Dyslexia Newletter
April 2016
Should there be an App for That?
Let’s face it, education is not what it used to be and nor should it be. Our children’s world is constantly changing, and therefore, education should remain ever growing to meet the needs of the ever-changing world around us.
The IDA (International Dyslexia Association) shared an article based on preliminary results of a literacy intervention using mobile devices for children who either do not have access to school or attend a vastly under-resourced school. Led by the nonprofit Curious Learning and in collaboration between MIT, Tufts University, and Georgia State University, the project reaches over 1000 children in Ethiopia, South Africa, Uganda, India, and the rural United States. The motivation behind this approach is the global need to identify solutions for the 770 million adults in the world who are not literate and to prevent another 170 million children from joining their ranks.
The advantages they found to using mobile devices were touch screens were easy for a small child to use, the interactive screens gave children control over their learning, devices were portable and inexpensive, and could be used in various learning groups and environments.
Unfortunately, very few apps of the thousands they reviewed for teaching literacy failed to qualify either because the information provided is inaccurate or because the app requires an Internet connection, which is not always available in our environments.
Their study concluded the following:
1. A mobile device itself may have certain advantages for young populations of learners, but a deep consideration of the content offered on the device is crucial to improving learning outcomes.
2. Apps must be judged on both their learning content and their design features.
To read more about the article see the link below:
Nessy
Did you know that Nessy has research based apps for students with dyslexia ! Visit www.nessy.com or visit the Apple App Store and type in Nessy.
Did you know....
People with dyslexia have a larger brain due to their overuse of their right hemisphere.
Mrs. Street
Richardson North Junior High
Canyon Creek Elementary
Email: kimberly.street@risd.org
Phone: 469.593.5436