This document discusses ways to help dyslexic students achieve through analog and digital solutions. It provides examples of software like Text Help Read and Write Gold, Inspiration, and Touch Type Read and Spell to help with literacy. It also discusses hardware like interactive whiteboards, voice recorders, and games for reinforcement. A case study illustrates using these tools to support a student with behavior issues and short term memory difficulties in brickwork studies. The document advocates a blended approach using classroom support, software for planning assignments, and converting text to audio for revision.

1. Helping Dyslexic Students to
Achieve
Stuart Parkin and Hannah Crumbleholme
June 2009

2. Moodle
www.moodcat.co.uk
• Skills for Learning
• Enhancing Learning with Digital and Mobile Te

3. How can we help
the learner?
How can we help
the learner to help
themselves?

4. Analogue
Solutions
In Class/ 1:1
Student Carbon Coloured
Support
Highlighters
Dictionary Pad Overlays
ALS

5. Digital Solutions
Software Hardware

6. Software
Text Help TTRS Windows Dragon
Open Source/
Read and Write Inspiration Touch Type Naturally Freeware
Gold Read and Spell Accessibility Speaking

7. Text Help Read and Write Gold
• Literacy support tool designed to assist learners
who require extra assistance when reading or
composing text.
• Encourages independent learning.
• Screen reader to proof read text
• Spelling and homophone checker correct any
mistakes before submitting the text to the tutor.

8. Inspiration – Mind Map View

9. Inspiration – Diagram View

10. Inspiration – Outline View

11. Inspiration
Transfer into Word document
Download user guide from our
Moodle page.

12. TTRS – Touch Type Read and Spell

13. Windows
• Magnifier
• Narrator
• Change background colour
• Change fonts
• On-Screen Keyboard
• Download Benevolent Bill from TechDis.ac.uk

14. Snippy
• Free download alternative to Print Screen
• Choose an area to Copy + Paste either with a
box or by freehand.
• Works direct from flash drive – no need to
install
• Download from http://www.bhelpuri.net/Snippy/

15. Hangman
• Choose own words in notepad file
• Case sensitive
Play
Swf
flash

16. Who Wants to be a Billionaire
Play
Swf
Flash

17. Hardware
Voting Systems Voice Recorders Digital Cameras Games Based
Interactive
And MP3/4 Players and
Learning
White Boards
Mobile Phones I-Pod Touch Camcorders

18. Voting Systems
• Senteo/ Smart Response for Smart
Boards
• ActiVote for Promethean
• Mobile Phone SMS Poll Sites

19. www.smspoll.net

20. iPodTouch
Dictaphone
Creative Zen

21. Games Based Learning

22. Using the Wii in AON sessions
• Use Wii game to generate statistics
• Learners analyse stats and create
spreadsheet/ graphs
(Guide to session on Moodle)

23. Nintendo DS
Pictochat can be used to
lead students into learning
Quick 10 minute exercises
help students to become
focused
Student’s can work
collaboratively

24. Case Study – Jason (Brickwork)
• Behaviour issues
• Short term memory difficulties
• Produces minimal written text
• Reading age of 8 years – finds long texts
visually uncomfortable
• Finds reading and spelling technical
vocabulary difficult

25. Analogue Solutions
• Use student dictionary to write out spellings and
meanings of technical vocabulary
• Receive support in classroom from dept ALS

26. Digital Solutions
– Screen reading, predictive tools and spell check in Text Help Read &
Write Gold
– MS Word to relieve stress including highlight tool and auto summary
– Touch Type Read and Spell programme at ‘drop in’ sessions
– ‘inspiration’ software to plan assignments
– Use Text Help to convert text to audio files and upload to ipod ot MP3
for revision and reinforcement
– Dictaphone or MP3 voice recorder to aid memory
– Reinforce technical vocabulary with hangman game
– Provide student with electronic files of all coursework

27. Moodle
www.moodcat.co.uk
• Skills for Learning
• Enhancing Learning with Digital and Mobile Te

28. FIND US ON
ATtmc - Assistive Tech@TMC
The Manchester College - Assistive Technology in Education