Technology and Literacy – Term Paper

Currently, the American children using interactive media and technology each day is growing across the country. This has changed the discussion about the appropriateness of technology use to how it should be employed to support child’s early learning. Integration of technology in early literacy (InTEL) through community innovation and family engagement has been enhanced to impact positively on children’s learning and family involved programs all over America. Equally, InTEL map has been released in the latest America’s Atlas tool. Children can see innovative programs location, their design and  their expected impact (Integrating Technology in Early Literacy, 2016).

InTEL map

There are various underlying issues that need to be identified to support the effectiveness of the policy recommendations. This would make sure children achieve success in learning and families acceptance. First is assessment of the degree of families inequality in accessing digital media. There is the need for creation of new communication channels  to improve sharing of resources between public media outlets, public libraries, publicly-funded institutions and school districts. Secondly is the funding of peer-reviewed and independent researches related to the works involved in digital media and literacy learning field as well as what is not involved. This would ensure effective use of technology in early literacy (NASP Center, 2016).  Third is use of grant programs as well as competition funds from the federal government that supports organizations working to create digital tutors, media mentors as well as locate and follow innovation developed from different states and societies for equity distribution (Shayna, 2016).

Children families have shown some cooperation by availing digital media to their children which they use in the learning process. The government through the education sector makes sure that there is equity, access and collaboration of different sector in availing the right learning materials to all education institutions. Equally, the government must make sure that there is a focus on community needs by identifying the right goals that relate to students and societal needs.

Literacy and Technology

There are various stakeholders in the education sector who need to be included in policy and process practice. In addition, various factors need to be considered. There currently exist 37 programs in the united states that help in technology use in early literacy. 19 of the programs have a family engagement component. 11 programs are related to school or centre-based initiatives. Five programs are used in public media partnerships while other five are employed by professional learning for educators. Four programs are connected to a museum or library (Shayna, 2016). This shows that all stakeholders have been involved in making this critical decision .

There are various benefits in using data for policy and practice process especially in education sector. They help to avoid taking sides in clashing views on educational issues (Koonce, 2015) by determining the right method in policy process, students rights are protected. By summarizing various factors and practice results, there exists an informed instruction and intervention in a response to intervention to be taken (Shapiro, n.d.). Multiple responses and promising results are found by analyzing data that offers recommendations based on evidence and various(Noll, 2009). alternatives and strategies of educators and policymakers (NASP, 2001). However, there is problem in using data if it is biased, has errors or is not comprehensive. This decreases its reliability in undertaking policies and practices in education programs. These data limitations makes the whole process lack worthiness and the policy makers become disoriented.

Technology in Schools

The process of using technology in early literacy among children is important in every aspect of child growth. Thus there is need to introduce media technology to junior school. This will improve equity to all children access to learning. Teacher need to be trained on the new aspect of teaching using media technology which will increase their competence in issues related to children learning. Institutions equally need to adapt the latest technology to create an environment that is conducive to technological teaching and learning. Increased affordability to media equipment such as tablets and laptop should be the government endeavor to ensure that there easy access.

When making a decision, it is important to rely on the existing facts. This can be achieved by having various data that can be compared differently to avoid bias and incomprehensibility. Decisions from such data are informed and reliable. In most cases, different research find new information that is important in making decision as time elapses. Current and up to date research is more reliable in making critical decision than an old one. after using research and data, the findings should be represented to stakeholders who have the final say on making decisions (Noll, 2009). By involving them in decision making, it motivates and encourages them to be part of the process to be undertaken.

References

Deaf Boy Asked To Make Controversial Change (VIDEO). (2012). The Huffington Post. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/28/hunter-spanjer-3-year-old_n_1836159.html

How does the RTI Framework intersect with the Common Core State Standards Initiative? | Center on Response to Intervention. (2016). Rti4success.org. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://www.rti4success.org/video/how-does-rti-framework-intersect-common-core-state-standards-initiative

Integrating Technology in Early Literacy. (2016). New America. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/policy-papers/integrating-technology-early-literacy/

NASP Center. (2016). Naspcenter.org. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://www.naspcenter.org/factsheets/zt_fs.html

Noll, J. W. (2009). Taking side: Clashing views on educational issues.

Shayna cook (20016). Integrating Technology in Early Literacy. A Snapshot of Community Innovation in Family Engagement