Closing the Gap 2013: Reading and Writing Accessibility with SOLO 6
image by David Castillo Dominici
Reading and writing are foundation skills needed to be successful in the educational system.
Do you have students that struggle with essential learning tasks such as spelling, reading, note-taking, creating an outline, writing a paper, or even editing?
If so, then you know that there isn’t one app that can comprehensively help your students overcome these difficulties. However, these learning barriers can be removed with the implementation of SOLO 6 Literacy Suite — a simple and powerful software solution.
What is SOLO?
SOLO 6 is a suite of four software programs — Write:OutLoud, Read:OutLoud, Draft:Builder, and Co:Writer — that meets the literacy needs of your diverse learners. Many students struggle with the basic building blocks needed for literacy because of autism, attention deficit disorder, dysgraphia, dyslexia, visual impairment, poor motor skills, English language learners, cognitive disabilities, or specific learning disabilities in reading and writing.
Can SOLO work in a UDL environment?
YES!
For example, the Wayzata Public Schools are committed to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). SOLO 6 was determined to be an excellent tool to meet the needs of all students and therefore support their commitment to the UDL principles.
SOLO 6 was installed on every student and staff computer and students even have take home rights by either downloading the software from the district website or by checking the software out from the media centers. SOLO 6 is being used in special education resource rooms, general education classrooms for research projects, and even at home.
What about outcomes?
The accessibility and integrated use of the SOLO 6 software programs have allowed students to read independently, increase their written output, and improve spelling, class participation, productivity, student engagement, and quality of research papers.
The results of the initial pilot study conducted in the Wayzata Public Schools clearly demonstrated that all of the teachers involved in the pilot study believed that (a) SOLO 6 was easy to use, (b) a wide variety of students could benefit from the software, (c) they would recommend SOLO 6 to other teachers, and (d) this software would help students with reading, writing, organization, and research.
In her presentation, Carole will:
- Review how to use each of the four programs of SOLO 6
- Show video testimony from classroom teachers and special educators that demonstrates the impact SOLO 6 has made with their students
- Show video footage that follows special education students who have used SOLO 6 for two years
- Provide a blueprint to Wayzata’s implementation pilot of SOLO 6, so other districts can learn from their process
Want to learn more? Stay tuned here for notes from Carole’s Closing the Gap 2013 presentation!
About the Presenter
Carole Ries, OTR is the District Assistive Technologist for Wayzata Public School. In her role, Carole serves as a resource and supports the IEP (Individual Education Plan) and IFSP (Individualized Family Services Plans) teams which are responsible for providing assistive technology products and services to individuals birth to 21 years old.
You can read more about Carole’s work implementing SOLO 6 in Scholastic’s Best in Tech Today!