Incorporating technology in education is believed to increase student engagement, spark innovation, enhance learning and encourage collaboration. Students can now use learning management systems to access online courses and avail help from teachers across the globe. With availability of such information, the process of learning has become boundless.

Let us take a look at the different ways in which technology has impacted the modern-day learning environment:

• Provides Better Access To Resources: Technology has made it possible for students to have 24/7 access to various learning resources. These resources include educational apps, interactive edutainment, resources from prestigious educational institutes around the world, research materials, e-books, audio-books, wikis and cloud-based apps for online discussions, etc.
• Improves Student Engagement: The process of learning has become collaborative and interactive due to engaging course material. Students can be a part of interactive quizzes, tech-enabled discussion forums, educational games, virtual science labs, virtual field trips, etc.
• Encourages Self-Paced Learning: Online assignments take away the pressure of catching up with fellow classmates, as a student can complete an assignment at his own pace. They can also access additional coursework and guided exercises after school on the internet.
• Expands Classroom Boundaries: Technology has dissolved classroom walls as students have access to numerous teachers and resources on the internet. They are no longer bound to a single teacher within the walls of a classroom.
• Innovative Learning Techniques: Technology has provided new and innovative techniques for teaching students in the classroom. Students can watch video-recorded lectures, access materials provided by teachers online, use learning tools, etc.
• Effective Assessments: Students can be assessed more effectively with the help of technology. It is easier to track their progress accurately in the form of digital assessments and analyze their learning graph in the class and get a better insight into their overall progress.
• Open Education: Free resources are available on the internet for students in need of additional information. These resources are in the form of micro-learning courses, archives by prestigious colleges, endless articles, videos, etc.
• Simulation And Modeling: Technology has made it possible for all types of learners to access information as per their liking. Visual or tactile learners can improve their understanding of difficult concepts with the help of technological advancements like digital simulations and modeling. Simulation software makes it possible for students to see innovative activities without leaving the classroom. For example, they can see how dinosaurs lived, the development of a tornado, planetary movements, etc. Modeling software allows students to experience the dynamic characteristics of models and not just view them in static form.

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The accurate learning skills and strategies help in getting the most out of a course/subject, attaining academic success, improving memory, managing time, taking better notes and other important aspects. The most important learning skills are critical thinking, effective communication, creative thinking and collaborating.

Essential ways with which one can acquire effective learning skills are:

• Be Prepared: Before attending a lecture, be prepared for the lesson to be taught in order to boost your understanding and performance. Prepare in advance by going through your books and learning material in order to retain information better and clarify doubts faster.
• Be Punctual: Punctuality improves learning by boosting concentration levels, being relaxed during a learning session and absorbing information better as the mind is relaxed. It also minimizes distractions and ensures a class progresses smoothly.
• Be Organized: Learn how to take neat notes and keep them organized for future reference. Keeping study material organized and accessible saves time on looking for supplies and finding relevant notes.
• Take Notes: One way of effective learning is to take notes of what is being taught in class. This improves the process of reviewing a topic and the retention of lessons.
• Recognize Your Learning Style: Research on various learning styles and choose one that suits you. Figure out whether you learn better by writing, listening or by using reading and learning tools. Learning with a style that suits you will boost your understanding of a topic and improve your performance.
• Clarify Doubts: It is a good practice to note down questions that need clarification before attending a lecture. This helps in clarifying doubts as and when they crop up, thus facilitating a better understanding of the lesson. Having a query improves the learning experience as it keeps you alert and engaged during the class in order to clarify a pending doubt.
• Create A Work Station: Allotting a specific spot for studying boosts productivity and improves learning. You can save a lot of time by stocking your study spot with materials you require e.g. pens, highlighters, books, notepads, sticky-notes, etc. It should be a well-lit distraction-free place with proper ventilation to prevent boredom and exhaustion from long study sessions.
• Develop A Schedule: Developing a schedule helps to determine what to study, when to study and how to study to improve the quality of learning. In order to develop an effective schedule, it is important to be disciplined in following the schedule by setting a time limit for assignments and tasks.

