Assistive Technology that Supports Students in the Area of Reading

Examples of this technology are:
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) – OCR software requires students to scan reading material into a computer.
Speech synthesis (screen readers, or read-back software)

A specific example would be:
Kurzweil 3000 is a scaffolded reading, writing, and study skills solution for struggling learners, including ELL students and students with special needs. It enables educators to provide differentiated instruction without having to differentiate the curriculum. This supports the constructivist model in which teachers want to allow students multiple ways to learn and to demonstrate achievement.

Kurzweil 3000TM is the comprehensive reading, writing and learning software solution for any struggling reader, including individuals with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder or those who are English Language Learners.
Kurzweil 3000 - Reading, Writing and Learning Software for Struggling Students – offering:
Access to Any Curriculum - The software can access virtually any information, whether it is printed, electronic, or on the Web. Increased Reading Fluency

Study Skills - With the aid of visual and auditory feedback, the software helps students keep up with assigned reading, learn critical study skills and successfully complete writing projects and tests.

Decoding Support - It then reads the words aloud to the student in clear, humanl ike, synthetic speech, while a patented dual highlighting feature adds visual reinforcement.

Writing and Self-Editing Tools - As students type, the software speaks each letter or word, so they can quickly recognize and correct spelling mistakes.

Independent Test Taking – With Kurzweil 3000, students can independently complete worksheets, classroom tests and standardized tests with greater confidence and fewer mistakes.

Ultimately this software is designed to ensure that ALL students are able to access the curriculum in all grade levels.

http://www.kurzweiledu.com/ retrieved on July 9, 2007-07-09