Main Topics

Introduction Basic Assumptions Literacy Rich Environment Managing the Classroom Environment Technology Integration Interactive Commercial Software Adaptations/Customization Assessment of Literacy Skills Performance Indicators Emergent Literacy Site Map

Technology Integration

Sub-Topics (Click on topic you wish to see) Technology Applications Basic Technology Assumptions Software Interactive Commercial Software HyperStudio Tool Function Software Resources Related to Literacy and Software

Interactive Commercial Software

This category of software includes storybook types of programs, such as those made by the Living Books and other companies. These programs help children gain early literacy skills by giving them the opportunity to explore the sound and meaning of words which appear on the screen. In some programs, such as “Green Eggs and Ham”a selected word can turn into the picture representation. For example when children click on the word “eggs” they see a picture of eggs, and the word “ham” turns into a picture of ham. This helps children learn that words and pictures have meaning.

Advantages to using storybook software:

The advantage to using interactive software based on stories is that:

• Pictures in the story come alive for children. When a child clicks on a character or object on the screen, something happens.
  
• Actions by characters on the screen relate directly to the words in the story. An example is “Storytime Tales” which contains simple graphics and one sentence of text for each page.
  
• Children may find it easier to understand the meaning of the story when they see graphics that relate directly to the content of the story. They begin to relate words with meaning and actions.

	http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/e_read2/eggsnham/merge.shtml
	Creating Literacy Based Communication Boards http://aacintervention.com/litboards.htm

Curriculum Activities with Interactive Commercial Software

	Green Eggs & Ham- eMERGing Literacy and Technology: Working together, p. 113.
	Just Me and My Mom-eMERGing Literacy and Technology: Working together, p. 155.
	Smelly Mystery -eMERGing Literacy and Technology: Working together, p. 247.
Internet Resources on Using Storybooks on the Computer
	Storybooks on Computer- An Overview. An article on the NCIP (National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education Through Technology, Media, and Materials) website which discusses choosing and using software based on storybooks. http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/library/ec/Storybks.htm

Hyperstudio

HyperStudio is an authoring program which can be used as a literacy tool. Educators and families can make storybooks which are customized to relate to individual children's interest and real events, people, and animals in children's lives. The software contains options for adding:

• digital or scanned pictures
• children's photographs
• artwork
• recorded voices
• videotape segments

HyperStudio Authoring Program http://www.hyperstudio.com/

Images from commercial software can also be captured in a file.

Teachers and children can create their own software based on authentic experiences and interests. Stacks may be created around a recent field trip, such as a trip to farm or apple orchard.

A stack can also become a child's portfolio of favorite activities and friends at school. By adding children's own work to a stack, the result is a customized product that children can enjoy and be proud of.

Hyperstudio Continued...