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ONE of the key elements in learning to read is being read to - actually listening to what it sounds like.

But recent research for the National Literacy Trust has revealed almost a quarter of children surveyed said no one in their family read to them.

Encouraging children to read is a key goal for the Government. In Worcestershire, 15 per cent of primary school children failed to achieve level two or higher in reading at key stage one.

So could a small, soft-talking robot be the answer to get the nation's children up to standard?

RED the Robot is a new educational toy which can read stories and guide children through an extensive range of interactive learning card activities.

Your Worcester News asked children at Dines Green Primary School to trial RED, which stands for Rapid Education programme.

Lottie Smith, year two class teacher and literacy co-ordinator, said: "The robot was very useful as an additional aide to teaching and was good for independent learning. The activitiy cards were good for re-inforcing knowledge.

"The children all really enjoyed using RED and I'm sure we will be using it a lot more in the future."

Mia Schoolar and Max Yardley enjoy their Red the Robot experience. Picture by Emma Attwood. 16367601

RED is designed to support letters and sounds', the Primary National Strategy's recently-launched guidance on phonics teaching.

The pupils place the accompanying magic star', which connects with RED's star-shaped sensor, on the text. He reads, asks questions, or helps them practise words, with a voice chosen from standard English, precise diction or plain robotic.

After a two-week trial, children at Dines Green said the 40cm robot had helped them to learn to read, discover shapes and numbers.

"It is really easy to use and helps you to learn to read," said seven-year-old Jade Fry. "He reads stories to you and you can play games, which are fun and help you to learn."

The children used RED in small groups. Seven-year-old Drew Gibson said: "I thought it was very good because it made me want to read and to listen.

"I thought he was very funny and I liked him a lot."

With the mountain of reading aides on the market today, I must admit that I was sceptical at first about RED the Robot. But the children at Dines Green seemed very enthusiastic, keen to show me how it worked and what they had learned.

The robot, through its cuddly appearance, seemed to really work in encouraging children to participate and learn.

"He is friendly and always plays fair," said seven-year-old Max Yardley. "I really enjoyed playing the games. You have to match the shapes or numbers to what RED says.

"And if you get it wrong he tells you. But he never tells you off and is always nice."

Six-year-old Mia Schoolar added: "I liked it because it helped me to learn new words. It was fun to use and I wanted to play with it lots more."

RED the Robot was developed by a team of teachers. The stories are written by David Watkins, with help from his wife Patricia. They are both former primary headteachers from Nottingham.

Stories are about 10 minutes long, after which RED challenges pupils to pick out and practise phonemes and high frequency words.

The Institute of Education has just completed the first phase of research on RED the Robot, which has been developed by Exeter-based Head Start Learning System. The Institute reported that RED can provide a "strong support tool for children whose confidence in literacy and numeracy needs special attention".

"Our initial trials have allowed children and staff at three schools to explore freely how RED the Robot can work alongside teachers in promoting confidence and learning in children," said Dr Maria Da Costa, from the Institute of Education.

"Designed mainly for one to one and small group learning but with the potential for class-based activity, RED the Robot is ideal for reinforcement learning with all children and is a friendly face in the classroom where children can work at their own pace with teacher supervision without being overwhelmed by the class situation."

The second phase of the institute's trials begin shortly and will include more prescriptive tests in controlled conditions to assess how children's rapid educational development can be enhanced by RED the Robot.

The company's educational development director Lisa Thompson said: "We are delighted that the Institute of Education research is confirming what we are seeing in classrooms around the country, that RED the Robot and his comprehensive interactive range of resources are highly effective in supporting the teaching of letters and sounds in school.

"After the teacher has taught the pupils a new concept, RED enables children to practise what they have been taught through hundreds of different fully interactive activity cards and other great resources specifically designed to interact with this friendly robot.

"If the child correctly answers the questions posed by RED, they are praised by the robot and encouraged to keep working, demonstrating to the teacher that the child is able to apply their knowledge. If the child can use the interactive cards correctly without any assistance, the teacher is able to assess their learning against curriculum criteria."

In addition to letters and sounds, RED the Robot can play a valuable role in rewarding children and giving them a degree of responsibility in the classroom. Children can be tasked with putting RED back in his box, with charging his interactive star, changing his batteries and so on. In addition to a highly interactive educational resource, RED has the ability to become a valued, trusted member of the class. There is more information at www.redtherobot.com.

7:57am Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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