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eLearning Series: Learning Disabilities
The Bottom Line On Learning Disabilities
( 50 articles in this series )
Conquer
Some Learning Disabilities
with Computers
Students
with learning disabilities can truly benefit greatly from
using computer technology to aid in learning. It has been shown that LD students can overcome writing difficulties.
The use of computers to improve their skills academically can
also boost their self-esteem and social skills. This can help
the child not feel so different and isolated. The overall performance
of the LD student can markedly improve with the use of computers.
Many LD students will actually surpass in grade that of the
non-LD students once they realize how well they are doing.
The LD student changes their perception of writing once they
realize they no longer need to be apprehensive. This type of
assisted technology has gotten nothing but positive feedback
from student, parents and teachers. This technique gives LD
students a way to see their thinking and see their words while
typing on the computer.
The use of computers with LD students also provides a
tool to see if their thoughts are scattered. Because of its easy
use, kids can go back and fix mistakes, move ideas around,
and subtract and add to them to have them make more sense.
Most students find this much easier than erasing or starting
from scratch all over again. The students have a built in spell
and grammar check to help them correct their papers. There
are also several fonts, sizes, and colors to choose from that
can make it easier for the individual. This type of system
has proven highly effective for those who are dyslexic. Most
schools today have computers at their disposal and even in
the classroom itself, as well as most homes. Computers can
help keep the LD student focused on what they are writing verses
getting bogged down and frustrated with all the little errors
and corrections. It also helps sort out and sequence ideas.
For someone who has a hard time expressing his or her thoughts
through handwriting a word processor can be a lifesaver.
Other
computer uses are in reading systems. This is great
for those who take in verbal information better than nonverbal.
The student can see the text on the screen and have it read
out load by the computer. The visual and verbal stimulation
at the same time can help the student better understand what
is going on with in the material. The student is able to highlight
specific words, sentences, or paragraphs to help them remember
key points or things they need to study harder. There are options
for how many words appear on the screen at once so the student
can work and comprehend at their own pace. Concept mapping
is another computer program that allows those who have a hard
time organizing and integrating their thoughts us a visual
representation. It takes ideas and concepts and connects them
together with arrows or other graphing utilities. It is used
to show the relationship between ideas and can be a great tool
to help start off any writing assignment.
Programs
like word prediction will give the student an option
of words to choose from after typing in a few letters to help
keep spelling frustration down. Many LD students spell using
phonics and therefore make several errors. This type of program
can help a student learn the proper spelling of a word by having
to pick the right choice to put into their document. This cuts
down on time and frustration while getting work done. This
allows the child’s creative flow to keep moving uninterrupted
and still learn the right spelling of high frequency words.
Speech recognition software allows a wide range of LD students
many benefits. This program takes a word that is spoken into
a microphone and converts it to a readable format on the screen.
The student can speak into the microphone in sentences to create
their document instead of having to type. This allows the student
to correct errors as they go and offers the student to better
at reading. They will have to re-read their document thoroughly
to make sure that it makes sense and has no errors. This practice
helps LD students develop their nonverbal skills at the same
time as not hindering them in the typing process if it takes
them too long. Other programs such as talking calculators and
organization programs can also help LD students in their subjects
and organizing their study and work time. Technology today
has incredible benefit for LD students.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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