See-n-Read Reading Tools offers various products to students helping them to acquire effective learning skills. Each product is designed to provide easy to use intervention methods. For further information on how to acquire effective learning skills, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502. You can also call at (630) 236 – 5592.

High frequency words are the ones that appear a lot more than other words when reading, writing and speaking e.g. s, the, are, to, etc. It is important for a child to recognize these words by sight in order to be a fluent reader. These words do not mean much in isolation but when used in a sentence, they help in making it understandable. High frequency words can be categorized into ‘Flash Words’ (used frequently in sentences) and ‘Heart Words’ (irregularly spelled words like to and do).

There are a number of techniques and strategies for teaching high frequency words, some of which are listed below:

• Restructuring: High frequency words should be integrated with phonics instruction to make it easier for students to read and spell words. It is recommended that students should be taught around 10-15 high frequency words prior to phonic instruction but after they know all letter names.
• Word Walls: Students should use word walls by playing games that encourage them to interact with the words. This helps them get better at spotting and memorizing high frequency words.
• Reading: Invest in books that are specifically meant to teach high frequency words. Such books are easy to read and consist of repetitive as well as predictive text for kids to understand how the words are used.
• Games: There are certain games that can help students learn and reinforce high-frequency words e.g. word searches, Go Fish, Wordo, Read the Room (words are posted around a room and students are supposed to find and note them on a sheet), etc.
• Flashcards: The word to be learnt is written on a flashcard and shown to students. They are asked to identify the words shown till they are consistent in doing so. Flashcards facilitate practice and repetition of high frequency words.
• Writing Board: The teacher writes a short message on a white board and ask students to decode the high frequency words and circle them with a highlighter.
• Music: Children can also learn these words by singing them in a catchy tune. In addition to being fun and entertaining, it also aids in memorizing new words.
• Manipulative: Students use magnetic letters or letter tiles, alphabet cookie cutters/play dough letter stamps and alphabet rubber stamps to build words.

When teaching high frequency words; introduce them in isolation, provide repeated exposures via text materials and deliver instructions in small doses (not more than 10 minutes) to make it easy for students to attain their learning goals.

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Reading fluency can be boosted with the help of the right reading tools. Using these tools helps readers to read effortlessly and accurately while maintaining a decent reading speed. They increase phonemic awareness, vocabulary, concentration, help decode text and improve sound-letter association.

Essential components of an effective reading tool are:

• Compatibility: A good reading tool should not be limited to printed reading material but should also be compatible with digital reading sources like personal computers, PC projection devices and interactive whiteboards for reading web sites, spreadsheets, standardized text and on-screen documents. The tool should assist in reducing eye strain and line or word skipping while increasing reading speed, improving comprehension and enhancing the reading experience.
• Versatility: Readers of all ages, people of different skill levels (struggling and accomplished readers), fatigued readers (those with comprehension deficiencies and slow reading speed) and individuals from special education environments should be able to benefit from a reading tool. An effective reading tool is one that can be used with different curriculums or reading materials and is available in different sizes for a variety of font sizes.
• Improve Spelling: For a reading tool to be effective, it should make it easier to spell commonly used words and also verify the correct usage of the words. It should comprise of a quick reference guide that readers can consult for easily understanding simpler variations to the words used in the text.
• Text Marking: To memorize the information being read, a reading tool should consist of a medium that can enable the reader to underline or highlight important text and write notes. Such tools also help to resume reading after a break by keeping a reference point.
• Track Reading: A reading strip is a component that helps track the lines being read by keeping the eyes focused. This helps to transition smoothly from one line to another and improve reading comprehension.

An effective reading tool supports the visual pathways of a reader by developing a “field of vision” and encourages the use of peripheral vision for better inference, comprehension and regression skills.

See-n-Read Reading Tools offer effective reading products that provide support to learners. Research-based and classroom-tested approach are the key elements used in developing these tools. For further details on components of effective reading tools, contact: (630) 236 – 5592.

