Reading is also an important part of the middle school language arts curriculum. Telecommunications and multimedia technologies create functional language-learning environments where reading skills are developed in the context of accomplishing a task. Computer programs surround and support the act of reading with access to hypertext, graphics, sound, music, animation, and video. Click on a word and find out how it sounds, or what it means, in English or in Spanish. The computer can even record a child's oral reading and play it back for his own analysis.
Technology allows a fully integrated approach to the language arts.
1 Studies of revision on the word processor point to an increase in the frequency of revision, fewer mistakes, and more corrections. 1 Remedial reading students using computer reading games to develop and reinforce reading comprehension skills showed significant gains on reading achievement and improved attitudes toward reading. When measured holistically, students using laptop computers to keep journals, write stories, and complete assignments in science and English classes showed marked improvement in their ability to communicate persuasively, organize ideas logically, and use a broad vocabulary effectively. 3 Students participating in writing activities over telecommunications show dramatic improvements in writing quality and attitudes toward writing, and often improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary, as well. More experienced writers improve their existing competencies in creating narrative.