Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Fast Forword Brain Research Video



More information at Fast ForWord

Willie Brown FastForword to a Reader



Willie Brown was age fifteen reading at a first grade level when he first encountered Jacky Egli and Fast ForWord. His life would never be the same. Today, Willie is a successful reader and on his way to college.

Scientific Learning: Scientifically Based Research


Tons of Validated Results.

Scientific Learning adheres to the highest standards of research, and we have tested Fast ForWord products on a variety of student populations in every K-12 age group, with excellent results.

More than 100 school districts in the US and Canada have done their own independent evaluation of their student populations for a truly unbiased assessment. Because they have seen such positive results, many are willing to share that information with educators who have yet to try Fast ForWord software.

Scientific Learning has compiled one of the largest databases of measured user results in education today. Click on any of the links below to see those results, as well as the skills tested with specific student populations from different regions of the country and abroad.Regions


Region

Students

Skills

Other



Scientific Learning: Scientifically Based Research

Scilearning Fast Forword: Our Approach

The way the brain learns best: The science behind the success.Scientific Learning products are based on over 30 years of foundational research into how the brain learns. This research established the fact that boosting the brain’s processing efficiency accelerates quality learning. It’s called brain plasticity and among neuroscientists, it refers to the brain’s ability to change at any age throughout life.

Our products use patented technologies that leverage the science and opportunity of brain plasticity. By exercising processing skills through intensive, adaptive activity, actual physical changes occur in the brain. “Gray matter” can thicken, neural connections can be forged and strengthened, and these physical changes to the brain can result in changes to our abilities. Fast ForWord® products trigger change in the brain and provide an optimal foundation for learning and reading success.

Developed by four internationally renowned research scientists, Drs. Mike Merzenich, Paula Tallal, Bill Jenkins, and Steve Miller, the Fast ForWord family of products works to improve the language to literacy continuum. Starting with basic language skills and moving through increasingly challenging and sophisticated reading skills, all of our products strictly adhere to the principles of neuroscience upon which they were developed, and all are designed to increase processing efficiency.

With Fast ForWord software, great results are the norm, rather than the exception. The technologies behind the products were specifically designed to match the ability and progress of each learner. This ability to adapt to the student means they are always challenged, but not frustrated. This optimal learning experience means that students who use Fast ForWord products often make an average 1 - 2 years gain in reading skills in as little as 8 to 12 weeks.

Scientific Learning: Our Approach

Memory • Attention • Processing Rate • Sequencing

Memory • Attention • Processing Rate • Sequencing

The science of how the brain learns and retains information is the foundation of Fast ForWord® products. Our products utilize the principles of neuroscience to exercise and develop the brain's processing efficiency, essential for academic learning and reading success.

Brain plasticity research demonstrates that completing learning tasks in a frequent, intense timeframe accelerates learning. Fast ForWord products are based on these neuroscience principles.

There are four key cognitive skill sets that, when developed together, improve learning and reading. These skill sets are:

* Memory - The ability to store information and ideas. Memory is essential for word recognition, comprehension of complex sentences, and remembering instructions. Fast ForWord software enhances working memory, short and long-term memory.

* Attention - The ability to focus on information and tasks, and ignore distractions. Fast ForWord products are designed to improve both attention and focus.

* Processing Rate - The rate at which a student is able to accurately perceive and manipulate information. In the context of reading, processing rate refers to the rate at which a student can distinguish speech sounds and identify letter and word forms to create meaning. Fast ForWord software increases the rate at which students are able to process incoming information.

* Sequencing - Placing the detail of information in its accustomed order (for example, days of the week, the alphabet, etc.).

In the context of reading, sequencing is the ability to determine the order of letters within words or words within sentences. Fast ForWord products improve the recognition of the order of sounds, letters, and concepts.


Reading is a demanding activity, calling for many specific events to take place simultaneously in the brain. Fast ForWord products apply the discoveries of neuroscience to accelerate these important reading skills:

* Phonemic awareness

* Fluency

* Vocabulary

* Comprehension

* Decoding

* Syntax

And because the exercises are based in the science of how the brain works, the results are lasting and often life-changing.

Memory | Attention | Processing Rate | Sequencing

Frequency and Intensity | Adaptivity | Simultaneous Development | Timely Motivation

The Learning Process Accelerated.

Scientific Learning's patented technology accelerates learning by boosting the brain’s ability to process incoming information more effectively and efficiently.

It’s called brain plasticity and among neuroscientists, it refers to the brain’s ability to change at any age throughout life.

Our products use patented technologies that leverage the science of brain plasticity. Fast ForWord® products trigger change in the brain and provide an optimal foundation for learning and reading success.

Four key components of our technology-based intervention work together to create the dramatic changes in brain function required to achieve universal literacy:

* Frequency and Intensity — Neuroscience research demonstrates that completing a set of learning tasks in a frequent, intense timeframe accelerates learning.

* Adaptivity — Exercises adapt with each key stroke to individual skill levels and responses, keeping students continuously challenged but not frustrated.

* Simultaneous Development — Exercises develop major cognitive and reading skills simultaneously to produce lasting improvements in learning.

