From the words of Smith and Dechant, reading is a key to success in school, to the development of out-of-school interests, to the enjoyment of leisure time and to personal and social adjustment. It helps a child to adjust to his age mates, to become independent of parents and teachers, to select and prepare for an occupation and to achieve social responsibilities. Reading can be considered as the key that unlocks the door to the world of enlightenment and enjoyment and the basic tool for learning in the content field. Without books, the history of mankind would be a different story.

            At present however, many are claiming that it is more comfortable and easy to use the computers than indulge in reading books and other reference materials. Nowadays, when teaching assign homeworks like different articles, stories or poems or other information, students just download it from computers. They don’t really read these from books, claiming that it’s less time-consuming to print the assignment from the computers.

            Modern technologies have dramatically changed the way information are correctly viewed, especially in applying the reading literacy. The free time of students are no longer used for reading. Electronic age has taken over not only the free time of the child is involved, but even the other adult family members. They would rather surf the internet, play video games, watch television, or watch a rented video tape of a favorite movie than read a good book.

            Although the ability to use computers is considered to be almost indispensable for survival in these times, learner must also be able to utilize such for their own purpose. Therefore as a parent or as a teacher, how can you help the children to make reading a priority? How can you make students or your young children to make books as their friends? Teachers can do something to encourage children to love reading. They can assign report as their project or produce a literary article like poems, short stories and other genres as their homework. The teacher will note their special interests and help them find books for their levels and interests. Make these assignments fun for students. Introduce them to stories not only with characters that will help them to learn lessons in life, also with values which can be caught and inculcated. On the other hand we must not forget that the used of varied technological and informational resources to gather and synthesize information, create and communicate knowledge are ways of integrating technology and literacy skills. The integration of literacy and technology is meaningful, purposeful and it promotes collaboration among students and teachers.

 

Reference:

Smith, Henry P. & Dechant, Emerald V. The Psytchology in Teaching Reading, Englewood

Cliffs, New Jersey, Trentice Hall, Inc.

By: Ailene F. Sulangi | Master Taecher I | Panibatuhan Elementary School Morong District | Morong, Bataan