Reading Supports
Reading is the foundation for most of a student's formal education; therefore, efficient, effective reading skills are crucial for every student. Students need to be taught skills in five topic areas: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary (Dell, Newton, & Petroff, 2012). These assisitive technology tools help to minimize frustration and maximize success for struggling readers, in order to help them attain proficiency in reading at grade level while making reading enjoyable. Click on product images for direct links to product sites.
Low-Tech Tools:
Highlighting Tape
This simple tool can be helpful for students who are learning to find important ideas in their reading. Highlighting is an important skill for readers to learn; this tool gives them the ability not only to conveniently mark important ideas, but also to erase any highlighting they later see is unnecessary. This product is available at office supply stores or online at varied prices. |
The Reading Helper
This tool helps student who have trouble focusing on their reading, who frequently lose their place while reading, or who have visual processing difficulties. It is laid over reading material, so that the student can successfully read line by line. The reading helper is available fro Reading Helper, Inc., in various colors and sizes, for $2 each. |
See It Right!
See It Right! overlays are available in multiple colors and can be used by students with visual processing difficulty. The change in color page can make students perceive reading material in a whole new way, thus helping them become successful readers. See It Right! should be preceded by an evaluation of the student's need. This tool is available from See It Right! for $3 and up. |
Mid-Tech Tools:
BrowseAloud
BrowseAloud is a web-based voice over program that reads websites out loud. This is useful for students who need internet use and who are affected by vision impairment, dyslexia, or other learning disabilities. This free program can be accessed from browsealoud.com. Students of any grade level can use it to assist them with reading online. |
Reading Pen
This portable hand-held device offers students assistance with reading by allowing them to scan unfamiliar words to instantly hear pronunciation and definitions. Because the student uses it autonomously, he or she can quickly build reading speed and comprehension. The Reading Pen is available from WizCom Tech for $229.95. |
Ambling Book Player This program, which can be downloaded onto mobile phones or media player devices, offers students the ability to listen to books with a number of significant helpful features. The Ambling Book Player is easy to navigate, keeps the reader's place, and offers the option to bookmark or make notes on the book. This program is helpful for students of any grade level. It is available from amblingbookplayer.com. |
High-Tech Tools:
Reading Comprehension Booster
This web-based software program helps to build students' reading comprehension by teaching various reading strategies. The program offers its own reading selection that is rated according to reading difficulty. As students improve, they can move to more difficult texts. Reading Comprehension Booster is available from Merit Software for $79 and up. |
Thinking Reader
This software program focuses on improving reading comprehension for students who are reading below grade level. Struggling readers can develop skills at their own pace while still participating in class discussions. This program is to be used in the classroom, as differentiated instruction and monitored progress are important elements for its success. The program is sold based on the teacher's selected reading material; for example, teachers can purchase the program for My Brother Sam is Dead, Bridge to Terabithia, and A Wrinkle in Time. Thinking Reader is available through Tom Snyder Productions for $250 and up. |
Kidspiration
This is a software program features cross-curricular activities that help students with a variety of challenges. For reading, this program offers vocabulary building tools including pronunciation helps, synonym and homophone guides, and parts of speech instruction. Students can build their confidence and capability as they continue to gain good reading skills. This program is for students in K-5. It is available through Inspiration Software, Inc., for $59 and up. |
Dell, A.G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J.G. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.