Earobics Literacy Launch, part of Cognitive Concepts, is a research-based early literacy solution designed to ensure that all students have the foundational skills they need to be successful readers.
Founded:
1996
Overall Philosophy:
Earobics uses scientifically based methods, multimedia materials and activities to improve students’ performance in all five skill areas identified by the National Reading Panel as critical for success in reading.
-Phonological awareness - The activities provide reinforcement and practice in letter naming, alphabetic sequencing, and linking letters and sounds. In addition, the activities facilitate growth in essential word-analysis strategies, including decoding and spelling.
-Fluency - Activities are provided that support students as they develop oral reading fluency. Students experience stories in books, audiotapes, videotapes and on talking CD-ROMs as they practice reading aloud with partners or in group settings.
-Vocabulary - Multimedia materials and activities focus on vocabulary and expressive and receptive language development. Picture/word cards, conversation starters, and language concept activities are included to facilitate vocabulary development and enable students to develop vocabulary for objects and situations.
-Comprehension - Earobics provides teachers with instructional strategies that enable students to focus on the information in the text and to understand what is being read. Reading comprehension strategies include story prediction, sequencing, retelling, identifying topic and main idea, monitoring comprehension, drawing conclusions, and making connections with real-life experiences.
Popularity:
This program is customizable for school or home-based instruction, making it a popular fit for students who require a level of pre-teaching. Earobics Literacy Launch was cited by the National Reading Panel and the National Institutes of Health as an effective, scientifically based reading program. 97% of students using Earobics have shown improvement in reading skills. Earobics Literacy Launch has helped entire school districts improve their overall literacy rating. Specifics regarding the research data is posted on their Website.
Time Required for the Treatment:
The amount of time it takes to complete an Earobics software program depends on the age of the student, how quickly the student masters the skills, and the student’s abilities. Earobics Step 1 and Earobics Step1 for Adolescents & Adults have 309 levels of play; Step 2 has 593 levels of play. Each game remains at any one level of play until the student masters that level. A typical student playing the Earobics software 20 minutes, 3 days a week should be able to complete the program in approximately one semester.
Cost of the Treatment:
Home versions of the kit are available starting at $59.
Who Directs the Treatment?
The software is designed to move to the next skill level once the child has mastered the present skill.
Where Does the Treatment Take Place?
Earobics offers programs meant for the home, for the classroom and for clinical environments.
Training Materials Required:
A computer with a CD drive.
How is Success Defined?
Your child should see significant gains in reading skills.
Biggest Success Stories:
An eight-year old girl diagnosed with Autism/ PDD had no verbal skills and had failed to progress despite two years of speech therapy. Her parents were advised to give up on any oral communication and the child was given a Delta Talker for communication.
She began using Earobics with other students and within a few months, her communication and her behavior improved. After three months, the child began to speak, communicate with her classmates and to read. She was gradually mainstreamed into a regular, full-day classroom with the help of a wrap-around aide.
Another success story: Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) implemented Earobics software in every kindergarten classroom in the district as part of the Alabama Reading First Initiative and Alabama Reading Initiative. In the first year, MPS elementary students made the largest reading gains of any school district in Alabama on the state-mandated DIBELS assessment, improving from 123rd to 17th out of 135 districts.
Website:
http://www.earobics.com
Main Concern:
The software has some minor glitches that can be solved by reading the FAQ section of the Website.