Reading Supports:
The National Reading Panel has identified 5 different topic areas that the learning student become fluent in. These areas are phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Typically in the general education classroom, it is expected that students master each of these areas. However, it is not true that every student does. Many student’s rely on reading supports in order to help them learn and maybe eventually master the topic they are struggling with. What reading supports are available to students having difficulty with one or more areas of reading?
Low-Tech Assistive Technology:
Sometimes, all a struggling student may need is a little assistance through the use of a low-tech assistive technology tool. Listed below are two examples of low tech AT that can help a student succeed:
-Highlighters: Highlighters can be found anywhere and prove to be very useful to struggling students, especially those struggling with vocabulary retention or phonics. The student can highlight words they have trouble with, and look back on them after the passage is completed in order to look up it's meaning or pronunciation.
-Correction Tape: Correction tape can be inserted into a book, written on, and removed without damaging the text. This can allow students to gain better understanding by writing notes and messages within the text itself.
Mid- Tech Assistive Technology:
Mid-Tech Assistive Technology may sometimes prove to be more beneficial to the student. Two examples of Mid-Tech Assistive Technology would be:
-Electronic Dictionary and Thesaurus- an electronic dictionary and thesaurus is small can be carried from class to class with ease. The student just needs to type in the word they are struggling with and the definition is displayed promptly. Some even come with a speaking feature so those student's who have vision impairments can access an electronic dictionary with ease.
Mid-Tech Assistive Technology may sometimes prove to be more beneficial to the student. Two examples of Mid-Tech Assistive Technology would be:
-Electronic Dictionary and Thesaurus- an electronic dictionary and thesaurus is small can be carried from class to class with ease. The student just needs to type in the word they are struggling with and the definition is displayed promptly. Some even come with a speaking feature so those student's who have vision impairments can access an electronic dictionary with ease.
Voice Recorder- a voice recorder can allow a child having difficulties with reading fluency and comprehension to read the story out loud, then listen back to their own readings. They can look for areas that they need to work in in regards to more fluent reading, and can listen back and take notes on the story.
High-Tech Assistive Technology-
The high-tech assistive technology listed below are both accessed by means of a computer. These beneficial websites are:
-www.raz-kids.com- Raz-Kids provides an online reading library of high-interest/low-level books. These books will be read aloud to the student. Afterwards, the student can go back and record themselves reading a passage as many times as they’d like until they are satisfied. Raz-Kids also provides feedback by means of a bar graph. The bar graph displays the accuracy of the student’s reading. The first and last recording the child attempted are saved, so the instructor can listen and see signs of improvement. The ability to let the child record as many times as they’d like allows them to try until they feel confident in their reading. The fact that feedback is provided as well helps both the student and the instructor see where more practice is necessary.
The high-tech assistive technology listed below are both accessed by means of a computer. These beneficial websites are:
-www.raz-kids.com- Raz-Kids provides an online reading library of high-interest/low-level books. These books will be read aloud to the student. Afterwards, the student can go back and record themselves reading a passage as many times as they’d like until they are satisfied. Raz-Kids also provides feedback by means of a bar graph. The bar graph displays the accuracy of the student’s reading. The first and last recording the child attempted are saved, so the instructor can listen and see signs of improvement. The ability to let the child record as many times as they’d like allows them to try until they feel confident in their reading. The fact that feedback is provided as well helps both the student and the instructor see where more practice is necessary.
www.starfall.com- The video below gives a detailed description of starfall.com:
Sources
-www.starfall.com
-www.raz-kids.com
-Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom:enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. (2nd Ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
-www.raz-kids.com
-Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom:enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. (2nd Ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.