Dyslexia is a learning disability that causes problems with reading, writing, and spelling abilities. It is a neurological condition that affects up to 80% of individuals with learning disabilities. Assistive technologies like smart boards, tape recorders, graphic organizers, and concept mapping software can help dyslexic students by allowing them to visualize information, record audio notes, and organize their thoughts in a way that is less frustrating than traditional writing and note-taking methods. These technologies provide multisensory learning experiences and accessibility features that enhance reading, writing, and spelling skills for students with dyslexia.
2. Have you every heard the term
‘dyslexia’?
Do you know what Dyslexia is?
If yes, have you every observed
someone who is dyslexic?
Go to the next slide , watch the video,
and learn more about dyslexia.
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4. What is Dyslexia?
According to (Dyslexia (Intellectual and Possibly
Communication), 2008), ‘dyslexia is a learning
disability which has a neurological origin.
Children who dyslexic have problem with word
recognition and understanding what they have
read. Problem in these can also affect their ability
to spell and learn decoding skills’. (Shagwitz,
2007), states that ‘dyslexia which is a specific
reading disability... affects 80 percent of all
individuals who are indentified as learning
disabled’ (p.1).
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5. Assistive Technologies
Four technologies which can be used for
enhancing learning for dyslexic children are:
• Smart Ideas
• Tape recorder
•Graphic Organizer
•Smart board
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7. How can teachers use Smart
Boards Technology?
‘Since tools on smart boards can also be used with
information form the internet’, (Smart Board 685ix
interactive white board system., 2010); teachers can
use free online software tools that can increase
reading skills, writing, and spelling. Star Fall is an
example of free online software which are great for
enhancing reading for both disabled and non
disabled children in the classroom. The teacher can
also download letter sounds, store them, and then
replay for the dyslexic child. They can also store the
letter sounds in the smart note files, to use at a later
date.
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8. How can teachers use Smart
Boards Technology?
The dyslexic child can use smart board
writing tools or finger to practice writing,
‘since dyslexic children have difficulty with
writing’ (Company, n.d). (Torreno, 2010)
Claims that, ‘teachers who have used Smart
Boards report that students with special needs
have made huge strides in learning. Special
educators often say that Smart Boards
contribute to academic success in the
classroom’.
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10. Tape recorder
The tape recorder often is an excellent aid in
helping dyslexic students. It can be used while
working mathematical problems, or reading
stories from big books. It helps in giving
directions, understanding stories, and doing
specific lessons. The student can replay the tape
to clarify understanding of directions or
concepts. Also, to improve reading skills, the
student can read the printed words silently as
they are presented on tape.
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11. Tape recorder
One popular tape recording device is
audio book. As it name, ‘audio books’ has
recordings of stories, which are normally
read in printed books. Dyslexic children
can listen, and also follow along in the
print story books. This can gradually
increase their reading and other skills like
fluency. Audio books can be purchase
online through websites like, Recorded
Book K-12 and Learning Ally.
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12. Graphic Organizers
The best type of graphic design, scientifically
proven, that can help dyslexic students in a
classroom is the use of Microsoft OneNote. This is
public and available for use by everyone. OneNote
makes the job way easier for every dyslexic student,
because it helps them to take notes faster, record
audio and video notes, use visual cues to help them
organize and remember information, use outlines
and templates and use the spell checker, dictionaries,
and thesaurus.
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14. Graphic Organizer Cont’d
This graphic design helps take away frustration,
makes information a lot easier and faster for them to
find. It may have advantages and disadvantages but
throughout all the technologies used in the
classroom for Dyslexic students, OneNote is the best
and well known used technology to accommodate
Dyslexic students in the classroom. For students with
dyslexia, OneNote has many features that can help
students take notes faster and in different ways, stay
organized, and meet literacy challenges, such as
spelling and grammar.
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15. Smart Ideas
SMART Ideas concept-mapping software
brings the power of visual learning to the
classroom. It helps students visualize and
analyze complex ideas by building multilevel
interactive maps. And you can easily convert
the maps into a multipage website for
everyone to share.. You can enhance maps
with curriculum-specific clip art or external
links to make lessons more dynamic.
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17. Smart Ideas
Multilevel maps are used to illustrate the logical and
thematic connections within a lesson. You can add links
or attachments to your maps, so they’re sure to capture
the attention of today’s digitally literate students. SMART
Ideas comes with over 2,000 resizable pieces of clip art,
and they’re all organized by curriculum topic. Concepts
maps help dyslexic children organize their thought to
make logical sense. Concept Mapping Software like
SMART Ideas can assist challenge learners by allowing
them to skip the physical process and writing and use the
computer instead to record and organize their ideas in
both visual and text form. Smart Ideas can also reduce
stress in those with anxiety disorders.
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18. References
• Company, T. K. (Director). (n.d). Dyslexia: A Hidden Disability [You
tube video].
• Dyslexia (Intellectual and Possibly Communication). (2008, March 21).
Retrieved from Exceptionalities in the classroom:
http://www.exceptionality.wikidot.com/dyslexia-definition
Shagwitz, S. E. (2007). The Neurobiology of Reading Dyslexia. World
Education , 8 (D), 1.
• Smart Board 685ix interactive white board system. (2010). [You tube
video].
SMART Board interactive whiteboards support university students with
disabilities. (2011, October 6). 4- traders .
• Stanberry, M. R. (2010, February). Assistive technology for kids with
Learning Disability: An Overview Great Schools. Retrieved from
http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-
assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-
overview.gs?page=all
• Torreno, S. (2010, August 9). Using Smart Boards in Special Education
Classrooms. Retrieved from Bright Hub: The Hub for Bright Minds:
http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/55013.aspx 18
19. References
• www.microsoft.com/education/how.../dyslexiaandorganization.aspx
• Use of Smart Ideas to Assist Students with Learning Disabilities.
(2012, March 5). Retrieved from Media Wiki:
http://sites.wiki.ubc.ca/etec510/Use_of_Smart_Ideas_to_Assist_Students_
with_Learning_Disabilities#Use_of_Smart_Ideas_with_Students_with_Lear
ning_Difficulties
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