CPD – The Positive Impact of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability that makes it hard to read, write, understand, and sometimes do math. Even though its main problem is reading, it’s actually not caused by eye problems but by how the brain works. The main issue is with phonological processing, which means the brain has trouble recognising and working with the sounds in words. That is why it is harder to understand spoken and written words. But, with assistive technology for dyslexia, this problem can be overcome.

This type of technology is a must-have in traditional schools. That way, students with dyslexia can keep up with the study pace set by educators. This, paired with support from teachers and families, will help them have an overall better experience in learning.

How Dyslexia Affects Studying

Dyslexia can affect studying by making reading, writing and comprehension difficult. It can impact emotions and organisational skills. This is important to take note of as studying is not just about learning. It’s a mix of experience and gaining knowledge. So, if you analyse how those with dyslexia experience studying, you’ll discover that for many, it’s a cycle of struggle. With this cycle where struggling with learning leads to more mistakes, it then causes a loss of confidence over time.

To know how assistive technology for dyslexia supports those who have dyslexia, you’ll first need to be aware of the struggles they go through. They come across the following hurdles during study sessions:

Reading and Writing Challenges

First, dyslexia makes it hard to read and understand words. This means it takes them longer to finish reading compared to their classmates. This slows the process of learning and makes them fall behind in their class. Aside from reading, students with dyslexia have trouble with writing and spelling words, so writing essays and other tasks becomes more difficult.

Comprehension and Memory Problems

Because reading is difficult, students may also have trouble understanding what they read. This makes learning harder. When they don't understand lessons, they might struggle to pass exams and answer even simple questions. Since they didn’t fully understand the material, remembering lessons becomes a challenge. This, in turn, hinders the student from moving forward to the next lesson.

Emotional and Social Impact

Because of these challenges, students may often make mistakes, which can make them targets of bullying. This makes them feel anxious, stressed, or frustrated. As a result, they might avoid studying because they feel overwhelmed or scared of making more mistakes. 

So this is where the cycle happens. Difficulty in learning leads to mistakes, and mistakes lead to bullying. Bullying, in turn, makes students want to avoid school. Now, avoiding school causes even more learning struggles, and the cycle continues.

Assistive Technology for Dyslexia

Assistive technology for dyslexia includes special tools and programs that help people with dyslexia read, write, and understand better. These tools are made to help people overcome the problems they face because of dyslexia. This then makes it easier for them to learn and keep up with their peers. 

These tools are a great help for students as well as for teachers. It makes learning easier and supports teachers in teaching. Moreover, there are multiple types of technology for dyslexia to assist and cater to the needs of each individual.

Types of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia

Assistive Technology for Dyslexia can be broken into three types: Physical Aids, Digital Tools, and Educational Support. Physical Aids are things you can hold or use, like special pens or tools, to help with reading, writing, and other tasks. On the other hand, digital Tools are apps or programs on a computer or phone that make learning easier. Educational Support means help from teachers, like special programs or strategies, to help students with dyslexia learn better.

• Educational Support
  • Accommodations: Adjustments like extra time on tests, oral exams, or simplified instructions to ensure students have a fair chance to succeed.
  • Multisensory Learning: Teaching methods that involve sight, touch, hearing, and movement, such as using flashcards, hands-on activities, or interactive tools.
  • Personalised Learning Plans: Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) or tailored lessons designed to address a student’s specific challenges and strengths.
• Physical Aids
  • Prescription Glasses: These glasses are prescribed by eye doctors to help lessen the strain on the eye.
  • Reading Rulers: This type of assistive technology for dyslexia is like rulers that students can use while reading. Since dyslexia makes it hard to focus on a line of text, these rulers help by highlighting one line at a time. This prevents skipping lines and makes reading less overwhelming.
  • Smart Pen: This pen records what the teacher says while students take notes. Later, they can tap their notes to hear the recording, making it easier to review lessons.
• Digital Tool
  • Text-to-Speech (TTS): Software that reads text aloud, helping students understand written material without struggling to read it themselves.
  • Fonts: Dyslexia-friendly fonts like OpenDyslexic use special designs to make letters easier to distinguish and read.
  • Audiobooks: Since reading is a struggle, using recorded books can help. Students can listen and help them access stories and information without needing to read the text.

Course Summary

The course CPD – The Positive Impact of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia is about giving teachers and parents the tools and strategies they need to support students with dyslexia. You’ll learn how to understand their challenges and strengths, use assistive technology to make learning easier, and teach reading and writing effectively. The course also covers creating personalised learning plans and includes practical activities to help in the classroom. 

It’s a great resource for teachers, families, and anyone who wants to help dyslexic learners thrive. Moreover, this course is easy to follow, even for individuals with dyslexia who want to learn ways to support themselves. After completing this course, participants will have a better understanding of dyslexia. They’ll also gain practical tools and exercises to support dyslexic students in the classroom or at home.

Course Topics

This course is made to help people understand and use special tools and technology that make learning easier for those with dyslexia. Through lectures, simple activities, and real-life examples, you will learn how these tools can make learning and daily life better. Additionally, each part of the course focuses on one topic that can give you tips and ideas that you can use right away to help others feel more included and supported.

1. Introduction to Dyslexia: Explore the characteristics, challenges, and unique strengths of students with dyslexia to better understand their learning needs.
2. Assistive Technology for Dyslexia: Learn about practical tools and resources that support reading, writing, and learning for students with dyslexia.
3. Teaching Strategies for Reading and Writing: Discover effective methods to help dyslexic students improve their literacy skills and succeed academically.
4. Developing Personalised Learning Plans: Learn how to create tailored educational plans that address the individual challenges and strengths of dyslexic learners.
5. Practical Exercises and Classroom Activities: Participate in hands-on exercises and activities designed to improve classroom support for students with dyslexia.

Entry Requirement

No experience or qualifications are required for this course. It’s open to anyone who wants to learn how technology can help people with dyslexia. Additionally, you don’t need any special tools or materials, just a willingness to learn is a big step forward. Whether you're a teacher, a family member of someone with dyslexia, or someone with dyslexia yourself, this course is perfect for you.

Final Thoughts

Dyslexia is often called a learning disability, but it’s just a different way of thinking and learning. While some might see it as a flaw, people with dyslexia have a creative way of doing things. Their abilities may not match the traditional ways, but that’s what makes them think differently. They often solve problems in unique ways because that’s how they navigate through life.

The College of Contract Management offers the course CPD – The Positive Impact of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia to help teachers and families brighten the path for individuals with dyslexia. Start your journey with us now!

The schedule for the CPD – The Positive Impact of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia is almost finalised. All course tools and materials will be provided during the lecture to support your learning. For any assistance, please reach out to our team through email or live chat for prompt help.