Using Standard Technology to Enhance Learning: Part 3

Using Standard Technology to Enhance Learning: Part 3

By Lisa Wahl, M.A.

You probably know about assistive technology (AT) tools that can help students with learning disabilities (LD) with reading, writing, math, listening and organization. Perhaps you have purchased educational software for your child. However, you may not be aware of the extent to which the computer hardware and software you already own may include several features and functions that can improve your child's academic performance. In this article, we will explore how electronic text can be adapted to assist students with LD. The use of standard technologies to enhance and support reading can benefit students as young as third-graders, throughout their education, and into the working world. You and your child will want to experiment with the techniques described in this article to find those that help him most.

Line spacing and page layout

Some students are able to read more easily with fewer words on the screen or page. Increasing the width of the margins and double spacing are two methods you can easily try. If you are going to print the text because your child prefers working from a hard copy, leaving a lot of room on one side for notes, diagrams or drawings can be helpful.

As you and your child experiment with different combinations of font, size, color and line spacing, remember that what reads best to you may not be what reads best for your child. Once you discover modifications that help your child, make note of them and remind your child to use them. If your child works on a computer at school, you'll also want to share this information with his teachers.

Customizing text: Reorganizing and editing

Electronic versions of text allow a parent or teacher to rearrange or add to the information presented, in order to reduce the child's frustration and/or increase his comprehension of material. For example, an article on geology may be broken up into shorter paragraphs. After each paragraph, you might insert key questions about the facts, along with room for the student to type the answers. You might also insert a summary before the actual text, to give the child a "preview" of the text that follows. For a student who needs a reduced amount of text to read, you might eliminate less important material, such as details not essential to understanding the concepts presented.

Tip: Electronic sources of summaries and test questions can be found online from sources such as SparkNotes.

Text to speech: The computer reads the text aloud

Software that converts text to speech may be helpful if your child is a struggling reader but an effective listener. According to a review of the research by the National Center for Innovative Technology, when the computer reads "a nonjudgmental learning environment is created, where a student can reread the same passage with a fluent model as frequently as needed."

Having the computer read text aloud is a strategy that can be used in a number of ways. A student who struggles with decoding may increase comprehension as a result of an auditory pre-reading and/or post-reading. Some children may find specific words difficult and will only need to hear those words read aloud. Some programs highlight each word as it is read aloud, offering the reinforcement of reading and listening together.

One way to have a computer read text is to use speech features within a program you may already own, such as Inspiration®, Kidspiration®, AppleWorks®, StoryBook Weaver Deluxe®, and KidPix Deluxe®. You can use these programs to highlight and read aloud electronic.

Books you download may be formatted for the free Microsoft Reader software for the PC, which maintains the look of the original book (page numbers and graphics), and offers book-marking and other helpful features. Microsoft Reader offers a free Text-to-Speech Package for speech access.

Using Standard Technology to Enhance Learning: Part 2

Using Standard Technology to Enhance Learning: Part 2

By Lisa Wahl, M.A.

You probably know about assistive technology (AT) tools that can help students with learning disabilities (LD) with reading, writing, math, listening and organization. Perhaps you have purchased educational software for your child. However, you may not be aware of the extent to which the computer hardware and software you already own may include several features and functions that can improve your child's academic performance. In this article, we will explore how electronic text can be adapted to assist students with LD. The use of standard technologies to enhance and support reading can benefit students as young as third-graders, throughout their education, and into the working world. You and your child will want to experiment with the techniques described in this article to find those that help him most.

Changing the appearance of text

The key to changing the appearance of electronic text is to determine which modifications enhance readability for your child. Readability refers to a level of comfort and ease in recognizing letters and words that goes beyond mere legibility. Readability does not mean comprehension, but, by reducing the decoding load, it can increase reading comprehension for some students.

Font style and size

For a student who struggles with reading, you may want to experiment with different font (typeface) styles and sizes to find combinations that make reading electronic text easier for the child.

Research has revealed contradictory findings regarding the use of fonts for reading on the computer. One debate hinges on the use of font styles that contain serifs, which are the little horizontal lines at the tops and bottoms of characters or letters. (A "sans serif" font does not include serifs.) Some students find a serif font (such as Times Roman) easier to read on-screen because the serifs provide additional visual clues and eliminate confusion. Other surveys show more people prefer a sans serif font for reading on-screen text.2 Your child may prefer serif on paper and non-serif on the screen and may also prefer reading one size font on paper and a different size font on-screen.

Tip: Lexia is a free sans serif font that includes a non-symmetrical b and d (i.e., the b does not look like a backward d), and handwritten forms of a and g, which readers may recognize more easily.

Font color and background color

Font color or background color may be changed to enhance readability. Research indicates the preferred color combinations, both in print and on the Web, vary by the individual. Hill & Scharff (1997) found that while the majority of a large audience of Internet users preferred reading black text on a white or gray background, or blue text on a white background, some users reported that white on blue or red on white were clearest for them.

Your child may benefit from experimenting with different combinations.

Technology tips:

- Microsoft Word has an option (under Preferences>General) for changing contrast between the text and background. It provides a dark-blue background with white print. Once you've activated the blue background, you can select text and change the color. You might try the yellow or light yellow.

- Several free word processors allow a variety of background colors. TexEdit Plus is a free Macintosh word processor that has excellent speech. Jarte is a free word processor for Windows.

Using Standard Technology to Enhance Learning: Part 1

Using Standard Technology to Enhance Learning: Part 1

By Lisa Wahl, M.A.

