Computers and Cognition in Reading: A Focus on Decoding Fluency

1986 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph K. Torgesen
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Computer Technology ◽  
Word Identification ◽  
Word Decoding ◽  
Decoding Skills ◽  
Handicapped Children ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Traditional Programs ◽  
Written Materials

Recent cognitive analyses of reading indicate the importance of fluent word identification skills in reading comprehension. These analyses suggest that children who experience difficulties in the acquisition of fluent word decoding skills will be limited in their development of higher level comprehension processes in reading. Recent advances in computer technology create the possibility of providing much greater amounts of fluency oriented practice in decoding skills than is possible in most traditional programs. A few beginning studies provide support for the idea that computers may be helpful in reading instruction for handicapped children by providing large amounts of practice in the word identification skills that are necessary before good comprehension of written materials can occur.

scholarly journals Evidence for complementary effects of code- and knowledge-focused reading instruction

2021 ◽  
pp. 026565902110142
Author(s):  
Meghan Vollebregt ◽  
Jana Leggett ◽  
Sherry Raffalovitch ◽  
Colin King ◽  
Deanna Friesen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Word Recognition ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Nonsense Word ◽  
Dialogic Reading ◽  
Written Expression ◽  
Word Decoding ◽  
School Year ◽  
One Year

There is growing recognition of the need to end the debate regarding reading instruction in favor of an approach that provides a solid foundation in phonics and other underlying language skills to become expert readers. We advance this agenda by providing evidence of specific effects of instruction focused primarily on the written code or on developing knowledge. In a grade 1 program evaluation study, an inclusive and comprehensive program with a greater code-based focus called Reading for All (RfA) was compared to a knowledge-focused program involving Dialogic Reading. Phonological awareness, letter word recognition, nonsense word decoding, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, written expression and vocabulary were measured at the beginning and end of the school year, and one year after in one school only. Results revealed improvements in all measures except listening comprehension and vocabulary for the RfA program at the end of the first school year. These gains were maintained for all measures one year later with the exception of an improvement in written expression. The Dialogic Reading group was associated with a specific improvement in vocabulary in schools from lower socioeconomic contexts. Higher scores were observed for RfA than Dialogic Reading groups at the end of the first year on nonsense word decoding, phonological awareness and written expression, with the differences in the latter two remaining significant one year later. The results provide evidence of the need for interventions to support both word recognition and linguistic comprehension to better reading comprehension.

scholarly journals Exploring the importance of vocabulary for English as an additional language learners’ reading comprehension

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-376
Author(s):  
Gavin Brooks ◽  
Jon Clenton ◽  
Simon Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Reading Fluency ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Text Comprehension ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Linguistic Knowledge ◽  
Word Decoding ◽  
Decoding Skills ◽  
General Linguistic

This exploratory study represents an attempt to investigate the factors that may affect the reading comprehension abilities of English as an additional language (EAL) learners. For this study, we examined a participant group of 31 (25 EAL and 6 first language English) learners studying at an international school in Japan. We assessed the participants according to four factors shown to influence reading comprehension: vocabulary knowledge, word decoding skills, reading fluency, and general linguistic ability. Our results show that differences in vocabulary knowledge show more variance in reading comprehension scores than the other factors examined in this study, highlighting the importance of vocabulary knowledge for reading comprehension. However, other factors such as reading fluency and general linguistic knowledge are also shown to be moderate to strong predictors of reading comprehension. Based on these results, we suggest that EAL learners need targeted language support to enhance academic text comprehension.

Reading Instruction and Remediation Using Voice Synthesis in Computer Interaction

1986 ◽  
Vol 30 (13) ◽  
pp. 1336-1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Olson ◽  
Gregory Foltz ◽  
Barbara Wise
Keyword(s):  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Word Decoding ◽  
Decoding Skills ◽  
Synthesized Speech ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
Speech Feedback ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Unknown Words ◽  
Disabled Readers

Synthesized speech was used in our Computer-Based Reading and Speech-Feedback system for training disabled readers. In this system, children touch unfamiliar words in stories presented on the computer display and receive speech feedback to help develop their word decoding skills. Results from a study of disabled readers' responses to the system are reported. The disabled readers could identify words spoken by the synthesizer nearly as well as the same words presented in natural speech. After reading stories and targeting unknown words with a mouse or light pen, the disabled readers were later able to read a high percentage of the targeted words for which they had received speech feedback. Extended use of the system may substantially improve the prognosis for disabled readers. The advantages of synthesized speech over other types of computer speech are discussed for this application.

