using word cards instead of tiles for some parts of Barton?

[caedmyn]

I'm debating about making up word cards, or even just typing the words out in large print, for parts of the Barton lessons (specifically the parts that require me to make words with the tiles...I hate doing this).  I could color the letters the same as the tiles.  Would there be an downside to doing this?  I'm sure Susan Barton would say the program has to be done exactly as written, but other OG programs use word cards or lists of words for parts of their program.

[City Mouse]

The point of using the letter tiles to make the words is so that the student can move the letters around if different ways. This becomes important once you get to the level where two syllable words are introduced. (Level 4 maybe). If you don't like taking the time to make up each word during the lesson, I guess you could make each word on paper strips and have the letters all cut apart. Sort of like how Susan has the words pre-made with tiles in the tutor videos. It would take a bunch of tiles to do that.

 

I like using the iPad app. It has the words (made of individual letter or unit tiles) pre programmed. There is an arrow to click to bring up the next word.

[OneStepAtATime]

Agree with City Mouse the tiles serve a specific purpose that becomes more and more important but that is for the student. For what it is worth, Susan does encourage people to adapt the program to the needs of the student/tutor as long as you aren't damaging the efficacy of the program.

 

The app is great because most of the words the tutor is supposed to create are already created on the app. They just pop up as needed as you advance through the lesson. The virtual tiles are still there for use by the student and tutor and can be manipulated as needed but any time a tutor is creating a word it usually just pops on the screen. No tile manipulation needed on the part of the tutor for many parts of the lesson.

 

I guess you could create your own words on cards but you need to be able to sometimes manipulate the individual letters after the first word is created. Just pulling up another flash card fails to show the student the individual letter changes the way moving the tiles in and out would. Maybe a hybrid of the two would work?

[TheReader]

Echoing what they have said, and adding the app to my list.

 

For ease, we lay out all the tiles in abc order at the start of the lesson, so I literally just slide down the ones for the word each time, and slide them back into place when I make the changes. I am not sure flipping through a stack of cards would be less work than swapping a single tile. But certainly it wouldn't be as helpful or as sensical for my son otherwise. Watching the swaps, and making the swaps himself, helps him so very much.

 

If your student(s) would still get it with just word cards, or maybe try the app, go for it, but I know for mine, he sees the similarities better when he watches me change just one letter (even though the word cards would still have only one letter different).

[caedmyn]

I guess I will have to see what level 3 is like when it gets here...there's nothing that I build that he has to manipulate in level 2.  He is very good at swapping out sounds already because the previous program we used did a lot of that.  The app sounds nice but I don't think I can justify $30 per level for it.

[frogger]

Level two is very simple. Right now I'm thinking of getting the app because I'm building words like "inconsistently" and putting all the tiles away and then grabbing another 4 or 5 syllable word. But I don't think it is as big of a deal when you are doing single syllable words. But I was shocked at the cost of the app after already spending big bucks on the level. Level 1 and 2 are very very simple and I assure you things change quickly about level 4 and so don't think that is the whole program. The tiles become very useful when you need to start breaking apart multi-syllable words and exchanging "y"s for "i"s, etc. Sounding out basic short vowels is typically well taught in many programs and then it all goes down hill from there. You will not find that is the case with Barton.

Edited November 30, 2016 by frogger

[OneStepAtATime]

Level two is very simple. Right now I'm thinking of getting the app because I'm building words like "inconsistently" and putting all the tiles away and then grabbing another 4 or 5 syllable word. But I don't think it is as big of a deal when you are doing single syllable words. But I was shocked at the cost of the app after already spending big bucks on the level. Level 1 and 2 are very very simple and I assure you things change quickly about level 4 and so don't think that is the whole program. The tiles become very useful when you need to start breaking apart multi-syllable words and exchanging "y"s for "i"s, etc. Sounding out basic short vowels is typically well taught in many programs and then it all goes down hill from there. You will not find that is the case with Barton.

Yeah, this.  

 

Level 1 and 2 are very, very basic.  Really important for most dyslexics but basic.  And short.  Its been a while but mostly I guess you could get away without using the tiles for Level 2.  

