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Leeds College of Art has recently installed Read&Write Assistive software on the Colleges’ computer network to support the work of dyslexic students within the College.
The College provides for both further and higher education through its National Diplomas and 12 degree programs. Being a Specialist Arts College, there are quite a number of students with specific difficulties, which Frances Bosley (Learning Development Manager at Leeds College) says is the main reason behind the purchase of Read&Write software.
Frances commented “With being an Art College a lot of the work is practical, but there are also some written aspects, for example students have to complete essays and complete a dissertation and this is when Read&Write software is beneficial. Some courses are also more IT focused which lend themselves especially to using the software”.
Read&Write GOLD is Texthelp’s award-winning literacy support software designed to assist students with literacy difficulties. The software works discreetly with all mainstream Windows applications (including MS Vista), allowing users the opportunity to work in an inclusive manner alongside their colleagues. Read&Write improves access to Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) and Digital Exams.
Read&Write GOLD is easy to use and features include: Screen Masking (to tint or mask sections of the window), Texthelp Voices (new text-to-speech voices), a Translator which translates selected words into French, Spanish, German or Italian, enhanced Spelling, Dictionary & Homophone support, and the software echoes back Dragon text.
Frances continues: “The students like the advanced Spell Check feature which is helpful because it provides definitions of words, which can be read aloud instead of just offering alternative words. The organisational aspects of the software also allow students to structure their work better. The fact that their work can be read back to them for proof-reading is very valuable.
The software has only recently been installed at Leeds College of Art and will take some time to embed into the College. We are currently encouraging staff and students to use it more, and this is something that will take a little time. However, some students already say that their life has changed considerably by using Read&Write software”.
For further information on Read&Write, please contact Elaine on Tel: 028 9442 8105, email elaine@texthelp.com or visit our website www.texthelp.com
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