Computer-implemented method of improving reading skills
A method and software for presenting reading fluency training to a user via a computer. The method includes presenting reading lessons to the user in a variety of formats and automatedly collecting data on the user's performance. The method uses the collected data to dynamically vary presentation formats, rates and content of the reading lessons throughout a reading fluency training session.
1. A method of performing reading fluency training via a computer having a visual display and a user interface, comprising:
presenting to a user, on the visual display, structured reading lessons of multiple formats including a multi-line reading format and a single-line reading format, wherein each of the structured reading lessons includes a set of reading-comprehension questions;
capturing, by the computer, reading rate data for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in multi-line reading format and for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in single-line reading format;
collecting, via the user interface, answers to each set of reading-comprehension questions provided by the user;
using the answers to each set of reading comprehension questions to obtain at least one reading comprehension measure;
continually assessing, via the computer, reading proficiency of the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data; and
dynamically controlling selection of reading lesson presentation format from among the multiple formats based on, at differing times, one, the other, or both, of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure;
wherein said presenting of the structure reading lessons of multiple formats includes:
automatedly varying segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons in a manner that tends to sustain attention by the user based on the at least one reading comprehension measure; and
varying the structured reading lessons between a first format having a first number of text segments and reading comprehension questions interspersed among the first number of text segments and a second format having a second number of text segments and reading comprehension questions following only the second number of text segments; wherein the second number is different from the first number.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said presenting of the structured reading lessons includes presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first content level, the method further comprising dynamically controlling presentation of the reading lessons by changing the first content level to a second level different from the first content level based on the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes reading proficiency on at least the most recent one of the structured reading lessons and average reading proficiency over a certain number of most recent ones of the structured reading lessons.
4. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a multi-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
5. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a single-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
6. A method according to claim 2 , wherein said continual assessing of the reading proficiency includes comparing the reading proficiency to at least one performance parameter that is a function of grade and content level.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said presenting of the structured reading lessons includes presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first reading rate, the method further comprising dynamically controlling the presentation of the structured reading lessons by changing the first reading rate to a second reading rate different from the first reading rate as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein said changing of the first reading rate to a second reading rate includes incrementing said first reading rate by a predetermined increment, the method further including selecting the predetermined increment from a plurality of predetermined differing increments as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein:
said presenting of the structured reading lessons includes presenting at a multi-line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the multi-line reading format and presenting at a single line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the single-line reading format;
said capturing of the reading rate data including capturing single-line reading rate data using the single-line reading rate segments and multi-line reading rate data using the multi-line reading rate segments; and
said continual assessing of the reading proficiency including continually comparing the single-line reading rate data and multi-line reading rate data with one another.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said presenting of structured reading lessons includes presenting at least one multi-line segment of at least one reading lesson by incremental buildup of text on the display from top to bottom of a presentation window at a first rate equal to or greater than a second rate at which the user has demonstrated satisfactory comprehension as determined by said continual assessing.
11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein said presenting of at least one multi-line segment further includes removal of text from the presentation window at a third rate less than the first rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said presenting of the structured reading lessons of multiple formats further includes automatedly varying placement of reading-comprehension questions throughout the segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons.
13. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising dynamically controlling the presentation of the structured reading lessons by assigning pre-reading activities to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the user has a current reading rate and the method further includes presenting the pre-reading activities to the user at a reading rate that exceeds the current reading rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein said assigning of the pre-reading activities includes varying the pre-reading activities between a word-by-word format and a single-line format as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
16. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising dynamically controlling the presentation of the structured reading lessons by assigning a repeat reading to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data, wherein:
the repeat reading is a repeat of one of the structured reading lessons already presented; and
the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented in a first format and said dynamic controlling of the presentation includes presenting the repeat reading in a second format different from the first format.
17. A method according to claim 16 , wherein the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented with a first number of questions and said dynamic controlling of the presentation includes presenting the repeat reading with a second number of questions different from the first number of questions.
18. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
presenting to the user, on the display, a plurality of non-paced reading lessons;
collecting, via the computer, reading comprehension data and reading rate data regarding the plurality of non-paced reading lessons from the user; and
automatedly determining an initial reading rate based on the reading comprehension data and the reading rate data regarding the plurality of non-paced reading lessons.
19. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
collecting, via the computer, multi-line reading rate data using ones of the structured reading lessons containing the multi-line reading format;
collecting, via the computer, single-line reading rate data using ones of the structured reading lessons containing the single-line reading format; and
determining a current single-line reading rate as a function of the multi-line reading rate data, the single-line reading rate data and the comprehension of the user as measured by a plurality of sets of reading-comprehension questions.
20. A method according to claim 19 , wherein said determining of the current single-line reading rate includes raising the current single-line reading rate by an increased increment only when the multi-line reading rate data is quantitatively better than the single-line reading rate data.
21. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for implementing a method of performing reading fluency training via a computer having a visual display and a user interface, said computer-executable instructions comprising:
a first set of computer-executable instructions for presenting to a user, on the visual display, structured reading lessons of multiple formats including an multi-line reading format and a single-line reading format, wherein each of the structured reading lessons includes a set of reading-comprehension questions;
a second set of computer-executable instructions for capturing, by the computer, reading rate data for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in multi-line reading format and for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in single-line reading format;
a third set of computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the user interface, answers to each set of reading-comprehension questions provided by the user;
a fourth set of computer-executable instructions for using the answers to each set of reading comprehension questions to obtain at least one reading comprehension measure;
a fifth set of computer-executable instructions for continually assessing, via the computer, reading proficiency of the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data; and
a sixth set of computer-executable instructions for dynamically controlling selection of reading lesson presentation format from among the multiple formats based on, at differing times, one, the other, or both, of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure;
wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes:
computer-executable instructions for automatedly varying lengths segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons in a manner that tends to sustain attention by the user based on the at least one reading comprehension measure; and
computer-executable instructions for varying the structured reading lessons between a first format having a first number of text segments and reading comprehension questions interspersed among the first number of text segments and a second format having a second number of text segments and reading comprehension questions following only the second number of text segments, wherein the second number is different from the first number.
22. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 21 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first content level, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for changing the first content level to a second level different from the first content level based on the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
23. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 22 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes reading proficiency on at least the most recent one of the structured reading lessons and average reading proficiency over a certain number of most recent ones of the structured reading lessons.
24. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 22 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a multi-line reading rate measure, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for calculating the multi-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
25. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 22 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a single-line reading rate measure, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for calculating the multi-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
26. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 22 , wherein said fifth set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for comparing the reading proficiency to at least one performance parameter that is a function of grade and content level.
27. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 21 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first reading rate, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for changing the first reading rate to a second reading rate different from the first reading rate as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
28. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 27 , wherein said computer-executable instructions for changing of the first reading rate to a second reading rate includes computer-executable instructions for incrementing said first reading rate by a predetermined increment, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for selecting the predetermined increment from a plurality of predetermined differing increments as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
29. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 21 , wherein:
said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting at a multi-line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the multi-line reading format and presenting at a single line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the single-line reading format;
said second set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for capturing single-line reading rate data using the single-line reading rate segments and multi-line reading rate data using the multi-line reading rate segments; and
the computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium further contains computer-executable instructions for adjusting the multi-line reading rate separately from the single-line reading rate.
30. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 21 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting at least one multi-line segment of at least one of the structured reading lessons by incremental buildup of text on the display from top to bottom of a presentation window at a first rate equal to or greater than a second rate at which the user has demonstrated satisfactory comprehension as determined by the continual assessing performed by the fifth set of computer-executable instructions.
31. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 30 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions further includes computer-executable instructions for removing of text from the presentation window at a third rate less than the first rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
32. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 21 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for automatedly varying placement of reading-comprehension questions throughout the segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons.
33. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 21 , further containing computer-executable instructions for assigning pre-reading activities to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
34. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 33 , wherein the user has a current reading rate and the computer-readable hardware storage medium further includes computer-executable instructions for presenting the pre-reading activities to the user at a reading rate that exceeds the current reading rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
35. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 34 , further containing computer-executable instructions for varying the pre-reading activities between a word-by-word format and a single-line format as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
36. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 21 , further containing computer-executable instructions for assigning a repeat reading to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data, wherein:
the repeat reading is a repeat of one of the reading lessons already presented; and
the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented in a first format, the computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for presenting the repeat reading in a second format different from the first format.
37. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 36 , wherein the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented with a first number of questions, the computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for presenting the repeat reading with a second number of questions different from the first number of questions.
38. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 21 , further containing:
computer-executable instructions for presenting to the user, on the display, a plurality of non-paced reading lessons;
computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the computer, reading comprehension data and reading rate data regarding the plurality of non-paced reading lessons from the user; and
computer-executable instructions for automatedly determining an initial reading rate based on the reading comprehension data and the reading rate data.
39. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 21 , further containing:
computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the computer, single-line reading rate data using ones of the reading lessons containing the single-line reading format; and
computer-executable instructions for determining a current single-line reading rate as a function of the multi-line reading rate values, the single-line reading rate data and the comprehension of the user as measured by a plurality of sets of reading-comprehension questions.
40. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 39 , wherein said computer-executable instructions for determining of the current single-line reading rate includes computer-executable instructions for raising the current single-line reading rate by an increased increment only when the multi-line reading rate values are quantitatively better than the single-line reading rate data.
41. A method of performing reading fluency training via a computer having a visual display and a user interface, comprising:
presenting to a user, on the visual display, structured reading lessons of multiple formats including a multi-line reading format and a single-line reading format, wherein each of the structured reading lessons includes a set of reading-comprehension questions;
capturing, by the computer, reading rate data for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in multi-line reading format and for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in single-line reading format;
collecting, via the user interface, answers to each set of reading-comprehension questions provided by the user;
using the answers to each set of reading comprehension questions to obtain at least one reading comprehension measure;
continually assessing, via the computer, reading proficiency of the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data; and
dynamically controlling selection of reading lesson presentation format from among the multiple formats based on, at differing times, one, the other, or both, of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure; and
dynamically controlling the presentation of the structured reading lessons by assigning pre-reading activities to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data;
wherein the user has a current reading rate and the method further includes presenting the pre-reading activities to the user at a reading rate that exceeds the current reading rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
42. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for implementing a method of performing reading fluency training via a computer having a visual display and a user interface, said computer-executable instructions comprising:
a first set of computer-executable instructions for presenting to a user, on the visual display, structured reading lessons of multiple formats including a multi-line reading format and a single-line reading format, wherein each of the structured reading lessons includes a set of reading-comprehension questions;
a second set of computer-executable instructions for capturing, by the computer, reading rate data for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in multi-line reading format and for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in single-line reading format;
a third set of computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the user interface, answers to each set of reading-comprehension questions provided by the user;
a fourth set of computer-executable instructions for using the answers to each set of reading comprehension questions to obtain at least one reading comprehension measure;
a fifth set of computer-executable instructions for continually assessing, via the computer, reading proficiency of the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data; and
a sixth set of computer-executable instructions for dynamically controlling selection of reading lesson presentation format from among the multiple formats based on, at differing times, one, the other, or both, of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure; and
a seventh set of computer-executable instructions for assigning pre-reading activities to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data;
wherein the user has a current reading rate and the computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium further includes computer-executable instructions for presenting the pre-reading activities to the user at a reading rate that exceeds the current reading rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
43. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 42 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first content level, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for changing the first content level to a second level different from the first content level based on the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
44. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 43 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes reading proficiency on at least the most recent one of the structured reading lessons and average reading proficiency over a certain number of most recent ones of the structured reading lessons.
45. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 43 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a multi-line reading rate measure, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for calculating the multi-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
46. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 43 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a single-line reading rate measure, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for calculating the multi-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
47. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 43 , wherein said fifth set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for comparing the reading proficiency to at least one performance parameter that is a function of grade and content level.
48. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 42 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first reading rate, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for changing the first reading rate to a second reading rate different from the first reading rate as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
49. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 48 , wherein said computer-executable instructions for changing of the first reading rate to a second reading rate includes computer-executable instructions for incrementing said first reading rate by a predetermined increment, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for selecting the predetermined increment from a plurality of predetermined differing increments as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
50. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 42 , wherein:
said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting at a multi-line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the multi-line reading format and presenting at a single line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the single-line reading format;
said second set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for capturing single-line reading rate data using the single-line reading rate segments and multi-line reading rate data using the multi-line reading rate segments; and
the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further contains computer-executable instructions for adjusting the multi-line reading rate separately from the single-line reading rate.
51. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 42 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting at least one multi-line segment of at least one of the structured reading lessons by incremental buildup of text on the display from top to bottom of a presentation window at a first rate equal to or greater than a second rate at which the user has demonstrated satisfactory comprehension as determined by the continual assessing performed by the fifth set of computer-executable instructions.
52. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 51 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions further includes computer-executable instructions for removing of text from the presentation window at a third rate less than the first rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
53. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 42 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for automatedly varying lengths segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons in a manner that tends to sustain attention by the user based on the at least one reading comprehension measure.
54. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 53 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for automatedly varying placement of reading-comprehension questions throughout the segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons.
55. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 53 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for varying the structured reading lessons between a first format having a first number of text segments and reading comprehension questions interspersed among the first number of text segments and a second format having a second number of text segments and reading comprehension questions following only the second number of text segments, wherein the second number is different from the first number.
56. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 42 , further containing computer-executable instructions for varying the pre-reading activities between a word-by-word format and a single-line format as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
57. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 42 , further containing computer-executable instructions for assigning a repeat reading to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data, wherein:
the repeat reading is a repeat of one of the reading lessons already presented; and
the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented in a first format, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for presenting the repeat reading in a second format different from the first format.
58. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 56 , wherein the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented with a first number of questions, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for presenting the repeat reading with a second number of questions different from the first number of questions.
59. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 42 , further containing:
computer-executable instructions for presenting to the user, on the display, a plurality of non-paced reading lessons;
computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the computer, reading comprehension data and reading rate data regarding the plurality of non-paced reading lessons from the user; and
computer-executable instructions for automatedly determining an initial reading rate based on the reading comprehension data and the reading rate data.
60. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 42 , further containing:
computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the computer, single-line reading rate data using ones of the reading lessons containing the single-line reading format; and
computer-executable instructions for determining a current single-line reading rate as a function of the multi-line reading rate values, the single-line reading rate data and the comprehension of the user as measured by a plurality of sets of reading-comprehension questions.
61. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 59 , wherein said computer-executable instructions for determining of the current single-line reading rate includes computer-executable instructions for raising the current single-line reading rate by an increased increment only when the multi-line reading rate values are quantitatively better than the single-line reading rate data.
62. A method of performing reading fluency training via a computer having a visual display and a user interface, comprising:
presenting to a user, on the visual display, structured reading lessons of multiple formats including a multi-line reading format and a single-line reading format, wherein each of the structured reading lessons includes a set of reading-comprehension questions;
capturing, by the computer, reading rate data for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in multi-line reading format and for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in single-line reading format;
collecting, via the user interface, answers to each set of reading-comprehension questions provided by the user;
using the answers to each set of reading comprehension questions to obtain at least one reading comprehension measure;
continually assessing, via the computer, reading proficiency of the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data; and
dynamically controlling selection of reading lesson presentation format from among the multiple formats based on, at differing times, one, the other, or both, of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure; and
dynamically controlling the presentation of the structured reading lessons by assigning a repeat reading to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data, wherein:
the repeat reading is a repeat of one of the structured reading lessons already presented; and
the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented in a first format and said dynamic controlling of the presentation includes presenting the repeat reading in a second format different from the first format.
63. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for implementing a method of performing reading fluency training via a computer having a visual display and a user interface, said computer-executable instructions comprising:
a first set of computer-executable instructions for presenting to a user, on the visual display, structured reading lessons of multiple formats including a multi-line reading format and a single-line reading format, wherein each of the structured reading lessons includes a set of reading-comprehension questions;
a second set of computer-executable instructions for capturing, by the computer, reading rate data for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in multi-line reading format and for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in single-line reading format;
a third set of computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the user interface, answers to each set of reading-comprehension questions provided by the user;
a fourth set of computer-executable instructions for using the answers to each set of reading comprehension questions to obtain at least one reading comprehension measure;
a fifth set of computer-executable instructions for continually assessing, via the computer, reading proficiency of the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data;
a sixth set of computer-executable instructions for dynamically controlling selection of reading lesson presentation format from among the multiple formats based on, at differing times, one, the other, or both, of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure; and
a seventh set of computer-executable instructions for assigning a repeat reading to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data, wherein:
the repeat reading is a repeat of one of the reading lessons already presented; and
the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented in a first format, the computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for presenting the repeat reading in a second format different from the first format.
64. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 63 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first content level, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for changing the first content level to a second level different from the first content level based on the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
65. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 64 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes reading proficiency on at least the most recent one of the structured reading lessons and average reading proficiency over a certain number of most recent ones of the structured reading lessons.
66. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 64 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a multi-line reading rate measure, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for calculating the multi-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
67. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 64 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a single-line reading rate measure, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for calculating the multi-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
68. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 64 , wherein said fifth set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for comparing the reading proficiency to at least one performance parameter that is a function of grade and content level.
69. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 63 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first reading rate, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for changing the first reading rate to a second reading rate different from the first reading rate as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
70. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 69 , wherein said computer-executable instructions for changing of the first reading rate to a second reading rate includes computer-executable instructions for incrementing said first reading rate by a predetermined increment, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for selecting the predetermined increment from a plurality of predetermined differing increments as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
71. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 63 , wherein:
said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting at a multi-line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the multi-line reading format and presenting at a single line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the single-line reading format;
said second set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for capturing single-line reading rate data using the single-line reading rate segments and multi-line reading rate data using the multi-line reading rate segments; and
the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further contains computer-executable instructions for adjusting the multi-line reading rate separately from the single-line reading rate.
72. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 63 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting at least one multi-line segment of at least one of the structured reading lessons by incremental buildup of text on the display from top to bottom of a presentation window at a first rate equal to or greater than a second rate at which the user has demonstrated satisfactory comprehension as determined by the continual assessing performed by the fifth set of computer-executable instructions.
73. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 72 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions further includes computer-executable instructions for removing of text from the presentation window at a third rate less than the first rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
74. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 63 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for automatedly varying lengths segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons in a manner that tends to sustain attention by the user based on the at least one reading comprehension measure.
75. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 74 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for automatedly varying placement of reading-comprehension questions throughout the segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons.
76. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 63 , further containing computer-executable instructions for assigning pre-reading activities to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
77. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 63 , wherein the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented with a first number of questions, the non-volatile or volatile storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for presenting the repeat reading with a second number of questions different from the first number of questions.
78. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 63 , further containing:
computer-executable instructions for presenting to the user, on the display, a plurality of non-paced reading lessons;
computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the computer, reading comprehension data and reading rate data regarding the plurality of non-paced reading lessons from the user; and
computer-executable instructions for automatedly determining an initial reading rate based on the reading comprehension data and the reading rate data.
79. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 63 , further containing:
computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the computer, single-line reading rate data using ones of the reading lessons containing the single-line reading format; and
computer-executable instructions for determining a current single-line reading rate as a function of the multi-line reading rate values, the single-line reading rate data and the comprehension of the user as measured by a plurality of sets of reading-comprehension questions.
80. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 79 , wherein said computer-executable instructions for determining of the current single-line reading rate includes computer-executable instructions for raising the current single-line reading rate by an increased increment only when the multi-line reading rate values are quantitatively better than the single-line reading rate data.
81. A method of performing reading fluency training via a computer having a visual display and a user interface, comprising:
presenting to a user, on the visual display, structured reading lessons of multiple formats including a multi-line reading format and a single-line reading format, wherein each of the structured reading lessons includes a set of reading-comprehension questions;
capturing, by the computer, reading rate data for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in multi-line reading format and for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in single-line reading format;
collecting, via the user interface, answers to each set of reading-comprehension questions provided by the user;
using the answers to each set of reading comprehension questions to obtain at least one reading comprehension measure;
continually assessing, via the computer, reading proficiency of the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data; and
dynamically controlling selection of reading lesson presentation format from among the multiple formats based on, at differing times, one, the other, or both, of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure;
the method further comprising:
collecting, via the computer, multi-line reading rate data using ones of the structured reading lessons containing the multi-line reading format;
collecting, via the computer, single-line reading rate data using ones of the structured reading lessons containing the single-line reading format; and
determining a current single-line reading rate as a function of the multi-line reading rate data, the single-line reading rate data and the comprehension of the user as measured by a plurality of sets of reading-comprehension questions.
82. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for implementing a method of performing reading fluency training via a computer having a visual display and a user interface, said computer-executable instructions comprising:
a first set of computer-executable instructions for presenting to a user, on the visual display, structured reading lessons of multiple formats including a multi-line reading format and a single-line reading format, wherein each of the structured reading lessons includes a set of reading-comprehension questions;
a second set of computer-executable instructions for capturing, by the computer, reading rate data for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in multi-line reading format and for segments of the structured reading lessons presented in single-line reading format;
a third set of computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the user interface, answers to each set of reading-comprehension questions provided by the user;
a fourth set of computer-executable instructions for using the answers to each set of reading comprehension questions to obtain at least one reading comprehension measure;
a fifth set of computer-executable instructions for continually assessing, via the computer, reading proficiency of the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data; and
a sixth set of computer-executable instructions for dynamically controlling selection of reading lesson presentation format from among the multiple formats based on, at differing times, one, the other, or both, of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure;
wherein the computer-readable hardware storage medium further contains:
computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the computer, single-line reading rate data using ones of the reading lessons containing the single-line reading format; and
computer-executable instructions for determining a current single-line reading rate as a function of the multi-line reading rate values, the single-line reading rate data and the comprehension of the user as measured by a plurality of sets of reading-comprehension questions.
83. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 82 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first content level, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for changing the first content level to a second level different from the first content level based on the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
84. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 83 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes reading proficiency on at least the most recent one of the structured reading lessons and average reading proficiency over a certain number of most recent ones of the structured reading lessons.
85. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 83 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a multi-line reading rate measure, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for calculating the multi-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
86. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 83 , wherein the at least one reading comprehension measure includes a single-line reading rate measure, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for calculating the multi-line reading rate measure based on proficiency by the user on at least a most recent one of the structured reading lessons.
87. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 83 , wherein said fifth set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for comparing the reading proficiency to at least one performance parameter that is a function of grade and content level.
88. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 82 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting ones of the structured reading lessons at a first reading rate, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for changing the first reading rate to a second reading rate different from the first reading rate as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
89. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 88 , wherein said computer-executable instructions for changing of the first reading rate to a second reading rate includes computer-executable instructions for incrementing said first reading rate by a predetermined increment, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for selecting the predetermined increment from a plurality of predetermined differing increments as a function of the reading rate data and the at least one reading comprehension measure.
90. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 82 , wherein:
said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting at a multi-line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the multi-line reading format and presenting at a single line reading rate segments of the structured reading lessons having the single-line reading format;
said second set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for capturing single-line reading rate data using the single-line reading rate segments and multi-line reading rate data using the multi-line reading rate segments; and
the computer-readable hardware storage medium further contains computer-executable instructions for adjusting the multi-line reading rate separately from the single-line reading rate.
91. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 82 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for presenting at least one multi-line segment of at least one of the structured reading lessons by incremental buildup of text on the display from top to bottom of a presentation window at a first rate equal to or greater than a second rate at which the user has demonstrated satisfactory comprehension as determined by the continual assessing performed by the fifth set of computer-executable instructions.
92. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 91 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions further includes computer-executable instructions for removing of text from the presentation window at a third rate less than the first rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
93. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 82 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for automatedly varying lengths segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons in a manner that tends to sustain attention by the user based on the at least one reading comprehension measure.
94. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 93 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for automatedly varying placement of reading-comprehension questions throughout the segmentation of ones of the structured reading lessons.
95. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 93 , wherein said first set of computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions for varying the structured reading lessons between a first format having a first number of text segments and reading comprehension questions interspersed among the first number of text segments and a second format having a second number of text segments and reading comprehension questions following only the second number of text segments, wherein the second number is different from the first number.
96. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 82 , further containing computer-executable instructions for assigning pre-reading activities to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
97. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 96 , wherein the user has a current reading rate and the computer-readable hardware storage medium further includes computer-executable instructions for presenting the pre-reading activities to the user at a reading rate that exceeds the current reading rate as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
98. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 97 , further containing computer-executable instructions for varying the pre-reading activities between a word-by-word format and a single-line format as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data.
99. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 82 , further containing computer-executable instructions for assigning a repeat reading to the user as a function of the at least one reading comprehension measure and the reading rate data, wherein:
the repeat reading is a repeat of one of the reading lessons already presented; and
the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented in a first format, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for presenting the repeat reading in a second format different from the first format.
100. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 99 , wherein the one of the structured reading lessons already presented was presented with a first number of questions, the computer-readable hardware storage medium further containing computer-executable instructions for presenting the repeat reading with a second number of questions different from the first number of questions.
101. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 82 , further containing:
computer-executable instructions for presenting to the user, on the display, a plurality of non-paced reading lessons;
computer-executable instructions for collecting, via the computer, reading comprehension data and reading rate data regarding the plurality of non-paced reading lessons from the user; and
computer-executable instructions for automatedly determining an initial reading rate based on the reading comprehension data and the reading rate data.
102. A computer-readable non-transitory hardware storage medium according to claim 82 , wherein said computer-executable instructions for determining of the current single-line reading rate includes computer-executable instructions for raising the current single-line reading rate by an increased increment only when the multi-line reading rate values are quantitatively better than the single-line reading rate data.