* Timely Motivation — Tiered rewards are designed to maximize motivation from start to finish. Our Fast ForWord Language series includes a patented technology that stretches and emphasizes speech sounds at early exercise levels, progressing to natural speech sounds as a student advances to higher levels. This technological ability to “acoustically modify” speech helps students recognize word sounds, first in isolated syllables, then in groups of sounds, then in words, and finally in sentences.

Fast ForWord software is recognized as a proven scientifically based reading intervention product at leading educational organizations such as:

* Education Commission for the States

* Milken Family Foundation

* The Metiri Group

* Stanford University, Cornell University, UCSF Medical Center & Rutgers University, and many other top Universities

Data independently gathered by schools and educators has shown that with recommended use, Fast ForWord products get results. Our extensive database of student results show our products have a statistically significant positive effect on a wide variety of student populations, including English Language Learners, Special Education students, academically at-risk students, and students performing below their potential.

Frequency and Intensity | Adaptivity | Simultaneous Development | Timely Motivation

Fast ForWord Customer Connect: Quick implementation and Resource Guides and Downloads

These links were current as of Dec. 04, 2007 - please refer to the bottom site link for additional links as needed.




We Care Newsletters
Coaches' Newsletter - Volume 7, 2007 (372k PDF)
See All Newsletters

Implementation Basics
Best Practices Implementation Guide (2.1M PDF)
Fast ForWord Best Practices Workbook (876k PDF)
Student Selection (124k PDF)
Fast ForWord Gateway Edition Protocols (12k PDF) UPDATED
Exercise Completion Rules (23k PDF)
The Scheduling Process (108k PDF)
How to Reach the Most Students (Regular School Year) (24k PDF)
How to Reach the Most Students (Summer School Session) (24k PDF)
Sample Schedule, Elementary (20k PDF)
Sample Schedule, Block Scheduling (16k PDF)
Enrollment Worksheet (28k PDF)
How to Use Reading Progress Indicator (304k PDF)
Sample Reading Progress Indicator Screen (112k PDF)
Standardized Language Assessments (176k PDF)
Reading Edge Educator's Guide (1.6M PDF)
Observational Survey for Middle School Students (28k PDF)
Observational Survey for High School Students (24k PDF)
Teacher Observational Survey (140k PDF)
Staff Awareness Meeting Letter (124k PDF)
Parent Observational Survey (English) (168k PDF)
Parent Observational Survey (Spanish) (36k PDF)
Parent Night Letter (96k PDF)
Fast ForWord Products Brochure (3MB PDF)
Fast ForWord Products Flyer (144k PDF)
Parent/Teacher Sample Presentation (4MB PPT)
Fast ForWord Product Placement Chart (34k PDF)
Student Grading Contract (66k PPT)
Suggested Fast ForWord Participant Evaluation Matrix (40k PDF)
Sample Weekly Grading or Evaluation Form (62k PPT)
Coalition of the Willing (Choosing Students) (98k PDF)
Finishing, Resuming, and Deleting Product Assignments (99k PDF)
Principal Lab Observation Checklist (28k PDF)
Training Your Staff
Staff Awareness Meeting Letter (124k PDF)
Observational Survey for Teachers (140k PDF)
Motivational Activities (56k PDF)
Fast ForWord Products 8-Page Brochure (380k PDF)
Fast ForWord Products Flyer (144k PDF)
Parent/Teacher Sample Presentation (4MB PPT)
Fast ForWord to Learning Professional Development Presentation (12.6M PPT)
Teacher's Handbook: A Resource Guide (1.7M PDF)
Fast ForWord Professional Development Training Workbook (4.19M PDF)
Fast ForWord Web Seminars (37k PDF)
Quick Tip: Registering for a Login Email (91k PDF)
Support Contract Features and Benefits (206k PDF)
Professional Development Resource CD Table of Contents (465k PDF)
Progress Tracker Short Summary Report (219k PDF)
How to Use the Date Range Feature on Progress Tracker Administrator Reports (59k PDF)
How to Use Progress Tracker Surveys (119k PDF)
Quick Tip: Emailing Progress Tracker Reports to School Administrators (128kPDF)
Quick Tip: Emailing Progress Tracker Reports to District Administrators (132kPDF)
Quick Tip: Printing Multiple Reports (112k PDF)
Sample Condensed Group Report (36k PDF)
Sample Multiple Participant Report (584k PDF)

Getting Results
Motivation Activities (56k PDF)
Bulletin Board Ideas (3.3M PDF)
Tips from Fast ForWord Coaches (44k PDF)
Demonstration Day Tips for Fast ForWord Language (132k PDF)
Demonstration Day Tips for Fast ForWord Middle & High School (76k PDF)
Reviewing Performance with Fast ForWord Gateway Edition Results Screen (68k PDF)
Intervention Strategies (40k PDF)
Fast ForWord Intervention Log (31k PDF)

Technical Specifications

Fast ForWord Gateway Edition version 3.9 (242k PDF) UPDATED
Fast ForWord Gateway Edition Data Security Statement (71k PDF)
Version 3.9
Version 3.9
What's New in 3.9 (82k PDF)
Step-by-Step Installation Instructions (276k PDF
How to Use the Fast ForWord® Products (Version 3.9) (3.65M PDF)

Progress Tracker

Redirect Flags for Fast ForWord to Reading (100k PDF)

We Care Newsletters
Coaches' Newsletter - Volume 7, 2007 (372k PDF)

More Resources found at Fast ForWord Customer Connect: Quick Resource Downloads

Monday, December 3, 2007

Fast ForWord® Progress Tracker

Accountability at every level.

