The neuroscience-based language & learning improvement program, Fast ForWord123 (including the Fast ForWord cognitive, language and reading development modules plus Reading Assistant, the online reading coach) was recently rated by techlearning.com.
Here is a summary of the techlearning.com rating:
OVERALL RATING:
Unique features and technology, sophisticated reporting, real-time feedback, interactive resources, and a broad range of reading passages in an intuitive and easy-to-use program all help teachers understand when and where students are struggling and help students gain the skills they need to be successful readers.
Suitability for Use in a School Environment:
Because Fast ForWord 123 is designed to support, rather than replace, the curriculum, it’s easy to implement exercises at any time during the school day. Fast ForWord 123 can be used in the classroom or at home. Fast ForWord 123 passages cover a variety of genres and content areas, including science, social studies, and literature, as well as topics that are of interest at different age levels.
Teachers can choose passages that align with the current curriculum.
The teacher dashboard features key reports on students who may need attention, built-in tips, and PDF guides for each topic.
TOP FEATURES
- Powerful reporting features allow teachers and management staff to see how individual students and whole classes are performing.
- Unique technology features make it easier for teachers to assess all students on reading fluency and speed.
- Designed for both primary and secondary students - can be used at all grade levels.
- Fast ForWord 123 uses voice-recognition technology** to measure accuracy, rate, and reading comprehension.
- Teachers can incorporate Fast ForWord 123 into a number of content areas because it features over 300 passages at different reading levels on a variety of topics.
- The program identifies areas of weakness after students complete each exercise and offers additional practice pages.
QUALITY & EFFECTIVENESS:
Fast ForWord 123 helps build skills in the following areas (depending on grade level):
- Phonemic awareness
- Phonics
- Vocabulary
- Fluency
- Recognising, ordering, and constructing sentences
- Listening and reading comprehension
- Capitalisation
- Summarisation
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Word identification
- Working memory
- Morphology
- Alphabetizing
- Paragraph completion
- Critical thinking;
- Figurative language
- Abstract reasoning
- Interpreting tables, schedules, and instructions
- Using diagrams, graphic organizers, flowcharts, and concept webs
EASE OF USE
The interfaces for both teachers and students are clean and easy to navigate.
- Students log in to find the assignments their teachers have created.
- ForWord 123 presents exercises in a game-like interface so students interact with words and reading in a fun and engaging way.
- Students can read silently or have the selection read to them.
- The word definitions provided help with comprehension.
- In the second step, students read aloud and the program provides visual clues for re-reading words they mispronounce or with which they’re struggling.
- Students also benefit from fluency reports at the end of each exercise as well as reading comprehension quizzes.
Customers with an Internet connection can access the program using iPads, Windows XP and later, Mac OS X 10.5 or later, and Chrome OS.
**ForWord 123’s voice recognition technology requires the use of specific headsets.
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