Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities in High School Science

Technology Tools for Students

There are numerous technology tools designed to assist students who have learning disabilities in the classroom. Most address strategies related to literacy, helping students read and write more effectively. Other tools are designed for use in the science classroom to help students learn scientific concepts, but they are not specifically designed for use by students with learning disabilities.

The tools listed below are software programs that are either designed specifically for students with learning disabilities, or have had some success when used with that population. Because there are so many software programs of this type, the list below includes those that were recommended to us by experts in the field. The description of each software program includes a link to further information about the program (generally from the publisher’s Web site), a link to at least one independent review of the program (if one is available), and related research (if available). Only research published since the year 2000 is included.

• Text-to-Speech Software
• Speech-Recognition Software
• Graphic Organizers
• Combination Packages
• Virtual-Reality and Simulation Programs

 

 

Text-to-Speech Software

Text-to-speech software converts words from a written document into audible speech. It is especially useful for students who have dyslexia, vision problems, or need aural confirmation of print documents. For more information on text-to-speech software, go to http://ccac.ataccess.org/articles/fall2004.shtml#text_to_speech

Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil 3000 enhances text presentation by incorporating audio and visual components. It includes features such as:

1. dual highlighting
2. one-click access to word meanings
3. study skills tools
4. instructional support tools
5. audible spell checker

For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to
http://www.kurzweiledu.com/products_k3000win.asp

For a review of the program, go to
http://www.campus-technology.com/article.asp?id=6995  or
http://www.techlearning.com/reviews/showReview.jhtml?reviewID=600016

Related Research:

• Hecker, L., Burns, L., Elkind, J., Elkind, K., & Katz, L. (2002). Benefits of assistive reading software for students with attention disorders. Annals of Dyslexia, 52.
• Kurzweil Educational Systems. (2004). Summary of research: Scientifically-based research validating Kurzweil 3000: An annotated review of current research supporting the use of Kurzweil 3000 in the classroom. Bedford, MA: Author.

Read & Write

Read & Write features include:

• dual highlighting
• audio-visual reinforcement
• integrated reference tools
• teachers toolkit
• fact-organization tool

For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to
http://www.texthelp.com/rwg.asp?q1=products&q2=rwg

For a review of the program, go to
http://www.dyslexic.com/database/articles/print/rwgold.html

Related Research: None available

WYNN

WYNN is a literacy software tool. Its features include:

• bi-modal approach to reading: text is highlighted in context as it is spoken aloud
• automatic outlining of text
• built-in dictionaries
• study tools, such as highlighting, bookmarking, text, and voice notes

For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to
http://www.freedomscientific.com/LSG/products/wynn.asp

Related Research:
Freedom Scientific. (n.d.). Independent research shows WYNNis a must-have tool for students. Palo Alto, CA: Author. Available at http://www.freedomscientific.com/LSG/products/RMC_Survey.asp

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Speech-Recognition Software

Speech recognition software helps students convert their ideas into print. It is particularly useful for students with dyslexia or others for whom it is easier to speak than write. For more information on speech recognition software, go to http://www.edc.org/spk2wrt/VR_HTMLdoc.html

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Dragon NaturallySpeaking features include:

• direct dictation
• automatic outlining of text
• dictation shortcuts
• Nothing But Speech technology: filters out sounds between words

For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to
http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/standard

For a review of the program, go to http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,54637,00.asp or
http://mcel.pacificu.edu/JAHC/JAHCIII2/APPS/APPS.HTML

Related Research:
Stuve, C. (2004). Peel district school board, Massey Street Public School: Science technology action research (S.T.A.R) Peabody, MA: Scansoft, Inc. Available at ftp://ftp.scansoft.com/pub/whitepapers/education/wp_DNS_SpecialEducation.pdf

ViaVoice

ViaVoice features include:

• vocabulary of 300,000+ words
• direct dictation
• ability to create customized dictation words, addresses, and acronyms
• SpeakPad: speech-enabled word processor

For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to
http://www.nuance.com/viavoice

For a review of the program, go to
http://mcel.pacificu.edu/JAHC/JAHCIII2/APPS/APPS.HTML

Related Research: None available

iListen

iListen features include:

• for Macs only
• vocabulary of 330,000+ words
• continuous speech recognition
• direct dictation

For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to http://macspeech.com/products/ilisten

For a review of the program, go to http://www.applelinks.com/index.php/more/charles_moore_reviews_ilisten_17_speech_software

Related Research: None available

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Graphic Organizers

Graphic organizers are visual learning tools that help students develop and structure their ideas. They are most useful for students who prefer to process information visually.

