Teaching With Technology

Whether you are new to teaching or just new to teaching with technology, integrating computer use in your literacy and content-area curriculum can be challenging. The following suggestions will assist you in using technology to support your students' literacy development:

• Plan for integrating instruction in technology with your regular curriculum. This will allow for more time to use technology in authentic learning experiences.
• Prepare for "Plan B" in case technology breaks down. Make sure you have books and other print resources to support learning.
• Learn what your students can already do with technology and what they can handle in subsequent instruction.
• Keep the focus on the content learning, with technology use to support that content.
• Schedule mini-lessons on using technology (the Internet, software programs, word processing programs) before integrating with the curriculum.
• Explore search engines that are designed for children (e.g., Yahooligans, Kidsclick).
• Explore classroom teachers' Web sites for your grade level to learn about instructional practices for literacy and technology.
• Schedule specific times for computer use to provide all students with equal access to technology use and practice.
• Situate computers so that monitor screens are clearly visible to you and the students.
• Take advantage of professional development opportunities to learn more about how to use technology to support literacy learning.