COMMITMENT

Commitment and dedication is what it would take to successfully plan and implement lessons infusing technology with tried and tested methods of teaching reading . Those of us who have had to think long and hard to come up with five lessons and determine the appropriate technology to use with those lessons can attest to this fact.We must plan though since it is the teacher who makes the difference in effective reading instruction. Planning however is not all. Actually producing the technology is another matter. It's time consuming and a great deal of thought has to go into getting the technology right. I know too that we all have to think of contingency plans such as what to do in the event of a power failure.We also have to think up innovative ways to assess the lessons. We then have to look for appropriate hand outs and exercises to make the lessons meaningful and complete. All the best to you my colleagues and good luck to those of us whose lessons might be chosen as model lessons. I know it can be done because our teachers are creative and innovative. We have to be haven't we? We work with limited resources and are still able to work magic. Don't give up the struggle.

QUO VADIS?

Where do we go from here? So we are ninety budding Reading Specialists. We have just gone through a course which exposed us to the use of technology. We have seen how technology can enhance reading and make it possible to stimulate a child's interest. We have seen how we can capture the imagination of today's youth using the technological tools which they are growing up with. The tools which they are fascinated with and which have become part and parcel of their lives. Technology is natural to this generation as turning the pages of a book is natural to my generation. I have a few questions though. Some of us are returning to schools where there are no computers. Some of us have computers but no internet connection. Some of us can use technology effectively. Some of us still need some practice and exposure. For neophytes like myself I feel we needed this course to be of a longer duration so that we could have mastered the technology a little better. The only good thing is that we have each other and can call on each other for support and assistance. The other thing to do would be to practice,practice,practice.

What about the other teachers in the system who have not been exposed to is course? Do you think we can make a dent in teaching and learning styles?Can we convince the traditionalists to change? I would like to hear some of your thoughts on this. Thanks to Aisha, Cherisse(my charming and patient teacher) and Murella for providing us with hope for moving some students from reluctant to striving readers.