ormational content reigns supreme on the Internet. To use current events as one example, the currency of information and use of media to communicate the news is unparalleled. To begin, we recommend bookmarking quality sites that pupils read on a regular basis. Many educational publishers and organizations provide free online content, including articles and media about current events, some of which are generated by pupils themselves. A few of our favorites include the following:
· Time for Kids lt; # justify gt; A recent visit to some of our favorite sites included articles about the top stories in the news, a pupil blog about animal myths featured in the animated film Fantastic Mr. Fox, and an explanation of three sided snowflakes. The texts include graphics, video, and sound, along with written text, providing many ways of engaging with the content. Students can rotate taking on the role of Internet news reporter, scanning bookmarked sites for interesting news to share with the class or post to a class blog. Students can also pursue individual interests as they read digital text during sustained silent reading.second example is based on literature pupils read in the classroom, generating interest in more reading by developing intertextual connections [7]. Using a digital poster or PowerPoint screen to show a splash of book cover images and screen captures of websites, movie trailers, and blogs invites pupils to pursue their interests in particular authors, books, genres, popular culture, and media.example, a screen displaying a book that the class is reading, such as Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux, links to several screens, one featuring her website and online interviews, another to a site with video clips from The Tale of Despereaux movie, and still another highlighting other fantasy books and comics. The splash screens can be printed out to build a wall mural that pupils expand as they continue reading.examples highlight the value of teachers previewing Internet content. However, pupils will also need support in learning how to search and find their own reading materials on the Internet. This will necessitate teaching Internet safety, something that is now required to obtain E-Rate funding (Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, 2009), as well as strategies for searching and evaluating Internet content [8].
9. Increase reading volume by listening to digital text with a text-to-speech tool and audio books
A common concern among educators is the readability of websites and Internet content. One powerful strategy is to allow pupils to listen to text with a text-to-speech (Text-to-speech) tool or, when available, listen to audio narration. This provides pupils with access to age-appropriate content and grade-level curriculum, a right mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. For struggling readers, Text-to-speech increases their reading speed, reduces stress, and for some , but not all, improves comprehension
Fortunately, there are free Text-to-speech tools that can be mounted on the browser toolbar for easy access while reading, such as Click, Speak for Firefox (click speak. clcworld), or downloaded to your desktop, such as the NaturalReader free Text-to-speech utility lt; # center gt; 10. Combine vocabulary learning and social service
Many of these Internet-based strategies use Web 2.0 technologies to promote social learning. They also tap into pupils natural desire to create, to participate in communities, and to develop strategic competence. Recent reports on pupils digital literacies highlight the importance of this kind of learning. This final Internet-based strategy is a free online vocabulary game, Free Rice lt; # center gt; 1.3 Vocabulary - an adaptive learning system
What is Vocabulary?
Vocabulary is the easiest, most intelligent way to improve your vocabulary. It combines an adaptive learning system (The Challenge) with the world s fastest dictionary, so that you can more quickly and more efficiently learn words.
Why Vocabulary?
They teach you useful words. They don t waste your time. They start by looking at books, periodicals, and other material that cumulatively contain over 1.6 billion words. From this corpus, they pull out the most essential English vocabulary words, the words that you need to succeed in an academic or business environment. This list serves as the basis for their learning platform.
They teach you only the words that you have trouble with.
Vocabulary uses a proprietary technology that they call Adaptive Vocabulary Instruction or AVI. Unlik...
