An approach is provided that detect a section of a document that is currently being read by a user on a display device as well as the user's current emotional state. In response to determining, based on the detected current emotional state, that reading assistance would be helpful to the user, the approach identifies terminology within the section of the document that is currently being read by the user, retrieves assistive texts related to the identified terminology, and provides the assistive texts to the user at the display screen.

A method of providing an instructional scaffold to person learning to read English language comprises displaying printed matter to the learner in the form of lists. preferably text stories. The normal spacing of the letters in words is kept intact; in a first part of the method the rime portions of monosyllable words are bolded and made larger than the onset portions; and in a second part of the method, which also may be used independently, the sequential syllables of multisyllable words are emphasized by alternating plain font with bolded font and the long vowels are identified, for example by underscore, again with the words of any text being kept intact.

A method of providing an instructional scaffold to person learning to read English language comprises displaying printed matter to the learner in the form of lists. preferably text stories. The normal spacing of the letters in words is kept intact; in a first part of the method the rime portions of monosyllable words are bolded and made larger than the onset portions; and in a second part of the method, which also may be used independently, the sequential syllables of multisyllable words are emphasized by alternating plain font with bolded font and the long vowels are identified, for example by underscore, again with the words of any text being kept intact.

A method of providing an instructional scaffold to person learning to read English language comprises displaying printed matter to the learner in the form of lists. Preferably text stories. The normal spacing of the letters in words is kept intact; in a first part of the method the rime portions of monosyllable words are bolded and made larger than the onset portions; and in a second part of the method, which also may be used independently, the sequential syllables of multisyllable words are emphasized by alternating plain font with bolded font and the long vowels are identified, for example by underscore, again with the words of any text being kept intact.

A method of providing an instructional scaffold to person learning to read English language comprises displaying printed matter to the learner in the form of lists. Preferably text stories. The normal spacing of the letters in words is kept intact; in a first part of the method the rime portions of monosyllable words are bolded and made larger than the onset portions; and in a second part of the method, which also may be used independently, the sequential syllables of multisyllable words are emphasized by alternating plain font with bolded font and the long vowels are identified, for example by underscore, again with the words of any text being kept intact.

A method of providing an instructional scaffold to person learning to read English language comprises displaying printed matter to the learner in the form of lists. Preferably text stories. The normal spacing of the letters in words is kept intact; in a first part of the method the rime portions of monosyllable words are bolded and made larger than the onset portions; and in a second part of the method, which also may be used independently, the sequential syllables of multisyllable words are emphasized by alternating plain font with bolded font and the long vowels are identified, for example by underscore, again with the words of any text being kept intact.

A method of providing an instructional scaffold to person learning to read English language comprises displaying printed matter to the learner in the form of lists. Preferably text stories. The normal spacing of the letters in words is kept intact; in a first part of the method the rime portions of monosyllable words are bolded and made larger than the onset portions; and in a second part of the method, which also may be used independently, the sequential syllables of multisyllable words are emphasized by alternating plain font with bolded font and the long vowels are identified, for example by underscore, again with the words of any text being kept intact.

Handwriting learning apparatuses and associated methods that facilitate the ability of a user to learn how to correctly and/or preferably form at least one character are disclosed. In an aspect, handwriting learning apparatuses and associated methods of use are disclosed that comprise at least one substantially flat at least partially rigid medium within which one or more segments of one or more characters may be defined by one or more grooves. At least one protruding element may extend outwardly from at least one portion of at least one inner surface of the grooved character(s) at an angle such that when the user attempts to use an elongated insertion device to trace the grooved character segment(s), the insertion device may only slide in one single direction. This may help prevent users, such as children and other students, from forming characters incorrectly (e.g., writing them backwards) when they practice handwriting in an at least partially unsupervised setting, thereby minimizing the potential for bad writing habits to go unnoticed when handwritten characters may otherwise appear to have been formed correctly. Additionally, the at least one protruding element may be at least partially flexible so that, when the insertion device makes at least partial physical contact with at least one portion of the at least one protruding element, the at least one portion of the at least one protruding element may be temporarily displaced, thereby producing one or more sounds and/or vibrations that may be heard and/or felt by the user, respectively, thereby creating a multisensory learning experience for the user that may increase the user's ability to learn and retain one or more correct and/or preferred character formation techniques.

A communication system and method are provided to assist a user in conveying and/or exchanging a communication. The present communication system and method provide a low tech platform that enables a user to utilize an icon exchange communication system and method while allowing the integration of core vocabulary instructional concepts and techniques. The present communication system and method allows for seamless presentation of core vocabulary while also providing access to fringe vocabulary words.

A communication system and method are provided to assist a user in conveying and/or exchanging a communication. The present communication system and method provide a low tech platform that enables a user to utilize an icon exchange communication system and method while allowing the integration of core vocabulary instructional concepts and techniques. The present communication system and method allows for seamless presentation of core vocabulary while also providing access to fringe vocabulary words.