Input Processing: Getting Information to the brain.
Our brains are constantly processing a variety of sensory input. When it comes to learning and instruction, there are three areas that may have a big impact.
- Visual input processing can affect how we process text, images, charts, graphs, and other visual information. Students may have problems recognizing the size, shape, and placement of text, or have problems with line and paragraph typography.
- Auditory processing can affect phonemic awareness, distinguishing subtle differences in sounds. Students may have problems distinguishing figure and background sounds. They may struggle to hear and focus on what the teacher is saying if there are other sounds that distract them.
- Tactile processing can provide additional information that can help students understand some types of information. Our brains do an amazing job of combining various types of input to create a unified awareness, which is one reason math manipulative can help students understand mathematics concepts.
Strategies for supporting input processes.
- Use trans-formative tools, such as text-to-speech, to scaffolding difficulty in decoding text.
- Highlight, or visually mark up, text to support visual navigation of content.
- Use visual reading guides (physical and digital) to support consistent visual movement through a text while reading.
- Simplify digital and online text by removing distractions on the page.
- Use text summarizers to reduce the amount of content in a text so students can learn the core ideas, then add the rest of the content.
- Ensure that the reading level is appropriate.
- Change the size and type of font used.
- Adjust the spacing between letters, words, sentences, and paragraphs.
- Reduce the width of the columns of text.
- Use personal or classroom audio FM systems.
- Use manipulatives to enhance math and science instruction.
- Use models and 3D printing to support understanding of difficult and abstract concepts.
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Resources
- Natural Reader - http://www.naturalreaders.com/ . a free text-to-speech tool for Windows systems.
- Macintosh built-in Text-to-Speech - http://www.wikihow.com/Activate-Text-to-Speech-in-Mac-OSx
- Balabolka - http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm . a free text-to-speech and text-to-audio tool for Windows systems.
- ATbar - https://www.atbar.org/ . a free Windows cross-browser toolbar that includes text-to-speech, control of font sizes, and other supports.
- Read:Outloud - http://donjohnston.com/readoutloud . an affordable text reader for Windows and Macintosh that includes a variety of study tools and information organization tools.
- Snap&Read - http://donjohnston.com/snap-read . an affordable tool that "floats" over other programs and will read any text, including text that is part of a graphic or picture.
- Read & Write Gold - http://www.texthelp.com/North-America . a customizable "floating" toolbar that integrates reading, writing, studying, and research support tools.
- Read & Write for Google Chrome - https://rwchrome.texthelp.com/drive/support/home . reading support tools extension for the Google Chrome web browser
- Kurzweil 3000 & firefly - http://www.kurzweiledu.com/products/kurzweil-3000-firefly-overview.html . full featured literacy support software that includes text-to-speech, adjustments for fonts, color highlighters, and more.
- Reading & Study Digital Tools - http://www.tlc-mtss.com/assets/digital_tools.pdf . digital PDF book with instructions on how to use comment features, mark-up features, text-to-speech, and more in a variety of programs.
- Mercury Reader - https://mercury.postlight.com/reader/ . a free online tool that cleans up web pages and removes distractions, allowing a student to focus on the main content.
- Online Text Summarizer - http://www.tools4noobs.com/summarize/ . free online tool that summarizes text. You can paste text in or paste in a URL and decide how much to summarize.
- ReWordify - http://rewordify.com/ . simplifies text and explains difficult English words
- Newsela - https://newsela.com/ . provides news at five different Lexile levels.
- Typefaces for Dyslexia - http://bdatech.org/what-technology/typefaces-for-dyslexia/ . article on fonts that support students who have dyslexia, including links to download fonts that are free.
- Noisli - http://www.noisli.com/#about - free online tool that provides background noise and soothing colors to help minimize distractions
- What are FM Systems - http://www.hearinglink.org/living/loops-equipment/fm-systems/ . explanations on what FM systems are and how they work
- FM Research - http://www.hearingreview.com/2012/09/research-children-with-dyslexia-can-benefit-from-fm-hearing-systems/ . article on how the use of an FM system can help students distinguish sounds
- FM Research Neuroplasticity - http://www.brainvolts.northwestern.edu/documents/FM_PNAS12.pdf . article on the effects of consistent use of an FM system on cognitive processing
- Purchasing FM Systems
- Using Math Maniuplatives - http://www.weareteachers.com/24-creative-ways-to-use-math-manipulatives-in-your-classroom/
- 3D Printing - AT & UDL Newsletter - http://conta.cc/2cowazD
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