ICT Projects (2): Tools to enhance reading

skills
[8.1] How to study this unit

[8.2] Tools to enhance reading skills

8
UNIT
 ICT Tools Applied to the Learning of English Language

Key ideas

8.1. How to study this unit

To study this unit, you need to read the following articles about different tools to
enhance reading skills in ESL classroom:

Korabiak, Kathryn and Mete, Nicola. “ICT in the Discipline of Reading”

http://pages.uoregon.edu/moursund/DigitalAge1/Project-Reading.pdf

Castellani, John and Jeffs, Tara. “Emerging Reading and Writing Strategies Using
Technology”
https://www.academia.edu/48875645/Emerging_Reading_and_Writing_Strategies_
Using_Technology

Szymaúska, Aleksandra and Wujec Kaczmarek, Alicja. “Reading efficiency in

blended learning context”
http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-ff3462cf-aa51-
4bcb-a1c9-a62d943e832a

One of the most difficult skills to teach to young learners is that of reading.
On the one hand, they may be not very proficient in their native language so being
able to improve their reading skills in ESL can be a challenge.
On the other hand, we need to combine reading with other skills such as
writing for the students to be able to understand their progress as a whole

Teachers need to create materials not only for students to develop their reading skill
but also activities which enhance and engage the student in their learning
process. Thus in this unit, we are going to use some tools that allow teachers to
create reading materials for the students.

UNIT 8 – Key ideas

 ICT Tools Applied to the Learning of English Language

8.2. Tools to enhance reading skills

Storybird

Storybird

http://storybird.com/

Storybird are short, art-inspired stories that are curiously fun to make, share and
read. You can choose from hundreds of drawings and images and then write a story to
go with them. The website is free to sign up and class accounts are possible. Finished
story books can be embedded into blogs or read via the website, so, it would be a
wonderful way to show parents what their children read in class.

For older students, it would be also a great tool to create their own stories.

UNIT 8 – Key ideas

 ICT Tools Applied to the Learning of English Language

Story Maker

Story Maker

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/make-your-own/story-maker

Story Maker is suitable for young learners. Similar to Story Maker from the previous
point, My Story Maker is a tool that helps teachers to write their own stories. Add
characters and objects to the storyboard, and click them to add actions. A basic story
will be automatically written, and the students can then embellish the text with
adjectives and other descriptive words.

You will find a variety of characters to add to your story, including a scientist, a
mermaid, a ghost, a dragon, a dinosaur, a robot and many, many more. Settings include
a desert, a sea, the moon, a forest, a room and more.

When the story is finished, you can print it or link to a PDF version of the book.

UNIT 8 – Key ideas

 ICT Tools Applied to the Learning of English Language

In Depth

Technology

Gavin Dudeney talks about what digital literacy is and its implications for teachers.

The video is available in the following link:

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/seminars/digital-literacy

Book and builder

Website to create, share, publish, and read digital books that engage and support
diverse learners according to their individual needs, interests, and skills.

http://bookbuilder.cast.org/

UNIT 8 – In Depth
 ICT Tools Applied to the Learning of English Language

Children Storybooks online

Great site with hundreds of books online (some of them include audio).

http://www.magickeys.com/books/

UNIT 8 – In Depth
 ICT Tools Applied to the Learning of English Language

Test

1. The purpose of this unit is to:

A. Present some authoring tools for teachers.
B. To suggest some IT tools which you can use to reinforce your students’ reading
skill.

2. The IT Tools presented in this unit are:

A. Tools exclusively for the teachers.
B. Tools to help teachers to create reading material.

3. With Storybird you can:

A. Create a story with drawings and pictures and store it online with access to the
parents of your parents.
B. Read stories online but it is not a creative tool.

4. My Story Maker:
A. is a tool that helps teachers to write their own stories.
B. allows teachers to print the story or link to a PDF version of the book.
C. All the above.

UNIT 8 – Test