The Evaluation of Enhanced Academic Instruction in After-School Programs: Findings After the First Year of Implementation

This report presents one-year implementation and impact findings on two supplemental academic instruction approaches developed for after-school settings -- one for math and one for reading. Compared with regular after-school programming, the supplemental math program had impacts on student SAT 10 test scores and the supplemental reading program did not --although the reading program had some effect on reading fluency

Extensive reading in a second language : literature review and pedagogical implications

textThis Report explores the importance of including extensive reading (ER) program in English as a second language (ESL) or English as a foreign language (EFL) context. To find benefits and implications of L2 extensive reading, the Report reviews comprehensive literature on L2 extensive reading. Research has found that extensive reading enables L2 learners to achieve both cognitive and affective gains. Based on these findings, the report provides some pedagogical implications for an L2 program in ESL/EFL contexts. The suggestions include practical tips such as materials, useful ER activities, and a discussion of teacher roles in an extensive reading program.Foreign Language Educatio

The Effect of Visual Aid and Games on Reading Performance of Down Syndrome Children

Children with Down syndrome might demonstrate slow progress in reading. In fad some of the children might be able to read but did not understand the concept o reading. They might not remember what they had read, especially when the reading method gave emphasis to alphabet memorization and spelling. However, Down Syndrome children might learn to read better using visual stimuli to compensate their fewer memory channels (Oelwein, 1995). They also learned best using a hands on approach with activities that are meaningful to them (Dunaway,2005). A specific reading program then was designed to help the children acquiring better reading performance. This program was intended to modify the previous reading program tho emphasized on spelling method. it employed the playful approach including the use visual aid, such as specially designed pictorial books and cards, and games such as matching cards, word play, role-play and sports. The subjects of the program were three Down Syndrome children within age range of 8- 10 years old, and IQ range between 50-65. The intervention process of this program, and its varied effects on children reading performance (including matching, selecting and naming) will be explained. The obstacles and suggestions will be further discussed

Putting Computerized Instruction to the Test: A Randomized Evaluation of a "Scientifically-based" Reading Program

Although schools across the country are investing heavily in computers in the classroom, there is surprisingly little evidence that they actually improve student achievement. In this paper we present results from a randomized study of a well-defined use of computers in schools: a popular instructional computer program, known as Fast ForWord, which is designed to improve language and reading skills. We assess the impact of the program using four different measures of language and reading ability. Our estimates suggest that while use of the computer program may improve some aspects of students' language skills, it does not appear that these gains translate into a broader measure of language acquisition or into actual reading skills.

Reading Next: A Vision for Action and Research in Middle and High School Literacy

Outlines fifteen key elements that educators can use to develop an effective adolescent literacy intervention program. Focuses on elements of interventions that are most promising for students that struggle with reading and writing after third grade

Teaching Extensive Reading Program with Character Building Theme: From Zero to Hero

: This paper gives a try to presents the complete action plan in setting up an extensive reading course that is not only for fostering the students\u27 English proficiency but also for building up their character as well. This paper addresses that sets up a good theme before teaching is necessary. Henceforth, this program lies ‘from zero to hero\u27 as the theme. In teaching this program, a problembased approach and lexically-based language teaching are adopting and integrating as an instructional methodology. The explanation of it will be divided into two parts. First part is the review of theory underpinning the implementation of this program, and the second part is the detail of the action plan

Instructional strategies and tactics for the design of introductory computer programming courses in high school

This article offers an examination of instructional strategies and tactics for the design of introductory computer programming courses in high school. We distinguish the Expert, Spiral and Reading approach as groups of instructional strategies that mainly differ in their general design plan to control students' processing load. In order, they emphasize topdown program design, incremental learning, and program modification and amplification. In contrast, tactics are specific design plans that prescribe methods to reach desired learning outcomes under given circumstances. Based on ACT* (Anderson, 1983) and relevant research, we distinguish between declarative and procedural instruction and present six tactics which can be used both to design courses and to evaluate strategies. Three tactics for declarative instruction involve concrete computer models, programming plans and design diagrams; three tactics for procedural instruction involve worked-out examples, practice of basic cognitive skills and task variation. In our evaluation of groups of instructional strategies, the Reading approach has been found to be superior to the Expert and Spiral approaches

Compact cartridge drives coded tape at constant readout speed

To facilitate storage and repetitive reading of short-program coded tape, a cartridge case, containing mechanical drive and readout assemblies, has been fabricated. The drive transports the tape past a conventional pickup device during the reading function