Page 29 - System 44 EL in Research Paper

TECHNOLOGY, ENGAGEMENT, AND THE BRAIN
Innovative use of personalized technology is a central component of System 44’s instructional approach. Research- based principles of motivation, engagement, cognition, and learning inform System 44’s adaptive technology, providing struggling readers with a highly motivating and personalized learning environment. Throughout the program, care is taken to address the individualized needs of challenged, often disenfranchised, readers. While the benefits of System 44’s technology extend to educators, the following section will focus on the benefits for students.
3Personalized Technology
u Creating technology environments that heighten students’ motivation to become independent readers and
writers can increase their sense of competency (Kamil, Intrator, & Kim, 2000).
u Using modern technology is advantageous for developing “flexible, supportive, and adjustable learning and productivity experiences” for all students (Hitchcock & Stahl, 2003).
u Using video and audio to build students’ background knowledge before reading helps them construct the mental models needed to approach a new text (Hasselbring & Goin, 2004).
u Digital learning materials are valuable for addressing individual learners’ needs because they can offer supportive features such as read-alouds, alternative texts to match different instructional levels, and strategy prompts and vocabulary links embedded within the text (Proctor, Dalton, & Grisham, 2007; Rose & Meyer, 2002).
u Computer instruction affords students the opportunity to receive individualized support, learn at their own pace, and receive immediate corrective feedback (Kamil, 2003). Adaptive technology breaks down tasks into steps, administers feedback immediately, and supports independent practice (Estevez et al., 2003).
RESEARCH & EXPERT OPINION
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