I am wondering if anyone has any experience with using technology (i.e. computers, software programs, etc.) to help students with LD succeed academically? I read an earlier post about an IEP requiring digital text for all course materials and wondered if anyone has had success with other methods or programs?
I appreciate your help!
Chris
Re: Technology Help?
There’s a wealth of information on the internet about this topic. Look at the cast.org website especially “Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age.” Also refer to Shaywitz’ book, “Overcoming Dyslexia” as she has many references to assistive technology.
What exactly are you looking for? Email me privately - I may be able to help as I’m an assistive technology/educational technology consultant who specializes in working with students with high incidence disabilities (learning and cognitive). In addition, I have a high school son who has a language based learning disability and a foster son who has cognitive disabilities.
Karen
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It’s a complicated question — like every other aspect of figuring out how to teach our kids :-)
A good place to start is the SETT framework, where you figure out the specific needs of the student (because even similar needs will benefit from different technology in a slightly different situation).
You can find info about SETT at http://sweb.uky.edu/~jszaba0/JoyZabala.html — it’s not specific to LD issues, but it is a big mistake to look for a recipe for “technology for LD students.” IT just ain’t that simple.
Generally (as I mentioned in that other thread about the text-to-speech) somebody has to establish at the beginning, and then consistently follow through and reinforce, that the technology doesn’t jus thave to be provided; everybody involved in the setting where it’s used needs to understand at least enough to help it fit in. The kiddo needs training in it *and* practice — and then more training when s/he’s good at the basics. The teacher and admins need to figure out how to set up the class situation so it’s not a total inconvenience and a hassle to use it. (Folks may remember the saga of a certain child of a parent on these boards who finally succeeded in getting an AlphaSmart — but not the cable so it could be hooked up to a printer!!)
There is also an entire section of this website in LD In Depth about technology; there’s also a good listserv about Assistive Technology topics so everybody doesn’t need a master’s degree in it :-)