This assistive technology and computer software can be helpful for developing computer skills, for enhancing Internet usage and instruction, for improving dictionary/encyclopedia skills, for aids in report writing and spelling, for accessing lists of grade-leveled books.
The following software programs have been critiqued by the Center for Dyslexia staff and can be used as a
supplement to reading instruction,
not as a replacement.
101 Best Web Sites for Kids (book)
by Trevor B. Meers - 1999
Publications International, Ltd
7373 North Cicero Avenue
Lincolnwood, IL 60646
helps guide kids through the Internet maze; science; read-along stories; online storybooks; sports; animated sites; glossary of computer/Internet terms
ISBN: 0-7853-3014-3 Cost: $13
300 Incredible Things for Kids on the Internet (book)
by Ken Leebow - 1999
VIP Publishing, Marietta, Georgia
Phone: 1-800-909-6505
Educational Internet sites;includes dictionaries, language/literature, & college
prep sites?also science, history, geography, math sites
ISBN: 0-9658668-1-5 Cost: $6
Best Web Sites for Teachers, 2nd Edition (book)
by Sharp, Levine, & Sharp
www.edresources.comP.O.Box 1900, Elgin IL 60121
Phone: 1-800-624-2926
750 educational Web sites; sites organized alphabetically by Educational Resources curriculum area; lesson plan sites; grades K-12
ISBN: 1-56484-136-7; Cost: $27
Cost: $90
Franklin Speller(s) - (ages 9 - adult) (electronic)
Franklin Electronic Publishers, Inc.
www.franklin.comBurlington, NJ 08016
Phone: 1-800-266-5626
Dictionary, spelling, thesaurus, bilingual, word games, audio abilities,
headphones capabilities & price depends on model; 'bilingual' is good for those who are taking a foreign language.
Purchase or order at office supply stores Cost: ~ $20 - 130
Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe - 2000 (software) (ages - all)
Microsoft Corporation
www.encarta.msn.comRedmond, WA 98052
42,000 articles; photos &illustrations; 170 video clips; 2500 sound clips; 3-D maps &
interactive tours; 19,000 www links
Purchase or order at most software stores Cost: $60
Computer requirements: Windows 95/98; Macintosh (8-16 MB RAM)
Microsoft Encarta Reference Suite - 2000 - (ages - all)
Microsoft Corporation
www.encarta.msn.comRedmond, WA 98052
Encyclopedia, plus interactive world; atlas & dictionary; 31,500 WWW sites
Cost: $90
American Heritage Talking Dictionary - (ages - all)
The Learning Company
www.learningco.com1700 Progress Dr. (P.O.Box 100)
Hiawatha, IA 52233
200,000 word definitions; 90,000 spoken definitions; integrated thesaurus; 3000 photos & maps; advanced search even if word is misspelled
Cost: $19
Computer requirements: Windows 3.1/95/98 (8-16 MB RAM)
DRP BookLink - Literature and Popular Titles - (for use by teachers/parents)
Sopris West
www.sopriswest.com4093 Specialty Place, Longmont CO 80504
Phone: 1-800-547-6747
Gives readability levels of supplemental materials; 12,500 books including classic literature;
indexed for age-appropriateness; brief description of book contents; also categorized by
interests (e.g., science, mystery,hobbies, history, adventure, people)
Cost: $99
Computer requirements: Windows or Macintosh (CD-ROM or 3.5" diskettes)
The Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia supports efforts to provide individuals with dyslexia with appropriate instuction and to identify these individuals at an early age. The Center, however, does not endorse any specific program, speaker, product, or instructional materials, noting that there are a number of such which present the critical components of instruction, as defined by the Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia.
