ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides actionable information to educators, administrators, and researchers about current, available research-based educational technologies that provide adaptive instruction to students on literacy, including reading comprehension and writing. It explores leading researchers who have developed educational technologies for use in the classroom. Educational technologies, such as Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS), Automated Writing Evaluation (AWE) systems, and text readability tools, have the potential to fundamentally augment and enhance literacy education. However, many of these technologies remain unused in the contemporary classroom even though numerous studies have indicated their strengths in enhancing learning across a variety of student populations. There are a number of potential reasons such technologies are not found in the classroom, ranging from hesitancy on the part of teachers and administrators to adopt technologies, lack of technology support, and a potential digital divide between teachers, administrators and students.
