From Pencils to Podcasts: Digital Tools for Transforming K-6 Literacy Practices

Fully embedding technology into the curriculum is key to preparing students to meet the demands of the 21st century. No single digital tool or instructional strategy will suit all classroom situations. As a result, From Pencils to Podcasts outlines many digital tools and strategies that the authors have found valuable and accessible in their own teaching experiences as well in other teachers’ classrooms. The authors provide K–6 teachers with practical suggestions for incorporating technology into familiar literacy practices and illustrate ways technology can deepen students’ literacy development. Each chapter includes information about easy-to-use technology tools, examples from real classrooms, and step-by-step instructions to get started.

Benefits

• Appraise how 21st century notions of literacy differ from traditional notions of literacy.
• Consider research that states why it is crucial to include digital tools in today’s classrooms.
• Learn how to enable students to create, communicate, collaborate, share, reflect, and assess through digital means.
• Gain step-by-step instructions for incorporating easily implemented digital tools into classroom practices, and see these tools and practices in action through vignettes.
• Receive tips for adapting the suggested digital tools and instructional strategies to meet the needs of different content areas.
• Improve students’ ability to function productively in an increasingly technology-oriented world.

Contents

Introduction: Literacy in the 21st Century

Part I: Tools to Facilitate Comprehension and Analysis

1. Digital Word Wall
2. Digital Reader Response
3. Online Literature Discussions

Part II: Tools to Facilitate Evaluation and Revision

4. Collaborative Evaluation of Online Sources
5. Online Book Reviews
6. Digital Revision
7. Reader’s Theater Digital Movies

Part III: Tools to Facilitate Performance and Publication

8. Informational Writing Using Infographics
9. Collaborative Digital Story Retelling
10. Published Writing

Part IV: Tools to Facilitate Assessment and Reflection

1. Reading Histories
2. Conferences with Readers and Writers
3. Digital Portfolios
4. Digital Formative Assessment of Reading Comprehension

The Un-Conclusion: It’s Not the End

Appendix: Reproducibles

References and Resources

Index