Computer
Software & Reviews
a)Wordswork
Wordswork.
This CD-ROM has been written by Ellen Morgan and the dyslexic university students she works with in London.
It's full of lots of general information on the nature of dyslexia and useful tips and strategies on memory techniques and study skills.
Excellent use of colour, sound and graphics to illustrate the information. All you need to be able to do is use a mouse.
The only gripe we have is that you can't stop and start the programme at will. Instead you have to wait until each section has run its course.
Cost:£125 + VAT.
Find out more
on: www.wordswork.co.uk
www. dyslexic.com
b)Texthelp
Read and Write
(Texthelp). This software has a range of
features:
· Screen reader.
This will read back text from the screen in a robotic-type voice. It is
able to read out web pages from the Internet.
The screen reader is probably the most useful facility and can be bought separately at a much lower cost.
·
Word prediction.
As you type, the software tries to guess the word you're writing and gives
you a list of 10 word options.
·
Spellchecker.
This will deal with homophones, e.g. there/their, to/too.
· Thesaurus. Offers alternative words to those you're using.
System requirements: An IBM compatible PC, Pentium 120 with soundcard, speakers/headphones and 40MB of disc space.
Cost: £115 + VAT.
Find out more and get a free download on: www.texthelp.com
c)Inspiration
Inspiration.
This software is a useful planning tool.
It allows you to organise your thoughts in the form of a spider graph/mindmap.
The most useful feature is the ability to move between the mindmap and a linear/listed version of the information you're recording.
Cost:£90 + VAT.
Find out more on: www.dyslexic.com www.inspiration.com
d)The
Learning
Space
The Learning Space.
This software has been produced by South Bank University.
It's split up into 3 sections: A Writing Room, Exam Centre and Dyslexic Students' Experiences.
Cost: £85 + VAT. + p+p
To
find out more about The Learning Space software you can e-mail:
gmead@horizon-logistics.com