6/27/08, Technology in a Reading Clinic

When I came across an article examining the use technology in a university tutoring clinic where graduate students worked with struggling readers, I knew it was the one for me. This article looks at how the graduate students used technology in their tutoring sessions, how the tutees reacted to it, and how it can increase reading skills. This related to me, and many of my peers, because we are currently in a graduate class where we tutor struggling readers through a university tutoring clinic. We are also strongly encouraged to integrate technology in our tutoring sessions, which I have been working hard to embrace.
The article, "Teachers' Use of Technology in a Reading Clinic" (Balajthy, Rueber, Robinson), concludes the following four factors when it comes to using technology to help and motivate struggling readers:
"- Clinicians often did not have clear reading or literacy objectives when using computer-based instruction
-Clinicians’ technological competence and willingness to use computers were sufficient, given the availability of resource personnel
-Time demands both for evaluating software and for planning systematic instruction are significant
-Computers are powerful motivational devices for some students."

What stands out to most is the idea of time demands for evaluating software and planning with it are significant. I agree that this could take a substantial amount of time if students were not use to integrating it into their lesson plans, were not doing effectively, or did not spend enough time sharing resources in class. Luckily in our tutoring class, as well as CI 588, we have spent a lot of time becoming familiar with computer programs, handhelds, and websites, that other tutors found to be helpful. This article also reiterates the fact that using technology is a huge motivation tool for all children. My tutee loves using the iPod to record and listen to books, which also helps build fluency. We have done a few other computer games and activities and it is at these times she seems most engaged. I want to continue to use technology while I am tutoring and hope that my peers take advantage of it, too.

Balajthy, E., Reuber, K., & Robinson, C. (2001, October). Teachers’ use of technology in a reading clinic. Reading Online, 5(3). Available: http://www.readingonline.org/articles/art_index.asp?HREF=balajthy/index.html