In the U.S., 2.5 million students (about twice the population of Maine) have learning disabilities—such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia—that can hurt them academically and emotionally.
Fortunately, there are more assistive technologies that help students with different needs improve their performance.
This article describes the struggles of Elle-Mae Taylor, a third-year student at a U.K. university, and how Microsoft Education's Immersive Reader made a major positive difference in her life.
What is Immersive Reader?
Immersive Reader is a digital learning tool from Microsoft designed to assist students, particularly those with learning difficulties like dyslexia. It offers features such as text-to-speech, background color adjustments, and line focus to help users better understand and engage with text. This tool has been shown to improve students' confidence and academic performance.
How has Immersive Reader impacted students with learning difficulties?
Students using Immersive Reader have reported significant improvements in their academic performance and self-expression. For instance, Elle-Mae Taylor, a student with dyslexia, found that the tool helped her achieve higher grades and reshaped her future career options. It has also been noted that 2.5 million students in the U.S. alone have learning disabilities, highlighting the potential impact of assistive technology on a large scale.
Who can benefit from Immersive Reader?
While Immersive Reader is particularly beneficial for students with learning disabilities, it can also support any student looking to enhance their learning experience. Elle-Mae emphasized that it could alleviate stress for all students, suggesting that increased awareness of such tools could help a wider audience improve their academic performance.
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