The workshop “Reading and Writing Tools for Students with Learning Disabilities” was presented today at the 2009 Special Education EXPO (6/7/09 – Education Development Centre, Hindmarsh, Adelaide, South Australia).

Students with learning disabilities and difficulties have at their disposal a range of inclusive technologies to support their learning.

The emerging research concerning the use of these technologies indicates their use can make a difference to the learning and educational performance of students who struggle with literacy. Technology is increasingly being used to remove barriers to learning and provide access to knowledge and understanding.

This workshop provided participants with an up-to-date overview of the range of technologies available to support students with reading, writing, research, study and organisation difficulties in upper primary and secondary school settings and beyond. Many of these tools are also of value to students who struggle with their studies because English is not their first language.

Technology in this area changes rapidly and these changes make it difficult to distinguish which tool or combination of tools will best benefit a particular student. This workshop discussed the benefits of key features of these technologies, including text to speech, word prediction, speech to text, portable note taking and alternative digital formats.

Here is a copy of the PowerPoint (in PDF) from today’s workshop: http://gregoconnor.wikispaces.com/file/view/Read+%26+Write+Tools+LD+09.pdf

An additional resource was mentioned in today’s workshop, “The New Rules of Engagment: A Guide to Understanding and Connecting With Generation Y”  by Michael McQueen. For more information go to http://thenexgengroup.com/page/online-store/