I found this quote and thought that it was fitting since this week we chatted about struggling readers. Since I consider myself a proficient reader, I tried to place myself in the shoes of a struggling reader and sadly...I can not imagine how they must feel. However, I can support them in every way possible to ensure they are given the resources, time and tools needed to reach their maximum potential...and let them know that....
In addition to chatting about reading, last week's class continued with sharing how useful and multi-purposeful the iPad is as a tool in a variety of settings for a variety of people of all ages. The youtube video below shows just how diverse this tool is...besides being useful and purposeful for all ages, it is also manageable in size, portable, affordable...and so much more...
In addition, I learned lots about reading remediation and compensatory strategies which was very informative. Thanks to Barb and other colleagues in the class, I discovered a variety of new and exciting sites, apps and programs that can assist students along their 'learning to read journey'. It is absolutely amazing to me the different tools that are available to all learners; not just the struggling ones. These tools are fun, engaging and educational for all children...definitely some thought about UDL went into their designing and implementation of these tools...thank goodness!!
Below are some of the sites that I found while on my treasure hunt looking for reading websites, apps and programs. Some I use...they are tried, tested and true...others are new and I'm super excited about going back to school to share with other colleagues. Cheers!!
Reading Websites
1. Tumble Books
2. Starfall
http://www.starfall.com/
Starfall is another great website that is FREE to all teachers, students and parents. Using their systematic approach and phonemic awareness, children are taught that letters have specific sounds and that these letters and sounds are put together to make words. This website is very engaging and fun!
3. Reading A-Z
http://www.readinga-z.com/
I love this site and so too do the students! This online leveled reading program is fantastic! It has a wide variety of leveled text that meets the needs and interests of the diverse classrooms we are all teaching in today. Like other sites, Reading A-Z supports all readers...proficient to struggling. When students practice their reading skills on a daily basis, they can improve their fluency, expression, comprehension, phonological awareness, phonics and vocabulary. I especially like that these books can be printed and used as Guided Reading text. In addition, there are a wide variety of activity sheets and assessments for students to complete that correspond with the leveled books.
4. Raz Kids
http://www.raz-kids.com/
This engaging reading website has over 400+ ebooks that are available in multiple languages. Students can either listen to books or read books to improve various skills and/or strategies. In addition, this website enables students to record themselves reading. Very cool! Running records are also readily available for teachers to use when assessing students. Students are especially motivated and engaged with the RAZ ROCKET ! In addition, there is a correlation chart that assists teachers with how the Raz Books would correspond to other leveled book resources. Very useful information!
Finally, Raz Kids is also available as an app which is super cool!!!
5. Earobics - Game Goo
www.earobics.com
The last site that I had a few minutes to explore was called Earobics-Game Goo. Like other sites I visited, it looked fun, motivating and engaging for kids. Designers state that "Earobics’ unique instructional design provides a diverse, differentiated approach to literacy suited to each student’s individual needs." There was a wide variety of interactive games for students to practice different early reading skills needed to become successful readers; phonemic awareness, phonics and much more!!!
Software Programs
In addition to the websites I played around on...I also looked at some software programs that support literacy in our classrooms. I found a really informative site that stresses the importance of matching the most appropriate software program(s) to meet the students individualized needs. Critical point....especially if we are expecting the user to engage and use the program and technology to support them on their journey of reaching their maximum potential.
1. Reading Software: Finding the Right Program
http://www.ldonline.org/article/7765/
This article had a great section about software programs that you can research to meet your student's needs. You select the area of need for the student...whether it be cause and effect, language readiness or talking word processing support the student needs....it searches a variety of software programs for you...then provides you with a list of software programs that could possibly meet the needs of student you are trying to support. Really worth checking out!!
2. Earobics
Besides having a website, Earobics has software that can support teachers with reaching the students in their diverse classrooms. Earobics philosophy: "Advance student achievement and ignite a spark in all students by combining proven research-based strategies with engaging technology and multimedia materials that deliver literacy instruction uniquely tailored to each student's learning needs." There program focused on 5 key literacy skills including....
...all of which are critical in supporting our students to become literate.
3. Lexia Learning
http://www.lexialearning.com/
Lexia Learning is software that supports teachers and students with improving literacy skills. When you explore their site, they have a variety of research claiming their software program "improves early literacy skills when used in conjunction with classroom reading instruction." In addition, they state that "Lexia’s Strategies for Older Students has been shown to be effective in remediating struggling readers in middle and high school." You can check out more information about this reading software at the link above.
4. Merit Software
http://www.meritsoftware.com/white_papers/elementary_reading_software.php
Like other software programs, Merit Software has a methodology. It is...
"As students advance in school, they are expected to make meaningful contributions to academic discussions. To do so, students must be able to read for a purpose, analyze data, and communicate their ideas. Unfortunately, many students enter higher grades unable to read critically, understand math concepts, or express themselves clearly.
If not dealt with, the effect of these problems multiplies. Students and teachers become frustrated with a lack of progress over time.
Instructional software can be a great way to coordinate efforts and achieve the desired outcome.
Merit® Software learning tools provide focus and direction for achieving academic success."
I liked that Merit continually states that this software be used in conjunction with other classroom teaching. This software does not replace the teacher...it supplements and provides extra reading practice to support readers.
My final software program that I decided to include on my blog is one that I use with my students on a daily basis. It is tried, testing and true! It is assistive technology that provides my students with equal access to the Ontario curriculum that was not there prior to its implementation. It has enabled my students to experience learning opportunities that mirrors their peers. This software has given my students hope, pride in their accomplishments and more importantly, it has given my students their independence back....no more scribing, no more waiting until I can get to them to read the text...no more feeling centered out!!!
Hopefully, I've peeked your interest....take a look at my last piece of software I researched!!
5. Kurzweil
http://www.kurzweiledu.com/default.html
This software is useful and purposeful. It meets the needs of a variety of learners including those who struggle with reading due to a learning disability, a person who is visually impaired, individuals with dyslexia, etc. This software reads scanned documents, assists students with spelling, note taking, dictation and so much more. It opens the windows and doors to a world of new learning that perhaps was not truly accessible before its use!!!
In addition, Kurzweil has created an app that can be accessed on the iPad called Firefly. This is very exciting! I have a student who is in the process of switching from a laptop to an iPad for all educational purposes. He is one of my students who uses Kurzweil on a daily basis...so knowing that there will be similar programming for him to continue accessing the curriculum while using his iPad is wonderful! I am super excited for him!!
As I continue on my learning journey in this course, I am amazed each and every week at the new knowledge I am gaining about how to better support the diverse learners in my school with assistive technology. I am sometimes taken back at how a tool that appears to be quite simple can be soooo important and life changing to an individual...whether it be a pediatric pencil holder for a little girl who is globally delayed and has fine motor issues to a little boy with autism who uses Proloquo2go on his iPad to communicate with others....both are critical in their lives and how they will navigate in it and through it. WOW!!! ....and Barb says we are learning about writing this week...CRAZY! I can't wait!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment