Introduction
The development of the automaticity of reading subskills lays the foundation for a future of fluent reading abilities. iPads and similar tablet devices have been relatively unexplored as tools for literacy learning. However, to build a foundation of early reading subskills for fluent reading, iPad applications may be able to assist students in the development of these skills. Utilizing tablet technology as an early instructional and intervention tool may prevent the future need for special education services and remedial actions for those who would have otherwise been struggling readers. Due to the extensive process of the formal identification of a disability, eligibility for special education services often does not begin until after several years of reading difficulties. Waiting to provide intervention services after years of reading failure does little to remediate students’ reading problems. According to different studies (Jenkins & O’Conner, 2002; Scarborough, 1998), “failure to acquire basic pre-literacy skills, such as letter identification, knowledge of letter sounds, and phonological awareness, is a potential indicator of future reading disabilities” (as cited in Ritchey, 2008, p. 487). Ritchey believes that appropriate intervention provided to students who are identified early will reduce the number of children who struggle with reading.