Dyslexia Scotland Conference 29 October 2016

Assistive Technology in the ClassroomEver-popular advice and guidance from CALL Scotland about using assistive technology in the classroom. Workshop Leaders: Shirley Lawson and Craig Mill from CALL Scotland (www.callscotland.org.uk)

What is Assistive technology?

Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software programme or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with additional support needs / disabilities.

For many dyslexic people, paper based text is problematic. If the text can be displayed digitally then there are many options that can be utilised to make it easier for those with literacy difficulties and to enhance learning opportunities. There are a wide variety of computers, tablets and devices on the market and all have excellent assistive features that can provide valuable support to those who have difficulties reading, writing, spelling or with organisation.

Craig and Shirley will perform a ‘Windows V iPad Dual’ to demonstrate the in-built functionality of Windows computers and iPads as well as bespoke software and apps. Workshop participants will have the chance to vote for their favourite element of the dual!

All the information that we will be covering can be found on our website under Information / Dyslexia http://www.callscotland.org.uk/information/dyslexia/

Please get in touch if you have further questions about anything that we demonstrate today or anything on our website.

Shirley.lawson@ed.ac.uk

Craig.mill@ed.ac.uk

And please feedback any comments on Twitter @CALLScotland

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Function Windows PC iPad

Text to speech Natural Reader Typing Feedback

Speech recognition Dragon Naturally Speaking Siri

Predictive text Word Q Speak Q Quicktype / Co:Writer

Using Audio to support notetaking

DictaphoneAudacity

AudioNote (app)NoteTalker (app)

Modifying background Word - page background options / My Study Bar: ssOverlay and T-Bar

Highlight Content / Display Accommodations

Writing Support Clicker 7One Note Learning Tools

Clicker Sentences (app)Third party keyboard apps

Phonics Doorway First BlendsNessy

ABC Pocket PhonicsPocket Phonics Stories

Mindmapping / organisation

Clicker boards Kidspiration/ Inspiration (app)

Spell checking Word Talk spellcheckGhotit or Ginger (online)

Check Spelling / Text Replacement

Touch typing practice / keyboards  

Big Brown Bear / Doorway onlineOn Screen Keyboard

Doorway/ Puffin browser

Sharing work / Cloud based storage

OneNote / Google Classroom Notes, Pages, OneNote, Word (Office 365)

eBooks Books for All/ Kindle software Books for All / ClaroPDF

Peripheral items C-Pen Reader Livescribe pen and app

Other options Android TabletsChromebooks – apps and extensions