PowerTools for Reading vs Buzz 'n' Read! (AAE version)

PowerTools by Tools of the Mind® is an innovative literacy learning platform based on decades of research on the neuroscience of learning and literacy development. The PowerTools for Reading iPad application was designed from the ground up to support children’s literacy development, with multiple levels of carefully crafted eBook text integrating key science content combined with a proprietary intelligent scaffolding system that supports children in developing core literacy skills. Designed to help all children K-3 learn to read and reach grade level expectations in reading, PowerTools embeds executive functions practice in reading and increases the time spent, level of motivation, and effectiveness of young readers’ decoding practice. Continuous, adaptive, personalized feedback is displayed on a PowerTools dashboard for teachers and literacy specialists, with classroom and child level data and analytics to help teachers improve instruction, track children’s progress, and provide targeted individual scaffolding to each student. Please note: In order to use the PowerTools app, users must have a current contract with Tools of the Mind that includes access to the PowerTools Literacy Learning Platform. For more information or to begin that process please contact us at information@toolsofthemind.org .

FOR BEGINNER READERS-- Especially designed for Black children to learn to read by using stories with characters that look and sound like them so they can get excited about reading! This version of Buzz ‘n’ Read uses African-American English in the stories so that children who began speaking English with the African-American dialect don’t have to work TWICE as hard at reading by trying to sound out a word while translating the story from another dialect (Standard English). This app will help your child to learn to read faster! The simple stories are designed to be relatable and engaging. Buzz ‘n’ Read is very unique in that it listens to your child while they read. The app actually uses speech recognition to listen to your child slowly sound out each word until it is identified correctly. The instructions in Buzz Reading are spoken to your child by a human voice, that of a Black child. In most other reading apps, the instructions are written for a parent who is expected to help the child use the app to read. Having a narrator explain the reading process to your child and provide instructions for using the app not only makes learning a friendly process, but your child could even use this app to learn to read all by him- or herself! Best of all, BUZZ Reading is COMPLETELY FREE, with no in-app purchases or membership fees, unlike any other major reading app available for iPhones and iPads! There are three major sections to BUZZ Reading: learning letter sounds, including a target game to help your child identify the letter sounds in a fun and interactive way learning to string letter sounds together to make words Reading stories that contain simple words with beautiful illustrations. The words on the screen are read in part by the narrator and in part by your child, with feedback when they read their word correctly. This app was developed by Jackson Lasaga-Ivey.