Fun with COmpUtEr TuTOrS

During this weeks lesson, I was able to participate in a language arts,  computer based tutoring system. The first one ART (Affable Reading Tutor),  is targeted toward 4th and 5th graders, to help them build comprehension, by questioning as they read. I liked this program for the most part. I think one of the most beneficial parts of the program is that children are able to work on it alone, at their own pace. They don't have to follow and keep up with a class. I also liked how the children were able to type their own answers into the program. I feel that this builds literacy, as well as comprehension, which is great!

However, there were some things that I didn't like about the program. I felt that the answering was a little inconsistent. At some points in the program, you could answer with pretty much anything, and the program didn't check to see if it was wrong or right. On other parts of the program, they wanted such specific answers, that sometimes substituting words like injury for injured was counted against you. 

If I were designing this program, I would have made the answering system a little more consistent. I would want my students to be able to use word substitutions, because I feel that this builds vocabulary. I would also have picked a different voice for the little girl. It seemed like her intonations were off. At some points when she was supposed to be expressing enthusiasm, her voice sounded sad. Since children are always learning, I would try to make her intonations accurate, so the children would learn accurately.  

All in all, I would use this program in my future classroom. I feel like this would be a great supplemental material, to use in conjunction with teacher instruction for comprehension. I really appreciated how the program focused on questioning, which is something I have noticed with my practicum children, that they have a harder time understanding.