Fast ForWord is a computer-based reading program with limited evidence of effectiveness, created by Scientific Learning Corporation. It is based on a theory about the cognitive abilities of children with language and literacy learning difficulties.
7-566: A systematic review which focused on high quality randomised controlled trials did not find any positive benefit of the intervention. A more general review of "Brain Training" programs noted: In summary, the evidence cited by Scientific Learning Corporation provides little compelling evidence for the effectiveness of Fast ForWord as a tool to improve language processing or other aspects of cognition. Studies showing benefits typically included interventions that lacked any control group, and those with
14-583: A control comparison group generally showed little evidence for differential improvements. The only randomized controlled trial provided no evidence for differential improvements, even on measures tapping similar aspects of auditory language processing. The research literature on Fast ForWord was reviewed by What Works Clearinghouse , an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences . Positive effectiveness ratings and improvement indices were found for alphabetics, reading fluency, comprehension, and English language development. However,
21-450: Is a digital library of educational research which focuses on evidence-based education . A 2006 report described that many researchers perceived the WWC to be passive cataloger of available research. In contrast to that view, the paper described a series of opinionated subjective decisions which the WWC made about providing some educational research and declining to index another sort. WWC
28-509: The concerns expressed about WWC are that it appears to have difficulty keeping up with the research so it may not be current; and when a program is not listed on their database, it may be that it did not meet their criteria or they have not yet reviewed it, but it's not clear which. In addition Straight Talk on Evidence , authored by the Arnold Ventures LLC ’ Evidence-Based Policy team , on January 16, 2018 expressed concerns about
35-555: The quality of evidence included in these reviews has come under criticism, as it included reports that had not undergone peer review and that were produced by the company marketing the intervention. The Fast ForWord products evolved from the theory of a number of scientists, including Michael Merzenich , Bill Jenkins, Paula Tallal , and Steven L Miller. This team started the Scientific Learning Corporation in 1996. The company created Fast ForWord. The theory
42-471: Was established in 2002 as a project of the Institute of Education Sciences . The WWC recommendations for interpreting the results of single-case educational studies is the subject of discussion. The WWC has systems for evaluating the effectiveness of educational research in general and curricula. Various researchers use WWC itself as the platform through which they access other research. Some of
49-471: Was that some children who have language and literacy learning difficulties may have problems rapidly processing sounds, a following theory that cognitive training can improve auditory processing, and a final theory that this training will generalize to improve learning skills beyond those in the training tasks. Despite this, the program has not demonstrated an ability to improve learning skills. What Works Clearinghouse What Works Clearinghouse ( WWC )
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