A learning device and associated method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a learning device 99 comprising: a cover 1; a plurality of pages 7; and a housing 4. The housing comprising a loudspeaker 8 and a plurality of buttons 6. The pages con

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates toa learning device, in particular a device for aiding in learning of spelling, and an associated method of learning to read and write using phonetics. Background Many people in many societies across the world struggle with learning to read and write. Many may have forms of dyslexia, and others may find that particular styles of teaching are ineffective for them. It is now recognised that some individuals favour different cues in order to help learning, for example some individuals find learning easier when it is driven by visual cues, or the elements to be learnt become associated with visual cues. Other individuals find learning easier when driven by or associated with textural or haptic cues. Whereas other individuals find repetition an effective way of learning. Prior Art WO2009152558 (GRAINGER) discloses a reading aid comprising text in which the syllables of each word are visually distinguished according to their phonic type wherein all letters and syllables appearing in the text which having a natural sound are not highlighted and those letters and syllables in the text that have an unnatural sound are highlighted in that they are coded according to the sound type wherein the coding comprises a colouring applied to the letters or syllables wherein the name of the colour when pronounced has a similar assonance to the syllable associated with the colour wherein all letters and syllables having the same sound are given the same colour. A method of enabling a reader to learn to read is also claimed. WO9716810 (LUZANN) discloses a method and apparatus for teaching English, using color and a few symbols to indicate the correct pronunciation. English text is displayed together with visual pronunciation clues, where the clues are added only to words which have either an irregular or ambiguous pronunciation, to achieve an easy to learn method. The visual pronunciation clues include color or symbols or a combination thereof, with a color or symbol for each separate sound whose pronunciation it is desired to so indicate. At least part of the colors are sound / color matched. At least part of the symbols are sound / symbol matched. The color clue comprises the writing in color of the entire word. US4878844 (GASPER et al) discloses a teaching aid in booklet-form comprising:a plurality of pages, each page having a different letter of an alphabet printed on a first side of said page and an object or animal depicted on a second side of said page, said object or animal associated with a letter of the alphabet, said associated letter different than the letter printed on the first side of said page, said plurality of pages arranged such that the first side of a page faces the second side of the next successive page, the letter on the first side of said page associated with the object or animal depicted on the second side of said next successive page;each of said different letters comprising a plurality of relatively small like letters disposed in spaced relationship on the surface of the first side of a different page and arranged in a pattern to form an outline of said letter, said outline filled in with said small like letters in said spaced relationship; andeach of said small like letters formed to protrude slightly from the surface of the page. The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a learning device comprising: a cover; a plurality of pages; and a housing; the housing comprising a loudspeaker and a plurality of buttons; wherein the pages contain alphanumeric content, which content comprises one or more characters of a first colour representing a first sound, and the page further comprises a texture'Window, the window exposing an item of a texture material for association with the first sound, and the housing comprises a button of the first colour; wherein the button produces a sound through the loudspeaker, said sound corresponding to the characters. In some embodiments the texture material is coloured in the first colour. In some embodiments the one or more characters relate to a sound from a phonetic alphabet. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of targeted phonetic learning comprising a device according to any of the preceding claims. In this way the method of the present invention may be recognised in use as comprising the steps ofproviding text content composed of words having a plurality of groups of similar sounds including at least a first group of first similar sounds having colour and texture material associated therewith and a second group of second similar sounds having colour and texture associated therewith;said first and second similar sounds being reproduced on command by use of an associated button and a loudspeaker; wherebya reader scans said text content by sight in order to determine groups of similar sounds by colour; simultaneously identifying a colour, and thereby the associated text content, by feel of the texture material;in order to aid in the recognition of sounds by said colour and texture material, whereby reading is facilitated by the use of a plurality of senses. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, with cover open; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; And Figure 3 shows an illustrative example of textual content for use in the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a learning device 99 generally comprising: a cover 1; a plurality of pages 7; and a housing 4; the housing comprising a loudspeaker 8 and a plurality of buttons 6; wherein the pages contain alphanumeric content 10, which content comprises one or more characters of a first colour 11 representing a first sound, and the page further comprises a texture window 2, the window exposing an item of a texture material 3 for association with the first sound, and the housing comprises a button 6 of the first colour; wherein the button produces a sound through the loudspeaker 8, said sound corresponding to the characters in a first colour 11. