Tools for ALL Learners

Overview

Effective integration of support technology into teaching and learning is predicated on a foundation of effective instructional practices. Implementation of evidence based practices helps to minimize instructional barriers.  The National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) summarizes key findings from research about effective text comprehension instruction.

Selected Reading

Title: Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read. Text Comprehension Instruction.

Citation: Armbruster, B., Lehr, F. & Osborn, J. (2001) Put reading first: the research building blocks for teaching children to read. The Partnership for Reading / National Institute for Literacy.

URL: www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/reading_first1.html   

Use Information: this document is in the public domain

Key Ideas

• Build background

• Build fluency

• Use explicit strategy instruction

• Use questioning strategies

• Ask questions, make connections-build background, track what is important, make inferences, create visual images, synthesize

• Use fix up strategies

• Check for understanding

Extension and Reflection

Locate the professional development training module “Technology Supports for Struggling Readers” on the Texas Assistive Technology Network (TATN) website at http://www.texasat.net/default.aspx?name=trainmod.reading. Pay special attention to the sections on comprehension and vocabulary. Which of the highlighted tools are ones that you have seen? Which ones would you especially like to see?

Additional Resources

• The following documents from the Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT) at www.gpat.org .
  • Assistive Technology Consideration Resource Guide       (resources > considering AT > forms)
  • Assistive Technology Devices for Struggling Readers  (home > AT Resource Charts > AT devices for reading)