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Reading Partners
Education Dive
Translating dyslexia support to distance learning a challenge, but not impossible
Shawna De La Rosa
Nov. 4, 2020
Dive Brief:
Dyslexia interventions can be replicated virtually with online sensory
tools and assistive technology, District Administration reports, noting
applications that allow for interactive learning also help students
engage in distance learning environments.
Zoom, for example, has annotation tools that give students interactive
capabilities, and using them to highlight, underline, and draw symbols
can help students break down words and sentences to demonstrate their
understanding. Similar tools are also helpful for students who lack the
motor skills to write or use a mouse.
Sound production is more difficult to replicate through a computer, so
teachers may need to repeat themselves and try not to speak too fast.
However, distance learning also allows educators to teach mask-free,
which makes it easier for students to understand what the instructor is
saying.
Dive Insight:
When teaching students with dyslexia through online learning platforms,
educators should assess their existing resources. Technology help is
often available through school specialists or online webinars hosted by
the creators of the software. Using any existing strategies that can
easily transition to distance learning will maintain consistency. It’s
also important to reach out to parents who may not know the best way to
help their dyslexic child succeed.
The Orton-Gillingham approach — which teaches students how to decode
words — converts well into a remote setting. For example, when using
the phonogram card drill, instructors can hold the cards up to the
camera. By using the mirror setting, they can also see what the
students are seeing and be sure it reads correctly to the student.
Instructors can use a document camera to conduct the blending drill.
For younger students, the digital letter tiles can be set up in piles.
Educators can share the screen with students so they can add the
letters ll, ss, ff or zz for floss words. Slideshows are also helpful
if lessons need to be repeated, though it may take some time to build.
Online white boards and annotation tools work well for marking vowels
and syllables.
Dyslexia impacts an estimated 5% to 10% of the population, and as many
as 80% of those with poor reading skills are dyslexic. Students with
dyslexia are sometimes misidentified as being cognitively slow, but
many believe the contrary — that dyslexic students are often gifted.
Gifted students with dyslexia are considered “twice exceptional,” which
may require a personalized learning plan.
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