Interactive literacy applications and on-line resources

Here are some literacy links:

STARFALL
This extensive, free resource works well with in situations such as peer-tutoring, small group instruction, and home learning interventions. Good potential for reading intervention research, also for interventions/support for ELL students. Impressive on an interactive whiteboard. From the website: "“Starfall's online reading programs, together with Starfall's printed materials, are available free from our website as a public service. The website is easy to access and does not require special software to operate. Our printed materials are available for download free of charge. Starfall's educational objectives are consistent with the findings of National Research Council in their report on Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children."

EDUTOPIA ARTICLE ABOUT AUDIOBOOKS- "Listening to Literature"

EDUTOPIA ARTICLE ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND READING - "Tech Teaches"

LEXIA LEARNINGSYSTEMS
Lexia provides interactive software applications for reading. A Spanish version is available. The Lexia Cross-Trainer provides interactive games to develop visual-spatial problem -solving skills. For more information, visit the Lexia products link and the support library.

HEADSPROUT

"HeadSprout's secure, web-based performance reports summarize the online instruction into practical information for teachers and administrators. Automated performance reports provide objective, empirical information about each student's individual strengths and weaknesses and progression within the Headsprout reading program."

Samples

EDMARK and RIVERDEEP

Edmark and Riverdeep offer a range of educational applications geared towards special learning needs. Some of the validity research regarding these products is dated. (Research that compares the effectiveness of these products with other interactive reading and academic programs is needed.)

LITERACY RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
Resources from UConn to support reading and writing for students with special needs.

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL LIBRARY ARTICLE ON TECHNOLOGY AND LITERACY - "Critical Issue: Using Technology to Enhance Literacy Instruction

READ PRINT
Good resources for reading materials. Includes biographical information about various authors. According to the website: "Our website offers thousands of free books for students, teachers, and the classic enthusiast."

VCOM3D INC

From the website: "This technology provides interactive, 3D animated characters that communicate through body language (including gesture, signs, and facial expression), lip-synched speech, and action. Their embedded behaviors reflect each character‚’s individual personality, and makes them appealing and lifelike."

"A striking increase in attention span, their level of engagement, and results. During an evaluation at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, the increase in comprehension when shifting from text-only to text accompanied by sign language using SigningAvatar technology was 17% to 67%."

INTERVENTION CENTRAL

A great on-line resource is Intervention Central, created by Jim Wright, a school psychologist and school administrator. On this site, you will find several on-line tools, downloads, and links to a variety of academic and behavioral intervention strategies. Many of the interventions focus on literacy. There are some technology links on the site.

Update 3/24/10:  READ 180

"READ 180 is a comprehensive reading intervention program proven to meet the needs of struggling readers in transitional Grades 3–12. The program directly addresses individual needs through differentiated instruction, adaptive and instructional software, high-interest literature and non-fiction, and direct instruction in reading, writing, and vocabulary skills."