Using Technology to Teach Reading in Early Childhood

Introduction

Welcome future teachers!

In this WebQuest, you will explore how technology can support early literacy development in children from Pre-K to 2nd grade. You’ll evaluate a reading tool or app, learn how it supports literacy skills, and design a mini lesson plan that shows how you’d use it in your own future classroom.

Guiding Question:

How can we use apps and websites to help young children learn to read?

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Identify a reading app or website appropriate for early learners

  • Evaluate how the tool supports reading development (phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, etc.)

  • Create a short lesson plan using the tool, aligned with early learning standards

Standards Alignment:

  • Florida ELA Standards for Pre-K–2:

  • ELA.K12.EE.3.1: Make inferences to support comprehension.

  • ELA.K12.EE.5.1: Use appropriate collaborative techniques and active listening skills.

  • Bloom’s Taxonomy:

  • Understand – how the reading tool works

  • Apply – by planning a short lesson using the tool

  • Evaluate – the effectiveness of the tool for reading development

Task

You and your group will create a narrated PowerPoint presentation that answers the guiding question:

“How can technology be used to enhance student learning in the 21st century?”

Your group will research different types of educational technology (e.g., Kahoot, Canva, Google Classroom, Flip, Quizlet, etc.).

You will:

  • Work in assigned roles (researcher, slide designer, narrator, presenter)

  • Use credible online sources

  • Create a 6–8 slide PowerPoint with narration

  • Present your findings to the class

Process

  1. Get into groups of 3–4 students

  2. Choose a tool or app (choose from this list or find your own):

  1. Assign roles:

  • Researcher: Finds information and examples of educational tools

  • Designer: Builds and organizes the PowerPoint slides

  • Narrator: Records slide narration

  • Presenter: Prepares final summary and helps with presenting

  1. Work together to create a 6–8 slide PowerPoint including:

  • Title slide with group names

  • Slides explaining at least 3 educational technology tools

  • One slide summarizing how these tools help different types of learners

  • Narration recorded in PowerPoint or added separately (audio)

     5. Submit your PowerPoint in class or upload it online (teacher will give instructions).

Evaluation

You will be graded like this:

  • 4 = Excellent

  • 3 = Good

  • 2 = Needs Work

  • 1 = Incomplete

Rubric:

  • Explains the tool clearly (1–4)

  • Shows how it helps kids read (1–4)

  • Has voice recording (1–4)

  • Uses good pictures or screenshots (1–4)

  • Group worked together fairly (1–4)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've explored how technology can support early reading development. By choosing a reading tool or app, learning how it works, and designing a mini-lesson around it, you've taken a big step toward using educational technology in a meaningful way.

Enrichment Activity:

Want to explore more tools for early literacy? Try using the PBS Kids Reading Games website to explore more digital reading resources:https://pbskids.org/games/reading/

Credits

Created by Carlina Camacho, for Educational Technology Class