Reflections on Dyslexia
Mark Le Messurier
"I'd like to change the world so that no one feels left behind or diminished."
Joan Kirner, 2007
Great Assistive Software worth exploring...
Free Natural Reader Version11
Talks text from anywhere out loud to listen to - simple and free - http://www.naturalreaders.com/pc_nr11.php
Free 7 StickyNotes
Great way to help everyone plan, stay on task, finish and remember - http://www.7stickynotes.com/
Speak Selection tool on iPhones, iPads andiPods
It can read out loud any text sent to you or gathered from web pages
Dragon SpeakingNaturally Premium Edition
http://voice-recognition-software-review.toptenreviews.com/dragon-naturally-speaking-review.html
New generation software, Dragon NaturallySpeaking can now convert what is being said into print that instantly appears on to the screen. The future is here and the price is affordable. Dragon NaturallySpeaking for Windows allows students to say exactly what they are thinking and get an immediate written result. Training the program doesn't take long, although younger students (middle primary age) require a planned training program. Sixteen year old Rhodri, identified with dyslexia and dyspraxia, recorded his experience with Dragon NaturallySpeaking...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXHawlHLmtI
Audacity
Free recorder – great to record ideas into or to record assignments - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Jake, driven by his aversion for reading, has always had a sixth sense at discovering 'freeware' to convert text to speech. Here are several sites worth looking at –
Help Read, http://helpread.net/
Microsoft Reader PC, http://www.microsoft.com/reader/
Cliptalk, http://fullmeasure.co.uk/
Nextup, http://www.nextup.com
These new technologies are revolutionizing how information can be gathered and delivered by students. In fact, Jake used his Dragon NaturallySpeaking in exams as a part of his special provisions. The technology is here.
The biggest issue? Are we adaptable enough as educators to accept the challenge and learn how to use these technologies ourselves?
Next: Conclusion + useful website links
Reflections on Dyslexia navigation