Concentration and spelling training for pupils (cast4p)

1. Summary

Since autumn 2002 more than 65 pupils - most were on the 4th grade - alone or in small groups, participated in the cast4p in Germany. At the end of the cast4p most pupils reported clear improvements. This reporting was confirmed by objective concentration and spelling tests. In the short time of 8 to 10 weeks the spelling mistakes decreased on average about 28 percent. The concentration errors (slips of the pen) decreased about 25 percent. The whole concentration power increased about 21 percent.
So cast4p is one of the most effective and powerful spelling trainings in Germany.

2. Description of cast4p

1. The pupils practise certain exercises with the computer (behavioral level). Especially they train spelling in an easy kind of way. They are showed a word for a short time on the monitor. They have to memorize this word. This implicates reading and grasping the word. The word vanishes from the monitor. Now it must be written correctly with the keyboard. If it is correct the program goes on with longer, more difficult words. Otherwise the program 'memorizes' the word for displaying it more often while training. At the same time the program will display shorter, less difficult words.

2. The pupils are explained the major spelling rules during the training course (cognitive level). At the beginning of the training course the pupils have to absolve a dictation. After an individual fault analysis every pupil receives individual spelling hints. Sometimes the pupils help one onother by giving tips.

3. Because relaxing is an important factor for improving the concentration the pupils learn how to relax (emotional level). Thea learn the autogenic training - a well founded relaxation method. Of course other relaxation methods are useful.

4. After the first experiences with cast4p the training is enhanced all the time. Also the parents receive tips and hints how they can support their children (familial level) . Especially the importance of reading is explained and the parents and the children are demonstrated how to practice the NLP-spelling strategy of Robert Dilts.

3. Practicing with cast4p

Which exercises should be choosen out of WinKonz?
I practice: Most meaningful is to practice T1 'search' (with letters) and T3 'english' for the spelling training.
as: The degree of difficulty should be adapted to the class level of the pupil.
with: Please train with 'letters'. When practicing T4: 'zeroes' choose 'numbers and letters'.

The illustration shows which WinKonz exercises are recommended for the spelling training:

A regular practice for at least 7 minutes for english and 3 minutes for the other exercises is beneficial. Don't practice to long! It is better to train 2 to 3 times a week for 15 minutes than once a week for 30 to 45 minutes.

4. Results with the cast4p in Germany

B. Objective results
In the last session all absolved the same tests as in the first. The spelling tests showed an impressing bettering. The spelling faults decreased in the short period of 8 to 11 weeks about 28 percent on average. One third of the pupils decreased their spelling mistakes at least about 40 percent.
The concentration of the pupils improved as expected. It is assumd that this has mostly to do with the WinKonz training and the relaxation exercises.

The diagram above shows the success of the spelling trainig with WinKonz. Up to 12 sessions you can achieve an improvement of 35 % and more. The training duration should be at least 7 minutes.  

Copyright: Ernst Hartmann, 2005-2008