iPads for Students with Dyslexia

Students with Dyslexia are at a disadvantage in the classroom. They can often feel alone and not want to participate in the things going on in the classroom. Things look differently to our friends who have this disorder. They see thing jumbled, omitted, and even backwards. This can make reading, writing, and completing tasks in the classroom difficult and frustrating! iPads can be exactly what they need to make them successful in the classroom environment. iPads have built in accommodations waiting for the student to tap into them. There are speak to text apps and apps that read things to them. Some of these functions are already on the iPad, without having to download them!

iPads for the dyslexic student provide opportunities for communication because of the accommodations they provide. The students with this disorder may be reluctant to write for their assessments or assessments. When provided with an iPad, these students are given the opportunity to speak their text. They can speak into the iPad and it will provide a text for what the student is saying. This prevents the frustration of the student trying to communicate their answers using paper and pencil. Students will be more likely to communicate their ideas when they are given a platform that is comfortable for them.

Collaboration is encouraged through the confidence that the student will feel in his or her work when given the accommodation of the iPad. These students are usually the last to want to participate in group work, but when given the iPad loaded with apps and special settings, they become more confident and willing to collaborate. The students can work with the group as if nothing is different about their ways of completion. Students with dyslexia immediately become confident in their answers and want to share what they have learned!

It is difficult to think critically when there is a barrier in the learning. These students are struggling to do the bare minimum because it takes them longer to process things. They are self conscious about taking too much time so they rush through the assignment hoping to get finished. When given the iPad for an accommodation, the student is able to use his or her time differently. The student is able to use their critical thinking skills to solve the problem or answer the question instead of stressing about their disorder and its effects.

Students who are comfortable and accommodated for are more likely to be creative. As mentioned before, these students have low self confidence in the classroom and only do what is absolutely necessary for their assignments. After this is free from them, they are much more likely to show creativity in their work and push themselves to be more creative! Dyslexia effects more than just words for the students, everything is effected for them making life itself difficult. When we allow these students the same opportunities as the typical students, we are helping them to be successful. iPads could be the change in the dyslexic students in our classrooms, we must discover the many uses and ways that these can be helpful for our students.