Monday, September 16, 2013

Chapter 12 - The New Literacies: The World of Online Children's Literature




According to our textbook, children today are digital natives. Children ages 8-18 spend an average of 90 minutes a day using the computer. Even young children come to school having either firsthand experience or experience with their parents’ or siblings’ use of e-mail, cell phones, iPods, and digital cameras. Although children come to school already familiar with digital media, they do not necessarily know how to fully access and engage with them.  Teachers can use these tools to extend children’s understanding, motivation, and engagement with children’s literature in authentic ways that also extend opportunities to acquire the skill and strategies needed to live and work in the rapidly changing technological world.
Digital texts have become the new word for books! With all the possibilities there are to change the look of a book, from color to size of the font and even the option to listen to a book instead of reading it. These unique features of digital texts often result in an enriching experience that expands our traditional view of storytelling. Educators must be prepared to teach students the skills and strategies they need to successfully read and comprehend across multiple media.
Although there are many benefits of digital texts like creating a more meaningful reading experience for children when reading, it is important for students to be very familiar with how to use the navigation controls. Teachers must model and guide students through the process many times to ensure that student are actively engaged in a successful read aloud experience and do not become frustrated. Teachers must also ensure that students are not distracted by the interactive features and games rather than reading the text.


Online Books for your Classroom









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