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Session Information

9:00 - 9:40am (room 1, 2 & 3)

Room 1: Technology Checklist for a Dyslexia Friendly Classroom

Presenter(s): Shirley Lawson, CALL Scotland

Suitable for: Primary & Secondary


Technology can make a big difference for pupils with literacy difficulties arising from dyslexia. With so many more devices in the hands of all learners in school we have a fantastic opportunity to use digital technology to help learners overcome barriers, to promote inclusion, to raise attainment and importantly, to help boost the self-esteem and confidence of those who are struggling to keep up with their peers.

In this workshop, Shirley will provide a reminder to all on what technologies can create a Dyslexia Friendly Classroom.  What are the areas of difficulties of your learners? That will be the starting point and there will be solutions provided as to what you can do to use technology to make life a bit easier for your dyslexic pupils. It will be a whirlwind run through of technologies to support reading, writing, spelling and organisation based on all the fab information on our new free downloadable poster by Craig Mill, CALL Scotland. 

https://www.callscotland.org.uk/assets/files/a-technology-guide-to-creating-a-dyslexia-friendly-classroom.pdf

 

Room 2: Supporting students' literacy & learning at school and home with Texthelp tools

Presenter(s): Andrew Campbell, Texthelp

Suitable for: Primary & Secondary


Read&Write is a comprehensive literacy support tool that offers help for everyday reading and writing tasks. It has a variety of different features which are designed to meet the needs of different learners across the curriculum.  For example, having text read out loud, understanding unfamiliar words and proofing written work.  OrbitNote makes PDFs accessible and it has many features which can assist learners when using a digital exam paper.

In this workshop, Andrew will demo the Read&Write software /extension and explain in detail how this literacy tool provides excellent support to all students at school and home. He will discuss how OrbitNote can support the use of online Chromebooks in exams. Andrew will be joined by a special guest to explore the practical application of these tools in the classroom.

Room 3: Using Core Words to support communication in the classroom with the CALL Core Word Kit

Presenter(s): Claire Harrison, CALL Scotland and Ceanna McGregor, Greenburn School

Suitable for: Primary & Secondary, Special Schools, ASN bases


The Core Word kit is available for Scottish schools to borrow via the CALL Scotland equipment loan bank. As well as Assistive Technology equipment, there are printable learning materials available for anyone to download and use.
In this workshop, Claire and Ceanna will explore why we might consider implementing a Core Word approach as a universal tool to support learners with communication difficulties and find out about the resources available within the kit. 
Ceanna McGregor, Principal Teacher in a specialist provision in East Kilbride, will share her experiences implementing a  Core Word approach with her cohort of learners and reflect on introducing the learning activities included in the CALL Core Word kit. Claire Harrison, Assistive Technology & Complex Needs Development Officer at CALL Scotland, will explore the kit and explain how schools can access the downloadable materials and arrange to borrow the kit.