Ello is an innovative, app-based reading coach designed to help children improve their reading skills through a combination of technology and traditional books. Here’s a detailed overview of what Ello does and its key features:
What Ello Does
Ello serves as a read-along companion for children, particularly those in Kindergarten to 3rd Grade. It uses advanced technology, including artificial intelligence and speech recognition, to provide personalized reading support. The platform aims to make learning to read an engaging, fun, and rewarding experience.
Key Features and Functionality
Personalized Reading Instruction
- Upon signing up, children complete a reading assessment that helps determine their current reading level. Based on this assessment, Ello creates a personalized reading plan tailored to the child’s needs and goals.
Interactive Reading Experience
- Ello offers various types of interactive books, including:
- Decodable books: Designed to help children develop phonetic skills and reinforce phonics rules.
- Turn-taking books: These books turn reading into a partner activity, with Ello reading a piece and then the child taking a turn, enhancing listening skills, comprehension, and vocabulary.
- Storytime books: Allow children to craft their own stories, which Ello reads aloud, promoting creativity and challenging word recognition.
Real Books and Digital Integration
- Ello works with both digital books and physical books. Users can opt for a subscription that includes 5 perfectly leveled physical books shipped to their home each month, which are synced with the app. This combination allows children to engage with reading in multiple formats.
Adaptive Learn Technology
- The app uses Adaptive Learn Technology to adjust the reading material according to the child’s progress. As children complete reading quests, they unlock new books and content tailored to their reading level.
Feedback and Support
- Ello provides real-time feedback and support. It listens to the child read out loud, offers gentle corrections when errors are made, and provides words of encouragement to keep the child engaged and motivated.
Rewards and Motivation
- The platform includes a reward system where children collect stars and badges for their progress. These rewards lead to completion prizes, which can be digital or physical, and are often included in the next box of books.
Progress Tracking
- Ello tracks the child’s reading progress, providing insights into their performance, including reading speed, comprehension, and vocabulary growth. This helps parents and educators monitor the child’s improvement and stay motivated to reach their reading goals.
Community and Parental Involvement
- While Ello is designed to be user-friendly for children, it also encourages parental involvement. Parents are recommended to sit with their child during reading sessions to help with corrections and provide additional support.
Educational Foundation
- Ello’s instructional method is developed by reading specialists with backgrounds in dyslexia intervention. It uses direct, explicit, and sequential phonics instruction, which is proven to be effective in helping children, including those with dyslexia, learn to read.
In summary, Ello is a comprehensive reading coach that leverages technology and interactive features to make learning to read a fun and engaging experience for children, while also providing valuable support and feedback to help them improve their reading skills.