Why I chose to become a reading specialist

I have been a teacher at all kindergarten, primary, secondary and tertiary levels for a total of 29 years. At the kindergarten and primary levels I expected that my students may not know how to read and a major part of my job would be to teach them to do so; this I attempted, sometimes with success and at other times with many frustations and failures, however I continued to plod along inspite of the difficulties.

It was at the Secondary and even tertiarty levels that I was totally shock to find students with reading problems. With limited training in the teaching of reading which was geared toward the kindergarten and primary levels, I was unsure of how to solve the reading problems at the higher levels; Many of my students read orally but the comprehension simple evaded them. This often resulted in disengagement from school leading to high levels of indiscipline, absenteeism and sometimes eventual academic failure and or school dropout.

I realised that my knowledge and training was inadequate to effectively guide my higher level students to overcoming their reading difficulties.

It was during my search for a possible solution that I came across the advertisement for the Med Reading Programme and immediately thought that this could be the way to a solution for my students, so here I am today engaged in a program which I hope will continue to provide me with skills to empower my students.

cloud computing

Last week I learnt about Cloud Computing for the first time. Cloud computing relies on applications and storage which is maintained on a net work. The computer must therefore always be connected to a network to implement cloud computing.

Cloud computing has many advantages such as cost and time saving. Since files and programmes are held on virtual storage, there is no need for flash drives and expensive computers with large hard drives. Lower cost computers can run faster with smaller hard drives and users can work on projects from any where without having to transport flash drives. Files can be shared without email.

This technology makes group work so convenient and easy as files can be shared and collaboratively edited with others in a cloud based application. Most important there are many web based applications which are free and they are compatible with standard programs such as Microsoft Office .

This technology sounds oh so exciting and I cannot wait to learn more and try it out with my new form ones when they come in with the laptops promised by the government. It would be ideal to apply to literacy learning as youngsters are so excited and motivated by technology

my blog account

This morning I set up my first blog account. I will be using this to learn about the new technologies which are available for motivating my students to learn and practice literacy. When I feel proficient enough I will use this media communicate information relating to reading instruction to my fellow teachers. I am also hoping that they will participate and contribute their knowledge and expertise so that we may learn from each other.