Yeshua Ruffindouglas uses a new computer program at the Carver Recreational Center.Takobe O’Neal sat at a computer at Carver Recreation Center and switched letters around to make words. Each time he switched a letter to make the correct word, a character on the computer screen slowly climbed a tree. When the game is successfully completed, the computer character parachutes out of the tree.
“I like watching him parachute,” said Takobe, a 9-year-old boy participating in the city’s summer camp.
The computer game, called Super Change, is designed to help Takobe and other children learn to read better. The computer program is now in place at five recreation centers across the city. Carver, the first center to use the program, received it about three months ago.
Lurone Jennings, administrator of Chattanooga’s Youth and Family Development Department, said the Lexia program will work. He used it for years when he was executive director at the Bethlehem Center. About 93 kids are using it, city officials said.
“We’ll see results in the program this summer,” Jennings said.