SBIR-STTR Award

In the Reading for All project, we will research elements necessary for developing comprehensive reading software and a phonetic keypad for urban youth, for use on a new generation of videogame machines. During Phase I of the project, we will determine the requirements for I) building and testing a wipe-activated phonetic keyboard with an isopoint cursor controller for use with a videogame machine 2) adapting self-guiding children's reading software for urban youth; and 3) adapting MS-DOS reading software with digitized voice, graphics, text, and a management system for use with low-cost computers or videogame machines with compact disk storage and video capability.Key Words: Reading Videogame, Multimedia Youth Software CD, Inner city IlliteracySummary: The Reading for All project aims at helping wipe out illiteracy in urban youth in the United States by adapting powerful reading software for next- generation videogame machines and providing these machines with an easy to learn phonetic keyboard that we hypothesize will facilitate learning reading. The project will determine requirements for l) offering high-interest, self-paced, highly focused and guided reading software on low-cost computers 2) providing a design example for a new kind of learning device, and 3) providing new tools for computer and videogame input for students learning reading and spelling. Topic Number 7: Development of Technology Based Personalized Tutorial Systems to Reduce or Eliminate Illiteracy Among Inner City Youth.

During Phase II of the the Reading for All project, we will 1) construct and test a working membrane_based, wipe_activated phonetic keypad; 2) develop prototype reading software for urban illiterate teens; and 3) form a marketing alliance for distributing the software.The reading software will feature multi_cultural literature and imagery designed to interest urban city teens, and be based on current research in reading. The software will run on the Macintosh LC computer with text, multimedia, CD_ROM, and voice capability and on new low_cost computers compatible with the Macintosh.Key Words: Reading, Multi_cultural, Multimedia, Youth, Software, CD-ROM, Urban, IlliteracySummary: The Reading for All project aims at helping wipe out illiteracy in urban youth in the United States by creating high_interest reading software for next_generation microcomputers and providing these machines with an easy to learn phonetic keypad. The project will 1) develop high_interest, self_paced, highly focused and guided reading software on low_cost computers; 2) provide a design example for a new kind of highly motivating software, and 3) provide a new tools for input of text for students learning reading and spelling. We will market the program in partnership with a major distributor of software for the home and textbooks for the school.Topic Number 7: Development of Technology Based Personalized Tutorial Systems to Reduce or Eliminate Illiteracy Among Inner City Youth.