Computers Can Help Kids Conquer Some Of Their Learning Disabilities
December 2nd, 2008

Students with learning disabilities can truly benefit greatly from using computer technology to aid in learning. It has been shown that LD students can overcome writing difficulties. The use of computers to improve their skills academically can also boost their self-esteem and social skills. This can help the child not feel so different and isolated. The overall performance of the LD student can markedly improve with the use of computers. Many LD students will actually surpass in grade that of the non-LD students once they realize how well they are doing. The LD student changes their perception of writing once they realize they no longer need to be apprehensive. This type of assisted technology has gotten nothing but positive feedback from student, parents and teachers. This technique gives LD students a way to see their thinking and see their words while typing on the computer.

The use of computers with LD students also provides a tool to see if their thoughts are scattered. Because of its easy use, kids can go back and fix mistakes, move ideas around, and subtract and add to them to have them make more sense. Most students find this much easier than erasing or starting from scratch all over again. The students have a built in spell and grammar check to help them correct their papers. There are also several fonts, sizes, and colors to choose from that can make it easier for the individual. This type of system has proven highly effective for those who are dyslexic. Most schools today have computers at their disposal and even in the classroom itself, as well as most homes. Computers can help keep the LD student focused on what they are writing verses getting bogged down and frustrated with all the little errors and corrections. It also helps sort out and sequence ideas. For someone who has a hard time expressing his or her thoughts through handwriting a word processor can be a lifesaver.

Other computer uses are in reading systems. This is great for those who take in verbal information better than nonverbal. The student can see the text on the screen and have it read out load by the computer. The visual and verbal stimulation at the same time can help the student better understand what is going on with in the material. The student is able to highlight specific words, sentences, or paragraphs to help them remember key points or things they need to study harder. There are options for how many words appear on the screen at once so the student can work and comprehend at their own pace. Concept mapping is another computer program that allows those who have a hard time organizing and integrating their thoughts us a visual representation. It takes ideas and concepts and connects them together with arrows or other graphing utilities. It is used to show the relationship between ideas and can be a great tool to help start off any writing assignment.

Programs like word prediction will give the student an option of words to choose from after typing in a few letters to help keep spelling frustration down. Many LD students spell using phonics and therefore make several errors. This type of program can help a student learn the proper spelling of a word by having to pick the right choice to put into their document. This cuts down on time and frustration while getting work done. This allows the child's creative flow to keep moving uninterrupted and still learn the right spelling of high frequency words. Speech recognition software allows a wide range of LD students many benefits. This program takes a word that is spoken into a microphone and converts it to a readable format on the screen. The student can speak into the microphone in sentences to create their document instead of having to type. This allows the student to correct errors as they go and offers the student to better at reading. They will have to re-read their document thoroughly to make sure that it makes sense and has no errors. This practice helps LD students develop their nonverbal skills at the same time as not hindering them in the typing process if it takes them too long. Other programs such as talking calculators and organization programs can also help LD students in their subjects and organizing their study and work time. Technology today has incredible benefit for LD students

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