Researchers at the Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC) of the University of Granada, belonging to the Experimental and Applied Speech Therapy research group, coordinated by researcher Juana Muñoz López, have developed the INVENTAPALABRRAS software to teach reading and address reading difficulties in a personalized and inclusive way, both in the classroom and in individual sessions (for children and adults). Due to its innovative nature and potential for technology transfer, this platform has been registered with the Research Transfer Office (OTRI).
INVENTAPALABRAS, a platform for teaching reading and addressing reading difficulties
For more than three decades, research has shown that reading difficulties are highly heterogeneous. Therefore, personalized intervention is one of the fundamental pillars for achieving effective results. However, this need entails a high cost in terms of personnel, materials, and time, since professionals must adjust the activities in each session to the changing needs of different individuals. This situation sometimes leads to the use of rigid and inflexible methods that don't always address the real diversity of students.
INVENTAPALABRAS emerged as a response to this need. It is a highly flexible and adaptable digital tool that allows for intensive reading training and the addressing of reading difficulties, tailored to each individual's learning pace. Professionals can configure activities taking into account reading level, type of difficulty or error pattern, age, as well as cognitive and linguistic level. These characteristics make INVENTAPALABRAS an inclusive ICT (Information and Communication Technology) tool that facilitates attention to diversity both in early reading instruction and in addressing reading difficulties.
The INVENTAPALABRAS platform offers professionals the possibility of providing multiple practice opportunities, promoting the automaticity of grapheme-phoneme correspondences and the progressive development of reading accuracy and fluency. Furthermore, tracking progress allows for objective monitoring of reading development, analysis of error patterns, and informed decision-making for short-, medium-, and long-term interventions.
Its design, compatible with mobile devices, tablets, and computers, facilitates the integration of INVENTAPALABRAS into the dynamics of the regular classroom using digital displays, promoting an inclusive approach. At the same time, it constitutes an effective tool for individual intervention in speech therapy, special education and specialized educational support settings.
With this development, the CIMCYC research group and the University of Granada reinforce their commitment to transferring scientific knowledge to educational practice. reinforces its commitment to transferring scientific knowledge to educational practice, providing professionals with evidence-based technology that helps optimize interventions for reading difficulties.
*We would like to thank the Jesús-María Cristo de la Yedra School, the children and their parents for their collaboration in this project, as well as for allowing us to share the images.
* Authors (photography)
Juana Muñoz López. Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC-UGR). Head of the Experimental and Applied Speech Therapy Research Group (HUM-605).
Jesús Manuel López López. Telecommunications Engineer
Manuel Muñoz Rosa: Software and technology solutions development company
Contac at the CIMCYC
Juana Muñoz López (@email)