Dyslexia Guild Gallery Feb 2014

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Guild Gallery February 2014
 

         DA HQ in winter

  Dear Member

Guild Gallery February 2014

The e-newsletter for all the Dyslexia Guild Members.  We are looking forward to the Spring and have many new events planned for 2014. Save the date on Thursday 19th of June 2014 for the Dyslexia Guild Summer conference in the historic Lincoln.  The conference "Dyslexia and Co-occuring Difficulties: Exploring Aspects of Performance" is held at Bishop Grosseteste University, based in the uphill parts of medieval Lincoln with many other attractions such as arguably the finest Gothic Cathedral in Europe.  We will also be offering CPD events on the Wednesday 18th.

Don't forget that the Guild Forums are a new member benefit and service provided on the Dyslexia Action website where you can talk to other members and Dyslexia Action Staff about topics of interest.  There are subject specific forums on Assessment and APC, Exam Access Arrangements as well as a General Discussion forum.

We have a new Forum page available at: Click Here.

In order to receive your new login details to access the Guild Forums Please send us an email on guildforums@dyslexiaaction.org.uk.

 
 

Upcoming Courses          

Postgraduate Programme         

Starts January 2016

The aim of these online programmes, that run three times a year, is to train teachers and support tutors to become informed, skilled practitioners who understand the theory and practice of teaching and/or assessment of dyslexic learners of all ages (we have three start dates per year in September, January and May)

Training PG Courses


CPD Programme                            

Short Courses starting 19 March 2014  20-30 hours of study over 6 weeks          

Dyslexia Action's Continuing Professional Development Level 4 and 5 online courses have been designed specifically for:

Classroom Teachers

Teaching Assistants

Tutors working with those under the age of 18

(Several start dates available throughout the year)

 


Supporting Adults Programme (for those working with Adults)

Starts 19th March 2014           

This programme is suitable for those working in Further or Higher Education and with adult learners.  There are also several short courses at Level 4 to choose from.  Please book by 5 March.

 


International Programme          

Starts 19 March 2014

The Level 4 and Level 5 International Programme courses are designed to strengthen the expertise and confidence of international teachers, teaching assistants and support professionals in order to ensure the progress and achievement of learners from primary to 18 years with special educational needs.

In order to participate in the course you should be living outside the UK but be working with English speaking learners.


Exams Access Arrangements      

Starts 13th May 2014

The course provides Continuing Professional Development on assessment in the context of dyslexia and other SpLDs and is for people who need more information or updating in this area of disability in order that they can write reports in support of examination access arrangement requests. The latest JCQ regulations and report writing requirements within this framework will be covered.

Other courses


Reading Standards can be raised by library involvement

The UK was ranked only ranked 23rd for reading in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), despite a considerable higher spend compared to many other countries in the survey.  The survey looks at reading standards of a sample of 500,000 15yr olds from 65 countries.  As well as having a higher expenditure than average, the UK alos had a lower proportion of students with very low-socio economic profiles - six percent rather than an average of 15 percent. 

Barbara Band, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) President, said she wants to see investment in school libraries, which she says will help where it really matters.  She said that libraries have a role to play in improving the UK's reading performance, adding that other skills were unlikely to flourish if literacy was weak.  "Every secondary school in the UK should have a well equipped library.  Every school should have a qualified librarian just as every classroom should have a qualified teacher.  Literacy levels are the bedrock for a developed society and successful economy.  All young people need the right support to make sure they are fully literate.  Businesses need literate people with the right skills to be able to read and write to understand information, communicate effectively and carry out research."

For more about PISA and the survey results: Click Here


 

Girl of 11 asks Michael Gove to do more for dyslexic children

Oliver Loder was bullied because of her dyslexia but after moving to a specialist school, she took inspiration from Nelson Mandela to write to MP for Surrey Heath and Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove.

“I want to try and do something,” said Olivia. “I want there to be more information available for state school teachers about dyslexia."

Read this story Here.
 

Test User: Educational Ability/Attainment (formerly CCET) Are you still qualified?

British Psychological Society bring in 6 year rule

If your name and your BPS test user qualifications no longer appear on their online Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU) then your BPS test user qualifications are now rendered invalid. A BPS Certificate of Competence/ Registration is obsolete without an accompanying entry on the RQTU.

 How can I reinstate my entry on the RQTU?

After 5 September 2013, any test user wishing to reinstate an entry on the RQTU will need to seek a reaffirmation of their competence from their verified Assessor at each appropriate level of qualification. Fees are likely to be charged by Assessors for a reaffirmation.  For more information please Click Here.

Research News

Blame the faulty connection for dyslexia

A Belgium-based research team has discovered that a slow connection between where the brain stores the auditory building blocks of language and where it processes them may be the cause of dyslexia.

The findings represent the first neuroanatomical evidence that the vexing spelling and reading disorder striking people who otherwise can speak a language fluently lies in a connectivity problem in the brain's white matter, where nerve fibers relay electrochemical signals.

For more on this story Click Here  


 

Rats have a Working Memory

First time working memory shown in simpler mammals

Thousands of times a day, the brain stores sensory information for very short periods of time in a working memory, to be able to use it later. A research study carried out with the collaboration of SISSA has shown, for the first time, that this function also exists in the brain of rodents, a finding that sheds light on the evolutionary origins of this cognitive mechanism.

