Reluctant Readers and Technology to Support Literacy

1. Tumble Books: I picked this program as it is appealing to children, it offers visually stimulating information, large selection of books which caters to earlier elementary, it is accessible in some schools, libraries, and can be accessed at home through subscription.  It offers a wide variety of literature, children can read manually or have audio support with highlighted text, it is offered in other languages which is appealing for our EAL students, it can be an interactive program so it can be used in conjunction with curriculum theme being presented, it offers word prediction, working on vocabulary, offers teaching videos that are supported through National Geographic, where children are exposed to language and videos are paired with non-fiction stories to support learning through audio and text.  It is an interactive program that also offers puzzles and various word games that reinforce books presented, etc.  This is a wonderful program that offers all students access to literacy learning, supports students with reinforced tasks associated with materials read, supports language development and comprehension, etc.  Great for remedial as well as offering compensatory approaches to literacy.  Activities and stories are not too long which is great for children who have attention, processing, expressive/receptive difficulties, learning challenges and disabilities.
 http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/about_tumblebooks.asp

2.
(TOP APP) ABC Photo Touch: This is more of a preschool-early elementary intervention but I like this program for children that are having difficulty with the basic skill in letter identification, it is colorful, audio feedback, interactive and positively reinforcing for the student, and offers letter recognition through repetition, repeated visual stimulus, and allows the child to make errors without immediate correction, where the child can practise repeatedly and is reinforced when correctly selecting the letter.  The program allows for changes to be made through the settings for simple presentation and gradually increasing the demand and level of difficulty as the child increases more skill set (can be adjusted as necessary).  For many of the young children I see, they are struggling with basic letter identification, and this program offers something that can be done quickly, interactively, and can support other programs that are offered through remediation help.  This would also help with EAL students, students who require daily support and supporting students with learning disabilities, visual difficulties, as part of remedial intervention and can complement compensatory strategies as well.

3. (TOP APP) Little Speller (Kids Learning, Grasshopper apps) - This is a wonderful interactive program that is visual, uses three letter tiles that spell individual words that offer the picture as a visual support.  The letter tiles can be touched to provide the letter name, and the shaded word below the picture supports where the child has to drag the letter tile to complete the word.  The tile magnets audio can be turned off and on via the settings app.  This is wonderful for children how are having difficulty with letter identification, difficulty with letter sound relationships, can be used in a classroom, resource, individual and small group setting.  The word can be repeated over and over through audio by tapping an icon at the top of the picture, and the letter tiles can be tapped for numerous repetitions.  There is a HELP icon at the top of the program that offers setting supports, but also tips on how to maximize the little speller program (changing letter order, directionality, visual, audio hints, letter casing, etc).  Another great remedial tool for children who are struggling with letter-sound relationship, letter recognition, great for students with processing issues, working memory support through audio and visual prompts, visual issues/impairment, interactive, can be done easily for short periods of time throughout the day, anywhere, anytime.

4. (TOP APP) MeeGenius: A great program to support the reluctant reader through a variety of children's books that are narrated, individual words are highlighted as the story is being narrated, audio can be paused to interact with the child, to reinforce words, language content, support comprehension, and move on with the story.  The visual presentation is very appealing and wold captivate the young reader, the program is designed for little readers from early years through preschool up to 8 years of age.  But this would be appealing for any child that enjoys having stories read to them, and are great eBooks for instruction, language acquisition, etc.  Would support students that require remedial support in language acquisition, comprehension, text presented within context to help support students with reading disabilities (compensatory) as well.

5. iStory Time: this is another nice interactive reading program that has three basic features; an auto play where the story is read to the child and the pages are automatically turned (great for children with gross or fine motor coordination difficulties), or the Read to me where text is audio but the pages are turned by the child, or the read to myself where the student can read the story themselves, but can go back to audio text for support. Stories are interesting, looking at some of the more contemporary stories from classics, stories from children's movies, making it interesting, text is engaging. Can be used with any student who enjoys the reading process, but a great support for children who cannot engage easily in the process because of language difficulties, comprehension, or demonstrates any of the difficulties with the basics in reading strategies.

6. Booksy: this is a nice program that offers support to early (learning to read) children, which supports early reading skill development, which many of the children we work with are having difficulty with.  The stories selected can be read by someone other than the audio voice, children can manipulate the page control by easy swiping, a large variety of books are available from reading level 0 +.  Illustrations are vivid, very appealing and I think this would be most appealing to children who are reluctant readers, in supporting the building upon basic reading skills through repetition of target words, and can be reinforced on a regular basis through regular review of early literacy levels to support higher language skills in reading levels.  Although the Youtube video provided below does not demonstrate a specific booksy application/program, it speaks to how we need to turn non-readers into readers but it is dependent on the right materials, and to provide programs that engage the student and create enjoyment and support learning from text for ALL children.

