1) Technologies like robots, coding, augmented and virtual reality can support literacy development in children in many ways such as increasing motivation, providing variety, allowing choice, and supporting developing skills. 2) Examples of technologies discussed include Bee-Bots, Code & Go mice, Cubetto, Root, virtual reality headsets, OSMO, Explore.org, and reading apps. 3) The presenter emphasizes that technology should not replace traditional books, but can be used as tools to enhance stories, experiences, and develop real vocabulary in context.

1. These are NOT Your
Mother’s Flashcards…
Robots, Coding, and Other LITERACY
Tools for Young Learners
Gail Lovely
Gail@SuddenlyitClicks.com

2. SuddenlyitClicks.com

3. A bit about me…
I am an author and a consultant
BUT
I am really still a “get-on-the-floor”,
“learn-with-children”, “bad-hair-day-
doesn’t-matter-to-kids” kind of
teacher.

4. Technologies have many roles in developing and
supporting literacy.

5. Motivation
Variety
Choice
Novelty

6. Motivation
Success
Social

7. Motivation
Support of developing skills and
yet-to-be-developed skills

8. Skills like…
sequencing
writing
speaking
Phonemic awareness
patterns
letter formation
listening
reading
Storytelling
story structure
spelling
inference
problem solving
point of view
vocabulary

9. NOT about replacing
paper-based books!

10. Robots and Coding
https://newrobbinsvalley.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/robot-reading.jpg

11. $89.00
(no computer
or device
needed)
http://bee-bot.us
Bee-bot
And Blue-Bot too!

12. $30.00
(no computer
or device
needed)
http://www.learningresources.com
Code & Go Programmable Mouse

13. $225.00
https://www.primotoys.com/
Cubetto
https://youtu.be/m8_cgYjWrRM

14. Not yet
available
About $150
http://www.codewithroot.com/
Root

15. Robots and Coding
• Symbolic thought
• Sequence
• Tools for Stories
• As well as counting, logic, problem solving, dealing with frustration,
and some self-esteem and fun for families as well as children!

16. Augmented and Virtual
Reality

17. Virtual Reality
• Usually
through a
headset
or viewer
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4QisBVtRgQ
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT0hVLEe5mU

18. Virtual Reality
• Immersion in “places”
• Tools for Stories
• Experiences
• Exploring places we cannot go (yet)
• Adding context to books we read
• Bringing fiction and nonfiction together
• Opportunities to develop real vocabulary
A “negative” is it is not usually a shared in real-time experience.

19. Augmented Reality Cards, Coloring Books and the
like…
• I find these to be mostly Gee, Wow
• But also SO What?!

20. QR Codes or Aurasma
• Add media to ”items” or “images”
Here’s where I found this example:
http://kindergarteniscrazy.blogspot.com/

21. iOS
$2.99
Act out or tell stories, add to books, retell stories, etc.
Green Screen by Do Ink

22. iOS
Android
$2.99
Augmented non-reality– personalizing the story
The Tortoise and the Hare
(by Arloon)

23. Beyond the Screen

24. Starter Kit is
$79.00
Requires iPad
(not
included)
https://www.playosmo.com/en/
OSMO

25. Web and free
app
http://explore.org
Explore.org

26. Apps

27. iOS
Android
$3.99
vocabulary building in context
Tacky the Penguin

28. iOS
free
Own narration, create own stories, illustrations/photos
Collins Big Cat:
It Was a Cold, Dark Night Story Creator

29. iOS
$2.99
Switch languages with one touch (English – Spanish)
ABC Actions

30. iOS
$1.99
Reader-adjusted reading levels
The Strange and Wonderful World of Ants

31. iOS
$4.99
Two points of view here…
Goldilocks and Little Bear

32. iOS
Android
$4.99
ibooks
Custom or Self-made Books
Book Creator App

33. In the end…
it is not about
the book or the
app…
it is about the
child.

34. Gail Lovely
GailLovely@SuddenlyItClicks.com
Thank you for caring
about children, literacy
and technology.

35. What I am reading…
Some good online sources…
Joan Ganz Cooney Center http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/
Fred Rogers Center http://www.fredrogerscenter.org/
TEC (Technology in Early Childhood) Center at Erikson http://teccenter.erikson.edu/