Healing power of online learning

Jean Hutchins: Spreading the good news of technology

by BBC News Online's Katherine Sellgren

Jean Hutchins's mission is simple - to spread the message that, far from leaving dyslexics languishing further behind their peers, information technology has the power to change their lives.

And, having chaired the British Dyslexia Association's (BDA) computer committee for nine years before stepping down last year, she knows her stuff.

At first I thought that e-mail and the net had nothing for dyslexics - was I wrong!

Jean Hutchins

A former sceptic of the value of computers and the internet for dyslexics, Jean represents the BDA at the BETT educational technology show every year.

As teachers approach the BDA's stall, the former dyslexia specialist teacher advises them on the latest software suitable for use among pupils with reading and writing difficulties.

"Very little is designed just for dyslexics, but we pick out the things that are helpful, the things that are sensory," she says.

Information technology can help literacy and numeracy education no end, she believes.

"Word processing with a spell-checker is wonderful."

Convert

Enthusiastic though she may be today, she took some convincing.

"At first I thought that e-mail and the net had nothing for dyslexics - was I wrong!

"I thought 'It's just more reading and writing - they won't want that', but how wrong I was.

"There are dyslexics who would sit down and write an e-mail who would never write a letter - you can imagine what that can do for their self-esteem."

Jean attends the BETT show every year to share her knowledge

Jean brightens as she remembers a friend who had a breakdown and had to leave the teaching profession because of the strains of dyslexia.

But after discovering new technology, she recalls, he wrote a booklet for the BDA on how computers can help dyslexics.

"It did his self-esteem so much good - he now calls himself an author!" she laughs.

She says voice-activated systems, where a user talks to their computer, are invaluable.

"The proof-reading of what you have said can be a problem, but you can hear it read back to you, which helps.

"But it's got a 90% accuracy rate - now that may not sound good to you, but that's better than any dyslexic can do on their own."

"It's worthwhile, it really is."

'Non-threatening'

Jean's passion for online learning is backed up by Anne Syme, a specialist teacher for Hertfordshire education authority, who comes to the BDA's BETT stand each year for advice on suitable software.

For her, the use of technology in the education of dyslexics is invaluable.

Anne Syme also advocates the power of new technology

"It provides information for the teachers themselves.

"And it gives dyslexic children a non-threatening way to produce work.

"I use mind-mapping software where the software helps the kids to structure and formulate ideas for their written work.

"And information and communication technology can improve the skills the teacher needs to get through the national curriculum - spelling, times tables, planning.

"And it's much more fun to do it with a computer!" she promises.

The BDA helpline can be contacted on 0118 966 8271, Monday to Friday.