Fast ForWord to Literacy The Science Behind the Skill

Scientific Learning Founded in 1996 Founding scientists still involved Over 1,000,000 students Used in schools across the US Over 35 countries

Scientific Learning Develops software that exercises students’ brains to help them process more efficiently, the way physical workouts train the body to be more fit and strong. More efficient brains make your instruction more powerful.

One Student’s Story

“Some people…being grown, forget the horrible task of learning to read. It is perhaps the greatest single effort that the human undertakes, and he must do it as a child.” - John Steinbeck 1962 Nobel Prize Winner for Literature

Whether classified or not, reading difficulties inhibit learning Reading problems identified in Grade 3 and beyond require considerable intervention 74% of students identified as struggling in Grade 3 continue to struggle in Grade 9 Kids Outgrow Reading Problems?

How is the Literacy Gap Affecting You and Your Students? Student Test Scores Student Self-Esteem and Behavior Teacher Satisfaction School Climate

Why is Learning to Read So Challenging?

The Units of Language “Are you having chicken for dinner tonight?” 1 Sentence 7 Words 11 Syllables Phonemes 35 Letters (3 different “e” sounds)

Reading: Mastering an Invented System Visual processing Phonological processing Verbal short term memory Processing Rate Decoding Word identification Word memory Text Comprehension Text CAT

Reading Age Level Chronological Age Low Oral Language in Kindergarten High Oral Language in Kindergarten 5.2 years difference Oral Language Weakness and Reading Ability

Language Impairment, Processing and Sequencing Tone Duration = 75 msec Tone 1 = 100 Hz, Tone 2 = 300 Hz Tallal & Piercy (1973) Nature.

How Can Brain Science and Technology Help Us?

Brain Science & the Literacy Challenge

Brain Fitness and the Literacy Gap A decade of brain research tells us:  The brain is “plastic”  “Brain exercise= Brain Fitness”  The brain rewires itself for improved reading

Brain Fitness

Brain Fitness: Word List Challenge pillepic rose kind moose unlikely sip district direct soap weathervane statue mistake naturalphoto Now write down as many words as you can recall. You have one minute. Click to begin

How Efficient is Your Brain? pill epic rose kind moose unlikely sip district direct soap weathervane statue mistake natural photo

How Fit is Your Brain? Average 20 year olds recall 7 words Average 80 year olds recall 4 words

Brain Fitness: Processing Challenge

Fit Brains Learn BetterMemoryAttention Processing Rate Sequencing

milliseconds...Big Changes in Meaning Small Changes in Timing

Normal Speech Acoustically Modified Speech

Positive Results Efficient! –1 to 2 year gain in reading skills in 8 to 12 weeks. Effective! –184 school-based research studies –Statistically significant student gains –79 patents (21 Pending) Enduring! –Proof: rate of learning increase is permanent over time –Assist in closing the literacy gap

Fast ForWord Family of Products Language Series – Elementary Reading Series Language Series – Adolescent Now with Spanish instructions

The Neuroscience Principles Required to Make the Brain More Efficient Frequency and intensity Adaptivity Simultaneous development Timely motivation

Frequency and Intensity Specific protocols for each product 5 days a week Number of trials per day

Adaptivity Adjusts with each student response Individual progression advancement Keeps each student challenged Status flags in Progress Tracker

Simultaneous Development Exercises work together to develop multiple skills Develops underlying cognitive processes –Memory –Attention –Processing rate –Sequencing

Timely Motivation Points Animations Student Success Viewer

Discussion: Fit Brains Learn Better

How will Fast ForWord products fit into your school?

Best Practices – 5 Steps 1) Set the Plan 2) Schedule Professional Development 3) Set the Schedule 4) Create the Learning Environment 5) See the Results Check List

Scheduling Pre and Post Assessments School/District Assessments –State Test, Gates-McGinnitie, Language Assessments Reading Progress Indicator –Measures Fast ForWord effectiveness Observational Surveys

Best Practices – 5 Steps 1) Set the Plan 2) Schedule Professional Development 3) Set the Schedule 4) Create the Learning Environment 5) See the Results Check List

Schedule Professional Development Work with Services and Support –Initial Training and Follow Up Consulting visits –Ongoing contacts from your Progress Monitor Customer Connect courses: –Brain Courses –Getting Started –Web Seminars

Staff and Parent Awareness Plan to –involve teachers –keep administrators informed –engage parents Share reports and information to gain their support

Best Practices – 5 Steps 1) Set the Plan 2) Schedule Professional Development 3) Set the Schedule 4) Create the Learning Environment 5) See the Results Check List

Implementation Models School Day – during regular hours of the school day Before/After School – extend beyond the regular school day Summer School – customized to fit your summer school program Intersession

Protocol Choices Fast ForWord Language Basics Fast ForWord Language Fast ForWord Language to Reading Fast ForWord to Literacy Fast ForWord to Literacy Advanced 30 min/day 5 days/week 3-6 weeks 30 min/day 5 days/week weeks 40 min/day 5 days/week 9-13 weeks 50 min/day 5 days/week 6-10 weeks 90 min/day 5 days/week 4-7 weeks

Best Practices – 5 Steps 1) Set the Plan 2) Schedule Professional Development 3) Set the Schedule 4) Create the Learning Environment 5) See the Results Check List

To be a success you must work at success

Lab Equipment For Each Student Computer –Headphones –Y-Adapters Environment –Quiet, free of distractions –Welcoming –Folders for each student

Ensuring Success Monitor regularly Intervene immediately Motivate with CAPS – Completion – Attendance – Participation – Sequence

Best Practices – 5 Steps 1) Set the Plan 2) Schedule Professional Development 3) Set the Schedule 4) Create the Learning Environment 5) See the Results Check List

See the Results Progress Tracker reports – to parents, teachers and administrators Reading Progress Indicator Share successes and assessment results in the school community

Brain Fitness