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Wordswork

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Product Names: Wordswork
Manufacturer/Publisher: Alphabetics Ltd

Wordswork – A powerful multi-sensory study skills package.

There have been a number of programs to teach study skills, but the classic one is Wordswork. Produced by a team who really know their stuff on dyslexia, it is packed with useful advice for dyslexic students. It is written primarily for dyslexic undergraduates but is very relevant for students in upper secondary, tertiary, further and adult education. In addition dyslexic adults wanting to improve their skills before embarking on formal study will benefit. Its excellent use of sound and pictures make it dyslexia friendly and a must for dyslexia Resource Centres and a great training and reference tool for individual students.

Wordswork uses graphics, 'voice-overs', colour and humour to develop a variety of language skills which dyslexic students (and others) need to address.

Using a 'learning styles' approach, students are encouraged to identify and use their strengths to overcome areas of weakness. The program includes many exercises to involve users in interactive learning. The wide attraction of the programme results from the sophisticated, yet amusing, approaches used. The program is not intended to teach basic reading skills, but all printed screens are accompanied by 'voice-overs', reducing the need for excessive reading.

Topics include:

Essay writing
Exam revision
Grammar
Handwriting
Memory
Oral presentation
Punctuation
Reading
Spelling
Time management
Vocabulary building

You will need:

Windows 95 or later
16MB RAM
Compatible sound device
VGA graphics
CD-ROM in drive

N.B. Multi-user and site licences are special order items and therefore non-refundable, unless faulty.

The authors:

Ellen Morgan has been a Senior Lecturer and co-ordinator of the Dyslexia Support Service at the University of North London, amongst other extensive experience of teaching and assessing dyslexic students in adult, further and higher education. She has trained teachers to work in this area and has lectured widely on issues relating to adult dyslexia.
Barbara Abrahams has first-hand experience of teaching her own dyslexic son how to read. She subsequently worked in adult literacy and has trained company employees in business communication skills.

11 steps to self help in writing and reading

Software support for students with dyslexia in FE and HE Colleges

Comments and Reviews

What fun I had with this CD-ROM! Whilst it was initially designed to be a multisensory approach to improving study skills for dyslexic adult undergraduates, I have no doubt that it will be of great value to all those aged 16+ wishing to become independent learners. In an entertaining and amusing way, the authors show learners that they all have strengths and skills, and that if they find the right key to open the door, they have the potential to become highly successful in their chosen direction. As there is a 'voiceover' attached to the program, the stress that some dyslexic people may feel when facing a reading task, will immediately be dispelled, allowing them to enjoy that which they are learning. Furthermore, it is presented in a way that learners are unlikely to have met when younger and which is suitable for adults. This can only lead to a feeling of raised self-esteem and motivation.

Recognising the needs of adult learners, it covers a host of areas such as: understanding how you learn, memory and learning style strategies, organisational and study skills. It is of real use to students young and old and comes highly recommended.

Dr Lindsay Peer CBE, Former Education Director, British Dyslexia Association.

Wordswork is an extremely welcome and truly multi-sensory resource, all the more wonderful because it values the dyslexic learner and is grounded in real strategies that work for real dyslexic students . . . I especially like the sections on memory, spelling, time management, vocabulary, punctuation and revision. Best of all it reinforces indvidual learning styles through descriptions of problems and the strategies to overcome them.

Cynthia Klein, consultant and trainer in dyslexia at the London Language and Literacy Unit, South Bank University.

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