focus area:
reading comprehension
Reading comprehension difficulties are common in students with learning disabilities. Students must use strategies such as note-taking, questioning, and summarizing before, during, and after they read in order to get a clear understanding. These strategies must be explicitly taught to students who struggle in this area. Technology can also be used to provide supplemental supports, such as audio, video, and other interactive features to increase comprehension.
research
According to the Reading Next report by Biancarosa & Snow (2004), "very few older struggling readers (between fourth and twelfth grade) need help to read the words on a page, their most common problem is that they are not able to comprehend what they read" (1). As students enter middle and high school, the material they are expected to comprehend increases in difficulty, causing students with disabilities to fall even farther behind. While the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has documented the importance of teaching reading comprehension to struggling students, other studies have found that insufficient time spent on teaching reading comprehension strategies, along with a lack of teacher training in this area, is leaving students at a disadvantage (2).
Using technology is one way to enhance student reading comprehension. Various technology tools can be used to help students plan and monitor, determine importance, ask questions, make inferences, make connections, synthesize, and visualize, which are research-based strategies shown to improve comprehesion (3). The "multimedia principle" states that "people learn more deeply from words and pictures than from words alone" (4). Assistive technology tools that combine multiple ways of gaining information and interactive features not only increase comprehension, but motivation as well (5). The technology tools listed below combined with quality instruction will lead to greater student success.
Using technology is one way to enhance student reading comprehension. Various technology tools can be used to help students plan and monitor, determine importance, ask questions, make inferences, make connections, synthesize, and visualize, which are research-based strategies shown to improve comprehesion (3). The "multimedia principle" states that "people learn more deeply from words and pictures than from words alone" (4). Assistive technology tools that combine multiple ways of gaining information and interactive features not only increase comprehension, but motivation as well (5). The technology tools listed below combined with quality instruction will lead to greater student success.
Technology based solutions
Newsela.com - This website allows students to read current news articles about topics that interest them. Students can select the Lexile level appropriate for them and take comprehension quizzes. This site eliminates the problem of text being too hard for students to read. Every student in the class can now read the same article, set to their personalized Lexile level.
CAST UDL Book Builder - With Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in mind, this site allows users to create, share, and read digital books that meet the needs of diverse learners of any age. Stories incorporate written words, pictures, and a text-to-speech reader to present information in multiple modalities. Friendly on-screen characters provide readers with comprehension strategies and ask questions to promote active reading.
Teachers can create their own digital stories that align with the curriculum and tailor embedded comprehension tools to their students' specific needs. Students can read digital stories independently or with a partner at a classroom computer station or read at home using the built-in support features.
Teachers can create their own digital stories that align with the curriculum and tailor embedded comprehension tools to their students' specific needs. Students can read digital stories independently or with a partner at a classroom computer station or read at home using the built-in support features.
DodgePoint Shakespeare Plays Apps - These iPad and iPhone apps provide middle and high school students with an alternate multidimensional way of accessing traditional Shakespearean works. Comprehension enhancing features include an audio version of the text complete with periodic sound effects and music, side-by-side modern day summaries of the text, word definitions, overviews of each act and scene, character profiles, and a timeline of events.
Teachers can use this digital format of Shakespeare's play as a supplementary or primary means of instruction. Text can be projected from the iPad onto a screen for whole class reading and discussion or students with individual iPads may explore the text in small groups or independently.
Teachers can use this digital format of Shakespeare's play as a supplementary or primary means of instruction. Text can be projected from the iPad onto a screen for whole class reading and discussion or students with individual iPads may explore the text in small groups or independently.
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Cambio Shakespeare Videos - This site improves comprehension by providing Cliffs Notes type insight into Shakespearen plays through the use of humorous, yet accurate cartoons. Videos are most appropriate for middle and high school students who are reading the works of William Shakespeare.
Teachers can use these videos prior to, during, or after reading a Shakespearean play with students to give them a visual summary of events and characters. Teachers may also incorporate video lectures into class lessons to introduce or analyze various themes in the plays.
Teachers can use these videos prior to, during, or after reading a Shakespearean play with students to give them a visual summary of events and characters. Teachers may also incorporate video lectures into class lessons to introduce or analyze various themes in the plays.
more information:
Into the Book - This site is a reading comprehension resource for K-4 students and teachers that focuses on 8 research-based strategies. Check out the interactive activities, videos, lesson plans, and other resources.
Holt Reading Resources is a companion site to the Elements of Literature textbook series that provides students with interactive versions of texts found in book. Reading tips, questions, and polls guide the reading process to encourage active reading and enhance comprehension.
MCI (Making Connections Intervention) provides targeted literacy intervention to middle and high school students who are reading between a 3rd and 5th grade level.
Freeology.com provides teachers with an incredible array of graphic organizers that can be used to help students increase reading comprehension and other literacy skills.
Thinking Reader is an innovative, research-validated program that systematically builds reading comprehension skills for students reading below grade level.
Holt Reading Resources is a companion site to the Elements of Literature textbook series that provides students with interactive versions of texts found in book. Reading tips, questions, and polls guide the reading process to encourage active reading and enhance comprehension.
MCI (Making Connections Intervention) provides targeted literacy intervention to middle and high school students who are reading between a 3rd and 5th grade level.
Freeology.com provides teachers with an incredible array of graphic organizers that can be used to help students increase reading comprehension and other literacy skills.
Thinking Reader is an innovative, research-validated program that systematically builds reading comprehension skills for students reading below grade level.