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University of Cincinnati DAAP professor releases an app to address literacy challenges


A few years ago, Renee Seward’s best friend’s son struggled to learn to read and mentioned that it was “the layouts” that made it difficult.

Seward

Alarmed by the staggering statistics that link failure to learn to read by fourth grade with negative outcomes, Renee sprang into action. As an associate professor of communications design at the School of Design at the UC College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), Seward knew this was a problem that she could do something about.

Seward began designing a font, finding technology partners and studying the latest and greatest sensory methods for helping kids learn to read. She discovered that helping kids learn in new and engaging ways was a place where she could make a difference. Seward created the See Word Reading app for teachers, students and parents to apply graphic design principles to the challenges of engaging kids in learning early literacy skills.

After a long journey,, the See Word Reading: Home Edition is now available in the Apple App Store. This dynamic learn-to-read app uses multi-sensory methods and is aligned with Orton-Gillingham to help both accelerated and at-risk readers.

See Word Reading provides personalized, fun and engaging lessons to improve literacy skills for Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Grade Students. We give children of all reading levels the skill and will to read.

See Word Reading level 4

“Studies show that 50 percent of children in low income families read below average,” said Seward. “This is linked to high dropout rates and future juvenile crime. Learning to read is one of the most important skills for helping more kids have bright futures. See Word Reading can help people build the skill and will to read.”

The app received an early vote of confidence from winning a Cincinnati Innovates award in 2016. Plus, Ohio Third Frontier and the University of Cincinnati’s Venture Lab support helped Seward develop the app and reach early milestones of testing in schools.

Results have shown improved spelling, phonological awareness, word identification, writing, spelling and fluency as documented on the See Word Reading results page. 

Today, the See Word Reading Home Edition is available on the iTunes Store for iPads. A key component is that parents don’t have to know anything about teaching literacy. There are pre-programmed lessons that follow the Core Curriculum.It makes it easy for the parents and fun for the child.

The See Word Reading Teacher edition is scheduled to be released later in 2018.

See Word Reading

 


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