Student Shared Interactive Online Resources to Improve Reading Comprehension

I started a weekly technology class for Reading Fundamentals, a lower reading level for adult learners, to prepare students for the new online GED, credit level classes and the 21^st Century Digital economy. Each week I offered new tools to explore while enhancing comprehension and vocabulary development. During the last Tuesday of the term, I asked students to search and online site to and share with the class. The purpose of the activity was to: 1) allow students practice searching for educational online tools; 2) find tools that meet their specific learning needs; and 3) compile resources to keep skills up over the summer break.

Students embraced this activity and found a plethora of tools. We then projected each site to share and interact as a group. The following sites were found to be the most popular:

http://voicethread.com/about/library/ (Neat feature: Has a video library with a wide range of topics.)

http://dynamo.dictionary.com/ (Range of academic levels, subject areas, test preparation and a writing coach program)

http://my.hrw.com/nsmedia/intgos/html/igo.htm (Graphic organizers to help brainstorm, organize and visualize ideas. Good organizers for readers.)

http://www.funbrain.com/brain/ReadingBrain/ReadingBrain.html (Variety of educational games including Mad Libs!)

http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/staff/boldtkatherine/readingfun.htm (Good mix of grammar, punctuation, reading strategies/skills.)

http://www.vocabulary.com/ (Range of vocabulary development quizzes and practice.)

http://www.vocabularycoach.com/vocab_DefinitionFirst.aspx (Provides a variety of quiz styles to build vocabulary.)

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_vocab.htm (Language Arts games primarily for younger readers.)