Read and Write
Please see below a video on how to access Read & Write at home through Google Chrome, and what features are available on this:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RN-GGWsLQdAqoqHWY3pIPwFnEsFgQ6Z4/view?usp=sharing
Digital Exam Papers
Digital exam papers are a great benefit to pupils with additional support needs as they give a much greater sense of independence. Pupils with a dyslexic learning profile can use the spell check facility and all pupils can use the read out loud and copy and paste features.
Exams and tests are supplied in the same format as papers copies, the exams are converted using Adobe Acrobat and either text boxes are inserted or an answer booklet given. As well as accessing the exams on screen, pupils are also supplied with a paper copy. Pupils are able to listen to the questions using either the ‘Read Out Loud’ facility which comes with all Adobe documents or by using ‘Ivona’. The benefits of using Ivona are that pupils can also listen to their answers.
Every computer in the school currently has Ivona installed for pupil use – this is a reading toolbar which is free to download for personal use and is a fantastic tool as it will read anything from word documents to web pages. More information can be found at http://www.ivona.com/en/
A newer replacement is called Natural Reader 13 and this can also be installed free on any computer – http://www.callscotland.org.uk/Information/text-to-speech/naturalreader/
Using iPads to Support Literacy and Numeracy
In the Support for Learning base groups we are using Ipads to support reading. We have many audio book apps which the pupils can choose to use and be supported by talking books. This can improve concentration, focus pupils on the vocabulary in the books and allow them to enjoy reading appropriate materials.
We also have many numeracy apps which support the pupils to be engaged with many topics such as ‘Time’, ‘Timetables’ and ‘Fractions’, enhancing their learning through individualised lessons and games. These are often used as a starter activity in base lessons.
It is also easy to install these apps at home for continued support and reinforcement and many of them are free!
See the ‘useful links’ section of our website to find the available apps on the Call Scotland Website.
