Literature and Reflection

1-Write up how you might use a technology enhanced literature circle with your population.

My goal as an educator is to encourage reading, as well as taking advantage of technology to facilitate access to literature. There are various ways which I would use with my students. One would be to divide students into groups and then send the required text books for reading via e-mail, as an E-book. Then I will ask them to use illustrations such as a concept map, using any free software. The idea is to create a brainstorming effect within the group and increase the level of debate. Also from the ways which I would use with a group of friends or are interested in reading after configuring literature circle then we use one of the sites to meet online and exchange of discussion and presentation of sheets. This way will be very useful and I can be applied to a range of readers from different cities and even from other countries.

2-Write up your reflection (book review - not on the book but on the process) of your "reading" of your audio book.

         Listening to audio books is increasingly replacing the old-fashioned reading. Apparently, several books now exist in hardcopy, soft copy and audio versions as MP3. The listening is merely reading as all the parts of the books are read out load by an audio narrator. Indeed, IPods and other relevant gadgets are making audio books popular. However, there is a great concern in the replacement of the hard copy books by the audio versions. Many people argue that listening to audio is not really reading.
In addition to the sound transmission, audio books equally convey emotional fulfillment, intellectual enrichment and entertainment. The primary information in the book remains legitimate as the reader solely reads and does not provide for any translations, clarifications or additional information. Therefore, the intention of the author is achieved all the same.  I find that the difference in being able to obtain an E-book is that it is far more convenient and cost effective for anyone, especially students. The books can be obtained anywhere, not just at one specific location and can be opened on any device. They are not confined to a single item that can be lost, or forgotten or even damaged without the possibility of recovery.
Listening to an audio book conserves time. Indeed, slow readers find it very difficult to go through many pages within a short time. Audio versions of novels and course books offer significant solutions that enable a listener to receive a lot of information within a short period of time. Moreover, any details that a listener does not get can be revised by rewinding the audio file. On the other hand, audio books have some limitations that make some people to opt for hard copy books.  For instance, they are not the best for teaching children how to read. In as much as audio books enhance listening skills, the same does not improve on reading skills particularly in junior learners.

3-Write up your reflection (book review - not on the book but on the process) of your "reading" of your 5 min reading email delivered book.

              Reading an email delivered book is equally convenient, as the soft-copy book is accessible at all times in as much as one has a suitable device that can display the book.  However, reading a soft copy books requires that a person be keen, as most people tend to peruse through the writing in a hurry and marking of specific parts can be challenging, especially for persons that are technophobic. Nevertheless, email delivery of books can get one in a circle of similar readers that debate the main points and improve comprehension of the book significantly. The idea of being able to quickly share the e-books with several people at once is excellent for situations like a class assignment.  I think I actually enjoy the experience of reading the E-book as well as I do a paper book.