VISTA, XP, 2003, 2000, Me, NT, 98; Pentium III 666 MHz (minimum); 64 MB RAM; 640x480 (16 bit colour); Quad Speed CD-ROM; Sound Card; 250 MB of available disc space.
OS 9.x, OS X.x; Power PC 666 MHz (minimum); 64 MB RAM; 640x480 (16 bit colour); Quad Speed CD-ROM; Sound Card; 250 MB of available disc space.
Snapshot
* designed for average to high IQ, low reading ability students * 560 graded passages/stories * 5 reading levels, with 3 sub-levels, based on reading & interest age * 8 story categories * eye warm-ups * auto progress monitoring
Suitability
This software is suitable for average to high IQ, low reading ability students, and all students who are developing their reading acquisition skills. It is particularly helpful to students who are dyslexic, or who have ADD, ADHD, or short-term memory problems.
Overview
A fully interactive program designed to help average to high IQ, low reading ability students to achieve and see that reading really can “work” for them. It is also an excellent resource for all students who are developing their reading acquisition skills.
The five levels of the program are carefully structured according to reading and interest age. For example, Level 3 is based on a reading age of 6 - 10 years and interest age 10 - 12 years.
There are 560graded passages divided into 8categories, such as Discovery and Mystery. Each passage has a controlled number of words and reading-ability grading.
Placement exercises assess the student’s reading ability, automatically guiding them to the most appropriate starting point within the program.
The program includes pre reading “eye warm-ups”, high frequency flash card drill and reading comprehension. All results are measured, timed and recorded, including reading speed and unfamiliar word access.
The program design allows students to progress at their own rate and see they are achieving. It also tracks performance and enables progress through the program based on reading results.
In the school edition, teachers are able to allocate class groups within the login section of the program, and assign global or individual user settings. All assessment and configuration settings are adjustable within the instructor section, providing the opportunity for customisation of the program to suit individual student needs.
Help is just a right click of the mouse away so non-readers can effectively work alone.
Reading Works is a low cost way to provide suitable reading material with no ongoing repair or book replacement costs. Students can print off a one or two page copy of their stories, keep them in a folder and have a constant source of suitable reading passages to revise.
[The author Jan Polkinghorne is a tutor and specialist in computer based education, and an educational-software consultant to SPELD (SA) INC. She also lectures and advises parents, educators and schools on the use of computer based programs to help students with specific learning difficulties.]
Screenshots
Product Feedback
- J Crawford (parent)
'The first time we used Reading Works I was a little dissapointed as it seemed quite boring. However, I now think it is absolutely brilliant! My son, who is in Grade 4, was a few years behind in his reading and had no motivation to try and improve. He just didn't enjoy reading. After starting him on the first level in Reading Works, he quickly regained his confidence and really loves using the program. We let him work at his own pace, without too much pressure, and are amazed at the results. Reading Works is exactly what he needed. Thank you!'
System Requirements 
