TechQuest Internet Resources

What did I search for?
Google- “explode the code online”
Google- “phonics instruction studies”
Google- “phonics pitfalls”- still was unable to find articles against teaching phonics
Google- “anti-phonics”

What did I learn from my search?
I learned that it is difficult to find information that is against phonics instruction. I learned that most people only had good things to say after they had used Explode the Code. I used the strategy of searching for specific information I wanted to find (“phonics instruction studies” instead of “phonics”). It greatly helped that I was already very familiar with the Explode the Code website, so I knew where to find the testimonials and results of other school districts. Next time I could search for demos of other similar online reading programs, and perhaps have my students check out the demos and give me their feedback.

One issue I faced was that many of the articles I found were on sites that required a membership or a fee to read the entire article. For most of the articles, I was able to read the abstract without paying, so I did get some information. If I were doing several projects that required critical research, I might consider joining one of the less expensive academic article subscription services.

Others who have implemented Explode the Code:

http://www.explodethecode.com/03_results/stories.cfm
Shows “Success Stories” of people who have used Explode the Code. Of course the product website is not going to have bad reviews!

http://www.explodethecode.com/03_results/
Shows results of several school districts that have implemented Explode the Code. It is clear that the students made significant reading progress using this program, especially struggling readers and English Language Learners.

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93647
Informal forum by people who have actually used Explode the Code online. Can be helpful to read what other people liked and didn’t like about the program, but it is all opinions, and can sometimes be off topic.

http://choosyhomeschooler.com/Product.action?id=883&details
Might have been helpful to read more reviews, but no one had posted a review for Explode the Code yet.

www.explodethecode.com
“Efficacy studies indicate that students who used Explode The Code Online every day for 20 minutes for at least 10 weeks gained reading proficiency at a rate of at least three times that of students from the same schools who did not use the program.”

Research demonstrating the merits of phonics instruction, which is the core of Explode the Code:

http://www.projectpro.com/ICR/Research/Phonics/Summary.htm
Research supporting direct instruction of phonics for all students.

http://www.projectpro.com/ICR/Research/Phonics/Bibliography.htm
List of sources of research that have proven that direct instruction of phonics leads to more success in reading than not using direct instruction in phonics. (Annotated bibliography)

http://www.education.com/reference/article/phonics-phonemic-awareness-studies/
Study that shows what can be “accomplished when early phonemic awareness instruction is coordinated with continuing phonics instruction that is systematic, explicit, and synthetic.”

http://www.dorbooks.com/news5.html
Research that claims letters must be “practiced until automatic in recall with simple syllables and words.”

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED031382&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED031382

Abstract of research paper: “A discussion of several shortcomings of phonics instruction is aimed at aiding teachers in avoiding such pitfalls as (1) following just one method of phonics instruction whether or not it is helpful to children, (2) treating all children alike and teaching them all the same phonetic elements at the same time, (3) continuing an approach regardless of its effectiveness with some or all children in a class, (4) treating phonics and phonetics as if they were the same, and (5) adhering to pronouncements by experts without scrutiny of their value in immediate circumstances. Examples of these pitfalls are given, along with suggestions for avoiding them. The conclusion is reached that an eclectic approach to phonics should be taken by teachers in order to provide individual children with the particular help they need in whatever way they can best learn.”

The pitfalls mentioned are not an issue if Explode the Code is used appropriately. 1) & 3) if the program is not effective after a few weeks, student use will be discontinued and a new method will be tried. 2) Each student moves at their own pace. 4)Explode the Code uses both phonics and phonetics (listening). 5) Phonics instruction is not the “next best thing” to come along. The other research I have collected shows that it must have at least some value for some students.

http://www.home-school.com/Articles/phs45-kathyvonduyke.html
Phonics the Montessori way. Details how a parent or teacher can directly teach phonics in a multi-sensory way. The outcome is similar to the activities provided online by Explode the Code.

http://www.pisd.org/academic/reading2.htm
Research about how whole-language causes children to have ADD and behavior issues, which can then be corrected through learning phonics. I’m skeptical, so I would look up more information about this before presenting it as fact! It seems that some of the information used may have been taken out of context, because such a short quote was used.



Advantages and Disadvantages of Scaffolding
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/5074
Explode the Code encompasses all the advantages of scaffolding without any of the disadvantages. It allows students to build on prior knowledge and gives many opportunities for success, but does not require individual planning for each student by the teacher, since the program individualizes the instruction automatically.

Motivating with Technology
http://erhubbell.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/research-on-student-motivation/
This article focuses on two of Marzano’s principles: engage students through frequent feedback, and have them participate in inherently engaging tasks. Explode the Code offers immediate feedback for each click of the mouse that a student makes. The use of technology and a game-like user interface is inherently engaging for the students I have chosen to use the program.