Test Drive: Soliloquy Learning's Reading Assistant

Reading instruction hardware and software

Soliloquy Learning, 32980 Alvarado-Niles Road, Suite 856, Union City, CA 94587; (866) 442-0920. www.soliloquylearning.com Windows 98, Windows ME, 2000, XP $599

Soliloquy Learning's Reading Assistant helps improve reading comprehension in second through fifth grades. Its voice recognition technology lets students practice reading independently, provides important feedback, and helps teachers maintain important records.

How does it work? Students don a headset with an attached boom microphone. Then, they insert a CD into a computer, sign in, and choose a reading selection. Kids read into the microphone, and if they get stuck on a word, Reading Assistant supplies the word's correct pronunciation. If the word is completely unfamiliar, the student may choose to hear its definition in context. Reading Assistant color codes words students have difficulty with and encourages them to reread selections, paying attention to trouble spots. Afterward, students may take a quiz measuring their reading comprehension. Individual reports chart progress and let teachers monitor each student's reading efforts.

Since voice recognition technology is demanding on a computer, Soliloquy suggests installing the software on a computer that has at least a Pentium II 266 MHz processor, but a faster box is better. Reading Assistant worked acceptably on a Pentium II 300 MHz box running Windows 98, and smoothly on a Pentium III 500 MHz computer running Windows 2000 or Windows ME. There was some difficulty installing and running the program on a few computers. Updating audio drivers and reinstalling the operating system, in one case, solved these problems. A Macintosh version of Reading Assistant is in the works.

Reading Assistant would be a valuable addition to any library or classroom. The classroom edition, currently priced at $599, provides licenses for up to 30 computers. A single-user edition and site licenses are available, but as of yet there is no network edition to make CD-ROM handling and record keeping more convenient. This school year, the company plans to release three additional library CD-ROMs with expanded reading selections. If you're looking for technology that will engage your students while reading, strongly consider purchasing Soliloquy's Reading Assistant.