Answered by Nathalie Paquet-Bélanger Although some research (MacArthur, 2013) has shown that the use of text-to-speech technology improves the performance of students with reading difficulties, this method should not be the first one considered or may not be good for everyone. Here are a few ideas for strategies and tools that could be useful for readers [...]
This video provides viewers with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the key role school administrators play in determining effective reading programs for students with LDs in the area of reading.
Why have a classroom library? Research has shown that classroom libraries improve both the reading skills and motivation of students to read (Allington, 2012; National Council of Teachers of English, 2017; Neuman, 2016). Classroom libraries provide easy access to books and the classroom library may be the main source of reading materials for children from [...]
Independent reading provides students with an opportunity to practice the decoding and comprehension strategies and skills learned during class time on self-selected materials. Not only does independent reading provide additional practice time for students, but it also fosters independence (Johnson & Keire, 2010). TeachHub (n.d.) cites independent reading as the opportunity for students to “dive [...]
This module is intended to provide an introductory overview of the components of reading instruction in the primary years, and how to tailor instruction to meet the needs of struggling readers, some of whom may have learning disabilities (LDs). The module will present the various ways that LDs can affect reading development, and will provide guidance for educators in developing a balanced reading program that supports the needs of all learners while maintaining their motivation to read.
This online module is intended to provide an introduction to literacy, numeracy, executive function, and social and emotional development as well as an introductory overview of Ministry documents such as PPM8 and Learning for All, as they relate to students with learning disabilities.
One of the main reading difficulties people with LDs have is in decoding printed words. People without LDs often use a phonics approach to sound out unfamiliar words but that does not work as well for many people with LDs who have difficulty in phonological processing – that is, in hearing the different sounds in words. They may also have difficulty associating sounds with letters (Lyon, 1995). This, in turn, interferes not only with the ability to sound out unfamiliar words but it also strongly affects spelling – for how could someone spell a word accurately when they do not hear all of the sounds in the word?
Terri Anne Jackson, M.Sc. (Inclusive Education), Ed.D. (Educational Leadership, 2019) Click here to access the transcript of this webinar. As classrooms continue to become increasingly diverse, the role of the classroom teacher becomes increasingly complex. Trying to meet the needs of all learners, including those with learning disabilities, often leaves teachers feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. [...]
Writing is one of the most complex tasks for all students, and particularly for students with LDs. In this section of the module, we will consider four stages of the writing process (planning, composing, revising, and sharing) and technological tools that prove effective at each stage. For each stage, educators may select different technological tools depending on the learning objectives targeted.
The act of reading draws on many different processes simultaneously. A reader must decode words, know what they mean, understand words when they are strung together in sentences, understand the use of pronouns, make connections between ideas using relationship markers, create mental pictures, make inferences, sum up information, and so forth. The right technological tools can make a significant difference to students who struggle with reading.
