Practices

Through research from formal and informal sources, I have come up with the following best practices for ways teachers can use technology to help reluctant readers: literacy-based computer games, creating a digital library as a complement to the typical classroom library, and video book trailers.

This came as little surprise to me, but literacy-based computer games were one of the most common solutions I read about when I was doing the research for this project. One of the specific packages I found that I really liked was from [|Kids Scoop] and the program was called the "Reluctant Reader Solution." This package includes a year's supply of games and content for those who purchase it. The game is based on the idea that "work" (reading) should feel like play. The reading package offers worksheets, online games, magazines, and other variations of print to children with the end goal being to have children read for fun every day. This product seems like it could be very useful for helping reluctant readers learn how to enjoy reading more. This technology could be purchased through a grant with the school for use in the classroom or given as a suggested resource to parents of struggling reading students.

The next thing I found a lot of research on was: creating a digital library as a complement to the typical classroom library. I found many authors saying that a truly effective classroom library should have printed materials but also technology resources available, too. One way I have thought of to incorporate this in the classroom is to have the classroom library and the computer library in close proximity to one another that way students see that they can read in both areas. The main website I would have children visit while spending their time in the "computer library" is the [|International Children's Digital Library]; there, they will have access to millions of children's books online. One of the added bonuses of this website is that the books are available in multiple different languages so if children are reluctant readers due to language barriers, this is a great resource to make available for them. Creating a digital and print library in the classroom just gives students more ways to interact with reading -- more choice hopefully reaches out to more types of readers!

The last practice that I would like to present is [|Digital Booktalk]: video book trailers. The goal of video book trailers is to get students excited about reading. Digital Booktalk is "a Web portal that uses video trailers and associated activities in an attempt to effectively match potential readers" (Gunter, 2008)--it is similar to that of a movie trailer. The use of Digital Booktalk in the classroom could benefit reluctant readers because it could help those students take the first steps toward finding something they enjoy reading about. I think this could be particularly helpful for the younger, reluctant boy readers because of the action appeal associated with movie and book trailers.

Overall, I would like to close by saying that though these are some of the best practices I have found for helping reluctant readers, educators need to make sure they are good practices for their classroom. Teachers should heavily consider their students when implementing a reluctant reader intervention in their classroom--personalization is key.