This blog will explore the latest technology tools for dyslexic students. All such tools are a helping hand to dyslexic students.
Education is a basic human right and this exists for everyone, including the disabled. The dyslexic community has also the right to be educated, and thus, education systems need to be modified to occupy this population. Educational technology improved when COVID-19 forced institutes to move to a digital learning system.
For dyslexic students, assistive technology can bring so many benefits. It not only saves their time in understanding and learning the syllabus, but also helps to combat challenges like slow note-taking, bad handwriting, and others. Further, it allows dyslexic students to define their capabilities in a manner that was once impossible.
Will technology tools for dyslexic students work?
Dyslexic students face hurdles at every stage of their educational life. The major difficulties are recorded in reading and writing. So, the technology tools for dyslexic students aim to improve writing and reading speed.
Students with dyslexia are confident that by using special functionalities on a laptop or iPad that help them get past their dyslexia-related challenges, they may finish homework more quickly. However, instructors’ expectations may need to change in order for technology to benefit students with learning disabilities to the fullest extent possible.
When using assistive technology, like reading with audiobooks, students who struggle with reading can take part completely in classwork rather than concentrating only on the tiresome tasks of reading, writing, and spelling.
With the intent of decoding the book, listening to audiobooks will be taken as cheating, but dyslexic students are not decoding it, rather they are in need. Moreover, not every dyslexic student has issues interpreting the information, so they should be allowed to record the class instead of taking notes, or to speak an essay on the tablet rather than writing it on paper.
Assistive technology for dyslexic students
The technology tools for dyslexic students are so many but only a few are given in this blog.
- Kurzweil
With the Kurzweil learning program, dyslexic students can excel in academics very easily. This software offers multiple educational features and allows you to highlight the main text. Moreover, you can create sticky notes and can save voice notes as well. Students can categorize notes under the section study guide, while other audio files can be grouped separately for listening.
Livescribe released computerized pens in the market for dyslexic students. This pen specializes in 2 functions; recording both audio and written content. On any written note, simply tap the pen and you may hear what was being said at the same time.
- WhisperSync
This application by Amazon lets the readers switch between visuals and audiobooks. If the dyslexic student reads slowly, he/she can switch the mode to audiobook listening.
- Speech-to-Text
Dyslexic students who face issues with writing can use speech-to-text applications to turn their speech into text form. Whether they have access to a mobile phone, a laptop, or tablets, they can use this technology. However, instructors should monitor the efficiency of speech-to-text devices as they may be sensitive to different voices.
- Franklin Speller
It is a mini electronic dictionary to help dyslexic students to access a helpful list of confusing words. It also offers context-sensitive help text and grammar checkers. Students may also print the words.
Take Away!
If technology tools for dyslexic students are used efficiently, good results can be expected. Sometimes, instructors are not willing to introduce technology, and also many times, the student cannot afford it. So, non-profit organizations should raise awareness among teachers and the government should announce subsidies on assistive technology for dyslexic students.