Inspiration

Inspiration is a literacy tool that allows students to create graphic organizers that help them visually represent their ideas. Features include:

• Diagram View: visually represents ideas
• Outline View: organizes ideas into a hierarchical outline (one click from Diagram View)

For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to
http://www.inspiration.com/productinfo/inspiration/index.cfm

For a review of the program, go to
http://www.learningvillage.com/html/rinspiration.html or
http://www.techlearning.com/reviews/showReview.jhtml?reviewID=200282

Related Research:

1. The Institute for the Advancement of Research in Education (IARE) at AEL. (2003). Graphic organizers: A review of scientifically based research. Available at http://www.inspiration.com/resources/index.cfm?fuseaction=research
2. Blair, R. B., Ormsbee, C, & Brandes, J. (2002). Using writing strategies and visual thinking software to enhance the written performance of students with mild disabilities. Available at http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2/content_storage_01/0000000b/80/0d/d2/dc.pdf
3. Mastropieri, M. A., Scruggs, T. E., & Graetz, J. E. (2003). Reading comprehension instruction for secondary students: Challenges for struggling students and teachers. Learning Disability Quarterly, 26(2), 103-116.

 

Combination Packages

SOLO

SOLO is the combination of four software programs:

1. Read:OutLoud, a text-to-speech program: uses strategic comprehension supports to help students make connections
2. Draft:Builder, a graphic organizer: breaks down the writing process, assisting students with strategies to plan, organize, and write
3. Write:OutLoud, a text-to-speech program: features revision and editing tools to help students reflect on and improve their writing
4. Co:Writer, a word-prediction program: enables students to put their thoughts into words

For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to
http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/solofp.htm

For a review of the program, go to
http://techlearning.com/reviews/showReview.jhtml?reviewID=160500014

Related Research:

1. National Center for Technology Innovation. (2006). NCTI technology in the works: Project SOLO case study. Washington, DC: Author. Available at http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/rfp/projectsolo.asp
2. A research project using SOLO with high school biology students with learning disabilities is currently in progress at Education Development Center, Inc. For further information on the Literacy Accessibility for Biology (LAB) Project , go to http://main.edc.org/Search/viewProject.asp?projectID=3499

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Virtual-Reality and Simulation Programs

Virtual reality and simulation programs allow students to investigate computer-generated versions of real-world objects or environments. With virtual reality programs, students can manipulate environments in real time. For more information on virtual reality and simulation programs, go to http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_vr.html

NewtonWorld, MaxwellWorld, and PaulingWorld

These products, developed through Project ScienceSpace, are designed to help students learn scientific concepts.

• NewtonWorld: investigates Newton’s Laws of Motion
• MaxwellWorld: examines electrostatics and Gauss’ Law
• PaulingWorld: focuses on molecular structures

For a more thorough description of the tools’ features and further information, go to
http://www.virtual.gmu.edu

Related Research: No recent research, but earlier work is available at http://www.virtual.gmu.edu/ss_research/index.htm

Materialworlds

Materialworlds is a real-time simulation environment that helps advance students’ knowledge of how physical systems work. For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to http://www.materialworlds.com

Related Research: None available.

Zoning in on Physics

Zoning in on Physics is a virtual-simulation program that promotes student understanding of the laws of motion. For a more thorough description of the tool features and further information, go to http://it.gse.gmu.edu/projects/ziop

Related Research:
Sprague, D., Behrmann, M. (2001). Zoning in on physics: Creating virtual reality environments to aid students with learning disabilities. In T. E. Scruggs & M. A. Mastropieri (Eds.), Advances in learning and behavioral disabilities (vol. 15). Stamford, CT: JAI.

Visual Thesaurus

Visual Thesaurus is a resource to help improve students’ reading, writing and communication skills. Its features include:

• over 145,000 words and 115,000 meanings
• a speech component to hear words pronounced correctly
• 16 kinds of semantic relationships
• ability to initiate an Internet search, from any word, for either web pages or images
• an online edition

For a more thorough description of the tools’ features and further information, go to
http://www.visualthesaurus.com

For a review of the program, go to http://reviews.gale.com/index.php/digital-reference-shelf/2006/02/visual-thesaurus-and-dictionary-online-edition

Related Research: None available

 

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Most of the Web resources collected on these pages are not affiliated with or sponsored by Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC). EDC is merely providing those Web resources for informational purposes. EDC cannot guarantee that those Web resources are active or that the content is accurate. As with all Web-based information, links change from time to time. To our knowledge, all links were functional as of July 2006. Please notify Kerry Ouellet at kouellet@edc.org if you experience any problems.