Thursday, March 12, 2009
Technology and the Dyslexic Students
I attended an amazing presentation on Tuesday from a group of teens and their dyslexia teacher from a Texarkana school district. What was amazing was the empowerment and academic success these print challenged students achieved by using a computer program (much like Microsoft Reader) that can read selected text to the students. The students can also download books, lessons, essays, etc. to their ipods, iphones, MP3 players, etc. to constantly review their material in preparation for tests and class discussions. In addition, students can create their own essays, have it read to them so they can see where it needs to be revised by listening to it. These wonderfully gifted, right brained dyslexic students are earning scholarships to well respected universities like SMU, are presenting and teaching summer classes to other dyslexic students and their parents at SMU and at Yale Univeristy. These are just kids, like our HISD dyslexic kids, who are maximizing their potential by plugging in to the digital world proving once again, how right Dan Pink's "Whole New Mind" can be.
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should these tools be limited to students whose need is apparent or diagnosed? my guess is, we all know people who would benefit from these novel approaches to editing, studying, etc.
ReplyDeleteABsolutely. A quote from the presentation was, "If you're teaching to the dyslexic student, you're teaching to all the students."
ReplyDeleteYes I was amazed by what those kids can do. Their computers serve them like guide dogs for the blind; taking their frustration away, motivating and allowing them to become successful while promoting their self-confidence!
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