Sun-News photo by Norm Dettlaff John-Hans Melcher, above, prepares a stepWise Learning session for fifth-grader Frankie Ramierz Tuesday at Mesilla Elementary School.

Computer Program aids Student Learning
By Charlotte Tallman

Sun-News Reporter

In the past, Devonna Protextor, 9, had difficulty reading even 10 pages of a book before becoming too distracted to finish.

On Tuesday, during her last week of school at Mesilla Elementary School, Protextor picked up her book "Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat" and eagerly read page after page thanks to a new computer program tested in her class.

"This is a nonjudgmental and perfect way for the students to learn," said John-Hans Melcher, creator of stepWise Learning...
"They learn by Hearing their own Voice."

The program uses computer pre-recordings of a student's voice to teach reading, math and spelling. What the student ends up with is a recording of their own voice reading words, a book or math facts. Over time, the child reads along while listening to their voice.

If a child doesn't know how to read, Melcher has the student repeat the words into a microphone at a production station, then edits the final product.

CDs can be burned on the computer and sent home with the students so they can continue to work at home.

"Every aspect of the program is to help the students feel important," Melcher said. "It works. They are gaining confidence while they are learning."

It took Melcher five years to bring together the computer techniques needed to effectively teach students.

He used a direct-focus study program from Canada that allows a student to click and hear their voice recorded for certain topics; the contemplative study system from Europe that allows students to click, see and think with timed test challenges and an observational study plan created with a karaoke music program adapted to listening and spelling words instead of music.

"Their main challenge is reading, and reading crosses the curriculum," said Kristine Hoffman, Melcher's sister and third- through fifth-grade teacher at the school. "This helps them learn in a positive way."

Melcher spent one month in Hoffman's classroom introducing the program and plans to market it to schools and tutoring centers.

"It's pretty fun," Frankie Ramirez, 11, said about the program. "It has really helped me to read better, and I enjoy it now more."

I'm Wise...I learn One Step at a time. Melcher's motto.