Fast ForWord Progress Tracker is an online data analysis and reporting tool that enables educators to monitor individual, classroom, school, or district performance of students working with Fast ForWord products.

It provides clear, action-oriented information showing student progress over time, in specific reading and cognitive skills areas.

It’s one of the reasons why Fast ForWord products have been so successful in helping schools and districts meet state mandates and comply with NCLB.

Progress Tracker offers features to maximize student, teacher, school, and district success:


Fast ForWord Progress Tracker | Scientific Learning

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Fast ForWord Language Basics Demo



Fast ForWord Language software moves elementary students toward grade level reading skills, with a focus on listening accuracy, phonological awareness, and language structures.

http://www.scilearn.com/products/elementary-products/fast-forword-language-basics/index.php

Fast ForWord Language Demo



Prepares students for the listening and attentional demands of classroom instruction, with a focus on sound sequencing, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, pattern recognition, and color-shape identification.

http://www.scilearn.com/products/elementary-products/fast-forword-language/index.php

Fast ForWord Language to Reading Demo



Fast ForWord Language to Reading emphasizes the link between spoken and written language to guide students to become proficient grade level readers.

http://www.scilearn.com/products/elementary-products/fast-forword-language-to-reading/index.php

Fast ForWord ro Reading Prep Demo



Fast ForWord to Reading Prep builds pre-reading skills, with a focus on letter recognition and naming, phonological awareness, and letter-sound associations.

http://www.scilearn.com/products/elementary-products/fast-forword-to-reading-prep/index.php

Fast ForWord to Reading 1 Demo



Fast ForWord to Reading 1 exercises build critical early reading skills, with an emphasis on phonemic awareness, early decoding skills, vocabulary knowledge and skills, and motivation for reading.

http://www.scilearn.com/products/elementary-products/fast-forword-to-reading-1/index.php

Fast ForWord® to Reading 2 Demo



Fast ForWord to Reading 2 software consolidates early reading skills, with a focus on applying phonics and decoding strategies, improving word recognition, and understanding the rules for reading comprehension.

http://www.scilearn.com/products/elementary-products/fast-forword-to-reading-2/index.php

Fast ForWord to Reading 3 Demo



Fast ForWord to Reading 3 software builds on the Fast ForWord to Reading 2 product by concentrating on reading knowledge and fluency, with a focus on phonology and spelling, morphological properties and complexity, syntactic complexity, vocabulary and comprehension.

http://www.scilearn.com/products/elementary-products/fast-forword-to-reading-3/index.php

Fast ForWord to Reading 4 Demo



Fast ForWord to Reading 4 exercises expand reading skills by applying knowledge of word origins, word forms, sentence structures, and punctuation rules to improve comprehension.

http://www.scilearn.com/products/elementary-products/fast-forword-to-reading-4/index.php

Fast ForWord to Reading 5 Demo



Fast ForWord to Reading 5 software is appropriate for students in upper elementary, middle and high school. It concentrates on enhancing advanced reading comprehension and expanding vocabulary skills.

http://www.scilearn.com/products/elementary-products/fast-forword-to-reading-5/index.php

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Fast ForWord® Reading Intervention Products | Scientific Learning


Intervention products that build the processing skills needed for reading and learning...

The Fast ForWord family of reading intervention products develops brain processing efficiency through intensive, adaptive software exercises.

Fast ForWord computer-delivered software offers tested, real-world results for educators and specialists around the globe.

Fast ForWord® Reading Intervention Products | Scientific Learning

Fasy Forword Technical Specifications v. 3.9


The Networked Configuration

In the networked configuration, the data manager is set up on a single computer,which is connected to other computers over a network. The computer with the datamanager can be located in a different room than the other computers on thenetwork. A networked configuration is recommended for those who have largenumbers of participants using the Fast ForWord Gateway Edition products.

Participants can work on any computer on the network each day. Participant data iscentralized on the computer hosting the data manager, while the teacher tools (toadminister the products) and student exercises are set up on the other computers on the network. An Internet connection for the data manager to activate your license and access Fast ForWord Progress Tracker is optional.

The diagram below illustrates a networked configuration in which one compute hosts the data manager software and the teacher tools, using the Internet to access the Scientific Learning database, if desired. The other computers on the network provide access to the student exercises.

For example, you could install the data manager and the teacher tools on the teacher’s computer, and install the student exercises on the students’ computers. The teacher could then sit at his or her desk and monitor all of the student exercise computers without having to walk around the classroom. And all the administrative tasks could be performed at the teacher’s desk!




Fast ForWord Gateway Edition version 3.9 PDF