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Readorium, by Mtelegence has been developed with SBIR funding from the Institute of Education Sciences, US Department of Education.
The reading comprehension problem in the US is alarming.
Two-thirds of US 8th graders performed below the proficient level on the most recent national reading assessment.
And look how we ranked on the latest international science tests!
According to the IES, comprehension increases when students are taught reading strategies, word-learning techniques, and receive individualized help when they struggle.
Readorium embeds these principles in a motivating program to help struggling middle school readers understand science text.
It supplements the regular school curriculum.
This program follows the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model.
Online guides support students as they read.
This support decreases as students progress.
Let's follow a student to see how effective practices are integrated into the program.
Students first see the topic series screen.
Every series delves deeply into a topic, with seven sequential articles based on the Next Generation Science Standards.
Each topic is connected to a specific reading strategy.
Students participate in a strategy lesson every time they choose a new topic.
Next, a guide introduces the topic and demonstrates how to strategically think through the first part of the text.
Students then work through the articles independently, but are given support whenever they need it.
Readorium's text adapts to the students' changing reading levels as they go.
Every article is written at 12 different levels using a system that takes concept density, word familiarity, and sentence complexity into account.
All of this is done without changing the concepts, vocabulary, or graphics presented.
So every student learns the same in-depth information.
To ensure the mastery of individual concepts, struggling students answer pinpointed questions after each one.
And to ensure focus, students interact with text by filling in missing words as they read.
Since all students read the same information, they answer the same final questions.
Struggling students receive up to three progressively pinpointed hints to answer them successfully.
This keeps standards high while students get the support they need.
Bolded content words are defined in the text, and guides teach students how to figure out their meanings.
When students click, interactive reviewable vocabulary cards pop up.
Students are rewarded with tokens and virtual money for correct answers.
They get bigger rewards if they internalize strategies and do not depend on hints.
Students also receive a bronze, silver, or gold medal at the end of each article.
They can upgrade to gold by reviewing concepts they found difficult.
Students cash-in their earnings in Readorium's motivational Emporium.
There, they can play learning games, view science videos, read special interest articles, and check their Hall of Fame rankings.
Teachers can access real-time student score reports to monitor progress and to group students who struggle with specific content or strategies.
They can then download printable lessons to target instruction for classes, groups, or individuals.
Readorium field test results showed considerable promise for helping students understand nonfiction.
Students and teachers also responded enthusiastically to the program.
"You're on the computer. You're not just sitting there staring at it."
"You're learning while using technology. It's not like just reading a book; it comes to life."
"I would recommend it to other kids cause you're having fun doing the articles, reading them, and you're really learning from them."
"This program sorta opens up this new world of reading to them using technology and I think that what's really making that connection with them."
"I really honestly think this program is changing kids' lives, just like the love of reading is coming back again."