Impact of Computer-Based Cognitive Training on Elementary Students’ Reading Skills

The students at Whycocomagh Education Centre improved their performance on the Woodcock-Johnson tests by 2 to 12 times the expected growth over the 12 weeks - 2.3 Grade Equivalents (GE) on the Sentence Fluency Test, 3.5 GE on the Word Fluency Test and .6 GE on the Math Fluency Test. All students, other than the two who were already reading at the highest grade level, improved at least 1 reading level, with students advancing 4.5 grade levels on average. On the pre-test, 5 of the 20 students were reading below grade level. On the post-test, all 20 students were reading at or above grade level.The classroom teacher and literacy mentor noted greater focus, greater interest in reading, more independent work and more perseverance at tasks. The students told district staff who came to observe the program that they enjoyed it and noted positive changes in themselves as learners.

Read More