Instructional Techniques in Reading

Learn effective strategies for assisting students with reading difficulties.
In this Section

Our online RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques For Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties course will show you effective teaching strategies to improve your students' reading achievement.

Register now to reserve a spot.
There is no registration fee to reserve a class.

Online Course
Instructor: Tera Ellison

**Background check required.

Summer: May 28 - August 2, 2024
Tuition: $476 per semester hour graduate credit ($1,428 for a three-credit course)
Spring Tuition Due: July 17, 2024

Fall: September 9 - November 15, 2024
Tuition: $476 per semester hour graduate credit ($1,428 for a three-credit course)
Fall Tuition Due: TBA

We invite you to enroll in our course to meet your professional development goals if you need license renewal, graduate credits, transfer credits to another university or reading certification program, or a refresher course.

If you need a copy of the syllabus for your employer to approve enrollment in the class, email: Online Professional Development.

Our online course allows you to complete your weekly assignments as they best fit your schedule. All discussion postings and projects are submitted online.

This is one of the required courses for individuals pursuing reading teacher certification, Wisconsin #1316

This course is an approved elective in the Master of Science in Education online degree program. 

Our students include:

  • 4K-Elementary, Middle School, and High School Classroom Teachers
  • Reading Interventionists
  • Special Education Teachers and Resource Teachers
  • English Language Arts Teachers
  • Dual-Language Spanish Teachers
  • Academic/Instructional Coaches
  • Reading Resource Teachers
  • Title I Teachers
  • ELL/ESL Teachers
  • Bilingual Teachers
  • Reading/Literacy Specialists
  • Literacy Coaches
  • Library Media Specialists
  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • School Psychologists
  • Curriculum Directors

Course Description

Integration of psycholinguistic theory into an interactive model of remedial interventions based on literacy acquisition research. Practical suggestions for integrating reading, writing, and spelling into an effective program for struggling readers and special populations, including the learning disabled. 

How do I register?

Complete the Online Registration Form.

When is the registration deadline?

Reserve your spot now. This program is top-rated, and courses fill well before the start date. This course is offered three times each year (spring, summer, and fall).

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

Required Textbooks

Readings will be assigned from the following textbooks. (Some of the same textbooks and resources will also be used as textbooks in the Assessment and Evaluation of Reading and Language Development course.)

The books are available from online bookstores and can be ordered online from the publishers. Note: Specific editions are indicated by the ISBN listed.
 

  1. Purchase this paperback: 
    Blevins, W. (2017). Phonics from A-Z. (3rd ed.). Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1338113495 
    (This book is also used in RDGED 701 Developmental Reading, RDGED 706 Assessment & Evaluation of Reading and Language Development, & RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties.)
     
  2. Purchase this paperback:
    Serravallo, J. (2018). Understanding texts & readers. (1st ed.).  Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-325-10892-6

     
  3. One e-textbook is provided after you log in to the course. 

    McCormick, S. & Zutell, J (2015). Instructing students who have literacy problems.  (7th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Allyn & Bacon. ISBN 13:9780133830934 

    If you prefer to read a hard copy of the textbook, instead of reading via your computer or tablet, you may purchase the book from http://www.pearsonhighered.com or an online bookstore.
    Be sure to allow for the delivery time, and note the ISBN and 7th edition.

Our Students Say. . .

" I particularly liked the module on phonics. There is so much debate about the best way to approach phonics and I felt the module helped put all the different theories into perspective."
~ Amy Brenegan

"The most valuable concepts I gained during the class were in the phonemic awareness modules. I am feeling much more confident in helping my students with specific problems. I am now able to identify a specific problem and match it to a strategy in order to remediate. "
~ Angela Dammeyer

"With the course textbooks and supplemental readings, I have been exposed to a whole new school of thought. I believe this added perspective will serve me well in my role as a high school reading teacher."
~ Cynthia Kautz

"The most valuable concept that I learned through taking this class is that fluency is absolutely essential to comprehension."
~ Dawn Westphal

"One particularly valuable activity was the "Share a Pair" of strategies assignments. It was great to read the activities that other teachers have used in their classrooms. I think that this online collaboration added to the sense of community."
~ Jenifer Moore

"The strategies that we shared for sight words, read-alouds, phonemic awareness and fluency were all useful. I have saved many to a zip drive for further use in the classroom."
~ Nina Ruskey

"The most valuable (and most fun) activity was actually working with a student on a lesson I designed."
~ Kelly Fanta-Stroik

No travel to campus required.
  • Participate 24/7 from your home or work computer during hours that are best for your work and family schedule.
  • The class is highly interactive with a significant discussion component.
  • All discussion postings, projects, and assignments will be submitted via the course discussion board and Dropbox.
  • Activities are conducted according to a schedule with specific due dates each week.
  • There are no required "live" chat sessions.
  • This is not a self-paced class.