Article # 3

Expanding Horizons for Students with Dyslexia in the 21st Century: Universal Design and Mobile Technology

By: Gavin Reid, Iva Strnadova & Therese Cumming

Over the years, our educational system has tried many different ways to teach students with special needs such as streaming and inclusion. UDL, universal design for learning, is the preferred choice of the others as UDL offers a flexible learning environment for ALL learners in one classroom. This article discusses ways students with dyslexia can use mobile technology to achieve academic success. If using the UDL model, there is no need for adaptations or modifications to the curriculum for students with special needs. The classroom would be arranged so that learning is obtainable for all. According to CAST, there are three important elements to meet UDL criteria: 

1. provide multiple means of representation,
2. provide multiple means of engagement and,
3. provide multiple means of action and expression. 
   

The authors ask an important question in the introduction of the article, wondering if a combination of dyslexia, UDL, and mobile technology make for a positive solution.

The authors point out that mobile tech pairs nicely with UDL because of its portability and endless app possibilities, all learners can thrive academically but also create a strong link between school, home, and community. I strongly agree with this view. Children do not only read in school, if technology is being used in one setting, it should also be used in all others.

I like how the author describe the needs of dyslexic students and describe the processes necessary even for a simple reading, writing, or spelling task. Because these tasks require using simultaneous learning skills, tablet apps can be customized towards the student's stronger/weaker areas of learning. Dyslexic learning requires multisensory which includes auditory, visual, kinesthetic and tactile input.

There are also many suggestions for appropriate reading, writing, notetaking, and organisation apps useful to dyslexic students such as Speak It! and iThoughts and iCal.

I have never taught a student with dyslexia but still found this article very useful with suggested websites, apps, and strategies. It also included strategies for schools, teachers and parents.  They make it clear that each child is different and there is no clear-cut solution for dyslexia, simply ways to make learning and functioning easier. Supporting dyslexic students by offering programs which allow them to feel successful should be our goal.