Project Directors
Peggy Coyne, Ed.D. (2007-2009)
Bridget Dalton, Ed.D. (2003-2007)
Funder
Carnegie Corporation of New York
Timeframe
2003—2009
Description
The World Wide Web is an engaging, information-rich learning environment—but it also can present signicant challenges for struggling learners. Unlike textbooks, which are laid out to help learn a specific curriculum, websites are created for a wide range of purposes and by a varied and often unknown group of authors. As a result, the internet can be a challenging environment for students who struggle with reading.
Strategy Tutor is an instructional tool that supports students and their teachers in getting the most out of information-rich Web pages. The program helps teachers implement reading strategy instruction while guidingstudents through specific online research projects.
Teachers can add prompts and interactive features that will, through the Strategy Tutor interface, be displayed as part of websites they have pre-selected. On sites not customized by the teacher, Strategy Tutor gives generic tips intended to guide students through the process of Web research, teaching strategies that will serve them will even without the Strategy Tutor interface.
By adapting websites to suit the needs of the student and by teaching the student to make better use of Internet resources, Strategy Tutor closes the gap between students and the information that they need for an effective education in the digital age.
Visit Strategy Tutor: http://cst.cast.org/cst/auth-login.
Read the April 2008 press release: http://www.cast.org/about/news/press/2008-04-23.html.
