1. Focus on Literacy

2. 2 Categories of Software 1.Reinforcement Software Literacy 2.Interactive Books 3.Content-free Software Writing 4.Exploratory Software 5.Reference Software 6.Assessment Software 7.Access Tools / Software

3. 3 1.Reinforcement Software Used to reinforce basic skills through repetition and practice. –Literacy Software –Numeracy Software –Attending / Responding –Stimulation

4. 4 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

5. 5 Early Literacy Skills Early Literacy - focuses on pre-reading skills such as: Listening Visual Discrimination Visual memory Auditory Discrimination Auditory Memory

6. 6 Early Literacy Skills Examples include: Animal Match Jigsaw Jumble Fun Leaps and Bounds 1,2,3 Musical Leaps and Bounds Sequences

7. 7 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.

8. 8 Letter Recognition Software Examples include: From A to Z (*) ABC Talking Animated Alphabet CD Big ABC Percy’s ABC A to Zap

9. 9 Keyboard Skills Software Examples include: First Keys to Literacy (*) Animated Typewriter Type to Learn

10. 10 Sight Vocabulary Software Examples include: All my Words (*) Speaking for Myself (*) Flashcard

11. 11 Phonics/Phonological Awareness Software Examples include: Rhyme and Analogy Sound Stories Sounds Great 1 and 2 Sound Start- Phonics WordWork 1 and 2 (*)

12. 12 Spelling Software Examples include: All My Words (*) Lexia (*) Starspell 2001 Wordshark Spellmate WordWork 1 and 2

13. 13 Spelling Software Software that includes spelling activities: From Word to Word Multisensory Games for the Literacy Hour ScanIT Plus Word Games for Windows

14. 14 Comprehension Software Examples include: Fuzzbuzz (+) Reading for Literacy The Computer Classroom Twisted Tales Selladore Tales

15. 15 Software to Support Handwriting Examples include: Handwriting for Windows Maude and Claude Sassoon Fonts Start Write 2

16. 16 2.Interactive Books Animated books that bring stories to life. Usually two modes: Passive- watch and listen as story is read Interactive- click and explore Cater for a range of levels (non-readers to older students with reading difficulties).

17. 17 Interactive Books Benefits Links written word with spoken words (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. The use of visual and auditory cues promotes interaction and communication as well as holding the students attention for longer. Concerns Edutainment value vs. Educational value

18. 18 Interactive Books Examples include:  Living Books (e.g. Grandma and Me)  Naughty Stories Volume 1& 2  Oxford Reading Tree  Patch the Puppy  Reader Rabbit’s Reading development Library

19. 19 Interactive Books Contd.  Spot’s Busy Day  Storybook CD  Storytime Tales  UKanDu Interactive Reading Series  UKanDu Little Books  Wellington Square

20. 20 3.Content-free Software Allows teacher/student’s assistant to enter content suitable for the student’s ability. Benefits  Use in many areas of curriculum  Develop own materials to meet indiviual needs of students  Helps students to overcome barriers to learning  Stimulates interest in the student’s own environment.

21. 21 Word Processing Programs Enables user to produce wide range of professional looking products Benefits:  Students can express themselves without being worried about their writing  Spellchecker allows students to concentrate on content rather than spelling  Writing can help students develop word recognition and reading skills

22. 22 Talking Word Processing Programs Include an inbuilt speech synthesizer that reads back text Can be set to read every letter, word, line, sentence, paragraph or whole screen Benefits:  Allows students to monitor their work  Auditory feedback assists students in correcting their spelling, grammar, syntax

23. 23 Talking Word Processing Programs Examples include:  Clicker 4  Granada Writer  Inclusive Writer  Textease 2000  Texthelp! Type & Talk  Write Outloud  Writing with Symbols