This article could prove to be very helpful with students struggling with reading and reading comprehension. It outlined some major technological aids that will assist learners with their reading. These tools are mobile devices that would possibly one day be replacing textbooks. These devices can perform a number of helpful actions to help the child progress and understand their assignments. The reader can ask assistance and have the device say a certain word they cannot read, it can highlight or change the text color for selected passages, or the child can request to be read the entire passage.
The section that struck me the most was the story of Dylan who was in middle school having difficulty reading. Not only did this affect his English classes but it was so difficult for him that it even affected his math class. Reading the directions properly made assignments nearly impossible.
Dylan was then given one of these digital tools and it cut down the time it took to do his math homework to 1/4 of the time. As a prospect physics teacher I do want my students to be able to read but in my class I don't want that to be a barrier from them to be able to do good physics. I would highly endorse this product as I know that many students that need assistance would be able to work on pure physics without the barrier of poor reading skills.
One thing that the article mentions to keep in mind are the dangers of switching over to a digital platform. The article talks about how if there is too fast of a transition manufactures may not create the wide usability that would have to be there for all types of students. If the usability is not comprehensive enough, this would just cause more barriers for students. However, even with this risk, this looks like it will be a very promising turn for students with these troubles.
It's really cool that such dramatic effects can be achieved by having a device read for students who have trouble, though hopefully it doesnt end up a crutch preventing them from eventually improving their literacy. Also, did you mean it only took one fourth the time? That would be a 75% reduction, as you can reduce the time taken to complete a task by more than 100% without invoking time travel.
ReplyDeleteIn regards the the second portion, is it intentional to try and demonstrate the struggle of reading comprehension, or is it something you didn't mean to publish yet, like a rough draft? The formatting and sentence compositions are driving me crazy, the formatting is wacky in multiple browsers too, so that is ruled out.
Ah. Sorry David. The bottom section has been removed. Those were my notes that got transferred over. Also, I did mean 1/4 the time. That, however, is still in there. Sorry again...
ReplyDeleteNo worries, I though it was amusing that it took me four times longer to read that part than it should have, and perhaps that could illustrate the frustration students feel when reading comprehension impedes their ability to do work in other subjects as well.
DeleteI love how helpful these new technology aids are in the classroom. There is one teacher to about 20 to 30 students; having these mobile devices in the classroom can help make sure every student's needs are being met. I am also amazed at Dylan's results; these devices can help cut down homework time by a fourth. This will also help the students become less overwhelmed with their school work.
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