You probably know about assistive technology (AT) tools that can help students with learning disabilities (LD) with reading, writing, math, listening and organization. Perhaps you have purchased educational software for your child. However, you may not be aware of the extent to which the computer hardware and software you already own may include several features and functions that can improve your child's academic performance. In this article, we will explore how electronic text can be adapted to assist students with LD. The use of standard technologies to enhance and support reading can benefit students as young as third-graders, throughout their education, and into the working world. You and your child will want to experiment with the techniques described in this article to find those that help him most.

What is electronic text, and where can you find it?

Type the words "electronic text" into Google and you will find hundreds of collections of books, articles, and other text. Electronic (i.e., computer-displayed) text can be customized to support a student's individual learning preferences and needs. Although we still live in a world of print on paper, the amount of electronic text is growing daily.

Customizing electronic text to meet a child's needs

In this article, we will explore various ways to adapt electronic text to assist students with LD using standard technologies. You may be surprised to learn how much you can do with software you already own!

First, you'll need to locate appropriate electronic text. (See resources for locating electronic text on the Internet). Next, you will want to review your options for customizing the material to meet your child's needs.

The text on the computer screen can be copied and pasted into your word processor in a variety of ways, depending on the file you're working with:

- A plain text file can be downloaded and opened using a word processor.

- A PDF file can be downloaded and opened using Acrobat Reader. Some PDF files allow text to be selected and pasted into a word processor.

- An HTML file can be opened using any browser. Again, you may be able to select, copy and paste the text into a word processor.

- Less commonly, an electronic text document may have been formatted for specific software or devices, such as Microsoft Reader or a Palm device. These will only be useful if you have the software or device.

Once you have accessed the electronic text using one of the methods described above, you can then modify the material to make it more accessible for your child. For example, text in a word processor can be changed in appearance, reorganized or supplemented, read aloud by the computer, or used to generate portable audio versions.

Happy Memorial Day 2012

Happy Memorial Day

We should never forget what our soldiers have sacrificed for our freedom.  Every child can get the "Best Education Possible" because that is what makes this country GREAT! Have a wonderful day and never forget!

From: Best Education Possible

Debra E. West

Rock to Sleep

According to an article in the June 2012  issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, to sweeten your summer siesta, head for the hammock.  When scientist at the University of Geneva monitored the brain waves of nappers on two different days.  One experiment had the subjects sleeping in a stationary bed, the other as they rested in a bed that slowly swayed from side to side.  They found that rocking helped participants go from awake to fully asleep 3.5 minutes faster on average.  It also had a surprisingly powerful effect on brain waves, leading to more time spent in deep, restorative shut-eye. 

The reason:

The part of the brain that receives information on motion and balance is stimulated by a swinging motion, which may reinforce the types of waves characteristic of deeper sleep, say the authors.  And thanks to the sounder rest, hammock hours might boost performance and well-being while you're awake.

10 Tips For Parents

Most parents want to be the best parent they can possibly be. Getting the "Best Education Possible" is a large part of a parent's responsibility. Below are 10 suggestions from my book, A Parent's Handbook: How to Get the Best Education Possible for Your Child K-6 Grades:


1. Ensure your child is at school every day he/she can be there. Arrive on time. When children arrive late they miss important information and the teacher usually has a routine that gets the children ready for the day.

2. Be a good, positive, role model. Speak positively about school and the teacher. Make sure your child understands the importance of doing their best work. Remember your child is always watching you and will follow your lead.

3. Make sure your child gets 8-12 hours of sleep every night. When children are tired, they cannot learn new concepts or do their best work.

4. Make sure your child's clothes and self are neat and clean. Teeth and hair should be brushed daily. Children and teachers notice when a child is not physically managed well. It also helps a child's self-esteem to feel good about their appearance.

5. Turn the TV/Computer/Video Games off during the week and talk to your child. Listen to your child and show interest in what they say. Read together every evening and make it a habit.

6. Try to eat dinner at the same time every evening and discuss the day with your child. Studies show children who sit down and eat meals with family members do better in school.

7. Help your child feel loved with praise, hugs, and kisses. Never expect too much or too little from your child because it will result in frustration for you and your child.

8. Discipline when necessary. Be consistent. Always focus on the behavior not the child. Children are not "bad" they sometimes do "bad things". When you constantly make a child feel like they are "bad", they certainly will live up to your expectations.

9. Stay involved with your child's interest and know your child's friend. Monitor facebook, myspace, and other social networks. Make sure your child is aware of all the dangers and pitfalls that come with these sites.

10. Spend personal time and love and enjoy your child. They grow up so fast. Make sure your child is getting some physical exercise outside of school. Ride bikes, take walks, or play ball and build strong relationships with your child when they are young, and as they get older it will hopefully pay off.

Summer Reading

Summer Reading

Throughout the school year, your child's teacher has work extremely hard to improve reading readiness, fluency, and comprehension.  Over the summer, students that do not read will lose 10-20 words toward fluency from the ending of the school year.  Please make sure your child is reading at least 15-30 minutes a day for younger children and 30-60 minutes for older children.  Make sure they are reading on their independent reading level.  Another good summer reading idea is to get books that are 1 to 3 grade levels above your child's reading level and read it aloud every evening.  You should see a remarkable difference in all academic areas if these reading ideas are implemented over the summer.  Research show that children who read at home perform in the top 10% of their class and standardize testing.  So, make sure your child is reading this summer to meet academic success to be college and career ready for the future.