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Reading Software: Finding the Right Program

By: National Center for Technology Innovation (2006)

With the range and variety of commercial software products on the shelves today, how can an educator or parent choose a program that will most benefit a particular student? Where are product reviews that can inform the decision?

Four web-based resources contain detailed information on reading software programs and address specific needs of students with special needs in reading. The following overview provides a synopsis of each resource to help streamline the selection process.

National Center for Technology Innovation

The reading matrix posted on the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) website serves as a database of both published research and commercial products, reviewed for universal design features that benefit students with reading challenges. The NCTI reading matrix is organized around six purposes for the use of technology in reading instruction, including:

Building skills and comprehension
Converting text to speech
Providing text in alternative formats
Providing electronic resources
Organizing ideas
Integrating literacy supports

Products are reviewed for the presence of features such as text-to-speech capabilities, in-line dictionary support, customizable views, and progress monitoring options. The matrix is updated regularly with new products, research reports, and additional features. Recently added was information on educational applications of each product. Direct links are provided to product websites.

National Center for Accessible Media

The National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) website focuses on the technological aspects of e-books and digital talking books (DTB) software and hardware that make print accessible to readers with learning difficulties or vision impairments. The NCAM reading matrix serves as a resource for identifying capabilities for tools, such as:

Cost
Operating system requirements
Supported text formats
Supported multimedia formats
Additional features such as ability to link to external media devices

The matrix is regularly updated with information as new versions are released or updates add capabilities to existing products. Direct links are provided to product websites.

Curriculum Software Search

The Curriculum Software Search is part of the Stages developmental framework which supports the language and learning of students with moderate to severe impairments. The database is organized around seven stages:

Cause and effect
Language readiness
Emerging language
Early concepts
Advanced concepts
Functional learning
Talking word processors
Writing tools, written expression, and syntax development

Users are able select a stage and search a list of software database choices. These choices include: access options (i.e., mouse, switch), graphics and content (child, teen/adult), platform (Mac, Windows, DOS), prompt options (auditory, visual, multisensory), activity type (press and hold or press and release), and feedback type (auditory, visual). The portal allows users to search for software that is compatible with the user's needs as indicated by the query fields.

Texas Assistive Technology Network

The Texas Assistive Technology Network provides another variation in web-based reading resources as part of its training to educators in the state. The reading module includes presenter and participant training materials (as a downloadable PowerPoint presentation). Accompanying the training materials is Technology for Struggling Students ,a PDF matrix of software products and strategies. The products and strategies are organized into five components that align with federal guidelines for research based reading instruction:

Phonemic awareness
Phonics
Vocabulary
Fluency
Comprehension

The product and strategy reviews also list product name, manufacturer, website, product description, and a no tech/low tech category.

Reading more

Finding the software a particular student needs to succeed with reading is a challenge given the wide variety of products and ranges of capabilities. The good news is that there are several compilations that review products and capabilities as well as link to supporting research to help inform the decision.

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