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a plurality of pages 7 formed in a robust cardboard, bound to a substantially rigid spine 9 one side, and butted against a housing on the other side. The housing 4 is formed in ABS plastic (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or Similar, and contains within it replaceable batteries. The housing 4 is bonded to a back cover 5, which shares a living hinge with the spine 9. A front cover also shares a living hinge with the spine, and is arranged to close over the pages, and butt against the housing. The housing further includes a loudspeaker 8 at a top end, and 16 buttons 6, arranged in two columns of eight buttons, depending below the loudspeaker on the housing’s upper face. Each button is a different colour, and is adapted to provide a different colour, for example wherein a first button is a first colour, representing a first sound, and a second button is a second colour representing a second sound, and more. The pages include a small window 2 in the bottom right corner of the page, wherein the page is formed of two parallel plates of cardboard and the window is a gap in one of the plates of carboard, which are bonded to each other around the window, the plates sandwiching a swatch of a texture material 3 between them, which texture material is visible through the window on a page. Such material may comprise a plastic or fabric material, having a raised and lowered surface or other distinguishable and recognisable surface element. The windows may be formed in different shapes, with a different shape in relation to each numbered colour, and / or on each page, and in the pictured embodiment the windows are formed as a rectangle on a page formed by the reverse face of the front cover, and a triangular window on the first page. The texture material used in the windows may be envisaged to have a particular colour, wherein the material may have a first colour, which matches the first colour of the first button, and consequently the first sound produced from the loudspeaker when the first button is pressed. In some further embodiments the texture material may also be included on the button. As shown in Figure 3, the alphanumeric content 10 of the pages may be envisaged to comprise rhyming phrases, for example poems or couplets. Within this content there are highlighted particular phonetic phrases or combinations of characters 11. These are highlighted by a particular colour. In reference to the pictured content the character combination that is highlighted in the content is highlighted in the first colour, wherein the first button is that first colour, such that pressing the first button will produce a sound equivalent to the phonetic sound of the character combination that is highlighted in the content. This thereby enables a reader to identify the character combination that produces the particular sound through a number of potential learning strategies. 5 These learning strategies are provided by association with the first colour, the shape of the window relating to the first colour, the texture material in the first window relating to the first colour. In this way the reader may be enabled to identify the most effective learning strategy 10 for them, or a carer may help the reader in this way. The reader will thereby learn to associate the characters with the sound, through colour or by association of texture and colour, and / or shape of the window. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 15 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A learning device comprising: a cover; a plurality of pages; and a housing; the housing comprising a loudspeaker and a plurality of buttons; wherein the pages contain alphanumeric content, which content comprises one or more characters of a first colour representing a first sound, and the page further comprises a texture window, the window exposing an item of a texture material for association with the first sound, and the housing comprises a button of the first colour; wherein the button produces a sound through the loudspeaker, said sound corresponding to the characters.

2. A learning device according to claim 1 wherein the texture material is coloured in the first colour.

3. A learning device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the window of a first colour of texture material differs in shape from the window of a second colour of texture material.

4. A learning device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the one or more characters relate to a sound from a phonetic alphabet.

5. A method of targeted phonetic learning comprising a device according to any of the preceding claims.

6. A method of targeted phonetic learning comprising the steps of providing text content composed of words having a plurality of groups of" similar sounds including at least a first group of first similar sounds having colour and texture material associated therewith and a second group of second similar sounds having colour and texture material associated therewith; said first and second similar sounds being reproduced on command by use of an associated button and a loudspeaker; wherebya reader scans said text content by sight in order to determine groups of similar sounds by colour; simultaneously identifying a colourby feel of the texture material; in order to aid in the recognition of sounds by said colour or saidtexture material, whereby reading is facilitated by the use of a plurality of senses.

7. A method of targeted phonetic learning according to claim 5 comprising use of a device according td any of claims 1 to 3.

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