Web-Based Intelligent Tutoring for the Structure Strategy (ITSS)

Web-Based Intelligent Tutoring for the Structure Strategy (ITSS) is a supplemental web-based program designed for students in grades K-8 to develop literacy skills needed to understand factual texts. The program teaches students how to follow the logical structure of factual text and use text structure to improve understanding and recall by highlighting five main text structures: comparisons, problems and solutions, cause and effect, sequences, and descriptions. ITSS is delivered through a web-based platform that students access on personal computers with earphones, typically during class to supplement the English language arts curriculum. The program includes approximately 12 lessons for each text structure, with an animated Intelligent Tutor (I.T.) that models techniques and provides immediate feedback on practice exercises. Developers recommend students use ITSS twice a week for about 30 minutes per session for 7 months to 1 year. Teachers are required to attend a 2-day professional development session, while school administrators attend a 1-day session, with an additional 4 to 6 days of in-school coaching required.