In 2025, literacy coaches are leveraging advanced technologies to enhance close reading strategies, enabling students to engage with texts on a deeper level. This trend sees the integration of digital tools that allow for more interactive and analytical reading experiences.
Coaches are now using annotation software that goes beyond simple highlighting and note-taking. These tools allow students to create mind maps directly from the text, linking ideas and tracking the development of themes or characters across a work. Some platforms even incorporate AI to suggest connections or prompt critical thinking questions based on the student’s annotations.
Virtual reality is being used to create immersive close reading experiences. For complex or historical texts, students can step into a virtual recreation of the setting, interacting with the environment to gain a richer understanding of the context in which the work was written.
Literacy coaches are also utilizing text analysis tools that provide instant feedback on aspects like text complexity, vocabulary usage, and sentence structure. This allows coaches to guide students towards texts that will appropriately challenge their skills and to identify specific areas for focused instruction.
However, the implementation of these technology-enhanced strategies requires literacy coaches to be tech-savvy and to continually update their skills as new tools emerge. There’s also a need to ensure that the technology enhances rather than replaces the critical thinking skills that are at the heart of close reading.
Despite these challenges, the trend towards technology-enhanced close reading is gaining momentum. As these tools become more sophisticated and user-friendly, they’re expected to revolutionize the way students interact with and analyze texts.