For more on this story Click Here

 


News

From Dyslexic Pupil to Headteacher

Kate Chisolm describes how her dyslexia inspired her to work in education and devise new approaches to literacy. her emphasis has been on bringing back the basics to the teaching environment, with a focus on reading, writing and arithmetic.

For more details Click Here


Grey matter influenced by poorer reading experience

It has been assumed that the difference in the amount of gray matter might, in part, explain why dyslexic children have difficulties correctly and fluently mapping the sounds in words to their written counterparts during reading. But this assumption of causality has now been turned on its head.

The findings from anatomical brain studies conducted at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) in the Center for the Study of Learning led by neuroscientist Guinevere Eden, DPhil, were published online today in The Journal of Neuroscience.

 

For more on this story, Click Here


 

17th Annual SEND Residential Conference 2014 for residential Schools.

16th & 17th May 2014.

 

For SENCos, Learning Support Coordinators and teachers working in idependent international schools. 

For details Click Here


The British Library is running Comics Unmasked Workshops will support the delivery of English and Art at Key Stages 4 and 5 from 2 May until 19 August 2014 alongside the exhibition.  Students will develop skills in creative enquiry, research and critical thinking and explore the full potential of the comic as a medium, from creation to reception.

A CPD conference for Secondary English teachers inspired by Comics Unmasked will take place on Friday 4 July 2014. In partnership with the Guardian.

More details about booking the workshops and CPD conference will be available soon but to register your interest, please email learning@bl.uk

For website Click Here


 

Reading news 


Patron of Reading
Is your school involved with the Patron of Reading scheme, which raises the profile of reading for pleasure amongst pupils, staff and parents? The initiative encourages schools across the country to develop and maintain long term relationships with authors, poets, illustrators and storytellers. Over fifty schools and writers are already involved and there are many authors available who would love to become Patrons in schools. To find out more, please Click Here

Joe Craig, Patron of Reading at Parkside Federation Academies, said, "The Patron of Reading scheme is a fantastic opportunity and a huge boost for reading and writing. Authors can connect with schools, schools can connect with authors. It’s the best way for me to share my passion for stories. The joys of reading and writing can be infectious and when an author and a school build the kind of relationship that the Patron of Reading scheme allows, that buzz can become a lifetime habit of reading for pleasure. Now what could be more fun, or more valuable, than that?"

 

Books and Technology

Three Ways to use Data in the Classroom

Using data in the classroom doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds.  This teacher in the USA shares her 3 tips such as electronic polling, creating quick quizzes, and using formative assessment for immediate intervention.  Details Here


Books in Alternative Formats

ReadHowYouWant helps spread the joy of reading by reformating books into high-quality, alternative formats.  As well as offering Large Print and works in larger fonts they also produce work in 36 and 48 point which is a format that helps those suffering from Macular Degenerative disease.    The enhanced Daisy format also provides image description, table description, navigation to heading and sub-heading level, sentence and sub-sentence highlighting.  Daisy page number states printed page number, hyperlinked index, footnote and Endnote - as well as choice of gender voice and UK, US or Australian accents.

In 2014 they will deliver the very first programme that targets people with reading difficulties, and in particular, Dyslexia.  Readable English will be available in both print and digital editions by June 2014. Jon Attenborough, General Manager explains, "The English language is a non-phonetic language, which results in between 12 and 15% of native speakers having reading difficulty.  Readable English address this - by adding syllable breaks, grey out silent characters, and a series of easy to learn glyphs, all of which enable the reader to retain the original spelling of the word, while learning to read.  We have also added to the digital edition a reader-selected language which provides a meaning of the English word in their native language.  As with all our editions, the reader can select the format and font of their choice - as well as an enhanced edition which will provide additional programmes for non-English speaking participants, including the abitity to add their native dictionary embedded in the digital programmes.

Visit the website here


Microsoft Screenreader Window-Eyes                                                                      

Window-Eyes is a leading screen reading software application for the blind and visually impaired, that converts components of the Windows operating system into synthesized speech allowing for complete and total access to Windows based computer systems. Window-Eyes integration into Windows is seamless, providing you with instant access to the operating system without having to learn a complicated set of keystrokes. Microsoft has announced that people can now download free screenreader technology when they have a Microsoft Office licence. Steve Tyler, RNIB Head of solutions strategy and planning, said:‘RNIB is delighted by the news that blind and partially sighted people will be able to access a screenreader as part of a regular windows package. For the first time, Microsoft Office users with sight loss can download screenreader technology free of charge. The cost of screenreader software has been a barrier for many people in the past, preventing them from fully engaging in technology. Making software of this nature available on mainstream platforms at no additional charge is a game changer for those that want, and increasingly need, access to digital technologies.’ Read more at the Window-Eyes for Office website: Click Here

 


Work for Dyslexia Action

For job opportunities with Dyslexia Action please see our latest vacancies: Click Here

For more details about job descriptions or applications contact: recruitment@dyslexiaaction.org.uk

 


                          Seasonal greetings to all Guild Members for the coming Easter holidays.


Next issue

The next issue of Guild Gallery will be sent out May 2014.


  

Dyslexia Action

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Head Office, Park House, Wick Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 0HH,Tel: 01784 222300, Fax: 01784 222333, Email: info@dyslexiaaction.org.uk

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