Sentence-Level Reading Fluency Tracking System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current reading software primarily focuses on reading skills other than reading fluency, lacking effective methods to develop rapid and correct recognition and pronunciation of words, which are crucial for improving reading fluency.

Innovation Solution

A method and computer program product that interactively track oral reading by recording audio, determining the user's location within a sentence, and providing visual feedback on a sentence-by-sentence basis, including pronunciation and timing indications, to assess and improve reading fluency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reading software focuses on reading skills other than reading fluency, then reading comprehension and vocabulary development are improved, but reading fluency (rapid and correct recognition and pronunciation of words) is not developed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading comprehension accuracyVSAvoidreading fluency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments reading instruction into distinct components: fluency training and comprehension development. By separating these functions into different software modes and assessment types, the system can provide targeted intervention for each skill without compromising the other. Fluency is developed through repeated oral reading practice with immediate feedback, while comprehension is assessed through separate questioning protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary fluency building through structured oral reading practice before assessing comprehension. By ensuring students achieve adequate fluency through repeated reading and corrective feedback first, the system prepares the foundation necessary for accurate comprehension assessment, preventing fluency deficits from confounding comprehension measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If reading software provides comprehensive feedback on reading performance, then reading accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the software increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading accuracyVSAvoidsoftware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback system is segmented into distinct components: automated speech recognition for pronunciation accuracy, timing algorithms for fluency measurement, and separate comprehension assessment protocols. Each component handles a specific aspect of reading performance, allowing comprehensive feedback without requiring a monolithic complex system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs automated speech recognition technology to self-assess pronunciation accuracy and fluency metrics without requiring manual evaluation. The software automatically compares student reading against reference pronunciations, calculates timing metrics, and provides corrective feedback, eliminating the need for complex manual assessment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If reading software tracks oral reading in real-time, then reading fluency is improved, but the loss of time for processing and feedback increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading fluencyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The speech recognition and feedback systems operate continuously during oral reading without interrupting the student's reading flow. Real-time audio processing and automated feedback delivery maintain continuous engagement, allowing fluency practice to proceed without breaks while still providing immediate corrective information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Manual timing and accuracy assessment procedures are replaced with automated speech recognition and algorithmic analysis. This substitution eliminates the time loss associated with manual evaluation while maintaining continuous real-time tracking of reading fluency metrics, allowing instant feedback without processing delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9520068B2Sentence level analysis in a reading tutor
Publication Date: 2016.12.13 JTT HLDG INC
  • US9520068B2 patent drawing
  • US9520068B2 patent drawing
  • US9520068B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and related system, computer program product and device for interactively tracking oral reading of text from a document includes recording audio for a sentence read by a user and determining when the user has reached the last word of the sentence. The method also includes providing visual feedback to the user reading on a sentence by sentence level to indicate a current location in the passage.