Emerging Technology That Supports eLearning

I read an article advocating the use of electronic books (ebooks) to support the development of literacy skills with students. The authors focus on the benefits for students with disabilities, but I feel ebooks have benefits for all students. They say that instead of purchasing ebooks, which are expensive, teachers can easily create their own using Microsoft PowerPoint. Students retell stories they have read or heard while the teacher types their narration into a slide show template. Pictures (clipart or digital photographs) and narration or sound effects can be added to support the text. Of course, older students could create their own ebooks using PowerPoint. Some benefits the authors note of using ebooks are that students are more interactive with the text, they sequence events from the story, they retell the story using their own words (which demonstrates their comprehension), and they have boosted self-esteem because they take pride in their projects. Sounds like an easy way to integrate technology to support elearning!

Rhodes, J. & Milby, T.. (2007). Teacher-created electronic books: integrating technology to support readers with disabilities. The Reading Teacher, 61(3), 255-256, 258-259. Retrieved November 3, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals. (Document ID: 1382111701).