 

Level 3 ups the ante a bit and is quite a bit longer but still nothing like Level 4.  I found the tiles very important in Level 3 but I think you could probably find some work arounds.  Level 4 I feel would not work well at all without the tiles or at least the app (the app saved me from going insane with this level, by the way).  And beyond Level 4 there is even more shifting of tiles.  Part of the success of this program is because it incorporates a lot of different ways of physically and mentally approaching the material to help the student not only make the connections but RETAIN those connections over time.  Most dyslexics need the kinesthetic and the auditory and the visual components to finally get things solid.

 

As for the cost of the app, Barton spent a fortune of her own money having the software developed long after the original program was created and then later updated.  I know it is money but I am willing to pay for the app for the later levels (I started using it halfway through Level 4 and it was a HUGE time saver).  It is very useful and I am grateful she decided to have it made.  

[caedmyn]

But with the app you have to pay for all previous levels if you start with a later level, right? So if I decided to use it, say, in level 4, it would cost me $90 since they don't automatically include the tiles from previous levels?

[City Mouse]

But with the app you have to pay for all previous levels if you start with a later level, right? So if I decided to use it, say, in level 4, it would cost me $90 since they don't automatically include the tiles from previous levels?

I started using the app with level 4. I did not pay for the lower levels on the app. When you pay for one level, it has all you need for that level. You can buy the lower levels, but it is not required.

[PeterPan]

LOVE the app.  No you don't have to buy prior levels.  You're getting all the words keyed exactly to the lessons, so if you need the words for those lessons, buy that level.  

[OneStepAtATime]

But with the app you have to pay for all previous levels if you start with a later level, right? So if I decided to use it, say, in level 4, it would cost me $90 since they don't automatically include the tiles from previous levels?

As others have mentioned, no, you don't have to pay for previous app levels. If you buy the app for level 4 you have access to ALL tiles needed for that level.

[Julie of KY]

The tiles serve a big purpose... and they are a hassle. As others have said, I also love the app so that the tiles are all laid out for us, we don't have to clean up each word, the tutor built words are built in.

You can only buy the level you need - no need to buy prior levels.

[mamamoose]

I think its a little ridiculous that you have to pay for an app when you've already purchased the program and, to be honest, it really irks me that Barton is raking it in hand over fist at the expense of homeschoolers trying to help their own kids. I don't know what the solution would be, however. Anyway, the app works great. Its still a rip off.

[OneStepAtATime]

I think its a little ridiculous that you have to pay for an app when you've already purchased the program and, to be honest, it really irks me that Barton is raking it in hand over fist at the expense of homeschoolers trying to help their own kids. I don't know what the solution would be, however. Anyway, the app works great. Its still a rip off.

I understand your feelings regarding the cost for the app.  I really do.  

 

I want to point out, though, that with regards to the cost of the app, Barton herself sunk a truck load of money into developing the program to HELP people trying to tutor their kids.  I have no issues with her charging money to recoup the losses she incurred.  Do I wish it was free?  Sure.  I wish the whole thing was free.  And I know the additional expense moves the app out of reach for some, which sucks. I understand charging for it, though.  The reality is if she can't recoup the money she put in, and make some sort of profit, she might not continue to invest in the program.  When the program was originally created there was no app.  I am grateful she put in the time and money to give us this option.  Not everyone needs the app and not for every level.  I would also prefer that she charge for it separately than roll the cost into the program itself and make it even more expensive per level.

 

And every time I have had a question or a concern it has been Susan herself that has responded.  Whether it was regarding the app, or the program or my kids or whatever, she has been the one to respond.  When I was sent bad discs and contacted the company, Susan herself responded immediately and she overnighted, at company expense, a new set of discs and sent an apology.  I do believe she cares.  She is trying to help any child with dyslexia.  She has to make a living, though, to continue to do so.  Since this is her business, this is how she makes her living.  She isn't a billionaire that can just give Barton away for free.

 

But I do understand your frustration with the cost.  Even though Barton is waaaaaaaayyyyyy cheaper than hiring a professional dyslexia tutor (which are not always even available in a particular area), money is money and the Barton program is definitely not free.