New Audio Recording Tool Opens Fresh, Creative Options for Literacy Instruction
DENVER--(Business Wire)--
Ripple captured the imaginations of the educators who saw its debut demo at 2009
BookExpo America. The tool, which enables people to make private audio
recordings of children`s picture books, officially launches on November 3, 2009.
Though Ripple was originally envisioned as a way to keep grandparents, business
travelers and soldiers in touch with children over long distances, teachers and
librarians see a host of other ways to utilize Ripple for reading instruction.
Pat Kuhn, a middle school Library Media Specialist in Pennsylvania, remarked,
"What a great tool for ESL classes and reluctant readers. Students can practice
reading and listening skills, using high-interest/low-level titles. With Ripple,
students can also mentor younger/less adept readers and engage in community
service like reading to Alzheimer`s patients, hospitalized children and kids in
foster care or shelters."
A Montana school will use Ripple to help students practice reading aloud with
feeling and inflection. A Grade 6 class in Ontario will record stories for their
Grade 1 reading buddies in Saskatchewan. Fourth graders in Colorado will read to
a preschool in the Amazon jungle.
Teachers and librarians particularly like Ripple`s emphasis on following
recordings with the actual book in hand. "It`s challenging to teach a class of
25 how to read. Ripple is an intriguing alternative to e-books and pre-recorded
audio books, because teachers can include personalized reading instruction in
their recordings," says Jaye Kephart, Ripple`s founder and a former Head Start
administrator.
"Additionally, reading to kids at home is crucial to developing reading
readiness," explains Kephart. Ripple enables families to record stories in
familiar voices for children to listen to again and again. If a school suspects
a child is not getting enough reading time at home, teachers can recommend
Ripple as a way to augment reading hours.
School and library licenses for Ripple will be available starting January 1,
2010. Until then, educators can register at www.RippleReader.com/schools for a
free recording to try out Ripple and see what it`s all about. Individuals can
purchase Ripple recordings beginning November 3, 2009.
Ripple`s mission is to promote children`s literacy, strengthen U.S. schools and
foster connections between children and the important adults in their lives.For
details, visit www.RippleReader.com or call 888-339-0950, extension 708.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6081009&lang=en.
Ripple
Leigh Steere, 888-339-0950, ext. 708
Leigh@RippleReader.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