Essential reading skills that are developed at primary grade levels build a solid foundation for a successful academic life ahead. Improving and developing reading skills at an early age helps an individual to build ability to focus on academics and other spheres of life.

Some of the important strategies to enhance reading skills are:

• Using Multiple Reading Tools: Explore various types of reading tools such as See-N-Read Reading Tools, MemoryMark, eSee-N-Read, See-N-Spell and ColorTag to develop reading and comprehensive skills.
• Set Reading Time: Develop a reading routine by setting aside specific time of the day. This will help you prioritize reading over other activities and make it a habit.
• Goal Setting: Set a goal for reading a book to help keep you motivated. The goal can be to answer some questions, understanding a concept, etc.
• Choice Reading: One good way of developing reading skills is by facilitating choice reading. Exposure to a variety of books such as fiction, non-fiction, books for different grade levels, multiple disciplines, etc. builds interest in reading.
• Thinking While Reading: Instead of continuously reading a book for the sake of completing it, one should think about the material that has been read. Reflecting on what has been read improves one’s understanding of the topic and fosters the desire to explore more.
• Note-Taking: This can be done by highlighting, circling and underlining important text. You can also write notes in the margins of a book. This habit helps a reader in better assimilation of the content.
• Visualize: Some readers find it interesting to read with the help of mental images and visualizations. Thus, start with books and reading material that have plenty of captions and photos.
• A Variety of Senses: Putting all the senses into use improves comprehension and boosts reading skills. One can engage all the senses by reading aloud, asking questions, using visual aids, reading with a pencil or pen as a guide, etc.
• Read in Portions: If you are reading a long book, it is recommended to break it up into small portions. This strategy also works with those trying to understand complex subject materials.

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A dyslexic child may have trouble reading, spelling, expressing thoughts, etc., which may eventually undermine his self-esteem. Thus, it is important to provide constant motivation to kids with dyslexia for helping them to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

Following is a list of things that can be done To motivate a child with dyslexia:

• Accommodations: By tweaking the current curriculum, teachers can motivate dyslexic students to perform to the best of their cognitive abilities. Some forms of alterations that can be made include using graphic organizers to help students organize thoughts, using technology for note-taking, using audio-books, giving extra time for tests, allowing oral answers and so on.
• Reinforce Strengths: Keep a child motivated by pointing out his strengths. This will also help build his sense of self-worth and trust in the adult trying to help him with literary skills.
• Accountability: The basis of motivating dyslexic children is accountability on the part of everyone involved i.e. teachers, parents and students. Everyone should work as a team for quality results. Parents should respect boundaries set by teachers and help the child develop a structure at home in terms of eating, sleeping, screen-time etc.
• Reading: Increase a child’s interest in reading by making him read content that he likes. It need not be curriculum-based but can also be a favorite magazine or story book. It is all about beginning with small steps and graduating to higher steps as a child’s motivation level rises.
• Learning Styles: Look for a variation of activities that stimulate the dyslexic child and use these activities as a means of learning. Examples of such activities are art clubs, music, sports, robotics clubs and so on. Such activities encourage students to be creative and also infuse a sense of accomplishment in them.
• Role-Model: Motivate a dyslexic child by looking for examples of people who have overcome challenges of being dyslexic and have attained success in life. Such examples can be a huge source of motivation during the impressionable years of life.
• Homework: The amount of homework that a dyslexic child receives from school should be less demanding in terms of time and effort. Too much homework or too difficult homework can have a demotivating effect on a child with dyslexia as they require more time to finish a task as compared to other kids.

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The ability to understand the meaning of text being read and integrating it with pre-existing knowledge is referred to as reading comprehension. Comprehension skills depend on an individual’s cognitive development and ability to recognize words swiftly.

Reading comprehension has two levels: shallow level and deep level. Structural & phonemic recognition, processing word structure and sentences are part of the shallow level. The deep level consists of semantic processing i.e. deciphering the meaning of a word and comparing it to similar words.

Reading comprehension can be improved by using strategies like reciprocal teaching, instructional conversations, text factors, non-verbal imagery, visualization, partner reading, multiple reading strategies, comprehension strategies, assessment and more.

