Purpose
Teaching in a modern elementary school is a little like the story of Aladdin and his magic lamp. Wonder after wonder is now available to us. Some of these wonders are technological: Smartboards, LCD projectors, computers, the World Wide Web, DVDs, web blogs, and audiobooks. Some are strategies: constructivism, project-based learning, paired reading, and differentiated learning. Some are modifications of older techniques – modern phonics instruction is very different from phonics instruction at the turn of the century. Some of these strategies are as old as education – like reading aloud. Some are brand-new. Like Aladdin we are dazzled by the possibilities that unfold before us.
But alas, like Aladdin, we must make choices. In the movie, Aladdin was limited to three wishes, and we too have our restraints, primarily time and money. There will never be enough time to use all the instructional marvels and strategies available. Perhaps more importantly, there will definitely never be enough money in the budget to buy all of them.
It therefore behooves us to examine the available strategies and resources carefully so that we get the maximum educational return on our investment. We must weigh the opportunity cost. We must ask not only what works, but what works best, and more importantly, what works best for our children in our school.
This project grew out of a desire to examine one of those choices. I wanted to compare different types of oral transmission of literature. In plain words, I wanted to find out if reading aloud to students affected them differently than having them listen to audio tapes.