Associations Between Length of Music Training and Reading Skills in Children

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen A. Corrigall ◽  
Laurel J. Trainor
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Word Decoding ◽  
Decoding Skills ◽  
Far Transfer ◽  
Music Training ◽  
Near Transfer ◽  
Music Lessons ◽  
Reading Abilities ◽  
Comprehension Skills

previous research has found that music training in childhood is associated with word decoding, a fundamental reading skill related to the ability to pronounce individual words. These findings have typically been explained by a near transfer mechanism because music lessons train auditory abilities associated with those needed for decoding words. Nevertheless, few studies have examined whether music training is associated with higher-level reading abilities such as reading comprehension, which would suggest far transfer. We tested whether the length of time children took music lessons was associated with word decoding and reading comprehension skills in 6- to 9-year-old normal-achieving readers. Our results revealed that length of music training was not associated with word decoding skills; however, length of music training predicted reading comprehension performance even after controlling for age, socioeconomic status, auditory perception, full-scale IQ, the number of hours that children spent reading per week, and word decoding skills. We suggest that if near transfer occurs, it is likely strongest in beginning readers or those experiencing reading difficulty. The strong association in our data—between length of music training and reading comprehension—is consistent with mechanisms involving far transfer.

Computer-Assisted Instruction in Word-Decoding for Educationally-Handicapped Children

1981 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Spring ◽  
Linda Perry
Keyword(s):  
Computer Assisted Instruction ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Word Decoding ◽  
Decoding Skills ◽  
Design Constraints ◽  
Theoretical Rationale ◽  
Handicapped Children ◽  
Instruction System ◽  
Psychology Of Reading ◽  
Assisted Instruction

A computer-assisted instruction system for drilling educationally-handicapped children in word-decoding skills is described. The system allows a teacher to design a word-decoding exercise tailored to the need of an individual learner. The computer then generates, presents and monitors the exercise. A theoretical rationale for the objectives and design of the system, based on research from the psychology-of-reading literature, is discussed. In addition, certain system design constraints, applied in order to accommodate the possibility of future conversion of the system to an inexpensive, hand-held device, are discussed. Results of a controlled field test of the system with educationally-handicapped children are presented.

Reading Skills in Down Syndrome: Implications for Clinical Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (04) ◽  
pp. 330-344
Author(s):  
Susan J. Loveall ◽  
Andrea Barton-Hulsey
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Phonological Awareness ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Reading Development ◽  
Word Decoding ◽  
Decoding Skills ◽  
Children With Down Syndrome ◽  
Reading Subskills

AbstractThough children with Down syndrome can learn to read, they may have difficulty developing some component skills, including phonological awareness and word decoding. Given reading's foundation in language, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) should play a central role in supporting access to and providing reading instruction for children with Down syndrome. This article reviews the available research on reading in Down syndrome and offers guidance for SLPs working with this population. We start by reviewing the Down syndrome phenotype, highlighting physical features and cognitive and linguistic patterns of strength and weakness that impact reading development. Next, we define different reading subskills and outline typical reading development, including stages of prereading, learning to read, and transitioning to using reading as a tool for learning. We then use these stages to review what is known about reading in Down syndrome, including relevant intervention work. We also incorporate considerations for clinical practice. In particular, we encourage SLPs to advocate for supporting reading development in children with Down syndrome, to work with families to develop rich home literacy environments, and to work with educators to promote phonological awareness and decoding skills. Lastly, we note limitations in our current knowledge and include a call for more research.

scholarly journals Morphological processing in reading acquisition: A cross-linguistic perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUDO VERHOEVEN ◽  
CHARLES A. PERFETTI
Keyword(s):  
Word Identification ◽  
Morphological Processing ◽  
Word Decoding ◽  
Decoding Skills ◽  
Reading Levels ◽  
Learning To Read ◽  
New Information ◽  
Skilled Reading ◽  
Children First ◽  
Mental Resources

Word identification, which is the retrieval of the linguistic constituents (phonological, semantic) of a word, plays a central role in children's reading development. This development includes the automatization of word decoding and the attainment of fluent reading levels, both essential for skilled reading with comprehension (Perfetti, 1992; Stanovich, 2000; Verhoeven & van Leeuwe, 2009). In learning to read, children first acquire elementary decoding skills, and then gradually apply these skills with greater accuracy and speed, leading to an increasingly automated process of that recognizes multiletter units (consonant clusters, syllables, and morphemes) and whole words (Ehri, 2005). Automatic word recognition enables the devotion of mental resources to the meaning of a text and thus allows readers to use reading as a tool for the acquisition of new information and knowledge (Perfetti, 1998; Stanovich, 2000).

