David I have 6 sites on Cape Breton Island presently using the Reading Companion software and the instructors involved feel it is more appropriate for very beginning readers and perhaps even better for ESOL.  
   
  The books are basic and for more experienced readers, the instructors involved say there is not enough of a story line in the readers to hold their interest. The stories are limited to 8 pages and very little text on each page.  Ideal for beginning readers however.
   
  Regards Jane
   
  

"David J. Rosen" <djrosen at comcast.net> wrote:
  Colleagues,

I wonder if you have used IBM's Reading Companion software. On the 
Reading Companion web site it is described as a "web-based literacy 
grant initiative that uses voice recognition technology to help 
children and adults learn how to read." It is available free to 
(selected) agencies that offer adult literacy services.

Here's a description from the web site:

"Developed by IBM researchers working in partnership with schools and 
not-for-profit organizations, Reading Companion is an effective and 
easy-to-use technology that assists individuals as they learn to 
read. This innovative software 'listens' and provides feedback, 
enabling emerging readers to practice reading and their English 
pronunciation as they acquire fundamental reading skills.

How it works

Users log on to the Reading Companion web site and are presented with 
material to read. An on-screen mentor, or companion, "reads" a phrase 
to the user and then provides an opportunity for the user to read the 
material, using a headset microphone. (Depending on the accuracy of 
what was read, the companion provides positive reinforcement (e.g., 
"You sound great!"), gives the user an opportunity to try again, or 
offers the correct reading of the words on the screen. As the user's 
skill improves, the technology reads less material so that the 
learner reads more."

http://www.readingcompanion.org/aboutUs.html

If you have used this software, have your students found it helpful? 
Have you found it effective? Is it helpful for literacy level ESOL 
students, and with beginning new readers?

David J. Rosen
djrosen at comcast.net



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