Supporting literacy with ICT
1. Introduction.
2. Choosing software.
3. Software to support phonics and spelling.
4. Software to support reading.
1. Introduction.
Acquiring literacy skills is usually the key priority for dyslexic people. Carefully chosen programs can help dyslexic students in all areas of literacy.
The use of I.C.T programs to support literacy skills can offer opportunities for those with dyslexia to work independently and successfully, in education and home environments. This page will offer advice and guidance on the types of programs that can help teach and practise reading, spelling and phonic skills.
Using appropriate programs will provide opportunities to revisit, practice and learn skills. Good programs should provide an environment that encourages the dyslexic and offers dyslexic individuals the opportunity to succeed.
The section on supporting writing will offer advice and guidance on ICT tools and programs that support the writing process. No program can replace a skilled, specialist teacher, but many can offer support and practice on a regular basis.
2. Choosing software.
There are many programs available to support Literacy skills. It is important to select these carefully, so they meet the needs of Dyslexic users.
Important features and options to consider when choosing Literacy programs:
- Full speech support, so that all text on screen can be seen and heard.
- Text that is highlighted as it is spoken or selected is useful.
- Spoken instructions.
- Opportunities to listen again or repeat an activity.
- A structured progression or word lists that can be selected to meet the needs of the user.
- Easy navigation around the screen.
- Help menus.
- Spellings, phonics and word lists that are written in lower case, not CAPITAL letters.
- An uncluttered screen with a clear focus on the task.
- Options to record the user’s progress can be helpful.
- Choices of screen backgrounds and colours can also be helpful.
NB: Make sure any software you choose is suitable for use on your computer and meets the hardware specifications.
Parents should seek the advice from the school or any teachers supporting their child. It is important to choose programs that complement any teaching program and to select an appropriate level word list.
Programs for home use should be fun and motivating and should only be done in half hour periods. Be mindful of the danger of over use and over enthusiasm with one popular program at home or school. This may eventually have a negative result.
3. Software to support phonics and spelling.
These kinds of programs usually offer a range of games or activities to practise skills in reading high frequency words phonics and spelling. They usually use selected lists or a structured program.
Many programs for children use lists that include words and phonics from the National Literacy Strategy (England).
Many of the programs cover a wide range of ability or skills. These programs will continue to meet individual needs as the skills improve and progress. Other programs may focus on one specific area or skill.
It can help understanding if spelling programs offer individual words in a sentence context.
4. Software to support reading.
Together with programs that support word recognition and phonic skills, there are popular programs to support reading in the form of electronic or interactive talking books. There are many available to choose from, both fiction and non fiction. Some support specific reading schemes others are standalone stories.
For older readers there are abridged texts of well known stories and classic literature.
Talking books allow dyslexic students to read text in a supported environment and at a pace that suits their needs.
Talking books will usually highlight the text as it is being spoken, in words or phrases.
They usually allow users to click on any word to hear it spoken. Many talking books have additional, optional activities to support phonics, spelling, comprehension and grammar. Some include story writing activities too.
Useful sources of interactive books include:
There are a few programs that are not stories and just focus on reading for meaning or specific reading skills.
Some I.C.T tools will enable any text on screen to be heard. This may be a better solution for older dyslexic students, who wish to read a wider range of articles, for example from the World Wide Web or access texts that are from a scanner or word processor.
See Supporting Writing for further information.
There is a wide range of suitable programs to suit all ages and abilities. The following suggestions of popular software suitable for Dyslexic users, are just a few:
Wordshark 3S (Age 5 - adult).
100s of word lists to use with 36 games to help reading, spelling and alphabetical order. The lists include the English National Literacy Strategy high frequency words and phonic lists and can be used or modified to suit all ages from 5 years to adults. There are many user options and the facility to add your own word lists. Detailed records are kept and certain activities can be printed onto worksheets. The latest version includes new lists and games for early phonic skills.
For further details go to the Wordshark website. Alternatively you can email them or telephone 020 8748 5927.
Xavier Programs.
This company has pioneered many programs especially for dyslexic users including:
- Sounds & Rhymes – games and activities for vowel and early blending skills
- Magic e; - a game to support the use of silent e
See also Sentence Pumper, Suffix and Punctuate.
For further details go to the Xavier website. Alternatively you can email them or telephone 01248 382 616.
Starspell (Age 5 - adult).
Essentially a spelling program using a variety of structured lists to suit all age groups including lists from the English National Literacy Strategy and subject vocabulary. Lists can be modified or new ones created to suit individual needs.
All words can be set in a contextual sentence. There are two additional fun activities and a printed worksheet option. Detailed records of user progress are available.
For further details go to the Fisher-Marriott Software website. Alternatively you can email them or telephone 01394 380 064.
Word Track, Spell Track, Idiom Track and Alphabet Track.
These programs are part of a series that are particularly useful for primary age children who need to focus on a specific skill.
Other useful programs written by the same author include Letter Olympics ( b/d activities), Two Wise Owls( mnemonics for spelling) and Think About 1 ( Interactive stories)
There are many options to select content and level together with format and colour options. There are pupil tracking facilities in Spell and Word track.
For further details go to the Semerc website. Alternatively you can email them or telephone 0161 827 2719.
Gamz Player.
This program is based on the popular Swap card games. It has many additional features and activities to support reading, phonics and spelling.
It is an ideal program for both home and school use.
For further details go to the Gamz website. Alternatively you can telephone them on 01684 562 158.
Further useful sources of reading, spelling and phonic games and activities include:
Iansyst. http://www.dyslexic.com.
R.E.M. http://www.R-E-M.co.uk.
Sherston. http://www.sherston.com.
Smart Kids. http://www.smartkids.com.
Catch Up 1 & 2.
Designed for primary age users, this motivating program takes the user through a range of exciting worlds to help them achieve reading and spelling 100 high frequency words in CD 1.
CD 2 covers similar activities in phonic skills.
For further details go to the Catch Up website. Alternatively you can telephone them on 01842 752 297.
Phonics CDs for Clicker 5 ( Cricksoft)
A set of 6 CDs to use with Clicker 5 that progress from early phonological awareness to simple blending skills. Designed for younger children but many activities, especially in the more challenging CDs, are suitable for older users up to 10years
For information about other publications and products that support literacy please visit the
BDA shop.
Page updated: 4 September 2007