New Sage has undertaken the development of a computerized environment for testing and remediating a variety of reading disabilities. It is called Delve. The test is based on a multidimensional model of reading skill components. Delve presents items to test all reading skill areas, presents a variety of diagnostic data, suggests appropriate remediation, and then provides games designed to beef up weak reading skills. Diagnostic evaluation is accomplished by a combination of classifying algorithms implemented as neural networks, in combination with declarative rules for linking deficit skill areas with the appropriate remediation activities. The delivery computer is the Macintosh.
Keywords: Reading, diagnostic, test, mediation, dyslexia, disability, neural network, expert system
Anticipated Results:New Sage will produce a working prototype of a computer application that tests students on a variety of reading skills, presents diagnostic reports, suggests remediation strategies, and administers reading remediation activities that are appropriate. Phase I will produce: Application shell, means for creation and handling of student files with password security, item generation and presentation (using templates and queueing strategy), text and graphic resources for at least 50 test items in at least 5 skill areas, alternation between graphical, audio, and text prompts, data structures for maintaining performance records, dictionary and linguistic knowledge base, neural networks for clustering performance patterns, at least 10 remediation activities, and mapping from diagnostic results to remediation activities. Deliverables will include a prototype of the application package, along with user documentation, a final report, and a plan for further development.Topic 4: Development or Adaptation of Innovative Technologies to Enhance Learning and Development of Children with Disabilities