7. Word Magic spelling app: great program for children having difficulty with word recognition, basic word sounds (beginning, middle, ending), visually stimulating, you can mix up the order of how you utilize the word activities, which would help in keeping children engaged and more attentive, there is a timer that some students would find more interactive in trying to beat their own levels.  Students can tap the visual for single word to be repeated, which could support students that have auditory issues, processing issues, the audio voice gently prompts the student when the student makes an error, and is not threatening to the child, which can support our smaller students with anxiety performance.  Great way to reinforce basic sight words for common pictures, items, etc., and can be easily reviewed before a reading activity or resource activity is started. The level of difficulty can be set for the older student (preschool through elementary).


8. iRead:  A digital reading program (internet required) that supports the reading process with phonological awareness, phonics, word recognition, spelling, morphology and fluency and supporting word knowledge (vocabulary) and comprehension.  Offers whole class support, individualized instruction for individual students, Highly engaging and supports fun, meta cognition, reading progress tracked.  This program provides remediation before reading gaps may begin, and supports primary through grades two.  This program would be great for our early grade students, especially those that begin school with little to no literacy skills and students that have language based challenges (receptive/expressive) difficulties.  Perfect for in class support that can be used as a whole class based early intervention plan, cold be used in a resource/learning center setting with individual students who may need more one-to-one support, in small group, and would help to support confidence, risk-taking at an early age for reading. 
Scolastic.com/iRead

9. Starfall Learn To Read: this program is used in many schools but it is a great program for students struggling with the development of early literacy skills, EAL students, students with special needs, that supports their language development, teaching basic core fundamentals required for early reading skills, and offers interactive, fun, entertaining activities, stories, supports various concepts, time, special events, etc.    There are helpful teacher guides to support this program, children learn to navigate technology in the classroom along side their peers. The program offers a multitude of language-based instructional support, perfect for reluctant readers and to support ongoing remedial instruction.



10. Audiobooks: great program for accessing a variety of books that cover just about everything of interests, etc.  It allows the individual to select books of interest that are offered in many languages, search by authors, and select the audio narrator of choice.  This would be most appealing to students that are older (late elementary +), where individuals can enjoy being read to.  This would be most helpful with students with reading disabilities, visually impaired students, students needing less extraneous noise interference which causes inattention, distractibility, so students can listen to audio with headphone support.  Some students just like to listen to books being read to them (auditory learners).  Easy access to literacy via phones, which many students now have. Wonderful tool/resource as a compensatory strategy for students with a reading disability or as a remedial support, or just for entertainment, enjoyment, calming with headphones for some students who need to hear the story read to them without the external distractors and noise around them.  Great throughout all ages (early elementary through adulthood.













11. iMovies: I think this would be a great app to help engage the reluctant reader in various ways: interaction and fun in creating various movies based on several different themes, short writing tasks, highly visual, creative, fun, a differentiated way in supporting the engagement and continued learning in the reading and writing (language based) areas.  Can be used in the elementary, junior high and high school setting, supports students with attention difficulties, more engaged individualized learning for all, can be used to complement any part of the curriculum, and a great way for students who are having difficulty with the reading task, language content, comprehension, etc., difficulties to create, present and  build self-confidence and positive esteem for their created product.

12. Blio:  helps support reading and exposure to text with text-to-speech support, highlighting words as the story is read (great audio and visual supports), helps with word recognition, directionality for students who may have visual perceptual integration difficulties, children with dyslexia and other language based learning disabilities, and to support remediation.  This is great for students from early elementary through upper elementary, high school, to further support language content, comprehension, working with familiar and unfamiliar word support, etc.

13. (TOP APP) Pre-School Matching Game Rhyming Words: A great program to support single word rhyming pairing up with another word that rhymes.  Great for support reluctant readers that have difficulty with sounds, blends, rhyming, identifying words that rhyme, etc.  Settings allow easy one word rhyme and as student masters concept, can increase how many words the child sees per activity.  Finger tapping on words for repetition of words, positive audio feedback, visuals to accompany and support word.  Student will be able to complete with 100% accuracy rate and receive positive reinforcement.  This is a great program to support the basics in early reading skill set.  Supports remediation instruction.  Could be used with students who also have visual difficulties but good auditory ability to identify rhyming versus non-rhyming words.  Colorful, great visual support.  Good for students who need the time to process sounds, retrieval of word knowledge, not timed therefore student can take their time and build on skill level mastery. The following video is from a video from another phonics program (Hooked on Phonics) but as phonological awareness is a major part of the early reading skills, this is a great way to help support remediation for children struggling with phonological awareness, word recognition, word-letter-sounds-blends-beginning/ending sounds support.

14. (TOP APP) Little Writer (Alligator Apps):  This would support many of the younger students with hands on, interactive learning through finger tracing on the iPad, working on supporting students with letter identification (upper and lower case) and working with various words.  It is quick, easy to use, the students would enjoy the hands on approach, and can further complement remedial tasks being done in the classroom, in group, resource, at home if able to access the technology and program.  Great visuals, audio support for letter identification, finger tracing of individual letters (upper and lower case), numbers, shape tracing, word tracing through letter identification/support.  This is a great app for remediation with letter recognition, letter-sound recognition, and supporting the mechanics to tracing letters, numbers, words, etc.  Provides support through a highly visual, audio program, settings to the program can be adjusted to suit instructional start-point.

