{"id":2105,"date":"2011-10-13T08:46:51","date_gmt":"2011-10-13T12:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edutechdebate.org\/?p=2105"},"modified":"2012-09-27T10:39:02","modified_gmt":"2012-09-27T14:39:02","slug":"improving-reading-skills-through-personalizing-literacy-instruction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edutechdebate.org\/reading-skills-in-primary-schools\/improving-reading-skills-through-personalizing-literacy-instruction\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving Reading Skills Through Personalizing Literacy Instruction"},"content":{"rendered":"

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One of the great struggles of education is providing all children the individualized instruction they need to understand the material taught and to be challenged at their level, especially when teaching children to read and improve their reading skills.<\/p>\n

In an ideal environment, the teacher would be able to provide each student personal attention and help each student overcome struggles, master skills, and receive challenges where needed. But with so many demands on a teacher\u2019s time, many children do not receive much personalized instruction.<\/p>\n

One of the many educational benefits that information and communications technology (ICT) can deliver is an effective and scalable solution to this problem\u2014the problem of personalizing literacy instruction for children. \u00a0Technology can adapt researched, effective teaching models, content, and assessment to individual students and extend them geographically to reach millions of children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to get high-quality instruction.<\/p>\n

Because many factors contribute to a child\u2019s learning opportunity upon entering school\u2014e.g. his or her home environment, quality of instruction in the class, availability of effective materials, student to teacher ratios\u2014individualized instruction with high-quality adaptive materials is important to a child\u2019s progress and improvement in reading. Whereas one child may understand phonics and letter concepts, another child may struggle. The struggling child cannot move on until his or her obstacles have been addressed and overcome. But in a class size of 45-plus students, a teacher has little time to devote to individualized attention for each student.\u00a0 Consequently, many children in developing countries do not advance from primary education. <\/p>\n

Effective ICT software programs can provide the adaptive framework and sequencing to give children the individualized instruction they need while improving reading skills and enhancing the classroom experience. To be effective, personalized learning challenges and supports each child at his or her own level. The curriculum included in any program aimed at offering personalized learning must be<\/p>\n