To improve reading comprehension, following are some key skills that should be mastered:

• Decoding: It is a skill of sounding out words that have been heard but not written before. This skill is also known as phonological awareness as it helps kids to listen individual sounds of words (phonemes) to form a connection between the letters and their individual sounds. Some ways of improving decoding are exposure to books, rhymes, songs and offering lots of practice or specific instruction.
• Vocabulary: The best way of improving vocabulary in kids is to expose them to as many words as possible through conversations, reading books, telling jokes, playing word games and more. Encourage children to read alone, aloud and stop at new words to learn what they mean.
• Fluency: Fluency also improves reading comprehension as it helps a child to recognize words instantly. Recognizing whole words without sounding them out helps a child read and understand text faster. Fluency can be improved by making a child see the words as many times as possible till it becomes a sight word.
• Sentence Construction and Cohesion: The process of constructing a sentence and understanding it helps in building reading comprehension. It helps children derive the meaning of entire text or passage and eventually leads to cohesion i.e. the ability to merge ideas into sentences.
• Memory And Attention: Being attentive helps kids absorb information and memory helps them retain it. Working memory can be improved by playing games like concentration, card games like Go Fish and Uno, active reading, etc.

See-n-Read Reading Tools provide products that improve reading comprehension skills. The tools provide practical support to learners. For more information on reading comprehension, call at (630) 236 – 5592.

A learning disability is a condition of the brain that affects one’s power to comprehend or process information, respond to information, organize information, etc. Such limitations impact a person’s behavior, emotional well-being, social life and intellectual capabilities.

Following is a list of impacts of learning disabilities on a person’s life:

• Academic Issues: Learning disabilities cause difficulty in perceiving information i.e. organizing and interpreting information through sensory channels. This leads to problems in reading, writing, memorizing concepts taught in class, decoding information, learning and implementing new information. This eventually manifests in poor grades and gives rise to feelings of not being good enough at school among children suffering from learning disabilities.
• Behavioral Issues: Children with learning disabilities experience behavioral problems such as irritability, anxiety, frustration, negative self-image, low confidence levels, and more. They become socially awkward and withdraw into themselves with feelings of exasperation.
• Denial To Attend School: Children suffering from learning disabilities develop an aversion to school and also experience separation anxiety from parents. Such kids vehemently try not to go to school and even display psychosomatic symptoms such as stomach ache, chest pain, vomiting and so on.
• Social Issues: When interacting with others, children with learning disabilities may experience problems in developing a conversation, concentrating on what others are saying, finding it difficult to control impulses, read social cues, maintaining friendships and more. It may be helpful to expose such kids to some form of therapy in order to help them overcome the problems they face when socializing.
• Employment Difficulties: If the learning disabilities are not dealt with at an early stage, the child may face tremendous difficulty when looking for employment, pursuing further training, accessing adult services at job, living independently, etc.
• Emotional Issues: The effects of learning disabilities on the psyche of a child and adult should be dealt with at the right time to avoid a host of emotional problems. If left unassisted, such individuals develop deep resentment, shame and feelings of inadequacy leading to depressive symptoms and more complex treatment options.

Even though learning disabilities impact the life of an individual in many ways; anyone with a learning disability can lead a happy and successful life if provided with required assistance and support from friends, family and a professional at the right time.

See-n-Read Reading Tools provide various reading and learning tools to assist children with learning disabilities. For more information about the learning tools, call at: (630) 236 – 5592.

A learning disability is a neurological condition that causes difficulty in reading, spelling, writing, recalling, reasoning and organizing information. Even though a learning disability cannot be completely cured, there are many ways to support kids with the condition in dealing with it.

