Hi Colleagues, I have fallen in love with eBooks. I love everything about eBooks. It is a great tool for using with struggling readers and the disabled. What I like about eBooks is that students have the choice of choosing to create from a point of strength. Their creative strength. When students come to us from the primary schools they are coming with a wealth of experiences that we can use to assist them in becoming more successful and accomplished learners.
Teachers can also create eBooks that address the particular needs of students as well. Now I have a relatively easy to use tool that I can offer my students not only at the form one level, but also my form four class who have to prepare a reflective journal as a part of their final assessment in form five. Most of them are struggling readers, and do not have the necessary literacy skills. Last term I introduced them to some comprehension strategies like KWL and SSSQR . At first they were skeptical, but after using them they have come to realize their benefits. Here's to eBooks!
Best wishes!
One thing that really excites me about ebooks is that it is a simple, fun way to get children's work published. Via group work in literacy centers (Tompkins 2010), we can support student collaboration and development of stories which are culturally and socially relevant to them.
ReplyDeleteSeveral researchers are of the view that activating prior knowledge is a proven way to motivate students to read and write. ebook technology represents another avenue for motivation as students will be able to see the immediate effects of their work on the computer. Explicit writing instruction can ensure that these writing activites meet the requirements of the grade level being taught. However above and beyond teaching for academic achievement is teaching to help students develop a love for reading.
Roslyn, you are not the only one, I too believe that they are fabulous. Yes, they are great for struggling readers and children with disabilities. Moreover, it is wonderful that you already have plans of using eBooks in your future lessons. I wish you all the best in your endeavours and I believe that you will succeed.
ReplyDeleteI STILL love my paper-back!
ReplyDeleteNow, don't get me wrong...I believe the e-book has its many advantages in the classroom. I can close my eyes and picture the excitement on my students' faces when i introduce them to this (and i plan on doing so!)
I think it can be a vehicle of motivation, to help our students develop a desire for reading.
BUT, personally...I much prefer the intimate feel and smell of new pages of the books that line my shelves. I don't get the same feeling of reading off a screen.
So for now...I'm still very much in love with my paper-backs! :-)