Tutorial 3
Reading digital picture books aloud
Digital picture books offer methodological advantages and educational opportunities when it comes to facilitating reading aloud and promoting language development. Like print media picture books, they provide an ideal stimulus to conversation with children.
The advantages of digital picture books
When working in groups, books can be projected onto a whiteboard or screen in a large format, so that all the children can see them clearly.
Details can be explored with the zoom function.
Videos are available in German Sign Language (DGS).
Books are available in a variety of written languages.
An audio track read by a professional voice artist is available to listen to.
Digital books can be accessed anywhere, online or on a tablet.
Children are able to develop their media literacy.
Avoiding distractions
Reading digital picture books aloud requires preparation, to prevent the functions becoming a distraction.
Digital books offer moving images, sounds, music and games. These can be useful if they are used in a targeted fashion, for educational purposes.
However, they can sometimes be a distraction, preventing children from following the text, developing their own thoughts, or participating in conversation.
Examples:
Too many stimuli from moving images, sounds and music can disrupt children’s concentration and prevent them relaxing.
Integrated games can be a distraction.
Advertising and in-app purchases disrupt concentration.
Avoiding distractions
Reading digital picture books aloud requires preparation, to prevent the functions becoming a distraction.
Digital books offer moving images, sounds, music and games. These can be useful if they are used in a targeted fashion, for educational purposes.
However, they can sometimes be a distraction, preventing children from following the text, developing their own thoughts, or participating in conversation.
Examples:
Too many stimuli from moving images, sounds and music can disrupt children’s concentration and prevent them relaxing.
Integrated games can be a distraction.
Advertising and in-app purchases disrupt concentration.
Using ReaDi digital picture books
The ReaDi digital picture books stimulate conversation with children, as they contain no distracting extra functions.
Each picture book is available in German, DGS, Arabic, English and Turkish. You can select or switch the language as desired.
You can watch a demonstration of the most important signs for each book.
You can select an audio track to hear the book read aloud.
Questions and ideas are provided in written and signed form to stimulate conversation about the picture book.
Children’s books, picture books and picture book videos are available online here >
Preparation
Before reading aloud, consider which functions will be useful, for example, the DGS dictionary. Do not switch too often between functions.
Accessing digital picture books on tablets or smartboards can initially be a challenge. Using the technology will soon become second nature for you and the children.
Tasks
Tasks
Choose a book from the ReaDi website and familiarise yourself with the functions.
Plan your next reading session, considering how you will use the functions for educational purposes. You will use different media and functions depending on whether you are in an individual or a group setting. Practise using the functions in different settings, and note which combination of functions promotes language development in each setting.