Supporting Literacy for Learners with Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a lifelong condition characterized by difficulty reading due to problems with speech identification and written and oral language, which affects the left temporal lobe of the brain. Dyslexia is common and is caused by a defect in the DCDC2 gene, occurring among all backgrounds and intellectual levels. The International Dyslexia Association estimates that 85% of students who have a diagnosed learning disability have dyslexia. There are many solutions for those learning with dyslexia and working with dyslexia. Assistive Technology, like kurzweil 3000 , allows educators to provide access to learning for students with dyslexia both inside the classroom and at home. These technologies are often used throughout the learner’s school years and even after they graduate.
Tools and Technology to Support Dyslexia
Individuals living with dyslexia are apprehensive to feel comfortable in a classroom or work setting where their reading and other language skills are challenged on a daily basis. As an educator or as someone who has dyslexia, it can be difficult to fully integrate an effective teaching style or feel confident in learning vital skills to succeed. Learning technologies are vastly important in being successful both inside and outside of the classroom environment. The assistive technology Kurzweil Education provides helps both educators and learners at any age feel empowered to succeed professionally and personally.
Common Indicators of Dyslexia and How Kurzweil Education Can Help
There are many difficulties that come with having dyslexia. Kurzweil Education understands the challenges that both educators and individuals face on a daily basis. We want to be your partner for a lifetime in better supporting those challenges through comprehensive technology. There are many common indicators of dyslexia and kurzweil 3000 can help.
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Low reading comprehension
Understanding of vocabulary and active reading of text is essential for comprehension. Digital dictionaries and thesaurus tools provide instant access to the definitions and a deeper understanding of words within the text. Teachers can embed a variety of notes within the material to guide students to important information, assist them in making connections, processing information on a deeper level, and more.
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Poor phonological processing
Not having the ability to hear the individual sounds that make up words, phonological processing is an important cognitive skill for detecting and manipulating sounds and language. High quality
text-to-speech in Kurzweil 3000 models fluent reading. Students can see and hear what words sounds like simultaneously, while educators can provide additional support for understanding the construction of words.
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Distorted, Cramped, Laborious Handwriting
Don't let the mechanics of writing impede on your classroom performance. Assistive technology allows students to take notes, complete worksheets, and answer questions on tests using talking word processor support. Teachers can help reduce the number of keystrokes needed for students who struggle with typing and better support writing and study skills.
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Extreme spelling difficulties
k3000 provides a "check spelling while typing" feature that allows students to listen to suggested word choices before making changes, letting them make a more informed decision while editing their written work. Educators can activate content and/or strategy specific floating word lists to further help support student spelling and word retrieval difficulties.
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Poor written composition
Assistive technology that offers numerous levels of support and varied entry points to writing both support learners through the various stages of the writing process and result in successful written composition. Students can highlight or take notes from text and bring them into Kurzweil 3000's Writing Path, facilitating the writing process from start to finish.
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Disorganization
Eliminate the easy confusion that comes with classroom papers by using digital content to easily organize files and assignments. Our products act as a hub for books, worksheets, study guides, assignments and more to help better support students' needs. Specific features in Kurzweil 3000, such as Bookmarks, are used to help students organize their school work, while graphic organizers and templates help students to organize their thoughts.
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Difficulties in sequencing and following directions
k3000 allows teachers to provide step-by-step instructions for student assignments, allowing them to keep on task and on track. Students can read and re-read instructions as many times as they need to using text-to-speech, and cross-out items as they’re completed. Educators can also embed hyperlinks prompting students to activate next steps within a document or between documents.
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Poor performance on standardized and/or classroom tests
Allow tests to measure student understanding instead of a student's struggle with decoding because of dyslexia. kurzweil 3000 provides tests in a digital format that provides full audible support for reading and re-reading questions as needed, in addition to other accommodations.
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