Imagine having a story of your very own but not being able to share it because putting words to paper is like writing without thumbs. This is the reality for many students with Learning Disabilities. For them, the pencil is the biggest obstacle to writing. This is demoralizing for the child, frustrating for the teacher.
Dictation is often the gateway to success.
The difference between handwritten and transcribed writing can be dramatic. One student wrote, "The SoR is Bat FosP."ÃÂ (Translation: The story is about friendship.) With transcription, the same student dictated a 120 word paragraph! He knew what he wanted to say; he just needed help getting it on paper. Students with learning disabilities (LD), fine motor problems, visual impairments and short-term memory deficits must sit frustrated, often expressed as troublemaking, waiting for help, unable to get their thoughts on paper because they can't spell, or because they simply can't make the pencil move the way it should. Unfortunately, with overflowing classrooms and chronic reductions in the number of special education aides, there simply is no way to meet the need. But there is a solution. You can help solve this problem and empower students to tell THEIR stories and build confidence by giving students a simple, effective dictation solution.
My Project
This grant would be used to purchase an iPad and microphone for use as a portable dictation center. There are many existing dictation solutions in the marketplace, but the iPad is the first that hits the sweet spot of usability, simplicity, affordability and fun. With a single button press, a child can dictate their ideas and see the words magically appear. They can do this independently. Moreover, students just love using iPads and that in itself knocks down obstacles to writing success. Another application with the dictation center is for students with speech impediments. Language disabled students can SEE feedback of how their speech sounds to others. It offers instant, visible feedback in print, and encourages children to work on their communication goals more effectively. Help us motivate, give feedback, and empower ALL students to have the opportunity to get their thoughts on paper. Allow them to experience their potential without the wall of disability.
Just as we give hearing impaired children the opportunity of hearing aids, or paralyzed children wheel chairs, help us give learning disabled children the joy of being able to independently write to their full potential.
This inexpensive and simple technological solution can help to level the playing field and empower learning disabled children to really thrive in the least restrictive environment. Thank you for your consideration!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Hann and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.