Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, College of
Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan | Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive
Technology, National Yang-Ming, University, Taipei, Taiwan | Center for Assistive Technology Resources and
Popularization (CATR@P) Research Center for Assistive Technology, Taipei,
Taiwan
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Shwn-Jen Lee, Center for Assistive
Technology Resources and Popularization (CATR@P) Research Center for Assistive
Technology (PCAT), Taipei, Taiwan. Tel.: +8862 2874 3415 # 201; Fax: +8862 2874
3386; E-mail: sjlee@ym.edu.tw
Abstract: Objective: This research project was designed to test the immediate
effect of using assistive reading software – Kurzweil 3000 (K-3000) for
high school students with learning disabilities (LD) to improve their English
reading and other school performances. Participants: 29 Taiwanese high school students with LD were
randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) use of the K-3000 or (2) control
group (using a pen and paper) Methods: Both groups were asked to complete the standardized
measurements using pen and paper a pre-test. Students in experiment group used
the K-3000 to do the post-test after they were familiarized with the K-3000,
while the students in the control group used pen and paper for the post-test.
The differences between the pre-test and post-test of two groups were analyzed.
Results: The results suggested that the K-3000 had an immediate
impact on students' English word recognition and pronunciation. However, the
use of K-3000 did not have a significant influence on the students' general
English proficiency, learning adjustment, and academic self-perception. Conclusions: The use of K-3000 had a positive effect on students'
English word recognition. The reason why there was no significant change in
students' other performances could be due to the length of the
intervention.