15. (TOP APP) My First Words (Alligator Apps): Great program with many features that can help support younger children in early elementary and even mid to upper elementary students who require remedial support, as well as complementing compensatory reading supports, to provide visual, audio learning of single word recognition/ knowledge to help students with receptive word difficulties, word memory issues, letter sound difficulties, etc.  the program supports various concepts, categories (feelings, animals, vehicles, body parts, etc).  This would be great for all children, to support building on word language, recall of single words, settings can vary how the program is delivered.

16. (TOP APP) Raz Kid- Learning A-Z:  Great program.  Very interactive, high-lighting feature a book is being read, great visuals, supports a wide variety of books, various reading levels, provides instructional level of book, as well as reading Recovery/Fountas & Pinnell levels for word reading support level, provides book glossary to help reinforce text from book, has a voice record feature where the student could record their reading and they can hear what they sound like, where they might be having difficulty and being able to provide specific remedial supports for problematic areas (e.g. phonological, rate, fluency, comprehension, receptive word knowledge, etc).  Books are reinforced with a short quiz (multiple choice) which helps reinforce text comprehension, word knowledge, and higher order thinking with problem-solving (finding the right answer).  Based on performance, this will help support identified area of difficulty, review and build up language comprehension that will support reading skills.  Provides running records to keep data and assess reading level progress.  Great for both early remediation and when moving towards more compensatory strategies for the older elementary students who may have ongoing learning challenges with language acquisition, speech difficulties, auditory processing issues, memory difficulties, learning disabilities that impact the reading process.

 17. Rock ' n Learn Phonics Easy Reader: supports students learn phonological awareness strategies to help support early reading skill building through phonic stories.  Easy reader level books, offers "read to me" or "let me try" choice, words are highlighted, pause can be used anytime for re-reading or word teaching/support.  Provides a 'memory word' to learn.  Works on rhyme.  Supports preschool through grade 6, and materials for support in math, comprehension, etc, can be purchased.  Great support for reluctant and non-readers to help teach, reinforce and provide continuous remedial intervention for all students who require basic skill level to support reading, oral language, phonological awareness, word building. Would be great to engage readers who might have anxiety around the reading process due to areas of specific language deficit, children with dyslexia, auditory processing, visual perceptual issues, receptive language issues, attention difficulties.

 18.Rock 'N Learn Sight Words: helps children learn basic sight words from both the Dolch and Fry lists. 
Interactive, bright visual, children can go through the words individual, have the words repeated as often as need, go on treasure hunts to locate words, interactive characters to keep children engaged in learning process.  Supports various concepts.  Would be most useful to build on automaticity and speed for sight word recognition, memory, comprehension, receptive language in all beginning readers, reluctant readers, students with learning disabilities (language based).  

19.Montessori Interactive Phonics Matching: introduces children to the actual sounds each letter of the alphabet makes in a hidden tile game version.  Interactive, hand on, has voice-over capability, different levels of difficulty.  A nice program for early and later elementary students to hear letter sounds (upper and lower case letters used), thus helping letter recognition, letter-sound relationship, visual memory learning and recall. The video below is a general video that demonstrates the emphasis placed on letter-sounds, repetition, guided practice, and much more.

20. The Electric Company Word ball PBS Kids: designed to work on word skills, musical, audio-visual games ages 5 and up with abilities to manipulate sounds in spoken words and mapping words to print.  Great app that would appeal to children who are not engaged in the reading process due to language difficulties, processing issues, attention issues, challenges around visual memory and recall, automaticity for letter-sound issues, word retrieval issues, auditory processing difficulties.

My Top APPs: The reason why I selected the apps I did is due to increasing issues around children 's difficulties with the reading process, and the need to identify through early screening and provide the necessary remediation to help support children in learning and acquiring a good foundation for the core reading skills necessary to become fluent, confident readers, without the traditional paper/pencil approach, and other traditional means of systematic learning that just does not work for everyone.  Children that are identified with basic reading skills issues due to processing difficulties, language barriers, experiential limitations, cultural factors, EAL factors, disabilities, etc., need to be supported in basic but fun, interactive means of instruction which can support formal remedial instruction support, can be done for short periods of time through the student's learning day, and can be reinforced frequently in a fun approach, where the student can build upon skill set, feel good about their learning, progress and develop more confidence and hopefully, allow for more risk-taking in the learning of reading (language process). 

I am learning that having access to the iPad and other mobile devices can support each and every student, but in particular with the necessary assistive technology that will support so many of our students, whether they are young reluctant readers, or older students with a disability or a learning difficulty that can affect students to the point where they become so disengaged with the learning process and it becomes more challenging to provide remediation or accommodations, as many will require.  It is in being able to provide the prevention, or early intervention and remediation that can be so easily and readily via technologies and UDL that will be critical to so many students.  It is getting it out to the students in the way that is going to stimulate and challenge their learning, regardless of difficulty, and we need to be supportive and be able to meet the real needs our students have, while continuously building on their strengths and abilities, and finding the best program to help student achieve, feel good about their learning, and wanting more!!!!