Focus on Literacy Reinforcement Software and Interactive Books

2 Benefits of using software with deaf / hard of hearing students Software Is a very visual medium Increases the interactivity of written language Creates a friendly environment for improving language development

3 Benefits of using software with deaf / hard of hearing students Can extend the understanding of concepts Allows deaf students to access information in a very visual way Provides a new way for the student to interact with information thus increasing confidence, independence and self-esteem

4 Categories of Software 1.Reinforcement (Drill & Practice Software) 2.Interactive Books 3.Content-free Software 4.Exploratory Software 5.Reference Software 6.Assessment Software 7.Access Tools / Software

5 1.Reinforcement Software Used to reinforce basic skills through repetition and practice. Numeracy Software – early numeracy skills, more advanced mathematical skills Literacy Software – early literacy skills, sight word recognition, phonological skills and reading comprehension.

6 Reinforcement Software Benefits Helps to develop skills and reinforce concepts and knowledge Provides repeated practice on previously learned skills Gives immediate, consistent feedback in non- judgemental fashion Concerns Should be used to complement teacher instruction, not replace it Skills are often presented in isolation

7 Early Literacy Skills Early Literacy - focuses on pre- reading skills such as: –Listening –Visual Discrimination –Visual memory –Auditory Discrimination –Auditory Memory

8 Early Literacy Skills Examples include: Animal Match Jigsaw Jumble Fun Leaps and Bounds 1,2,3 Musical Leaps and Bounds Sequences

9 Early Literacy Skills Examples cont’d Microworlds 2000 Making Tracks to Literacy Teddy Games Tizzy’s Toy Box (*) React (older students) *denotes a title that is generally classified in another category but can also be used to support this skill area.

10 Letter Recognition Software Examples include: A to Zap ABC Talking Animated Alphabet CD Big ABC From A to Z (*) Making Sense with Letters Percy’s ABC *Denotes a title that is generally classified in another category but can also be used to support this skill area.

11 Keyboard Skills Software Examples include: Animated Typewriter First Keys to Literacy (*) Touch Type Type to Learn Ultra Key

12 Sight Vocabulary Software Examples include: All my Words (*) Crossword Wizard Flashcard Matchword (*) Speaking for Myself (*)

13 Phonics/Phonological Awareness Software Examples include: Matchword (*) Rhyme and Analogy Sound Stories Sound Start- Phonics Sounds Great 1 and 2 WordWork 1 and 2 (*)

14 Spelling Software Examples include: All My Words (*) Lexia (*) Starspell 2001 Wordshark Spellmate WordWork 1 and 2

15 Spelling Software Software that includes spelling activities : Crossword Wizard From Word to Word Multisensory Games for the Literacy Hour ScanIT Plus Word Games for Windows

16 Comprehension Software (excluding Talking Books) The Computer Classroom Fuzzbuzz (*) Multisensory Reading Games Reading for Literacy Twisted Tales Selladore Tales

17 Software to Support Handwriting Handwriting for Windows Maude and Claude Sassoon Fonts Start Write 2

18 Reinforcement Software Integrated Learning system (ILS) Computer-based system that manages delivery of curriculum Presents learners with a question, records the response, gives instant feedback and automatically selects new questions Provides feedback and detailed records

19 Reinforcement Software Integrated Learning system (ILS) Results are highly context dependent Level of teacher intervention is critical factor Teachers’ involvement with system is major factor to student gains Where pupils use ILS in isolation from their teacher and from the rest of the curriculum, both learning gains and motivation are likely to be poor.

20 Reinforcement Software Integrated Learning system (ILS) Examples include: The Academy of Reading Global Integrated Learning System RM Maths Tomorrow’s Promise

21 2.Interactive Books Electronic books that bring stories to life. Common features include: –Lively animations –Story can be read aloud –Individual words can be spoken –Clicking and exploring options –Comprehension activities Cater for a range of levels (non-readers to older students with reading difficulties).

22 Interactive Books Benefits Strengthens word recognition Improves vocabulary, word attack skills, fluency and comprehension. Gives students the opportunity to practice reading the same text more than one time. Concerns Edutainment value vs. Educational value

23 Interactive Books Examples include: Living Books (e.g. Grandma and Me) Oxford Reading Tree Spinout Stories* Start to Finish* Ukandu Interactive Reading Series Wellington Square * denotes software that may be suitable for older students