Listed below are some things that can be done to help a child with learning disability:

• Identify Your Childs Favorite Learning Style: Every child has a unique learning style irrespective of whether he has a learning disability or not. As far as kids with learning disabilities are concerned, it is important to identify the learning style they like in order to help them in understanding any subject better. Try to identify whether your child is a visual learner, auditory learner or a kinaesthetic learner.
• Focus On Success In Life: Look beyond academic success of your child by giving equal weightage to being successful in life. In addition to helping your child understand what he is being taught at school, teach your child how to develop self-confidence, positive relationships, perseverance, being proactive, setting goals, knowing how to ask for help, etc.
• Instill Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Eating well, getting enough sleep and being active can be extremely beneficial for children with learning disabilities. Maintaining healthy habits will help your child in focusing better, developing concentration, boosting energy and mood levels encouraging him to work hard towards achieving his goals.
• Encourage Healthy Emotional Habits: In addition to healthy physical habits, it is important to foster healthy emotional habits e.g. teach your child how to vent out feelings of anger, frustration, discouragement, etc. This will help him in learning how to regulate emotions and stay calm in stressful situations.
• Provide Structure: Children with learning disabilities find it difficult to focus and concentrate on a task at hand. A great way in which you can help them tackle this is by providing structure and discipline. Break down complex tasks and provide them with an orderly sequence of tasks to be completed.
• Encourage Play And Socializing: If you feel that your child’s learning disability is interfering with his ability to play and interact with others, teach your child how to get better at these skills. Encourage your child to play games he is interested in e.g. blocks, construction games, building sand castles, simple board games, etc. For developing social skills; play games that encourage mixed body movements, voice intonations, facial expressions, etc.
• Teach Time Concepts:  Help your child understand simple concepts of time by using words like later, today, yesterday, etc. You can also mark important days on the school calendar with bright colors, keep weather journals with interesting weather illustrations and so on.

See-N-Read Reading Tools offer a variety of reading & learning tools to assist children with learning disabilities. For more information about our products, call at (630) 236 – 5592.

A learning disability is a term used to define difficulty in the ability to learn new skills, understand new information and put this knowledge to use. Learning disabilities are also known as learning disorders and encompass a number of learning problems related to reading, writing, listening, speaking and reasoning.

Even though learning disabilities manifest differently in children, there are some common signs and symptoms that can help in identifying the disabilities at an early stage. Following are common signs and symptoms of learning disabilities:

• Reading: You can spot the signs of a learning disability from the way your child performs at reading. You should be concerned if you notice poor reading skills due to difficulty in letter and word recognition, reading speed and fluency, weak vocabulary skills and not being able to grasp the meaning of words, paragraphs or phrases.
• Mathematics: If your child faces difficulties in Mathematics, this could be related to a language learning disability, visual disorder, problems with sequencing, organizing and memory. Such kids exhibit signs of problems in telling the time, counting by twos or by fives, using operation signs, number facts and so on.
• Writing: Observing the way your child writes can help you in spotting a learning disability. Tell-tale signs are difficulty in forming words and letters, organizing his thoughts on paper, an inconsistent style of writing, poor handwriting, not being able to copy letters & words accurately, inconsistency in spelling and more.
• Motor Skills: Some signs of motor disability could also be signs of a learning disability. Observe whether your child is able to carry out activities that require motor coordination between the brain and limbs e.g. hand-eye coordination. Difficulties in basic activities like holding a pencil, buttoning a shirt, dressing up, etc. could be indicators of a learning disability.
• Language: Difficulty in understanding and using spoken language is also an indicator of a learning disability. Signs of language difficulties are problems with retelling a story, poor fluency of speech, inability to understand common words, directions, etc.
• Auditory And Visual Processing Problems: Signs of problems under this category are difficulty in hearing and visual processing. A child with hearing problems finds it difficult to distinguish between different sounds, listens to sounds at the wrong speed, etc. which impacts the way he understands concepts related to reading and writing. Signs of visual problems are skipping lines, misperceiving depth or distance, skipping words, etc.

In conclusion, on detecting any of the above mentioned signs, it is advisable to consult a specialist and also get special assistance such as innovative programs, strategic brain exercises to strengthen cognitive areas that are weak, computer-based learning programs to reduce the speed of sounds for better understanding and so on.

See-N-Read Reading Tools offer a variety of reading & learning tools to assist children with learning disabilities. For more information about our products, call at (630) 236 – 5592.