Dyslexia: Assistive Technology and Technology

Nicole Gizzi, Spring 2014

What is Assistive Technology?Any tool that an individual can use to help them do

something that is usually difficult or impossible for them to do without its assistance.

Low Tech

Mid Tech

High Tech

Low Techinexpensive, simple, focuses on a single task, no electricity or batteries

Pencil grips

Raised lined paper

Post its

index card/pencil to hold place – scoop phrases

slant board for reading/writing

reading focus card

calendar

grid paper

paper with raise lines

color overlays

highlighters

binder/tabs

lined paper to match the

student

individual counting strips/alphabet strips

large print text

rubrics

checklists

personal spelling dictionary

Mid Techmore expensive than low tech, more complex, can do multiple tasks, electricity/batteries needed Calculators

Spell checker

Audio book player

Timers

Books on tape

Tape recorders/CD players

Dictaphone

Talking spell checkers

Reading Pen – scans text, enlarges font, reads aloud, syllabic breakdown, thesaurus

Note-taking pens such as InfoScan or Livescribe

Classmate Reader – reads textbooks and study materials aloud

High Techmost expensive, more complex, often can serve multiple functions, needs electricity

Computers

Tablets

Smartphones

Scheduling software

Electronic reminders

Apps and websites

Determining the Best AT Start with low tech solutions first

One size does not fit all – it is unique to individual needs

Take into account individual student abilities, needs, preferences, strengths, weaknesses (physical, cognitive, emotional)

Involve the student in the decision making process

What purpose will it serve?

Technology can be used in: Presentation

Motivation

Accommodations/Modifications through devices, apps, and websites

Instructional Strategies

Self regulation and management

Extra Practice

Technology - software/web based/apps Bookshare – a web based library for individuals with print based disabilities. Provides

audio books, books that show print and provide text to speech, can highlight text while the text is being read, ability to adjust speed and size of print. Digital braille is also available.

Vocalyze – freeware – web based, reads web content such as news, blogs, sports, etc.

Google Scribe - text completion service. Using information from what you have already typed in a document, Google Scribe provides related word or phrase completion suggestions.

Software such as Classroom Suite, Lexia, FastForward, Read Naturally, Kurzweil

Dragon Naturally Speaking for PC users and Dragon Dictate for Mac users – speech to text

http://www.astorybeforebed.com - Lets you record a children’s book online

Technology – software/web based/apps i-Lighter – free – lets you highlight, cut, paste, save, and annotate web based

material

Speech-text tools – iDictate, Speak-Write

Digital planning tools for writing – Cmap, Draftbuilder, Inspiration, Kidspiration

Clicker6, PixWriter – word processor that uses pictures and text to support the writer

Sonocent – audio notetaker

Audible – app and web based resource for books on tape

Technology – web based/apps Learning Ally - app and web based audiobooks of core educational content and required

literature, text and audio

Tumblebooks – web based animated audiobooks

Voice Dream Reader – text to speech app, tailored to solely auditory to solely visual to a combination, multiple voices in multiple languages, you can set the pace of the voice, word highlighting, bookmarking, notetaking, highlighting, built in dictionary. Offers paid and free versions

Mayerson Academy App – offers sound cards to practice sound symbol correspondences

Spelling City – an app for the lower grades to practice spelling and vocabulary

Technology Rubrics for self-assessment and monitoring, and teachers

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php http://teachervision.fen.com/teaching-methods-and-management/rubrics/4521.h

tml http://teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

Timers http://timer.onlineclock.net/ http://timeanddate.com/timer/

Technology - Organizing Inspiration software

www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/graphic_org/

Education World – http://educationworld.com/tools_templates/index.shtml

Tools4Students app – graphic organizers for chapter notes, writing, and comprehension

Checklist creator – http://pblchecklist.4teachers.org/checklist.shtml

SelfControl, Habits Pro, Goal Tracker, Priority Matrix, ChoiceWorks, iStudiezpro – apps that help students to prioritize

AppsThe following are links to annotated apps:

http://www.interdys.org/iPadAppsForLiteracyInstruction.htm

www.commonsensemedia.org

http://www.smartappsforkids.com

http://www.smartappsforspecialneeds.com

childrenstech.com (also search KAPi Awards on this site)

www.about.com (search: ipad apps)

dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/tools/apps

a4cwsn.com (apps for children with special needs)

pinterest.com (search: educational ipad apps)

www.kirkusreviews.com (search: top book app)

www.parents-choice.org/allawards.cfm (Mobile app category)

www.apphalloffame.com (unfiltered content)

www.teachthought.com (iPad link)

www.ipadineducation.co.uk/iPad_in_Education/Literacy.html

Resources http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/tools/software-assistive-technology

http://www.idaga.org/Downloads/AssistiveTechnologyForDyslexicStudents.pdf

http://www.cited.org/index.aspx

http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/

http://www.qiat.org

http://www.tamcec.org

http://wati.org

Resources http://edu.symbaloo.com/mix/idlplayground20132

Readingrockets.org

Ldonline.org

Adlit.org

Room 212- Elementary CST, Speech/Language, OT, PT Battelle Training

Room 213- SGO Development

Room 215- ELA Curriculum Work

Room 216- Technology/Applications in the Special Ed. Classroom