Tech Teaching Honored
By Lauren Barack -- School Library Journal, 8/1/2005
Tech-savvy educators take note. The International Reading Association (IRA) is accepting applications for its annual Presidential Award for Reading and Technology. Educators nationwide are eligible to compete for one $1,000 grand prize, plus nine additional $500 awards, by showing how they used technology to boost student literacy.
The grand prize-winner also receives a $2,000 expense stipend to attend the IRA convention in 2006.
“IRA wanted to encourage more innovative uses of technology in the classroom,” says Diane Tracey, chair of IRA's Technology Committee.
Deborah Wasylik is one such innovative teacher. IRA's winner in 2003, Wasylik uses a forensic crime game to kindle reading comprehension in her high school science students.
“I set up computer games to stimulate reading through their interest in CSI or other crime shows,” says Wasylik, who teaches at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, FL. “I use big words in class like 'replicate,' and I have poor readers, so if I capture their attention, they don't get distracted by the vocabulary.”
IRA only receives about 50 applications a year for the 10 awards, says Tracey, who would like to see more participants this year. Applications, due November 15, can be found at www.reading.org/association/awards/teachers_presidential.html.
“Awards provide a need for teachers to challenge and reward themselves,” says Wasylik. “And that can definitely enhance their classroom teaching,” she adds.
