Research Summary Supporting the Use of Read&Write ... - Texthelp

Research Summary Supporting the Use of Read&Write/Read&Write GOLD
June 2008
Overall results indicate significant assistive value of the four software tools tested in Read&Write, (speech synthesis, spellchecker,
homophone tool, and dictionary tool) in providing compensatory support in multiple domains of literacy for students with reading
difficulties. Read&Write also has the advantage that the tools can be readily accessed within most common applications.
“Independent Access: Which Students might benefit from a Talking Computer”
Bronwyn Disseldorp and Diane Chambers, The University of Melbourne
Study conducted to investigate the effect of a text reader on reading comprehension and the relationship between this effect and characteristics of
the student‟s reading abilities. A comparison was made of the reading comprehension of secondary students using Read&Write and their reading
comprehension with no assistance. The study found that the students were able to answer significantly more questions about what they had read
when using Read&Write than when reading unassisted.
“Text to Speech Software for Reading” -
International Dyslexia Association’s Perspectives on Language and Literacy Summer 2007
Kenneth Elkind and Jerome Elkind
The article focused on text to speech software products designed to assist people with learning disabilities and attention disorders in
their reading and also on the application of technology to writing.
Benefits of TTS Software:
Enables slow readers to read faster
Makes reading less stressful, less tiring, and more sustainable for longer periods of time
Improves comprehension of many students who are poor readers
Reduced frequency of distractions experienced in extended reading sessions
Using TTS technology to monitor typing and review writing locates more errors in writing than having text read aloud by
another person or working without assistance resulting in improvements to quality writing
Benefits of Read&Write GOLD:
“Read&Write GOLD is the most comprehensive application for internet access and writing support on the market today.”
“Works especially well with Microsoft and Adobe applications; can access all document formats used by these applications.”
“Notable reading feature allows users to hover the cursor over a text selection to start reading web and PDF documents; makes
reading web pages especially convenient since reading starts automatically when cursor is on even a fragment of text.”
“Extensive writing assistance including: citation tool for taking research notes, homophone identification, and vocabulary
support.”
Read&Write GOLD and Online Testing in Kentucky
Approximately 95% of K-12 schools in Kentucky have Read&Write GOLD site licenses. In addition to its use in the classroom,
Read&Write GOLD is also being used as an accommodation for the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CAT‟s)
Online – the accessible electronic version of the state‟s high stakes assessment. Participation in CATS Online by students with
disabilities grew from 29 schools and 204 students in 2003 to 200 schools and 2306 students in 2006.
Read&Write GOLD and Online Testing (KY) Post-Test Survey Results:
84% of teachers said students more engaged with online assessment
91% of students said they thought they scored better by testing on the computer using their AT
83% students said they concentrated better
78% of students said they preferred taking the test on the computer
84% of students said they re-read passages, questions, and answers
Comments on how the use of technology changes the way students approach participation in state assessment
“I like being on the computer and not having someone read to me like a kid.” 10th grader
“I liked it a lot, because you got to hear them read to you and see what they were reading.” 11th grader
“It was easy and I liked it because I could do it myself.” 4th grader
“It was better than listening to an adult read and I could go at my own pace.” 7th grader
Page 2