Genius Hour Project
Exploring Technology Used in Schools for Struggling Readers
by Shannon Peterman
Why does this even matter...?
So what did I find?
iPad Apps
- Sentence Builder
-Challenges students to build grammatically correct sentences
-Reading fluency, writing fluency, comprehension, vocabulary (i.e. parts of speech) - Jumbled Sentences
-Comes in a series and allows students to interactivity unscramble words to form sentences with them
-Reading fluency, writing fluency, comprehension, vocabulary (i.e. parts of speech) - Reading Remedies
-Students read broken-down passages and then play activities afterwards that require them to recall what they read
-Comprehension, fluency, phonics (breaks down certain words), vocabulary (allows for sight words to be used) - Enchanted Dictionary
-Words must be unscrambled in order to form a definition sentence; subject area can be picked (i.e. science vocabulary words, mathematics vocabulary words, etc.)
-Vocabulary, comprehension, fluency - Reading Trainer
-Aims to improve retention rate and reading speed using fast-paced exercises
-Fluency (i.e. WPM), comprehension
These are just a few of the countless reading support apps that are out there! When it comes down to choosing one to integrate into your reading instruction, it is all about what the needs of your specific students are and what they are struggling with.
Computer Programs/Software
- SuccessMaker Reading
-Able to individually focus on the needs of the student using it; incorporates Common Core and other subject areas; variety of activities focusing on different elements of reading instruction
-Comprehension, writing fluency, reading fluency, vocabulary, phonics, parts of speech, sight words - Accelerated Reader
-Assesses students' reading levels, provides books/reading material on that level, and quizzes students on said books
-Fluency, comprehension - MultiFunk
-Very similar to Accelerated Reader; allows students to make a profile dependent on skills/preferences and activities/reading materials are then based off these individual profiles
-Comprehension, fluency, spelling
I did not find as many computer programs/software as I did iPad apps, leaving me to believe the use of apps has become more popular. However, these resources are just as effective and can even be cheaper (many of the apps cost money, especially when buying for every student's iPad).
Websites
- BrainPop
-Provides short videos along with quizzes on a variety of topics/subject areas
-Comprehension, fluency, parts of speech (depending on the video), phonics (depending on the video), grammar (depending on the video), spelling (depending on the video) - Starfall
-Focuses in on different reading levels in order to teach students how to read/how to better read
-Comprehension, fluency - Padlet
-Essentially a digital word wall; can create a class set or have an individual set in order to focus in on difficult words
-Vocabulary, sight words, fluency
There are many more websites out there -- this is the twenty-first century, after all! However, being an early childhood education major I have focused more on websites that would be essential supports for the K-5 student.
Moving forward
If you would like to learn more, I encourage you to look at my Genius Hour Blog, as well as continue some research on your own!