Sounds and Sippy Cups: New Approaches to Pre-Literacy in Adaptive Game-Based Learning for Young Children

TLDR: My Reading Academy as discussed by the authors is an adaptive game-based learn-to-read program that is grounded in the science of reading and cognitive development research, which is designed for children.

Abstract: Multiple professions and fields of study are dedicated to young learners and the key experiences they need to succeed. Academics across psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, and educational research seek answers to key questions about how children learn to read. Practitioners across public K-12 schools, preschools, private educational institutions, and community organizations seek paths to reading success with individual groups of children. Despite immense efforts, the disconnect between research and practice has greatly limited the tangible outcomes for learners. Measures of reading ability across the United Stated yield consistently disappointing. This paper discusses an iterative cycle of research-informed design – called learning engineering – used to create digital game-based learning experiences for young learners in My Reading Academy. My Reading Academy is an adaptive gamebased learn-to-read program that is grounded in the science of reading and cognitive development research. A deep dive into phoneme awareness instruction will be used to demonstrate the processes by which instructional design can produce engaging experiences with meaningful learning outcomes. Successful mastery of phonemic awareness skills, a key predictor of future reading performance, can change the overall learning trajectory and academic success of young learners. Rooted in robust research (both academic literature and via direct interactions with learners, teachers, and families), the development of My Reading Academy is also refined with insights from learning analytics and user research. This powerful connection between science and practice has the potential to build a foundation for academic achievement and lifelong learning.