Teaching Ideas

Ghotit is a fantastic program not just for Dyslexic children but for
any child who struggles with writing, spelling and grammar. Allowing
children to use the Ghotit program when writing will ensure that
errors are picked up instantly and the correct changes made. This
software will not only give your students confidence in their writing
ability but encourage them to take more chances with an expanded
vocabulary.

Ghotit could be used for all writing tasks across any KLA. Be careful
however to ensure your students do not get caught up in the
program instead of the writing task at hand. Consequently, we feel
the program would be best used as an editing tool.
Whilst there is an online version of Ghotit, your school can also sign
up for free and get Ghotit for word installed on every computer. DO
IT TODAY!!!

WordTalk
WordTalk converts Microsoft Word into a text-to-speech system. It
consequentially has the potential to support reading in many ways.
Furthermore, because it uses synchronized word-by-word
highlighting, it dramatically builds sight-word recognition. As a
result, content becomes accessible and students become
independent. They no longer have to wait for people to read to
them. WordTalk can also convert text to mp3 files making text
portable (CALL Scotland, 2010).
WordTalk also has the potential to support writing however. When
students hear their words read back to them they recognise
problems in ways they simply cannot while reading print. They hear
repeated and missing words. They hear repetitive words. They hear
issues with sentence structure, even issues with description.

On the other hand, the generic voices may not use/portray the
correct expression. This has the potential to mislead or confuse
students if relied on too heavily.
Teaching Ideas
The possible uses of this program in the classroom are endless. For
example, why not use it in reading groups as an alternative to the
traditional comprehension worksheet (which are often confusing
and arduous for Dyslexic students). Provide students with a
scaffolded activity in Word which will enable them to listen to the
questions and their responses as many times as they need.
You could also use the program to facilitate grammar lessons.
Select a text currently being studied in the classroom and using the
highlighting tool, encourage students to locate language features
within the text (nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns).

Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 scans a printed document,
displays the page just as it appears in the
original document (e.g., book, magazine),
with all of the colour graphics and pictures
intact. It then reads the document out loud
while highlighting the image of the print as it is
being read. It essentially does what a reading
teacher does - reading to a pupil while Figure 1 http://www.bridges-
pointing out exactly what is being read canada.com/images/product/kurz
weil3000box.jpg
(Cambium Learning Group, 2010).
Your students can essentially bring in a library book or article, scan
the material and then listen to it. It is also possible to change the
voice and speed that the program reads to suit each individual
child. The software also comes with a CD that contains numerous
words available to be read without scanning.
One drawback to the product is that scanning each page of text
when reading a book is extremely time consuming and takes a
large amount of computer space. It is however a wonderful tool that
has the potential to give your students a sense of independence.
Clicker 4 by Crick Software
Clicker Writer is a talking word processor. You can type into it just
like any word processor. When you complete a sentence, the
sentence is spoken using one of the clear voices included. If you
like, you can have each word spoken as it is entered, or even each
letter (Spectronics, 2010).
Setup like an onscreen keyboard,
each key (or cell) can hold a letter,
word, phrase or picture. As the
students click on each cell, the
text/graphic in the cell is sent into
the built-in-word processor – Clicker
Writer. Alternatively, the text can be
sent to any other word processing
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License software already installed on your
http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/product/35
computer (Spectronics, 2010).
Cells can also speak their text and students are given the option of
recording their own voice directly into a cell.
Clicker 4 is a fantastic program which offers students scaffolding in
their writing. With access to an unlimited number of words of
pictures, it is suitable for students of all ages.
Time would need to be taken however in the setting up of this
keyboard for students. Careful consideration would need to be
given to what words/pictures are needed on any given day.

Teaching Ideas
Amazingly easy to use and create, why not use words from reading
books or the current topic in your classroom. Lots of ready-made
grids are also included with the program, and hundreds more are
available online.

Clicker is also a powerful tool for designing multimedia

presentations which could be enhanced through the use of digital
photographs, sound and video. For example, children could make a
simple talking book or create collaborative onscreen presentations.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Dragon Naturally Speaking is a program which turns your speech
into writing on the screen. It lets students dictate their writing faster
than typing and with a high rate of accuracy. It is particularly
beneficial for Dyslexic students as it enables them to verbalise their
ideas free from the constraints of writing (Nuance Australia, 2010).
Teaching Ideas
This software would be particularly useful during the production of
text types. It allows the focus to be taken off spelling and grammar
and instead placed on the structure of the text.

PM Story Books
PM Story Books Software provides a range of texts at different
reading levels for use in the primary school classroom.
- Students are able to view text and illustrations whilst listening
to the stories.
- Can click on individual words to hear them read aloud.
- Utilises both male and female Australian voices.
(Greygum Software, n.d).
Teaching Ideas
This software would be perfect
for Reading Groups. Small
groups of children could explore
the text together free of the
need for teacher supervision.
Figure 2http://www.freefoto.com/images/04/34/04_34_14---
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