text, they now are able to be in control of their own education. The dictionary feature enhances and encourages students to independently look up the meaning of words increasing their knowledge of new concepts and ideas. In test taking situations, the Reader Pen has eliminated the need for human readers or traditional text-to-speech programs on computers. Rebecca Dewar, Field Placement Officer in the CICE Program explains that, “often times students hesitate with using their adap- tive technology in the workplace. There are fears around what the employer or coworkers might think. With the Reader Pen, students see it as a tool to get the job done. It’s amazing to see how it has changed their mindset”. Not only have CICE faculty seen an increase in comprehension and test scores, they have also reported that the device has had a positive impact on students’ confidence and independence. The Reader Pen eliminates the anxiety and fear many students have around reading. The emotional benefits of this device have further reaching impact as students receive increased choice in what material they read, when they read it and the privacy it af- fords.
dyslexia, including slow or inaccurate reading, weak spelling and poor writing”. For many of our students, reading from traditional textbooks can be exhausting. Frustration with the physical act of reading often deters students from enjoying literature.
CICE Student using the Reader Pen to independently read printed text.
G.E., a student in the CICE program describes the device as a “game changer”. “As a mature student, and someone with a read- ing disability, I worried about going back to school at 39, with kids of my own at home. School was always a challenge for me growing up and college was out of the question. When I learned about the CICE Program, I thought this might be my chance. When I started at Georgian College, I learned about all kinds of technology to help me with my learning. The Reader Pen was by far the game changer for me. Not only does it help me with reading at school, but I use it at work and at home. For example, I love to cook. The Reader Pen lets me be able to read recipes in the kitchen without having to ask for help. If I get stuck on a word, I just scan it and then carry on with what I’m doing. The biggest thing for me though is that now I can help my kids with their homework. You have no idea how hard it is for a father to not be able to read a book to your kids. I used to get so frustrated and felt like such a failure, but now if I get to a word I don’t know, I just scan it with my Reader Pen. It helps my kids too be- cause sometimes they’ll ask to use it. So, like I said, it’s been a game changer for me”. From day-to-day classroom work to test taking, the Reader Pen has transformed the way CICE students with dyslexia and other literacy difficulties learn. For Learning Facilitators, the de- vice has changed the way traditional classroom and test taking support is provided. Students are far more independent in their learning when using the Reader Pen. Where once they would rely on their Learning Facilitator to provide a digital copy of
CICE Student using the Reader Pen to read from a textbook.
CICE Alumni, E.G. explains that “the Reader Pen has helped me both in and outside of school. I loved using the Reader Pen in class, and no one knew what it is because it looks just like a highlighter. It doesn’t look like a foreign device and I never felt like it made me stand out. I used the Reader Pen at my field placement to help me independently read words that were on paper without having to ask someone for help. I take my Reader Pen everywhere with me. I even took it on my family vacation and used it to help me read the itinerary, menu and other things. The Reader Pen has changed my life!”
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www.closingthegap.com/membership | August / September, 2020 Closing The Gap © 2020 Closing The Gap, Inc. All rights reserved.
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