D. Technology for Learning

There is considerable concern today about women feeling alienated by the new technologies. Among the issues, critics worry about access to training, about access to hardware and software, and about job loss as the workplace is restructured and traditional work options disappear. On the other hand, advocates point out the democratizing possibilities of computers, the ability of women to speak "anonymously" on-line and the new opportunities for learning made available to those with various learning difficulties or physical disabilities. There are clearly many issues to ponder in the years ahead, but while the debate continues, teachers in real places are using technologies in new ways to teach and to lead learners into the world of the future.

New technologies, such as computers or CD-ROM, offer exciting possibilities when used thoughtfully in conjunction with more traditional ways of learning. The ideas presented here illustrate one way of integrating technology into a standard family literacy program. Any type of literacy program could be similarly restructured.

The activities in this section are adapted from Family Literacy Computer Activities by Virginia Tardaewether, a family literacy instructor in Salem, Oregon. Becoming familiar with and comfortable using a computer is one goal for these ESL and ABE parents, the majority of whom are mothers. Some of these activities are only for the child, some only for the adult and some for both playing together. Each has a different purpose and a different time line. Look at them as models and develop your own exercises using software with which you are familiar.

If you are just getting started, Virginia Tardaewether has produced an entire book of activities with resource lists included. (See Resources)

1. Using children's computer software

* Ask students to work with a partner (perhaps a child) and give each an assignment that involves working with the programs you have available to teach children reading and writing.

* Ask students, in pairs, to open a children's games program, and complete the following assignment:

• Choose three games.
• With your partner, play each game long enough to understand how it works.
• Using the word processor, describe what a child would learn from each game.
• Save to your disk, print it and turn it in.

* Ask students to work with a child, and complete the following assignment:

• Let the child pick a software program to play.
• Play for a while. Have fun!
• Write down the kinds of things you talked about while you were playing together.

2. Draw

* Ask students, in pairs, to use a drawing program to draw a picture.
* Ask them to fill in a pattern in one or more sections of the drawing, and to print the final drawing.

3. Class book

* Ask students to select a favorite song, chant, nursery rhyme or story.
* Ask them to write the words and illustrate their pieces using the computer and scanner.
* Use a selection from each student to create a class book for students to take home and share with their families.