Parrot Reading
Type of exercises:
- Sentence level reading comprehension
- Paragraph level reading comprehension
- Written word finding from written definitions
- Identifying correct spellings
- Whole word spelling
- Auditory word recall
Developed with SLT: Yes
Theory based: No, based on clinician experience
Record own speaking attempts: N/A
Correction of own speaking attempts: N/A
Easy to use?: No. The user must click on an answer, then click again to input their answer and then click again to move onto the next question.
The internet subscription exercises are very slow to accept the answer making multiple activations possible and therefore confusing.
Customisation/personalisation: No
Error handling: None
Prompts/cues given: None
Record results: Yes
Tutorials: Yes, online
Free trial: Yes but not the complete program
Support: Via Livechat or the suppliers can take over the user’s PC. All support takes place 9am-5pm New York time.
Comments:
- The online subscription allows access to all the modules available so as the user progresses they don’t need to purchase new modules. It feels like an app when downloaded on an ipad
- The CD version has more functions than the internet version
- The reading comprehension exercises require higher level semantics and US knowledge.
- Remote access to results is possible as long as the SLT has the user’s login & password.
N.B:
No practising of spelling skills, goes straight in at single word level with long, low frequency words
Voice is American and computer generated
No visual rewards for correct answers
Type of exercises:
- Sentences
- Paragraphs
- Spelling
Can use own words?: No
Help given: None
Free trial: Yes
Support: Free
Comments:
- The online subscription gives access to all modules so as you improve, you don’t need to buy new modules.
- The CD version has more functions than the internet version
- A download version exists for $19.95 per program but works only on Windows, not mac
- Some reading exercises need American knowledge
- The Speech and Language Therapist can access your results via the internet
N.B:
Spelling is not gradual
American, computer voice