The What's Hot in 2019 survey was conducted to measure the amount of attention currently being given to literacy topics in research and practice. Twenty-five literacy leaders were surveyed; results were subsequently categorized into three levels: a) extremely hot or cold, b) very hot or cold, or c) hot or cold This year, there were four topics…

Understanding how to address current trends and issues in literacy education is more important than ever, as local, state, national and international agendas are increasingly recognizing literacy as a foundation for success in all disciplines in education. To bridge that gap in understanding, this book showcases hot topics in literacy, providing…

This paper explores the design, development and evaluation of an early childhood literacy iPad application, focusing on the English Alphabet, called "A to Z Safari" trialled in Australian classrooms. A to Z Safari was designed to assist students in the early years of schooling with learning the alphabet and building on their knowledge of…

The present study examined how embedded activities to support executive functions helped children to benefit from a computer intervention that targeted preliteracy skills. Three intervention groups were compared on their preliteracy gains in a randomized controlled trial design: an experimental group that worked with software to stimulate early…

Over the last decades the nature and form of what children can choose to read has changed radically, partly as a consequence of rapid technological advances and the increasing dominance of the image. The research questions were: (1) "How do children learn to read and write by computer?"; (2) "How can one support children's learning…

Research has established young children's increasing use of computers and other new technologies in the home. Yet, teaching about digital texts and digital practices most often appears as an addition to early literacy instruction in classrooms where "business-as-usual" maintains an emphasis on print and print-based texts. This article…

Technology is a way of life for most Americans. A recent study published by the National Writing Project (2007) found that Americans believe that computers have a positive effect on writing skills. The importance of learning to use technology ranked just below learning to read and write, and 74 percent of the survey respondents noted that children…

Background: The conclusion from a vast literature on literacy acquisition is that letter knowledge is one of the best predictors of literacy development. The question of the best way to teach children letter sounds has not, as yet, been answered satisfactorily. Aims: The aim of this study was the evaluation of a computer training program using…

Noting that one of the biggest challenges facing teachers in the late 20th century is knowing how to help students learn to use a computer as a literacy tool, this brochure shares six ways that one kindergarten teacher successfully incorporated the computer as an informal literacy tool in her classroom. The brochure first discusses the teacher…

This guide presents a curriculum that integrates development of emergent literacy skills with computer technology in young children, including those with disabilities. The curriculum was tested over a 3-year period in preschool classrooms that included children with mild to severe disabilities. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation results are…

As a society, we have refined our expectations of the education system to include a higher level of academic preparation for even the youngest learners. In past generations, kindergarten was often the first academic encounter a child had, but we have come to regard the preschool experience as essential to preparing an academically ready…

A practicum was designed for parents to acquire the understanding, skills, resources, materials, and wherewithal to support the emergent literacy development of their children on exiting the Head Start program to be successful in kindergarten. A simple, cost-effective, comprehensive, multidimensional project including Parent Workshops, a…

In many analyses of children's "emergent literacy" (Clay, 1966) practices, there is little acknowledgement of children's engagement in techno-literacy practices. This article discusses findings from a survey undertaken in a working-class community in the north of England which aimed to identify the "emergent techno-literacy"…

Uses the integration of literacy learning in early-childhood classrooms as a model for computer integration. Describes and recommends a basic set of "curriculum integration" software. Discusses how computers can function as scaffolds and manipulatives; includes an example of how to design an integrated unit that incorporates technology. Discusses…

This paper reviews the literature on the impact of technology on reading instruction, with a specific focus on language development as enhanced by the use of CD-Rom programs. The paper cites a study in which two separate groups, preschool children and third graders, were asked to talk about a story they listened to and saw on CD-Rom, providing…