The results of research conducted by George Mason University Professor Jack A. Naglieri indicate that oral reading fluency scores improved considerably for students who used the Skatekids™ literacy program, and that the more students use the program, the more they improved.
The results of these studies were confirmed last month by an independent analysis conducted by San Diego Unified School District. In the SDUSD analysis, significantly higher growth in the treatment group was seen in three categories: vocabulary, comprehension, and total scores. Both the control and treatment groups also had the benefit of other reading and intervention programs used by the district.
Dr. Jack A. Naglieri, psychology professor at George Mason University and Senior Research Scientist at Devereux Foundation’s Center for Resilient Children said, “These studies have consistently shown that that QLT’s Skatekids™ has significant impact on literacy skills. If I were a school administrator I would want to incorporate Skatekids™ into my curriculum plan.” Copies of Dr. Naglieri’s research papers on this topic are available through email: naglieri@gmu.edu.
Designed for students in the 3rd through 8th grades, Skatekids™ helps develop literacy, reading comprehension and critical thinking skills by embedding scientifically-developed and clinically-proven educational games and activities in an exciting, virtual world environment. Skatekids™ combines leading scientific research in literacy and cognitive development with modern gaming theory in a format which engages today’s digitally savvy students. A companion program for Pre-K through 2nd grade students, Ramps to Reading™, is designed to introduce foundational literacy concepts which students will build upon in Skatekids™.
“Skatekids™ is an effective program because students are active participants in the learning process, the level of rigor is individualized and it makes learning fun,” said Terry Anderson, Quantum Learning Technologies President and CEO. “We are pleased that this independent study by San Diego Unified School District confirms the effectiveness of Skatekids™.”
The Skatekids™ virtual learning world contains scientifically developed literacy, problem solving and cognitive skill-building games as well as non-educational activities and games designed to allow brief, frequent breaks from the fun but challenging learning activities. Nonetheless, the educational activities have always outranked the leisure activities in overall popularity.
