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Web Reviews: Put Books and Digital Skills to Work Online

By Jennifer W. Shettel
 | May 25, 2015

Twenty-first century teachers and parents already know technology can be both a blessing and a curse. While the International Literacy Association recognizes and promotes the use of “new literacies” in 21st century classrooms, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to no more than two hours a day for children through their teens.

So how do we harness that time to marry technology and literacy? Here are some of the best apps and websites that do just that.

Tech for Teachers

Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything

Looking to up your tech-game for next school year? Spend some quality time on this comprehensive website maintained and updated regularly by educational technologist Kathy Schrock.

All Ages

Bookmark these websites that highlight innovative technologies for the K–12 classroom:

Ages 4–8

E-books

Need something for long car rides this summer? There are plenty of wonderful interactive e-books for parents to load on their iPads for young children. Favorites include Sandra Boynton’s Moo, Baa, La La La!, Pop Out! The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and Sesame Street’s The Monster at the End of this Book. Note: E-books are also available for other non-Apple devices.

The Sight Word Adventure 

Practice sight words with this app using words from both the Dolch and Fry word lists and a variety of games designed to teach automaticity with sight word recognition.

Ages 9–11

Wonderopolis

There is plenty to explore for kids, parents, and teachers at Wonderopolis, where the daily “Wonder of the Day” sparks conversation and research. Maintained by the National Center for Families Learning, it is a virtual treasure trove of big questions like, “Why do bees sting?” and “Can chocolate be good for you?” Each day, a new “wonder” is posted for kids to read about, learn new vocabulary, and link to videos and other resources. There’s even a virtual Summer Camp that kids of all ages can participate in.

Gamestar Mechanic

Tired of kids spending their time playing video games? Turn the tables and have them create video games. Gamestar Mechanic is specifically designed for 7–14-year-olds to learn how to become game designers. Technical literacy skills are fully engaged when students read, plan, and design their own games using beginner computer code.

Ages 12­–14

Hogwarts is Here

You might never see students sign up for Summer School faster than when they can register for courses at Hogwarts. This website was built by and for fans of the Harry Potter series. Once registered (students must be at least 13 to have an account), students can enroll in courses including astronomy, herbology, and Disney Lit.

Who Was? Adventure

Fans of the Who Was/Is Penguin Group biography series, often nicknamed “the bobblehead biographies,” will enjoy this app. It provides a game-style platform for information about historical and pop culture individuals. Parents and teachers will appreciate that, in addition to the great learning that can happen, this app is rated 100% child safe, with no in app-purchases, ads, or external links.

Ages 15+

Fakebook and iFakeText

With programs like Fakebook and iFakeText, students can create mock versions of two favorite social tools: Facebook and texting. Analyzing characters in literature takes on a new dimension when students create Fakebook pages for them, and understanding character motivation goes to a deeper level when students create dialogue between characters using texting language.

Sync YA

Encourage teens to “plug in” to books with free audio downloads all summer long. Each week, Sync YA releases a new classic/contemporary pairing, like Great Expectations (1861) paired with Dodger (2012). Each pairing is available free to download to a variety of devices for only one week, so be sure to sign up for the text message reminders when a new pairing is ready.

Jennifer W. Shettel is an associate professor at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy for preservice and practicing teachers. Prior to joining the faculty at Millersville, she spent 16 years as an elementary classroom teacher and reading specialist.

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Literacy Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group and are published weekly on Literacy Daily.

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