A step-by-step application for learning to read

Teaching reading to students with intellectual disabilities is a major challenge for special education teachers. A recent research project was conducted by the Haute école pédagogique du canton de Vaud (HEP) to help these students to progress in their early learning in reading.

The purpose of the research was to develop, with and for teachers, a reading instruction program adapted for these students and to evaluate its effectiveness. This evidence-based methodology consists of clear, structured and intensive instruction of the skills essential to learning to read. Printed cards are frequently used during the varied activities that are led by the teacher.

The software application named Decodi was created by the research team in collaboration with ELCA Digital Agency. The application digitalized the existing methodology, printed cards, keeping the card design while reducing the active presence of the teacher.
Students/children can work independently on an iPad, and progress step by step in their basic skills. Thanks to the progressive increase in complexity and corrective feedback, he/she trains phonemic awareness, knowledge of grapheme-phoneme correspondences, and the reading and writing of syllables and short words.

The student can revise concepts previously worked on during teacher-led lessons with the Decodi reading teaching method. The simple but attractive visuals make the application particularly suitable for children with intellectual disabilities.