FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) Will TUNEin™  to READING improve student performance on standardized tests and better Annual Yearly Performance scores for my school?

  The initial data tells us: Yes! A close review of data from one elementary school and one high school by Dr. Susan Homan, Professor of Literacy at the University of South Florida, documents that students using the TUNEin™  to READING technology showed greater improvement on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test than students in a control group and the average state-wide. To review the data, click here.  Try watching our Video. It includes a useful explanation by a literacy professor and testimonials from teachers and principals. Another helpful tool is our diagram showing the “virtuous circle” of learning from singing to increased sight word recognition and gains in vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.

 3) Has follow-up research shown that your software makes a lasting difference?

Yes! Dr. Susan Homan, Professor of Literacy at the University of South Florida assessed the reading level of the students in her initial pilot study five months after their finished the 9-week cycle of singing and reading. The treatment group students using TUNEin™ to READING technology continued to make strong gains in reading while students in the control group, who didn’t use our software, continued to make minimal progress.

4) Do you see additional benefits beyond reading improvements?

One of the most frequent comments we hear from teachers and principals is that TUNEin™ to READING helps improve behavior because it gives failing students their first taste of success, which improves self-esteem. Visit Success to read the powerful comments of teachers and principals who watched this transformation.

5) If TUNEin™ to READING is so effective, why isn’t it in every school and after-school program in the country?

We’re working on it! We launched TUNEin™ to READING in September 2006 and after just one school year our software is up and running in close to 100 schools and after-school programs. Our staff is small but growing fast – instead of investing heavily in sales and marketing, our focus is creating high-quality software and delivering superior customer service to ensure the success of the students and schools using our product. We expect our results to speak for themselves – and we hope you’ll partner with us to help spread the word!

 Questions About Implementation

1) How do we present the program to students – as a reading program or a singing program?

Shhh…don’t tell them it’s about reading! Our Education Consultants will train you to present TUNEin™ to READING, first and foremost, as a fun program. On the first day, you’ll ask the students: Who watches American Idol? Who loves Karaoke? Who is ready to sing?! The emphasis is on singing that just happens to improve reading, which opens the door to success for struggling students who have “tuned out” in traditional academic environments.

2) I love the idea of TUNEin™ to READING but I’m terrible with technology. Can I still use your software with my students?

Absolutely! Our software was designed to make installation and implementation easy for people without technology expertise. Our Education Consultants are former teachers who partner with you to ensure success and our Technical Support team is always available in-person or by phone.

3) Do you need to be a reading teacher to implement TUNEin™ to READING?

No. Our current sites are overseen by a wide variety of individuals: reading teachers, music teachers, computer teachers, special education teachers, principals and after-school counselors. No special degree is necessary, but we do recommend a love for children and an interest in literacy, music or technology.

4) Can I use your software with my second and third graders?

Yes, but we do not have research on results with this population and can not promise 1+ grade level improvements , on average, for struggling readers in just 9 weeks. The research supporting TUNEin™ to READING involves 4^th-12^th graders reading at 1^st through 12^th grade levels. However, many schools have seen strong results with younger students. For more information, see Expectations Explained.

5) I’m home schooling my children. Can we use TUNEin™ to READING at home?

Soon this will be possible. We designed TUNEin™ to READING for classroom and after-school settings but we are creating a new version for home use.

Questions About Language Learning 

2) What's in your pipeline?

We're working on software using music to accelerate learning in English as a second language, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.

Questions About Our Company

Questions About Singing

Not at all – the microphones within our deluxe headsets are highly sensitive and function best when students sing softly. We train your teachers to model the “just right” vocalization level so you can successfully implement TUNEin™ to READING in small groups within a classroom or after-school program.

2) Are students distracted by the singing all around them?

 Absolutely not. First, when your students put on their deluxe headsets, it’s like they’re entering their own private recording studio. Heavy padding on the earphones effectively blocks outside sounds so they can concentrate and enjoy the experience. Second, once your students start singing and trying to beat their score, it’s so much fun they focus with the same intensity you see in video games.

No. We do not include rap songs because the content is rarely appropriate and the lack of melody makes it difficult for our pitch-scoring mechanism – which means it’s difficult for your students to achieve high scores. Through trial and error we have found that including such songs can lead to student frustration instead of motivation. We do have a variety of songs that appeal to students of all ages and backgrounds and we’re always adding the latest and greatest hits.

  4) Aren’t some students too shy to enjoy this?     Questions About Technology 

 The vast majority of students love singing, but a few are initially self-conscious. We remind them that when they pull on their deluxe headsets, they enter their own private recording studio. These students are usually comfortable after a few singing sessions.

TUNEin™ to READING is a web-based software program that runs on a vast array of PCs and Macintosh computers. Review our Technical Specifications and speak to our Technical Support Team at 1-888-ELP TUNE to confirm compatibility with your school's system.