Lately, I've heard a lot of teachers tell me that they cannot use many programs with their special education students. They give me a variety of reasons: they just can't handle the distraction, they need the pieces of paper, they aren't comfortable with the technology, it takes them too long to do what I need them to do. This has caused me to want to share with expertise in this area more.
Myth: Special Ed Students cannot be successful in a paperless classroom.
Fact: Tools exist that make paper obsolete when it comes to students with special needs.
Why many people think paper based materials are better for special education students:
Why going paperless can help your students with learning needs:
OneNote Class Notebook with Learning Tools: Immersive reader is an all in one tool that can read back writing, mask, and change the look of the page. Student can even have words broken down by syllables and highlight parts of speech. Learn more about this helpful tool here. I personally feel that OneNote Learning Tools with Immersive Reader is a life changing piece of software that will help every student.
Google Chrome Extensions:
Open Dyslexic – replaces all online fonts with a font that is easier to read by dyslexic people.
Co:Writer- use with district login- advanced predictive writing, reads text back
Annoucify- Read Text aloud on any web page or article
Voice Instead- Read Text aloud on any web page or article
Grammarly- spelling and grammar check
Ginger- reword and rephrases writing for you
Simple Blocker- set up timers that allow you to not access time wasting websites when you should be working
Visor- masking and screen dimming
BeeLine Reader- subtle color transitions eases online reading, makes reading faster
Mercury Reader- Clean up web pages and provide distraction free online reading spaces
Other Helpful Tools:
Looking for a clean place to type without distractions: calmlywriter.com
Looking to quickly reword text and a lower Lexile level: rewordify.com
Myth: Special Ed Students cannot be successful in a paperless classroom.
Fact: Tools exist that make paper obsolete when it comes to students with special needs.
Why many people think paper based materials are better for special education students:
- Instant access, no work on student part to gain materials
- Ability to highlight/mark up text
- Can be easily collected and returned for students
- Need to see everything right in front them
- Using a computer is too hard for them
- Computer could be distracting for students with attention issues (see below why this reason makes it more important than ever to start use technology now!)
Why going paperless can help your students with learning needs:
- Online syncing of documents can make them accessible across multiple platforms. You can’t lose online work like you can lose a piece of paper. If you have your computer, you have everything. You can’t forget an item either.
- Ability to highlight/ mark up text in a variety of colors and formats
- Teachers can see and leave feedback in real time or later. You don’t have to wait until it is collected to monitor and assist
- Learning Tools and Google Extensions read text out loud, allow for dictation, provide for word prediction, mask line by line, and change colors to assist with student visual processing.
- Any text can be read to student with adjustable rate, tone, and replay
- Introduction of video and audio in addition to written word to provide differentiation
- Also for repetition of ideas and concepts without teacher intervention
- Built in interactives can illustrate an idea
- Using Computers and Technology is a necessary LIFE SKILL – Start helping them now learn how to
- Use the computer without distraction.
In the real world, they may get a computer with access to the internet. Will they be able to hold that job if they don’t know how to manage their time and impulses? I have talked to young people in the job market who discuss how this is a challenge! - Use the computer to help provide themselves with the information and assistance they need
These tools can be used outside of the classroom to support themselves and life and work
- Use the computer without distraction.
OneNote Class Notebook with Learning Tools: Immersive reader is an all in one tool that can read back writing, mask, and change the look of the page. Student can even have words broken down by syllables and highlight parts of speech. Learn more about this helpful tool here. I personally feel that OneNote Learning Tools with Immersive Reader is a life changing piece of software that will help every student.
Google Chrome Extensions:
Open Dyslexic – replaces all online fonts with a font that is easier to read by dyslexic people.
Co:Writer- use with district login- advanced predictive writing, reads text back
Annoucify- Read Text aloud on any web page or article
Voice Instead- Read Text aloud on any web page or article
Grammarly- spelling and grammar check
Ginger- reword and rephrases writing for you
Simple Blocker- set up timers that allow you to not access time wasting websites when you should be working
Visor- masking and screen dimming
BeeLine Reader- subtle color transitions eases online reading, makes reading faster
Mercury Reader- Clean up web pages and provide distraction free online reading spaces
Other Helpful Tools:
Looking for a clean place to type without distractions: calmlywriter.com
Looking to quickly reword text and a lower Lexile level: rewordify.com