EquatIO – Math Made Digital Made to help mathematics and STEM teachers and students at all levels, EquatIO® lets everyone create mathematical equations, formulas, Desmos graphs, and more on their computer or Chromebook. Google Chrome Extension (free) Speech to Text for Math. Also converts handwriting to typed math symbols. Google docs, Chrome, Mac, PC. Speech is free. Handwriting conversion and math formula prediction is Premium. School group 150 min $1 per student but Individual costs $100/yr (!). Consider using for free speech to text for math. REFLEX MATH Adaptive game play practice for math facts. Free trial and home and teacher licenses available. $35 per student per year. Codie Award winner. Although math practice is rote, the adaptive feature, game play, and teaching of math […]
HOW TO READ A WORDLESS PICTURE BOOK
With so much focus on reading for children with dyslexia, the choice of a wordless picture book might seem to be unusual, but it shouldn't be. Dyslexic children should be exposed to wordless picture books at an early age, and also be encouraged to continue read them...
FAKE NEWS? Dyslexia Eye Controversy Goes Viral
Last October was Dyslexia Awareness Month, so many media channels opened their pages and platforms to dyslexia stories. Unfortunately, the one story that really became viral was one that was carried by outlets such Newsweek, The Telegraph, and Mental Floss, media outlets who should know better or at least consult with scientific, clinical, or educational experts in the field of dyslexia. The problem with this misinformation is that it competed with legitimate information about dyslexia and worse, adds to the false narrative that dyslexia is simply “a problem with the eyes.” As it turned out, these ‘fake news’ articles were all linked to a scientist who does not work in the field of dyslexia, but instead has proposed how […]
Why a NICHE is Important [PREMIUM]
In Michael McNulty’s clinical research looking at the life stories of dyslexic adults, one thing became clear – finding a niche in adolescence or young adulthood had the dramatic potential to improve the course of people’s lives. Here (in abbreviated form) are some of the subjects of his life study. Tommy (38 yo highly successful industrial designer) – ‘Why doesn’t Tommy speak?’ (diagnosed at age 8). Difficulty reading, writing, spelling resulting in low grades through high school, but “self-esteem from success in part-time jobs, athletics, and art.” Although reluctant to go to college, “he found a niche in industrial design and was eventually ranked number one in his prominent university program.” Jeanine (25yo customer services supervisor) – reading, writing, and attention problems from grade school […]
Positive Math: Developing a Growth Mindset
Stanford professor Jo Boaler talks about the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ ways that math is taught. Flexible mathematical thinking and problem solving are good skills that many dyslexic students can do well at, but all too often, mathematics is taught with an over-emphasis on rote memorization, speed drills, and performance of repetitive procedures, which can be a weakness for students. Boaler and her students made the following motivational video to encourage students to think about math learning with a positive ‘growth’ mindset. Here is one example of how flexible algebraic thinking can be introduced using visual puzzles: MORE VISUAL MATH ACTIVITIES Jo’s How to Learn Math online course is free HERE. A Spanish version is also available. A new course from Jo / Stanford is $99 […]
Meet Jill of All Trades: KRISTA WELTNER
I had a great chance to catch up with uber-talented Krista Weltner yesterday. If you haven't watched her recent Master's work Partially Compensated, check it out now. When we posted it to our Facebook feed, here are some of the comments: "Ok, that made me cry....
Strategic Thinking and Dyslexia Education [Premium]
There are many accomplished dyslexics who have told us that one of their greatest strengths in their current career is strategic thinking, but is there any evidence that strategy is a strength that is present in the school years, and if so, can it be better used to help students tackle the many academic hurdles that they face? Unfortunately, there has been relatively little attention studying the potential of strategy in the curriculum of dyslexic students, but there is some and in those studies, the findings are interesting. For instance, in a study of LD students attending 4 Southern California universities, researchers sought to understand how students with significant difficulties in phonological awareness and word attack were able to do just as well as non-LD […]
Executive Function: DE-STRESS [PREMIUM]
Dyslexic children who are struggling in school will be under tremendous stress and have varying levels of anxiety and depression. Stress is well known to affect executive functions and children experiencing stress can look as if they have ADHD. – Destress the Learning Environment. Are expectations well matched to the student’s current ability? Is the workload appropriate? Are accommodations needed? – Is your student being heard and understood? Is your student able to express herself and her feelings? Putting thoughts and feelings into words can have a positive distancing and organizing effect for people under stress. Can your child problem-solve setbacks and disappointments? If not, she may need some help scaffolding her challenges and coming up with a plan. Is there a positive working relationship […]
The Curious History of Mirror Writing [PREMIUM]
“As a researcher, working over two decades with hundreds of children and adults with dyslexia, I’m convinced that Leonard Da Vinci was dyslexic.” – Dr Maryann Wolf, author Proust and the Squid Mirror writing occurs commonly in dyslexic and non-dyslexic children between the ages of 3 and 7 years, however a subset of children will have persistent difficulties with letter reversals – and these children (or adults) will be more likely to have significant dyslexia or other LD. It at least one study, mirror writing was thought to occur in only ~ 10% of dyslexics, but its been estimated to be 30% of lefties. Even if mirror writing is only a significant problem in a minority of dyslexics – this rate is 16-fold higher than […]
Zoe Saldana’s Busy Life
Actress-dancer Zoe Saldana is Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2, and Avengers Infinity War. She is also mom of 3 boys. It's no accident that Zoe has found her groove in so many science fiction movies: "If I could have anything in life, I'd want tons of great...
Meet Yvette Blaess
I recently had a chance to chat with Yvette Blaess, a lovely young woman who is a model and actress and recent finalist in the Miss World America Pageant. She has also been an advocate for dyslexia and ADD and her personal story is one of gutsiness, perserverance, and...
Designing for Dyslexia
Despite the fact that dyslexics are over-represented in Art & Design, the field of User Design is surprisingly late to designing for dyslexia specifically in mind. It may be that some design is as good as it is because there are already dyslexics in design teams...
