ICT and Primary Literacy

Teachers can use technology and personal computer based solutions to increase the "read-to" time and expose students to interesting and sophisticated stories. Doing so can greatly increase their access to informational text and related content retention. Technology also provides skills in phonological awareness, word-shape recognition and the translation of English sounds into corresponding spelling. The classroom computer enhances the teacher skills in these situations.

Technology can dramatically increase “read-to” time: WYNN, TextHelp Read and Write Gold and Kurzweil 3000 facilitate book-reading to students. The student sees and hears the specific word being read. The sentences are highlighted, with sub-sentences being highlighted while using WYNN and Kurzweil. Any book can be scanned into WYNN or Kurzweil with illustrations and any Word document can be converted into Microsoft Reader. This software links the word’s shape-image to its sound, building essential reading skill and allowing dramatic improvements in vocabulary acquisition. WYNN, and to a slightly lesser extent Kurzweil, also add in dictionaries, thesauruses and other grammatical tools.

Technology can offer connection between sounds and spelling in English. ViaVoice, an IBM/Nuance voice-to-text solution, allows a student of low phonological skills to dictate to the computer and observe the words appear. Though it requires unique voice training for each student, it improves the language understanding of the students.

Technology offers information, access to non-readers and weak readers. WYNN, TextHelp Read and Write Gold, Microsoft Reader and Kurzweil 3000 all supply students with book-reading possibilities that might otherwise be unreachable. This encourages the students to proceed further in areas of his interest besides just keeping up with the informational text.

Technology offers sophisticated story access to weak readers. WYNN, TextHelp Read and Write Gold, Microsoft Reader and Kurzweil 3000 allow student reading groupings based in affinity instead of specific reading capabilities. It also enables students to work on complex issues as they work on decoding them.

Technology offers Web access to weak readers. WYNN, FoxyVoice (in the Firefox browser) and other tools allow students to engage in Web research and Web-based communication on a leveal equal to their colleagues with stronger reading skills.

Technology can provide testing accommodations. WYNN’s Test Talker and TextHelp Read and Write Gold can read tests and record student answers. Microsoft Reader can allow testing possibilities if tests are converted from MS Word.