ELS (Essential Learning Systems)
ELS is a multi-sensory approach which uses a series of computer-interactive
exercises to stimulate and build visual, auditory, and motor pathways
in the brain. It trains the brain to process information more effectively.
Exercises
SHARE provides a visual and auditory stimulation through the computer.
As the word is displayed on the screen, students are introduced to the
word meanings. Three methods of Look Listen See Say (LLSS) are available.
Students have the choice either to hear the definition alone or to hear
the definition with a related sentence. After seeing the word and hearing
its meaning, students speak the word. This process is repeated for one
segment (eight words).
ECHO uses the words that have been introduced in each day’s lesson. Words are flashed and spoken one at a time with a pause between each word to allow the student time to “echo” then voice before the next word is presented.
WORDMATCH is a multifaceted exercise for learning word definitions. It is also a sensory integration exercise. Students must transfer data to several sensory modes to complete the exercises correctly. The student will be recalling the definitions of the words presented during SHARE at the beginning of the lesson.
CLUES is an excellent tool for comprehension practice because it uses the words and sentences previously introduced in the lesson. Three possible word choices are displayed on the screen along with a sentence containing a blank. The sentence is presented visually and orally by the computer. Students respond by moving the cursor to the word hat correctly completes the sentence. This exercise enhances visual and auditory closure skills.
COPY-WRITE is an exercise in which a word, phrase, or sentence is spoken by the computer voice. Students repeat what has been heard and write the word, phrase, or sentence on a worksheet. One additional repetition is offered in order to build memory capacity. If students can succeed in writing single words from dictation, they can then progress to short phrases and eventually, to sentences. These exercises give students excellent practice in auditory-motor and sequencing skills.
QUICK PICK is a challenging timed exercise. Students hear the lesson word and must choose the word from a field of three. The group of three words is patterned to exercise visual discrimination. The computer keeps track of the time necessary to complete the task. The computer tracks students’ best time within each group of words. Students are challenged to beat their own goals. It requires use of discrimination, visual imagery, sensory integration, and eye-hand coordination.
QUICK TALK is an effective and challenging word-attack drill that uses rhythm to encourage students to see and say the lesson words while working at a timed pace. This program flashes the words without speech. This allows students to learn to decode a mixture of words rapidly. This exercise provides the extra repetition many students require to gain mastery, and it builds fluency and enhance.
WORD MEANING REVIEW students either give the definition of each lesson word or use the words in a sentence.
LONG TERM RECALL (LTR) is a systematic method of regularly checking the process of transfer to long term memory. LTR checks begin at least three weeks after the lesson was completed.
AUTOSKILLS
Autoskills is a comprehensive software intervention software program
that will help both children and adults realize their full reading potential.
The program contains a wide variety of assessment tools and several training
programs that will help develop the skills that are necessary for successful
reading. It provides permanent gains in reading comprehension through
adherence to a well-defined and structured methodology that ensures student
development of the critical component reading skills to a point of Automaticity.
| A. Phonemic Awareness Training | |
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Word Matching Exercises (rhyming, beginning, and end) |
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Sound Matching Exercises (beginning, end, and middle) |
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Blending Exercises (three and four phonemes) |
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Segmentation Exercises (three and four phonemes) |
| B. Reading Subskills Training | |
| Trains in rapid and accurate response to basic components of reading until be processed automatically. This automaticity response then facilitates the attainment of the higher level reading skill of comprehension. | |
| C. Reading Comprehension Training (Oral and Silent) | |
| Designed to build on the strong foundation developed in the reading subskills training exercises. These exercises help students develop their reading vocabulary and ability to identify the main idea, understand relationships, note inferences, specific facts and details in reading materials. | |
BRAIN BUILDER
Brain Builder contains seven (7) different activities, each of which emphasizes
a different aspect of their fundamental skills involved in sequential
processing. The first, called Intensity Activity, may be considered a
warm-up to be used at the beginning of each session to prepare for one
of the other six core activities. Of these six, three (3) are Visual activities
and three (3) are Auditory activities. The six core activities involve
series of numerals. This skill is often measured by standardized tests,
and called digit span.
READMASTER
Readmaster is a computer-interactive reading program used to increase
speed (words per minute read) while maintaining skilled comprehension.
PROFESSOR FINKLE
Professor Finkle is a computer-interactive program that improves fundamental
multiplication skills in a fun game-like format.
MATH BUILDER
Math Builder is a computer-interactive program that introduces four operations
to sharpen mathematical skills.