Technology
Disclaimer: The NJ Department of Education does not endorse any particular product or software. The state does not have a mandated textbook adoption program or state curriculum. It is recommended that districts review programs before including them in a curriculum.
| Research and Activities | |
| Beginning Reading - Introduction | Looks at beginning reading and technology, from 28 Takes on 21st Century Literacy Instruction, part of LEARNWEB, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Links to related papers on the subject. |
| The Early Childhood Emergent Literacy Technology Research Study, from Western Illinois University Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education. | "The major purpose of the 3 year EC-ELT study... was to describe and explain the effects of an Interactive Technology Literacy Curriculum (ITLC) on emergent literacy knowledge and abilities of 3, 4, and 5-year-old children who demonstrated mild to moderate disabilities." "ITLC benefited children's literacy behaviors and other behaviors as well in a number of ways..." |
| Early Reading -Technology Project from CTAP (California Technology Assistance Project). | A grant funded enterprise. Check out the timeline needed for development, and the variety of *projects* created by teacher teams. |
| LEARNS, from NWREL. | LEARNS is a partnership between Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory and Bank Street College of Education. It primarily supports a Volunteer Tutor Program, as well as The LEARNS Literacy Assessment Profile. |
| Using Technology to Enhance Literacy Instruction from NCREL. | "Literacy instruction traditionally refers to the teaching of basic literacy skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In today's digital world, however, technology has contributed to an expanded understanding of literacy." The site gives research, and support for both reading and writing. |
| Online | |
| Kid's Online Resources. Early Childhood Page 1 and Page 2. | An outstanding group of interactive resources. Also refer to the various Language Arts pages. |
| Pre-K Smarties - Online Learning Tools for Preschoolers | A list of links to "fun stuff" such as memory games, counting games, and many links for parents. |
| Software | |
| Early Learning software by All Star Review. | Reviews and sells software. Some linked sites allow a demo to be downloaded. |
| Knowledge Adventure software. | Includes the Blaster Learning Systems for Reading and for Math. JumpStart Learning Systems Products are cross-disciplinary by grade. See a review of Reading Blaster Jr. by All Star Review. |
| Software Index from The Reading Village Project of the Los Angeles County Office of Education. | A good list of software, with comments. However, not all of the outside links are maintained and/or working. |
| STAR Early Literacy™ | Check out the Sample Screens for sample questions, and look at the Sample Reports for diagnostic and growth samples. |
| SuperKids Reading Software reviews. | Includes ratings for "Ease of Use," "Kid Appeal" and "Educational Value." There are additional reviews, listed by subject. |
