In the last few years, more people have become aware of dyslexia and other learning difficulties. However, most students and teachers still lack the resources they need to assist.
One of our recent studies uncovered some of these issues that teachers themselves are facing, like inadequate training and not having the right tools for students who learn in different ways.
But for students with dyslexia, who often experience difficulties in traditional educational settings, new technology like the OrCam Learn offers fresh hope.
First of all, what is OrCam Learn?
OrCam Learn is a helpful tool for students to read and understand better. It is made especially for dyslexic learners to help them feel independent and confident.
This device reads out text, provides real-time feed, and is very intuitive for both students and teachers to be able to use effectively. With OrCam, students can engage more with their studies, achieve new independence in learning, and understand what is written.
The Growing Need for Dyslexia Support in Schools
As the UK’s education system grapples with the rising numbers of students requiring additional support, educators are faced with a dual challenge. Firstly, there’s an acute shortage of special resources and support for students with dyslexia, so most of the students in those classes may struggle without specific help tailored to their needs.
And second, our recent research has highlighted these needs: it has demonstrated that teachers often feel ill-prepared in their ability to help students with dyslexia, due to a lack of appropriate resources or specific training.
For students with dyslexia, regular reading methods can make simple tasks very difficult, preventing progress in school and damaging confidence. Knowing about these problems, helpful tools like OrCam Learn try to offer a new useful solution.
Some Standout Tech Features
A key feature of OrCam Learn involves real-time interaction: the student will be able to point at text in a book and have OrCam read out the words; the audio is provided in a friendly and natural-sounding voice - much like having a real person. Reading in this manner is important for students to listen at a comfortable pace and understand the material being discussed, as if they were actually speaking with a teacher or tutor.
But the OrCam Learn is just one of many products from OrCam. Other products, such as OrCam MyEye and OrCam Read, offer additional features that may suit various learning requirements. They assist in reading, recognising faces, or providing audio feedback from what they see. They support various learning aspects, contributing to students' success even when they encounter difficulties.
Real-World Impact: How OrCam Transformed Learning for Students
With the use of OrCam Learn in more schools, there is a noticeably positive effect that it has on students with reading difficulties. In fact, we receive lots of feedback from teachers and they noticed big changes in attitude toward learning among their students when they began to use OrCam Learn.
“I wish I could have filmed one of our ‘Year 7’ pupils seeing it (OrCam Learn) work - his face just lit up. In that moment, his struggles with reading were so apparent, and the relief was almost tangible.” – Teacher from Bowbrook House School
Some teachers provided feedback that they found the OrCam Learn device very helpful during exams where clear understanding is absolutely important.
"The pen was amazing, not only was is the electronic voice extremely clear, it read at a speed which made it sound as though the voice was of a real person in the room. It was easy to use which made it accessible to those who (like myself) are not tech savvy. Our young person who was lucky enough to use it throughout their exams could not believe how much it improved their understanding of what they were been asked in questions, in every subject from maths to geography!" – Teacher from Parkside Academy Comprehensive.
For students who struggle with reading, this immediate positive feedback shows how OrCam can help make learning feel possible and inspiring. Stories like this demonstrates the power of creating equal opportunities for students in testing situations like exams.
Boosting Confidence and Independence in Learning
OrCam technology helps students in more ways than just its practical uses. For students with dyslexia, the feeling of constant struggle can be overwhelming, which leads to developing low self-esteem and a reluctance to engage with learning.
But OrCam is so easy to use that the student will feel much more confident in what they are capable of doing, easing some of the anxiety that reading difficulties bring. Students with dyslexia become more independent and gain control of their learning with the aid of assistive technology like OrCam MyEye, which enhances seeing faces, text, or objects.
And so, the more students use OrCam, the more they are able to:
- Engage in class discussions.
- Tackle homework with more confidence.
- Finally, be prouder of their accomplishments in school.
This change means not only better learning but also helps teachers to connect on a deeper level with students, who in turn feel more included in their classes.
OrCam: A Future with Equal Opportunities
OrCam products, such as the OrCam Learn, OrCam MyEye, and OrCam Read, are great for enhancing the way we view education for students with learning difficulties.
These tools do much more than help one read; they allow immediate interaction, support students learning on their own, and enhance understanding. OrCam technology helps students feel more confident, understand better, and take part more in class.
Ultimately, if more tools and resources were available into schools, we’ll be able to help level the playing field for all students with learning challenges to achieve success.