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Calling NSW & VIC Schools!
Calling NSW & VIC Schools!

 

    Efficacy Research

    We're partnering with the Australian EdTech Innovation Network that connects leading EdTech companies with specialist researchers to explore how StepsWeb can support literacy development for students in Years 4-8 across Victoria and New South Wales.

    The Australian EdTech Innovation Network is powered by Western Sydney University and EduGrowth, the Australian EdTech Industry Hub. 

    StepsWeb will be working with researchers from the Monash University Hub for Educational Design and Innovation (HEDI). 

    Entry Requirement

    Primary schools in NSW or VIC with Year 4-8 students, ideally across entire year-groups. However, whole-class participation is also feasible.

    Duration

    22 weeks in total, including pre- and post-testing.

    20 teaching weeks starting in Term 2.

    Start date

    Monday 26 May 2025
     
    Register your interest by 16 May.

    Cost

    There is no cost to participate. The StepsWeb online program will be provided for free, as will workbooks for struggling learners.

    Engaging-activities

    What is StepsWeb?

    StepsWeb is an adaptive online literacy program designed to support all learners, including struggling and extension students. It provides structured, research-based activities grounded in the Science of Reading; developing phonological awareness, phonic knowledge, reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

    Students progress through the structured literacy progression at their own level and pace. StepsWeb continually monitors student progress, providing individualised reinforcement and diagnostic information about each learner.

    Why use StepsWeb?

     
    Research-based approach
    Every aspect is grounded in the Science of Reading, ensuring effective and proven outcomes.
    Structured Spelling Progression
    Developed by literacy experts and designed to work across the whole school.
    Stop learners falling through the gaps
    Give all learners the right approach from the start, and quickly identify struggling learners.
    Australian Accent
    StepsWeb words are in an Australian accent. British and New Zealand accents are also available.
    Easy to Set Up and Use
    Intuitive design for students and teachers to use independently.
    Inclusivity
    Every learner on the same progression, but at their individual level.
    Easily Monitor Progress
    Analyse every learner's errors and create individualised reinforcement - online and printable.
    Instant Differentiated Printables
    One click gives you a named, differentiated worksheet for every member of your class.
    Workbooks
    With the VIC and NSW font, provided for the study at no cost for tier 3 and 4 learners.
    Flexibility
    Students can access StepsWeb at school and at home.
    ST4S Assessed
    We believe that data privacy is a right which needs to be protected.

    Purpose of this study

    1. Stop students falling behind

    Our primary aim is to stop students falling behind in literacy, thus freeing up resources for educators.

    2. Identify struggling students early

    Identify students who need intervention early and provide effective intervention to genuinely catch them up.

    3. Save teacher time

    By catching up struggling students, teacher time will be freed for more effective whole-class teaching.

    4. Make StepsWeb even better

    We want to gain a better understanding of your experience, so we can tailor StepsWeb to Victoria and New South Wales classrooms.

    This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of StepsWeb in improving students' spelling ages, reading fluency, and reading comprehension. These insights will help us understand the impact of a structured literacy approach and provide valuable information into student progress across different learning levels.

    Why take part?

    1. Revolutionise your literacy teaching

    Follow a structured progression which can be used for all learning abilities and never set a weekly spelling test again.

    2. Gain valuable insights into student progress

    Use cutting-edge diagnostic tools, including our visual recognition test, which is an indicator of reading fluency. 

    3. Free access to a leading online literacy program

    You will have access to StepsWeb for free over the duration of the study. Workbooks will also be provided at no cost for Tier 3 and 4 students, and at a discounted rate for all other learners.

    4. Free PD from a literacy and dyslexia expert

    We will provide free personalised consultations to improve your teacher’s understanding of teaching literacy and using StepsWeb effectively for all your students.

    5. Be at the forefront of evident-based practices

    Contribute to important literacy research and discover how a structured literacy approach can make a difference for all learners - including struggling students.

    6. Comprehensive on-demand reporting

    Gain a complete understanding of each student’s literacy progress with just a few clicks, including information on which areas of literacy need improvement, identify students who are falling behind, see which students aren’t meeting usage criteria, view your whole class’s progression on the structured course. 

    7. Save teacher time and resources

    With on-demand reporting, instant individually-named and differentiated printables, and automatic reinforcement which adapts to each student, StepsWeb will help struggling learners get up to speed, and allow teachers to spend more time doing what they do best - teach.

    8. Free diagnostic tools

    StepsWeb contains a number of diagnostic assessments which identifies a student’s spelling age, reading fluency, or phonic knowledge. This ensures educators have all the information they need to make informed decisions and tailor their teaching.

    What's involved

    This study will run over 22 weeks total. With 20 weeks of teaching using StepsWeb and one week at the beginning and the end of the intervention period for pre- and post- testing.

    What's involved

    This study will run over 22 weeks total. With 20 weeks of teaching using StepsWeb and one week at the beginning and the end of the intervention period for pre- and post- testing.

    Full teacher training and support
    In the first week of the study, educators will receive training on implementing StepsWeb into classrooms and classifying students according to a four-tier intervention model.
    Plus there will be ongoing educational and tech support via email or phone, as required throughout the study.
    Pre-testing
    Students will then complete baseline assessments, including the DIBELS MAZE (Reading Comprehension) test, DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency, and StepsWeb’s built-in spelling test and Visual Recognition Test.
    Results will be collated and presented to the school.
    The educator leading this study will be asked to fill out a brief pre-study questionnaire.
    Teaching resources
    We will provide free access to the StepsWeb program. Workbooks and hands-on resources will also be provided as required for students identified as Tier 3 and 4 learners at no cost. 
    Workbooks and hands-on resources will be available for Tier 1 and 2 students at a discounted price.
    Intervention period
    The intervention period will run for 20 teaching weeks over Term 2, 3, and 4. 
    Students will engage with StepsWeb in class, following the 4-tier intervention model. Students will also be able to access StepsWeb at home, provided they have an internet connection.
    Remedial students will also use accompanying workbooks.
    The study will start Monday 26 May at the latest.  
    Post-testing and feedback from you
    At the end of the intervention period, students will retake both assessments.
    These results will be assessed and presented to the school to give you an overview of your students’ progress.
    We want to hear about your experience of integrating StepsWeb into the classroom. We will ask educators to fill out the post-study questionnaire.

    Research Proposal

    Download our PDF to share with your colleagues and see what is involved in the study.

    Receive Valuable Insights

    Schools that successfully complete the study will receive a copy of the research report.

    Participating schools are under no obligation to continue using StepsWeb after the study ends. But you will have the option to continue using StepsWeb at a discounted rate. Terms and conditions apply.

    Enquire now

    After you register your interest, our team will get in touch with further information.

    monash and edugrowth

    Research with Monash University

    This study is being guided by Monash University, ensuring the final research report is accurate, data-driven, and delivers valuable insights. Their expertise will help shape the study design, analyse the data, and provide meaningful conclusions on how StepsWeb can best support good literacy outcomes for all learners.

    We’re also working with EduGrowth, a leading education innovation network, to maximise the impact of this research. With their experience in supporting education studies, EduGrowth will help ensure the findings are shared widely - at major conferences such as EduTech and The Education Show, so more schools can benefit from evidence-based literacy solutions.

    FAQs

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    Email: info@stepsweb.com

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