Text and Tech - by Kristin Ziemke (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In today's rapidly evolving world, literacy is more than just reading words on a page--it's about thinking critically, creating meaning, and engaging with a diverse range of texts and tools. Technology offers exciting opportunities for learning, yet mandates for skill practice, assessment, and data collection often overshadow its true potential.

This book champions a YES, AND approach: YES to the power of print books, interactive read-alouds, and time-honored literacy practices, AND yes to digital texts, multimodal storytelling, and open-ended creative tools that amplify thinking and understanding. When students have access to both traditional and digital resources, we expand their agency, increase engagement, and empower them to develop a rich, adaptable literacy skillset.

Through the lens of a diverse group of educators and the expertise of longtime teacher and consultant Kristin Ziemke, you'll discover how to create a balanced, student-centered literacy environment where traditional texts and digital tools work together to enhance comprehension, communication, and critical thinking. Get ready to reimagine literacy for today's learners--and tomorrow's world.

About the Author

Kristin Ziemke is a lifelong teacher and curious learner who has worked in service to young people for more than two decades. Recognized internationally for her expertise in literacy, inquiry, and technology, she partners with educators and organizations around the world to design learning experiences that redefine school. An expert kid-watcher and active listener, she centers her work around students--amplifying their voices, nurturing agency, and honoring their stories. A resident teacher for the Big Shoulders Fund in Chicago, she is a National Board Certified teacher and the coauthor of Read the World: Rethinking Literacy for Empathy and Action, Amplify: Digital Teaching and Learning in the K-6 Classroom, and Connecting Comprehension and Technology. Learn more about her:

• web: KristinZiemke.com
• BlueSky: @kristinziemke.bsky.social
• Instagram: @Kziemke22