How to Integrate Computers into Teaching Reading Comprehension
Here are a few helpful tips
ESL students should have opportunities to perform the following activities:
1. Study whole, meaningful texts - large chunks of related text rather than bits and pieces of unrelated language fragments allow students to learn the language naturally and with a feeling.
2. Perform word recognition activities that stress the use of word meanings in conjunction with phonics and word structure.
3. Apply the skills being taught in
meaningful and practical way; activities that reject the learner a chance to make use of the skills being acquired are only assessment tools and do little to advance the student's development.
4. Use materials within the range of the students’ conceptual development; the tasks should be challenging but not frustrating.
5. Discuss the purpose of the
computer task or program as well as its nature; learners should be aware not only of what they are supposed to do but also of why doing it is important (foster active involvement and stimulate thinking).
6. Use activities that build in opportunities for students to make choices and test predictions help them learn to think and act on their own rather than merely react to someone else's thinking.
7. Monitor their own learning; tasks that offer students opportunities to self-check and correct their own errors support the development of independent learners.
8. Encounter a wide variety of text structures; a variety of narrative and expository structures should be provided. In this way computer instruction in reading will support and extend students' knowledge of text structures.
9. Experiment with text in creative ways to suit various purposes; give a chance for the students to reorganize information on the computer and apply information to specific genres.
10. Apply their reading strategies to all areas of the curriculum; make use of content from a wide range of subject areas such as programs related to science, social studies, and math require the use of strategies for reading comprehension.
11. Apply the computer in conjunction with other modes of instruction; the
computer should not operate as a separate and isolated means of learning; its use should be
integrated with that of books and other learning materials and
tools.
12. Link reading and
writing - create texts for sharing with others; in this way, revision and proofreading strategies will involve reading and writing skills.
