Resource pack for 'Reading Development Library' 3 and 4

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a Resource Pack that could be used by Year 4 teachers in the teaching of English when using the software packages 'Reading Development Library' 3 and 4. Prior to the development of the Resource Pack, a questionnaire was carried out with year 4 teachers in different schools so as to obtain information of what teachers require to facilitate their teaching when using the above mentioned software packages. From the questionnaire analysis it was evident that most of the teachers did not make frequent use of computers and software packages as part of their educational agenda. Furthermore, teachers belonging to the older generation required further facilitation, training and encouragement to use ICT resources. The development of the Resource Pack was based upon the data collected from the questionnaires. The Resource Pack includes activities, session plans and the corresponding resources that meet the needs of Year 4 teachers and pupils. Once the Resource Pack was developed, a sample of the session plans were tried out in a Year 4 class. An evaluation of the pack ensued upon the feedback received which was collected through the use of questionnaires completed by the participating teacher and by the pupils' themselves. The feedback received was positive and continued to highlight the beneficial aspects of the Resource Pack in relation to the use of the software packages 'Reading Development Library' 3 and 4 in teaching English.