Computer Learning Environments Designed To Enhance Learning for Children with Language Processing Disabilities

Can computers promote academic success? 30% of all students in public schools have learning disabilities 98% of these students have language processing difficulties

Investigate Computer Capabilities Can Technology Increase Reading Achievement Software programs must improve the acquisition of curriculum concepts (what) Computer systems must enhance delivery of curriculum concepts (how)

Computer Technology Enhances What is Taught Brain Development Walnut size at birth Intricate wiring system developed by age three Sensory stimulation shapes the wiring framework Connections enable learner to complete tasks

Learning Disabilities - Confused Brain Pathways Causes: Lack of early language experiences Abnormal brain structures Atypical brain functioning

Target Student Needs Two specific areas activated by reading tasks: Auditory Processing Visual Processing

Auditory Processing The inability to hear the sounds of human speech hinders reading development in fundamental areas: Blending sounds Segmenting sounds

Auditory Processing - Research The brain must process sequential units of sound to develop language skills Stanovich - Phonological processing is basis of language learning Torgesen - Sounds must be isolated and manipulated Porges - Listening Project

Auditory Processing - Computer Software Stimulation of the temporal regions of the brain Earobics

Visual Processing The inability to see the sounds of language hinders reading development in fundamental areas: Letter Identification Sound Symbol Relationships

Visual Processing - Research Visual senses work with other senses to determine memory, language and cognition Marks - Visual Imaging Questionnaire Paivio - Dual Coding System Flowers - Visual Mapping

Visual Processing - Computer Software Stimulation of the neural fields that enable the identification of language symbols and the rapid naming of tracking words Kurzweil

Computer Technology Enhances How Curriculum Is Taught “Computers create a zone of proximal development whereby learners are capable of carrying out tasks they could not possibly carry out without the support provided by the computer” Salomon

Auditory Processing - Computer Environments Five stages: sensory input perception conceptualization storage retrieval

Auditory Processing - Computer Systems Fast Forward: internet-based trained clinician multi-sensory activities learning games acoustically altered speech

Auditory Processing - Computer Systems Fast Forward - Studies of Academic Achievement: Study 1: control group eliminated home practice Study 2: control group eliminated altered sounds In both studies, all student reading scores improved, control group scores were slightly lower

Visual Processing - Computer Environments The computer is a tool to stimulate the identification & discrimination of language symbols and symbol imagery. Develop processing skills Provide application of language tasks Encourage extension of the information and sharing of ideas

Visual Processing - Computer Systems Co-Writer retrieves sight words in written text format supplies words that begin with initial phonemic element reads entire sentence places sentence in text program of choice

Visual Processing - Computer Systems Learning Environments Reading Rainbow Young Writers Contest International competition Classroom becomes research community Students become educators Products published as hypermedia presentation on web

Investigate Computer Capabilities Can Technology Increase Reading Achievement Software programs must improve the acquisition of curriculum concepts (what) Computer systems must enhance delivery of curriculum concepts (how)