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Reading Companion is IBM's web-based literacy program that uses novel speech recognition technology to help adults and children gain and increase literacy skills. Reading Companion's innovative software "listens" and provides feedback, enabling emerging readers to practice reading and pronunciation as they acquire fundamental reading skills.
This program represents a decade of investment by IBM, which is committed to improving the literacy skills of children and adults around the world. It was developed by IBM Researchers working with IBM partner schools and not-for profit organizations to ensure this technology is effective and easy to use in assisting individual learners to read. Reading Companion's web-based format will bring this technology to tens of thousands in need of assistance.
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This innovative software enables emerging readers to acquire fundamental reading skills and practice their pronunciation. Each practicing reader is presented with an online book to read. An on-screen mentor, or companion, "reads" a phrase to the user and then provides an opportunity for the reader to read the material aloud into a headset microphone. Depending on the accuracy of what was read, the companion either provides positive reinforcement (e.g., "You sound great!"), or gives the user an opportunity to try again or offers the correct reading of the words on the screen.
For students in grades K-2 (ages 5-7), the software provides them with a solid grounding in reading. For adults, the software allows them to gain literacy skills while reading content that is relevant to them - such as searching for a job, visiting their child's school, understanding their health, and obtaining a driver's license.
Reading Companion also provides teachers or tutors with an evaluation report on a reader's progression. A "Book Builder" feature enables students, teachers or volunteers to create their own e-books that become part of the library for all learners to use around the world.
Because the solution is available through the Web, children and adults can access the program anytime and anywhere, whether from school, a library, a community center or at home. Readers also are able to continue exactly where they left off in a previous reading session.
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Independent evaluations of the technology have been positive. For example, young students using the software tested significantly higher on word recognition and comprehension tasks. For adults, the software improved English pronunciation and reading skills; contributed to learning gains; enabled greater comfort with technology; and provided students with opportunities to practice at their own pace in an interactive format.
Reading Companion is not designed to replace teachers. It is meant to enhance reading instruction with private and individual coaching. This $2 million international grant program involves more than 400 schools and not-for-profit organizations around the world. Find a complete list of participating schools and not-for-profit organizations above.
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