Emergent Bilinguals With Specific Reading Comprehension Deficits: A Comparative and Longitudinal Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 002221942098324
Author(s):  
Ana Taboada Barber ◽  
Susan Lutz Klauda ◽  
Weimeng Wang ◽  
Kelly B. Cartwright ◽  
Laurie E. Cutting
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Word Identification ◽  
Reading Engagement ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Inference Making ◽  
Poor Reading ◽  
Emergent Bilingual ◽  
Specific Reading ◽  
Insight Into

This study centered on emergent bilingual (EB) students with specific reading comprehension deficits (S-RCD), that is, with poor reading comprehension despite solid word identification skills. The participants were 209 students in Grades 2 to 4, including both EBs and English Monolinguals (EMs) with and without S-RCD. Mean comparisons indicated that EBs and EMs with S-RCD showed weaknesses relative to typically developing (TD) readers in oral language, word identification, inference making, and reading engagement, but not in executive functioning. Longitudinal analyses indicated that across two academic years S-RCD persisted for 41% of EBs and EMs alike. Altogether, the study extends research on EBs with S-RCD by identifying variables beyond oral language that may account for their reading comprehension difficulties and providing insight into the extent to which their reading comprehension and word identification performance levels evolve during elementary school. Furthermore, the findings point to the importance of early identification and intervention for weaknesses in reading comprehension and its component elements in both EBs and EMS.

scholarly journals Reading comprehension and strategy awareness of Grade 11 English second language learners

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Madoda Cekiso
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Reading Strategies ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
English Second Language ◽  
Grade 11

The aim of this study was to examine the reading strategies used by Grade 11 English Second Language (ESL) learners and the possible effects of reading instruction on their reading comprehension and strategy awareness. A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control group design was used. The participants included a total of 60 Grade 11 learners from a high school. The results of this study indicate that (1) learners who received reading strategy instruction scored both statistically and practically significantly higher marks on the reading comprehension test than those in the control group and (2) explicit instruction in the use of reading strategies was essential to bring about the increased use of reading strategies of learners in the experimental group. The study has implications for learners, teachers, university students and lecturers.

Normal Variation in Reading Acquisition

1986 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 691-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Wise Berninger
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Verbal Ability ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Normal Variation ◽  
Word Decoding ◽  
Linguistic Skills ◽  
Whole Word ◽  
Reading And Spelling

Visual, linguistic, reading, and spelling tests were administered to the same 45 children at the end of kindergarten and of first grade. Normal variation, i.e., diversity not related to pathology, was found in the visual and linguistic skills and was shown to be related to reading and spelling achievement for a sample of suburban children of similar socioeconomic status. Individual differences in three visual skills—selective attention to letter information (RT), memory for a component letter (accuracy), and memory for a whole word (accuracy)—and two linguistic skills—phonemic analysis and vocabulary understanding—were reliable over the first year of formal reading instruction and had concurrent validity in that they were correlated with achievement in word decoding/encoding at the end of kindergarten and of first grade. Of these five skills, phonemic analysis accounted for more variance in achievement (52% to 64%, depending upon achievement measure) than any other single skill. Significantly mote variance in achievement was accounted for when both a visual skill (memory for a sequence) and a linguistic skill (phonemic analysis) were considered than when either alone was at end of first grade. The predictive validity of quantitatively defined “disabilities” (at or more than a standard deviation below the mean) was investigated; disabilities in both visual and linguistic skills at the end of kindergarten were associated with low achievement in word decoding/encoding at the end of first grade. Two pairs of identical twin girls (each co-twin taught by a different teacher) were not mote congruent on several achievement measures than two pairs of unrelated girls, taught by the same teacher and matched to each other and a twin pair on verbal ability and age. Normal variation in acquisition of word decoding/encoding probably results from an interaction between genetic individual differences in cognitive skills and the processes of assimilation and accommodation during environmental transactions proposed by Piaget.

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