The Future of Education

Practice makes progress. Improving read-aloud skills with the Reading Coach in Flip.com becomes possible even in large language groups. Reading aloud is vital for a range of purposes, such as public speaking, storytelling, and language acquisition. It addresses numerous objectives crucial for language learning: refining pronunciation, strengthening listening abilities, expanding vocabulary, fostering fluency, deepening comprehension, promoting cultural insight, and instilling confidence. Even in large language groups of 20 or more students, the objectives of read-aloud practices can be efficiently upheld by leveraging Microsoft's Reading Coach feature integrated into Flip.com. The built-in features cater to the requirements for differentiation within a diverse group of learners with varying levels of English language proficiency. The platform is easily accessible for vocabulary and texts at every proficiency level and in various subjects, ensuring alignment with all five English Language Development Standards established by the World-class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) organization: Social and Instructional Language, Language of Social Studies, Language of English Language Arts, Language of Mathematics, and Language of Science. The program helps to avoid stigmatizing poor readers, as the level of embarrassment they feel in front of the computer is significantly lower than in front of other students. The application does not sabotage fluency or pronunciation as there is no need to listen to struggling readers model poor fluency skills and pronunciation. It strengthens comprehension, as everyone is exposed to the correct pronunciation at the individual pace and amount without having to listen to a peer who orally reads too slowly, too fast, or is interrupted by taking turns. The built-in language supports, such as word-by-word translation to nearly 120+ languages and frequently available visual representations, help with comprehension and feeling of inclusion. Moreover, the parts of speech indicators offer opportunities to deepen understanding of grammatical structures within the language. Reading Coach provides instant personalized feedback on students' fluency, gauging both the speed and accuracy of their reading. Additionally, it offers personalized assistance by breaking down practice into manageable segments, focusing on five words selected from a list of identified challenging vocabulary. According to a survey conducted among 82 current student-users of Reading Coach, around 84% reported that the application assisted them in enhancing their read-aloud and pronunciation skills, with some noting improvements in reading speed. By utilizing the potential of this technology, educators can optimize learning outcomes, create meaningful educational experiences for every student, regardless of class size or individual proficiency levels, and even streamline the teaching process for educators.