Reading, Writing, Spelling and Assistive Technology

Many children do not meet the qualifications to receive extra learning support through the school system, yet experience significant difficulty producing work that matches their ability due to one or more weak areas. Assistive technology includes any piece of equipment, or item used to support students with learning tasks. Technology supports are appropriate for students with one or more learning areas that interfere with producing work that matches their ability level. Assistive technology devices can be used to help a student to perform daily learning tasks while working around a challenging academic area such as reading, writing and/or spelling, whether the child has a diagnosed learning disability or demonstrates high ability, yet is not achieving up to his/her potential.

Assistive technology is appropriate when it helps a student to increase productivity. Increased independence and improvement in work quality are often an additional result.

Low tech examples of assistive technology include pencil grips, clip boards, slant boards, lined paper and graphic organizers. Electronic devices that support learning include an electronic dictionary, a digital audio recorder and/or an electronic digital pen. A portable keyboard such as an AlphaSmart or a laptop computer are high tech options. Asking a techie tutor to teach him/her how to use electronic and high tech devices appropriately is a worthwhile investment.

Students in fourth grade and above seem to have an easier time learning to use more complex technology options. Exceptional software programs include Inspiration, a visual organization tool, Don Johnson word prediction software (compatible with Windows/Macintosh computers and Alphasmart products), and Apple Macintosh compatible products such as Ghostreader and KeyStrokes.

Simply allowing a student to have access to a classroom computer can be a low cost, high tech option, however, it is necessary that the teacher and student become familiar with accessibility features that are built into the computer in order to ensure that the student is able to use this opportunity successfully.

Check out the following links to learn about products and programs that might enable your child who struggles in one or more academic areas to become more independent and productive. If your family is not comfortable with technology options, request a tutor who can help your child to explore and learn to use one or more of the devices or programs below. Increased independence, academic performance and higher quality work can also lead to increased self-esteem and motivation, while narrowing the gap between ability and achievement.

Inspiration Software
http://www.inspiration.com/Inspiration

Great Schools – Technology to Support Learning
http://www.greatschools.net/content/specialNeeds.page?fromSchwab=1

Microsoft XP Features
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/accessibility/default.mspx

Windows Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/

Microsoft Word
http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/msword/index.php

Apple Macintosh 0S X Accessibility Features
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/macosx/vision.html

Alphasmart
http://www3.alphasmart.com/index.html

Franklin Dictionary
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/1197370/002-3765550-9872854

Logitech Digital Pen
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-io-Personal-Digital-Pen/dp/B00006JP23

Don Johnson Software for PC and Alphasmarts
http://donjohnston.co.uk/

KeyStrokes for Macintosh
http://www.assistiveware.com/keystrokes.php

Ghostreader for Macintosh
http://www.convenienceware.com/ghostreader.php

Find a tutoring solution that implements assistive technology.