Fernandez found that the children were not afraid to explore on the computer. Students with prior exposure to computers were working independently almost immediately. To maximize individualization, Fernandez uses a preset three-week program suggested by Pisha. Every three weeks, students are exposed to four different books. Before the students read a new book on the computer, Fernandez introduces the book and explains the activities they will be using to read it.
Students are then prepared to work independently on the program.
During the three-week period, each child must select a hard copy of one of the electronic books and read it aloud to Fernandez. Besides helping students to feel successful with their reading, it is also a strategy that Fernandez uses to monitor each child's progress. In the two years that Fernandez has been using the program, he has presented books on the computer that introduce and set up lessons in other subject areas. For example, to support a science unit on dinosaurs, Fernandez had the students read a book on dinosaurs on the computer, and then use the information in that book for group activities. Newsletter Copyright 1996-2001 WETA .