Learning a lesson - InnovationCanada

At Concordia University's Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, researchers are harnessing the latest technology to get students reading, and to prevent the failures that result from poor literacy. Along the way, they're hoping they can provide students with the tools they need for a lifetime of success.

Researchers at the Centre are developing innovative, multi-faceted software that will help students, teachers, and tutors assess and evaluate the current reading levels of children, and then customize activities for the areas where they need to improve. The software functions as a form of intelligent tutor—providing vignettes that pop up as teachers conduct a lesson. The software then demonstrates the best practices to help students attain particular skills.

The software, called ABRACADABRA, is created around Canadian curriculum models. With a click of the mouse, children can read and hear stories and fables, spell and sound out words, and follow along with underlined text. The software will be particularly useful for schools and school boards spread out over great distances because teachers can access the materials via the Internet. But perhaps the best feature of all is that it's free.