FEATURE: SEND
digital games in classrooms allows teachers to customise games to relevant topics or to the individual. Many games can be customised at set up so to integrate playing with their other work by uploading their own words to practice or number skills. In contrast to traditional work sheets, digital
games give children the chance for personalisation. Choosing a character, a team colour or a fun name can be a great start to the task ahead. As little and often learning can be the most
effective for children with dyslexia, the accessibility of digital games offers them a hands on approach to learning. Games can be played at school as well as in the home. Learning can continue at the child’s own pace and even in the holidays if they feel a little practice is needed.
Achievement Mainstream video games give users the satisfaction of defeating an obstacle. Educational games also offer a challenge to be met with satisfaction at the end. Learning from mistakes and learning to focus are crucial skills which digital games offer. Children can be proud of what they achieved and will receive a reward at the end of the game such as badges or higher level. Children with dyslexia can often feel pressure to keep up with their classmates but by playing games that are specifically targeted for their needs, they can be proud that they have conquered it on their own.
Development With the vast range of educational games available, choosing digital can be a real benefit to the development of key skills. Literacy and numeracy games can help children with dyslexia, by having a simplistic design and so not to overload the screen with words or numbers. Dyslexia often causes people to see the letters ‘float’ or ‘move around’ the page. By having a simple design with just one or two words on the screen it can help children concentrate on the task at hand. Clicking through to the next task is more helpful instead of having a page full of words can be overwhelming for children.
Social skills are also one of the most important
for children to learn at a young age. The digital world gives children the chance for positive social interaction at school. Many games are multi- player to be played alongside a teacher or classmate. This can be particularly important for children that struggle in social situations. Even talking exclusively about the game, having a discussion can help them get start talking to their peers in a fun environment.
Attention The report in the journal of Current Biology (2013), found evidence that video games can actually improve reading speed without a cost of accuracy in children with dyslexia. Although this cannot be considered a treatment without further research it can be useful to look at why this is. The main outcome came from the fact that
attention skills were improved. Extracting information quicker from the fast paced environment of video games transferred to children reading ability. Attention is a part of the brain that can be trained. Dyslexic children can learn to focus their attention more effectively to extract the relevant information such as phonic sounds and so to be able to read the written word more quickly.
Self-esteem As children start school they can become more aware of their typical developing classmates and their dyslexia appears more obvious. Struggling with tasks that peers do not, can mean children fall behind and causes frustration. The knock on effect often leads children with dyslexia to have a low self-esteem. Children’s self confidence in their ability can be improved and is important to do a young age. Having games that target children’s needs in literacy, and can be played without the need of a teacher reading for them, can encourage independence and willingness to challenge themselves. The accessibility of digital games being able to
transfer from school to home and vice versa, help many dyslexic children with the difficult task of homework. Having the games to refer back to and seeing the words again and again in the same environment can help them complete homework more effectively.
Conclusion Technology offers children the opportunity to learn at their own pace. It provides them with a sense of achievement, whilst being enjoyable. Parents/carers and educators must learn how to use children’s love of the digital world effectively in the classroom and at home so the fun is still felt alongside the learning.
uHelp Educational Games offers digital games for children with special educational needs. For more information, please see
www.helpgames.com
October 2018
www.education-today.co.uk 29
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