Benefits of a paper-based literacy model

paper-based-literacyConsider the following scenario: A Year 1 teacher chooses to use only a paper-based literacy model for both teaching and assessment. Although the class is equipped with computers, the teacher does not allow the students to use them, only for practicing numbers, phonics and spelling.

As a result of the teacher’s conceptualization about literacy, the students are denied access to computers and when in Year 2 they will lack basic computer skills, such as using the Word processor. The role of pedagogy in this scenario is to make sure that, at the end of Year 1, the students can read accurately and have the knowledge of grammar and spelling at their level.

Although I understand the reasons why a Year 1 teacher would want his/her students to be able to write properly using pen and paper and also be able to read sight words, I don’t agree with her not allowing the students to use computers.

Another alternative to this approach is a pedagogy that makes better use of the technology available in the classroom. The first thing that the teacher could do is let the students type up their own ‘stories.’ At a later stage, when the students are comfortable with the word processor, they could write their ‘stories’ directly on the computer.

Good points:

– the students practice a lot of reading and writing
– the reading program consists of graded readers
– the students do a lot of writing practice by copying letters and sentences
– the students are involved in story writing
– the students are exposed to some ‘skill and drill software’

Benefits:

– the students will be able to read a large number of sight words
– the students will be able to write in correct letter formation
– by using pencil and paper, the students will practice their fine motor skills
– the students will improve their imagination by writing about a given topic
– the software allows the students to practice number facts, phonics and spelling
– the students will have good knowledge of grammar and spelling

Reasons why this method will work:

– the assessment methods will be entirely through print, so the students will be assessed on exactly what they’ve been doing in class
– the students practice all basic skills for their age
– it is very important for Year 1 students to be able to identify sight words, which in turn will greatly help them in their future readings

Likelihood:

– the students will finish Year 1 with a good foundation in reading and writing
– in Year 2 they will probably be allowed to use computers (word processing software), task which should be easier as they will be able to read fluently and write correctly for their age level

Author V.M. Simandan

is a Beijing-based Romanian-born counsellor, coach, psychology teacher, and former competitive archer

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V.M. Simandan