Technology

  • 20 minutes

Organization and study skills

Educational technology, when viewed as a core element of teaching, has the power to ensure that children’s learning is organized in a way that helps them to focus on exactly what they need to do.

  • Shared notebook tools, like Microsoft OneNote, can be organized in a way that displays information that is accessible and focused.
  • Microsoft Teams brings together a number of tools like Sli.do, Polly, Forms, and Planner that allow students to respond to teachers’ questions and to organize their thinking and tasks on the go.
  • Digital inking allows students to access devices in a multisensory manner, to respond to tasks graphically. Digital pens also support students in accessing tools more intuitively than simply utilizing a keyboard.
  • Video tools, such as Flipgrid, can provide an alternative to written tasks. In addition, spelling and grammar tools can scaffold students with dyslexia when written answers are necessary.

Reflection

  • In what ways can digital tools streamline the way in which students access your school’s curriculum? 
  • What benefits might the use of tools such as OneNote and Teams have for students with dyslexia in your context? 
  • How can digital tools like Flipgrid be used to ‘take the pressure off’ learners with dyslexia?

Other resources

Reading

Reading is a window to learning and technology removes barriers to reading for students with dyslexia.

  • Immersive reader reads words aloud, shows word definitions in written and visual forms, resizes text, and highlights different parts of speech.
  • Microsoft OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and other Microsoft 365 tools can support learners with reading through the use of in-build immersive reader and audio tools.
  • You can scan in many types of text onto a device to support reading through immersive reader.  
  • Flipgrid can support with reading comprehension and encourage book discussions.

Reflection

  • Which structures do you have in place to support reading with learners with dyslexia?
  • Are there barriers to reading that you can address through immersive reader?
  • Have you used video tools like Flipgrid to encourage reading in a safe space for reluctant or anxious readers?

Other resources

Writing

We often underestimate the difficulty of initially putting pen to paper for students, in terms of them organizing their thoughts into text. This is particularly difficult for students with dyslexia; however, this does not mean that they cannot be great writers.

  • The planning phase of a piece of writing is crucial. Consider utilizing thinking maps to organize ideas. Digital ink and on-screen diagrams are useful in generating plans as learners are able to edit their ideas intuitively.
  • The use of spelling and grammar tools provides immediate feedback to writers with dyslexia, which they can act upon immediately.
  • Dictation tools support students in recording their initial ideas rapidly.
  • OneNote can be set up to utilize word banks and support with spelling.
  • Learners with dyslexia can often be very creative and imaginative in their written work when properly supported.

Reflection

  • Does your school make use of graphical tools to help student organize their thoughts?
  • How can your students make use of digital aids, such as spelling and grammar checkers and dictation tools, on a daily basis?
  • Are there any steps that you can take to raise aspiration amongst writers with dyslexia?

Other resources

Math

Learners with dyslexia are often particularly strong in spatial and big-picture thinking. However, they may struggle with the fine detail aspects of mathematics.

  • Using digital ink tools, such as ‘Ink to Math’ and electronic workbooks like OneNote, can support learners in laying out their work in a way that supports the identification of errors.
  • Using 3D models, arrays, and other graphical representations can benefit mathematicians with dyslexia greatly – particularly in assimilating number facts like the times tables. These tools can be easily embedded in tools like OneNote, which also allows them to have early access and learn before the lesson.
  • Using tools such as Immersive Reader supports learners in identifying the key information in written problems.

Reflection

  • In what ways can your learners make use of digital devices to record their mathematical thinking?
  • How can you use electronic means to move away from rote learning when teaching key knowledge like multiplication facts?
  • In what areas should there be a crossover in digital provision between math, reading, and writing?

Other resources