Instead of giving written handouts of information or instructions why not type them and allow the child to use the speech facility to read them for him/her. Pupils who need the text enlarged or the background colour changed can easily do this.
The auto-correct facility within some word processing packages allows learners to enter their most common mistakes and the correct spelling. When the error occurs the program will correct it automatically. For those who say this is simply a way round the problem rather than a solution, the fact is that too many pupils will produce nothing if they spend all their time correcting errors.
Electronic spellmasters (e.g. Franklin) are a great help for pupils, particularly on field trips etc. when a dictionary would be out of place.
A handheld voice recorder can be very useful
Homework requirements can be dictated
A pupil can record ideas or notes for essays before writing them up.
Results from science experiments can be recorded.
Taped versions of novels and textbooks (if possible) are a great help.
If you decide to use tapes it is important that you make it clear when they are to be used.
When they are being used in class the consent of other class members is important and they should understand and support the need for them.
Use short tapes for each lesson rather than one long one which might be difficult to search.
Using spreadsheets can give visual aid to pupils with dyslexia as they can be taught visual methods of laying out their work and this means they are less likely to get lost in the process of calculation.
Further Information
Considering ICT as a tool for Dyslexia (pdf)
CoPs Baseline Assesment is designed to help assess children when they enter school and will pinpoint strengths and learning needs.
Mastering Memory is a program which teaches a range of strategies designed to help auditory and visual memory. This is best used by older pupils.
Wordswork by Iansyst, is designed for dyslexic teenagers and adults and covers study skills such as essay writing, handwriting and time management.
The Interactive Calculator from Inclusive Technology gives very clear visual presentation, has auditory feedback and requires physical interaction. This calculator encourages pupils to estimate before calculating with the calculator.
Type to Learn teaches typing while reinforcing spelling, grammar, punctuation etc.
Touch-Type, Read and Spell has been of great help for children with dyslexia. It has over 600 modules.
An Eye for Spelling looks for letters patterns within words.
The Mystery of the Lost LettersThe Mystery of the Lost Letters
Pioneering CDRom produced by the BBC for D*I*T*T
Dyslexia International – Tools and Technologies (D*I*T*T) launches The Mystery of the Lost Letters: an adventure with Tintin and Snowy on the road to success, a groundbreaking tri-lingual tool designed to detect learning styles – based on diagnositic tests designed by educational psychologist Gavin Reid.
Aimed primarily at the 8-13 year-olds, this unique self-help learning tool has been produced by the BBC for D*I*T*T and stars dyslexic celebrities including poet Benjamin Zephaniah and architect Richard Rogers who all tell their story.
Users accompany Tintin and Snowy on a quest to find Professor Calculus. The engaging adventure masks a sophisticated diagnostic tool, which builds a profile of how the user learns best – cognitively, socially and environmentally. It then offers positive feedback on how to build on strengths and advice on how to cope with weaknesses.
Users can then click on the CD-Rom’s accompanying web site www.tosuccess.org – a major one-stop online resource centre, to be developed across the next five years.