Rick Allen on Technology and Literacy
Submitted by mott on April 2, 2009 - 12:31
In an article in ASCD's Education Update (Vol 50, Num 10, October 2008), Rick Allen explores some research on the use of technology to improve literacy. Some points:
- thus far research on the efficacy of technology in teaching literacy has provided "lackluster" results
- current technology does not significantly influence student performance (Effectiveness of Reading and Mathematics Software Products: Findings from the First Student Cohort)
- improved newer technologies have more promise (Intelligent Tutoring Systems: Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh - Reading Tutor, Pearson's Quick Reads) and other speech recognition software
- technology is more effective in remedial teaching (for example, learning disabilities like dyslexia)
- Charles MacArthur, Handbook of Writing Research: in a study of 9-10 year-olds with severe spelling problems, word processing software significantly improved literacy
- Carol Greig, Reading Buddies: an example of mp3 players increasing literacy skills for beginning readers
- effective tools for evaluating reading levels: KidBiz3000 and Achieve3000, Reading Assistant (available for both PC and Mac)
- software able to slow down audio is effective for students with auditory problems
In short, at the moment research shows technology does no worse than a live teacher, and can be used effectively to improve learning when used in conjunction with "live" teaching. Newer technologies provide increasingly effective results (audio analyzing, speech recognition, interactive). My feeling is that the new GarageBand, with built-in lessons, would be an example of this newer, more effective technology.
