Explicit Phonics Instruction: It's Not Just for Students With Dyslexia

Teacher Kyle Redford has long advocated that dyslexic children need specialized instruction in how to decode words. However, a recent look at reading research called her to question her stance—and now she says all students should learn this way.

Click the link to the Ed Week Teacher article to learn more...

Explicit Phonics Instruction: 

It's Not Just for Students With Dyslexia

Source: Education Week Teacher

Webinar Wednesday: AT Supports for Reading

Since the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, the printed word has been the most fundamental method for conveying information. But what if reading is hard for you or your students? The reasons may be numerous (learning disability, vision disability, English language learner, not yet learned to read), but the result is the same: text, and the information contained in it, is inaccessible. Watch this recorded webinar about hosted by AT Coalition to learn about the variety of tools available to help people track, decode, and comprehend the printed word.

Source: AT Coalition

Friday Appy Hour: iPad Apps for Learners with Complex Additional Support Needs

This is the latest poster in Call Scotland's popular 'App Wheel' series created in response to ongoing inquiries regarding useful iPad apps for complex learning difficulties. The 'Wheel of Apps' is not comprehensive, but attempts to identify relevant, useful apps and to categorize them into the areas an iPad can be a useful tool for learning and teaching. Note that some apps address a range of difficulties. The wheel features a mix of apps, some of which will be useful for using with Primary aged learners, some with Secondary aged learners and some with both.

Please note that the links on the electronic version are 'clickable' and will take you to the iTunes UK App Store, where you can find out more about the individual apps and download them onto your iPad. Note that links in the poster are to the UK iTunes site (GB), to go to the US store, simply change "GB" to "US" in the URL.

Go to https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/ for a complete listing of the CALL Posters.

Friday "Appy" Hour: Easy Spelling Aid

Although this year I was unable to attend the IDA (International Dyslexia Association) Conference, I did use the power of social media to keep up with some of the highlights being shared by my Twitter PLN (Personal Learning Network). As a sidebar, if you are unsure of what a PLN is or the immense benefits of being connected on social media, please read by previous Where It's AT post "Getting Connected".

Amongst the Twitter highlights from IDA, I happened upon a post regarding an app called Easy Spelling Aid. After doing some quick reading, my interest was peaked and I needed to see firsthand what this app was all about.

As with my first encounter with Epic!, my initial thought was.....how did I not know about this app sooner? As a technology specialist, I immediately thought of the many students who require ongoing spelling support, and Easy Spelling Aid app does just that! Not only is this app suited for students and adults with learning difficulties, but also for those learning to read and write or others looking for a translation tool to and from English? 

  
The Easy Spelling Aid app is the perfect tool to help children learn how to spell and write any word at home and at school. This app can spell words or phrases instantly by utilizing superior speech recognition, finely tuned to pick up on your child's voice.
Key Features...

• Improves literacy performance and spelling, helps with comprehension and vocabulary and develops recognition and correct spelling of words in their appropriate context
• Reduces blocks in the creative thought process when users stumble across a word they cannot independently spell. 
• Provides a way to easily and quickly find out how to spell the word without having to wait for a parent, teacher or assistant to help them. 
• Boasts superior, accurate and incredibly fine-tuned speech recognition
• Supports 22 languages, including regional US English
• Includes writing styles US D'Nealian Manuscript and US D'Nealian Cursive. 
• Also includes the Open Dyslexic font displayed in a choice of 6 background color combinations, as a means to accommodate users suffering from dyslexia and improve readability. 
• No ads, in app purchases, externals links and profanity is filtered

How It Works...

Step 1: With an easy-to-use interface and seamless user experience, users are presented with a clear blue user-friendly interface. The instruction "Touch mic & talk" is displayed above the circular mic symbol. On touching the symbol, you will be prompted to "Talk". By pressing "Done", the app will begin processing the word or phrase dictated.  

                           

Step 2: Upon pressing "Done", the app will proceed to produce your input displayed in your chosen writing style.  

Step 3: The chosen writing style can be changed in the Settings, which are also easily navigated to from the main screen. Additionally, within the Settings, you can change between multiple languages, select translation language, reverse translation, select a background, select a dyslexic option, display upper and lower case letters and turn off speech output if you wish.

Cost...

• The Easy Spelling app is available on Google Play, Amazon Apps and the Apple App Store. 
• Google Play: $3.99
• Amazon Apps: $4.99
• Apple App Store: $5.99

Download Easy Spelling Aid now! 

EASY SPELLING AID

EASY SPELLING AID

   

EASY SPELLING AID

Assistive Technology (AT) to Support Students with Special Needs

Heard of Assistive Technology (AT), but are unsure of what it's all about? New to the field and looking for more information? Or are you just learning to expand your knowledge? 

The following article written by Andrea Parrish for the Kennedy Krieger Institute highlights the most essential basics when delving into the world or assistive technology. Topics covered in the article include, but are not limited to...

• What is AT? 
• Legal Basis for AT
• How AT Has Evolved
• Benefits of AT for Students with Disabilities
• AT Decision-Making: How to Choose the Right Tool

To read the full article click here....

Looking for more information about assistive technology, visit some of my previous posts: 

• Getting Started....What is Assistive Technology?

• Assistive Technology Checklist: What to Consider When Looking at AT

• Assistive Technology: What It Is and How It Works

• The QIAT Top 10

An Epic! Giveaway

Calling all educators...

ENTER NOW

for a chance to

Win iPads for Every Student in Your Class!

Plus, get 6 months of unlimited reading at home with Epic!

(contest ends October 20, 2017)

If you don't already know about Epic!, you are missing out. I was introduced to Epic! by a colleague of mine and since then here has been no looking back. It is by far not only a preferred app by students, but by teachers and parents as well. 

Click here read my previous Friday "Appy" Hour blog post featuring Epic! to learn what it's is all about.

Motivational Monday - Back to School

Here's to a school year filled with high expectations for all students...