The TRUE Gap
Chapter six of Tap, Click, Read talked solely about apps and everything they have to offer. Which are the best apps? Which offer all 23 components of true literacy development? However, it did not mention the real gap, the real problem with literacy apps.
I have been told I have an old fashion way about teaching. I have old fashion beliefs and practices when it comes to the ways I teach my students. As a literacy specialist, I struggle with technology and literacy. It honestly makes me cringe, sometimes. Yes, literacy apps can be great for long car rides, doctor appointments and even grocery stores. My argument to these notions...how were families doing it 10 years ago? Before the invention of these apps and tablets for that matter. These apps cannot replace the early exposure, the early teachings of literacy development. Even so, I have yet to mention the true problem with these apps, the true gap with literacy apps.
The true gap is the lack of a relationship with the teacher or instructor. There is nothing more important in literacy development that the relationship you build with the teacher or instructor. Parents need to be educated on how important THEIR role is in regards to their child's early literacy development. It's not just because they are the parents and it's their "parental duty". The relationship they build with the child as they go through the early literacy journey is essential to their development. One suggestion, the parents should be navigating these apps with their children. Use smart TVs to explore the games and activities these apps have to offer, to help build that relationship.
Technology is a wonderful thing, it can truly help a child's development. BUT it cannot replace the parents role in their child's literacy journey. These apps lack the personal relationship in the literacy journey, the most important aspect. Building relationships is the key.
I have been told I have an old fashion way about teaching. I have old fashion beliefs and practices when it comes to the ways I teach my students. As a literacy specialist, I struggle with technology and literacy. It honestly makes me cringe, sometimes. Yes, literacy apps can be great for long car rides, doctor appointments and even grocery stores. My argument to these notions...how were families doing it 10 years ago? Before the invention of these apps and tablets for that matter. These apps cannot replace the early exposure, the early teachings of literacy development. Even so, I have yet to mention the true problem with these apps, the true gap with literacy apps.
The true gap is the lack of a relationship with the teacher or instructor. There is nothing more important in literacy development that the relationship you build with the teacher or instructor. Parents need to be educated on how important THEIR role is in regards to their child's early literacy development. It's not just because they are the parents and it's their "parental duty". The relationship they build with the child as they go through the early literacy journey is essential to their development. One suggestion, the parents should be navigating these apps with their children. Use smart TVs to explore the games and activities these apps have to offer, to help build that relationship.
Technology is a wonderful thing, it can truly help a child's development. BUT it cannot replace the parents role in their child's literacy journey. These apps lack the personal relationship in the literacy journey, the most important aspect. Building relationships is the key.
I completely agree with you! Less communication is happening between teachers and their students as well as families and children. It saddens me that times have come to just putting a tablet in front of a child's face will keep them occupied! I think that technology is great when it is implemented the right way, but teachers and parents need to learn that using it as a distraction is not the correct way.
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