The iPhone and iPad application I chose is the Phonics Easy Reader. This app allows children to choose between two different modes. The first one being, "Read to Me" and the second one, "Let Me Try". During the "Read to Me" mode, the child can hear the story being read to them as they follow along. During the "Let Me Try" mode, the child can read the story themselves with having the option to tap on a word to hear it out loud. There is also a section called "Memory Words", where it gives you words that are not pronounced phonetically and what I assume for the child to memorize.
This app does a good job of using the Developmental Learning Theory. By having the words printed out and allowing the child to see them as they are read aloud under the "Read to Me" mode is a concrete example. This app doesn't allow for abstract thinking in the app itself, but if the child does learn the words they hear and read, it would then allow the child to retain the words in their schema and apply it when reading a different story.
This app could use the Social Learning Theory depending on where the child is at their level of reading. This app uses a great deal of modeling when it is in the "Read to Me" mode. By having this option, the child is hearing someone "model" reading the word, in turn allowing the child to hear and know how it is to be pronounced. This is also using the Zone of Proximal Development in that it is allowing the child to follow along to learn the words phonetically.
Another aspect of the Social Learning Theory is that the screenshots they give as examples appear to have the pictures concretely showing what the student is reading. This is a great way to allow the student to not only read the words, but look at the pictures and tie them together with the words.
The flip side of this app and where it's downfall is in regards to the Social Learning Theory is that it would not be a beneficial tool if it is too easy and does not challenge the child enough. In order for this app to be used effectively under this theory, the teacher would need to know their students reading level prior to having them use this app.
This app does not allow for any peer to peer interactions as it is made to be done individually. If I were using this app as a teacher and wanting my students to have more social interactions, I would pair them together and have them take turns using the "Let Me Try" mode and read to one another.
This app could only apply to the Constructivist Learning Theory if it is in fact actively mentally engaging. This would once again rely on the teacher's knowledge of where their child's reading level is and if they are able to work with their schema to help them continue to read. It would be an ineffective tool if the child is beyond what stories they are reading.
I am struggling to find any of the Conceptual Change Theory in this app. In order for this app to apply to this theory, the app and activity would need to create some sort of dissatisfaction with old ideas that the student may have. This app doesn't necessarily create any new ideas or solve any problems.
This app does not allow a teacher to ask many questions other than having the student read the story aloud to her/him in order to make a formative assessment as to what words they know by using phonics.
If teachers were to use this app without knowing where their students reading levels are and really knowing if these stories are too easy or too difficult, the app would then be used ineffectively. On the other hand, if the teacher has made formative assessments prior to using this app, then it could be used effectively as a second teacher in the classroom for short periods of time. One example would be a teacher dividing her class into reading levels and when she is working with one group, she could have the other group using this app and working on their stories at their level.
Wow you went into a lot of detail about how this would be used in the classroom. I didn't really think talk about that in mine, although that is a distinct possibility. This app really seems like something the child could do at home with a parent. But in the classroom, it could be good, like you said, if they shared and took turns.
ReplyDeleteIf you count the app as the More Knowledgeable Other, that would also be another aspect of Social Learning Theory. Not sure if I would count a computer program that way, but essentially that's how it's functioning, when a child touches a word to hear it out loud. :-)