Texthelp’s classroom accessibility toolkit
Welcome to the last part of our Texthelp Academy live at Bett series. So far we’ve explored supporting students in exams and how to make maths accessible. To wrap up the series we’ll be sharing key takeaways from our Bett sessions that focused on how our digital tools make classrooms more inclusive. We’ll be looking at Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility in PDFs and Dyslexia.
Accessible by design
It’s estimated that 17% of pupils in all UK school sectors potentially have unidentified dyslexia. With just 4% of pupils being supported with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP). How can we design learning to make sure all students with both identified and unidentified needs are supported?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that provides students with multiple means of engagement, representation and expression. For those who adopt UDL, choice is key. We need to provide students with a range of tools that give our students choice, voice and support.
Tools to support Dyslexia
Read&Write is a literacy support tool that offers help with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments and proofing written work.
Reading and comprehension
Text-to-Speech
Use Text-to-Speech along with dual colour highlighting to help improve comprehension.
Simplify
Use the Simplify feature in Read&Write to de-clutter webpages and simplify text.
Screen Masking
Use Screen Masking in Read&Write to tint your screen. You can customise the colour and opacity to your own personal preferences.
Build vocabulary
Use the text and picture dictionaries to get definitions and display images to help with word comprehension.
Improve writing
The Prediction and Speech to Text tools help students who struggle with writing to complete work independently.
Support for maths
Pupils have the support they need for literacy. How are you supporting maths?
Equatio allows you to create equations, formulas, and more, digitally. Helping to make maths and STEM classes more accessible and engaging for every student.
Equation Editor
Create your maths and science expressions by typing right into the editor. Use Prediction to insert fractions, exponents, operators, formulas, chemical symbols, and more.
What about PDFs?
Millions of PDFs are opened by students around the world, every day. Thanks to the ready made resources used across the curriculum on a daily basis. But, did you know that 1 in 3 digital worksheets are not accessible?
How do we make worksheets more inclusive and help to develop digital skills? (without losing our minds in the process)
OrbitNote allows you to transform and interact with PDF documents in a completely different way. Create an accessible, dynamic and collaborative space that works for everyone.
Complete worksheets
With OrbitNote, your students can type, handwrite, add voice notes and even highlight information in a PDF document. Allowing your students to respond in a PDF using their authentic voice, and not relying on multiple choice answers.
OrbitNote reduces printing costs and enhances teachers’ productivity. It helps students develop digital skills, builds confidence and promotes independence