Brian Tombs

10/4/03

Journal Critique 2

Harrington-Lueker, Donna. (1996). Can Technology Help Teach Reading Right? Electronic Learning, 16, 32-39. Retrieved September 25, 2003 from the World Wide Web: http://proquest.umi.com

This article is about the controversy of whether or not phonics or whole language is the better method of teaching kids to read. Many examples were provided for each side of the spectrum. The examples were from teachers throughout the United States that teach kindergarten thru third grade. The teachers were not biased of one method more than the other. What method they used was due to either the demographics of the school they were in or the resources available to them. Teachers had both positive and negative things to say about both methods. The bottom line of the teachers is that they want to have a consensus on which method or practices are best for teaching students to read. There is proof that both methods are effective, but for certain students. Some students learn better using phonics while the others learned more efficiently using whole language.

I feel technology is a great aide in helping students learn to read better. Students have instant access to the internet at their fingertips; a virtual library of electronic texts for subject matter learning. The teacher though is the most important part of learning. They are the ones who decide what the best learning technique is for students. They decide when to bring in the technology aspect to learn. That is why technology is an aide. As an Instructional Assistant in High School, I see how technology is integrated into the classroom as a very important part of education. I think students need to first learn how to use technology effectively first before it can become a large instructional tool. I fI know students get excited about using technology, why not take advantage of it to a degree to help make learning a little more enjoyable for the kids.