Childhood Literacy, Education and Technology

Increasing literacy in children through electronic technology in education is fundamental because it incorporates all three primary types of learning styles giving every child the best chance at success, and it gives children the foundation for advances in technology from elementary through high school, college and into professional careers. The three primary learning styles are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic or hands-on learning. Traditional education teaches primarily through visual methods – reading books, studying charts or graphs, memorizing and recalling what is written, etc. For the child who is a visual learner, that is great. However, the children who learn best through auditory and kinesthetic styles are often left behind. The electronic technology integrates all three learning styles affording all children the best chance to excel in the classroom. .
             An action research project report found that students were more likely to engage in classroom activities when technology was used (Godzicki). The use of computers, tablets, interactive whiteboards, and iPads just to name a few, not only encourages traditional reading (one example of visual learning) but also enhance education through listening and speaking, music, demonstration in conjunction with verbal explanation, group activity, and problem-solving. "Innovative multimedia features such as animation, music, and narration transform the traditional reading experience for the child" (Salmon). The combination of learning styles wrapped up into a package and presented as a learning program or application inspires, encourages and motivates children to read more, write more, think and problem solve, but most of all encourages them to try. .
             Another reason why electronic technology in education is a fundamental necessity is because it will prepare them for real-world practice. "Information and communication technology literacy education has become an important issue, and the necessity of computational literacy has been increasing in our growing information society" (Jun).