Whether you are working with elementary students or college students with dyslexia there are many innovative tech tools that can make a huge difference in his or her ability to communicate and learn. A simple iPad in the hands of a young person who is dyslexic can be a “complete game changer” according to fifth-grade teacher and producer of the HBO documentary, “The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia“, Kyle Redford.
Dyslexia expert, Martha Youman, says that oftentimes the challenge is with educators who may think that “using technology with dyslexics is somehow cheating.” She suggests, “schools must let go of expectations that each student is going to get to the same place in the same way.” Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center (SALT) at the University of Arizona has used technology with their students since it’s inception 30 years ago. They have had great success helping students with note-taking, email organization, and managing their technology all through technical tools.
Recently, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) came out with their 25 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning for 2015. The apps were chosen because they foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration.
This week we highlight The UnStealer. Who would steal “un’s”? The UnStealer of course! “The UnStealer is a story about a thief who sneaks into situations and steals the “un” from the front of descriptive words ultimately turning negative events and feelings into positive ones.” You could even challenge your students to write their own stories using other prefixes!
The app is recommended for early Elementary K-2 students. It is available on IOS and Android for $3.99. Keep on the look out for “un’s” in this introduction video:
Cambridge-Isanti Schools will be one of three school districts in the state to be featured on the national television series In View. This program is hosted by CNN anchor Larry King and is broadcast in local, regional and national markets, reaching over 80 million households. The profile series features educational programming; specifically, Cambridge-Isanti Schools will be featured as part of a series on public education and its impact on economic systems and stability. Being the series is nonprofit in nature, fund raising is taking place with prominence given to sponsors. Get all of the details here.
Excerpt from the Isanti County News, October 28, 2015.
Recently, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) came out with their 25 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning for 2015. The apps were chosen because they foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration.
This week we highlight Seamus Heaney: Five Fables. Remember Aesop’s Fables? This app brings those tales to life! “Students will be able to look at the original language, as well as modern English while at the same time viewing animations of the fables.”
The app is recommended for upper Elementary (3-5) students. It is available on IOS for $11.99. This video gives you a quick introduction to the app:
Have you heard of ReadWriteThink, and more importantly, have teachers and parents heard about it? If you work in a school media center or public library, feel free to point users to this site, as it is a gem.
A few facts about this plethora of materials:
Site is assembled by the International Literacy Association
886 lesson plans, 58 student interactives, 106 activities & projects, 23 games & tools, and 25 tips & how-to’s
Audience: Educators, parents, and communities
Tip:Tool bar on the left side of the page allows you to search and filter by interest area and audience
228 resources are available for professional development
At the bottom of the tool bar, check out themes and note that there are 75 resources there specific to holidays!
Partnering with libraries for visioning, advocating, and educating
Whether you are working with elementary students or college students with dyslexia there are many innovative tech tools that can make a huge difference in his or her ability to communicate and learn. A simple iPad in the hands of a young person who is dyslexic can be a “complete game changer” according to fifth-grade teacher and producer of the HBO documentary, “The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia“, Kyle Redford.
