The Compensatory Effectiveness of the Quicktionary Reading Pen II on the Reading Comprehension of Students with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

The study investigated the compensatory effectiveness of the Quicktionary Reading Pen II (the Reading Pen), a portable device with miniaturized optical character recognition and speech synthesis capabilities. Thirty participants with reading disabilities aged 10–18 were trained on the operation of the technology and given two weeks to practice decoding single words and using various dictionary functions during independent silent reading in the classroom and other settings. Participants were then given a reading comprehension test under the following conditions: (a) reading passages silently using the Reading Pen, and (b) reading passages silently without assistance. Paired sample comparisons revealed significant differences under the two conditions in favor of using the pen (p<.0001+). Results are discussed in light of previous research on related technologies.