Breaking down exam accommodation barriers at this year’s Annual IDA Conference

Breaking down barriers in exams is priority and a core message shared by Scanning Pens CEO Mr Jack Churchill at the opening general session kicking off this year’s Annual IDA Conference which Scanning Pens is delighted to support and sponsor for the second year running.

This year’s opening session begins with a timely and relevant question: We know what we know, so what do we do now? Implementing best practices in all schools.

To support this relevant question Jack highlighted the importance of dyslexia assessments and exam accommodations during his opening speech.

Jack said “My Great Grandfather Sir Winston Churchill famously struggled in school. Accommodations have improved for today’s students but in my mind, it’s not gone far enough. The point of exams is to ensure students are tested on their knowledge of a given subject, not their ability to read and assistive technology like the ReaderPen and ExamReader can enable students to read exam questions themselves which develops independent and confident people fit for work.” 

During the 4-day conference, held at Foxwoods Resort, Connecticut, the conference attracts thousands of researchers, clinicians, parents, teachers, psychologists, educational therapists, and people with dyslexia who will share their perspectives and ideas on key dyslexic topics including the support of assistive technology.

New this year at the conference is a deeper dive into current dyslexia research where Scanning Pens will share their latest research study on the use and impact of Scanning Pens by students independently carried out by Bath Spa University which showed significant increase in learners understanding when tested on their reading comprehension when using the ReaderPen. 

To watch the full opening speech by Mr Jack Churchill please follow link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31vuybB03ig

During the conference Scanning Pens will be offering free 30-day trials to all educational providers as well as many competition prizes including free pen giveaways, for more information please visit booth #511 or www.readerpen.com

ReaderPen’s New Dictionary for Primary Education: The World of Words in your Hand

 Scanning Pens Ltd is proud to announce the addition of the Oxford Primary Dictionary to our C-Pen ReaderPen. The inclusion of this simplified dictionary is perfect for any young eager readers out there with its straightforward definitions. The ReaderPen has also been designed to support anyone who is learning English and those who have reading difficulties such as dyslexia.

It’s not just ideal for personal use but the introduction of the Oxford Primary Dictionary makes the classroom a fun experience for everyone. The Headteacher of Lilleshall Primary School had this to say after trying the new and improved pen:

“(one of her students) said: It has helped me a lot and meant that I can be more independent. . . I am getting higher marks and it makes me feel better about myself”

Dyslexia Advisor with Scanning Pens, Arran Smith also commented. “This new feature will help pupils in all ages to succeed in their everyday studies and through that improve the confidence and attainment. The ReaderPen is easy to use. Simply pass the nib across a word and it instantly displays the definition and reads it aloud”.

Scanning Pens Ltd has been distributing specialised assistive technology reading pens for over 15 years. The inclusion of the Oxford Primary Dictionary in our C-Pen ReaderPen is the latest of our efforts to improve the reading comprehension and student attainment of our customers.

To try the C-Pen Reader in real life situations and see the benefits of the device, Scanning Pens provides free 30-day trials for schools. For more information please visit – www.readerpen.com

MP Lucy Allan Visits Scanning Pens Office

MP Lucy Allan is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Telford today paid a visit to local business Scanning Pens Ltd to meet staff and discover more about their range of assistive technology devices.

Scanning Pens Ltd is the global distributor for the C-Pen.  The C-Pen ReaderPen, ExamReader and DictionaryPen’s are pocket-sized devices that reads text out loud aiming to promote independent reading and learning.

As a leading Assistive Technology supplier, they combine their expert knowledge with years of experience in the dyslexia field to develop solutions for many educational institutions helping students with reading difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, physical disabilities and much more.

Lucy Allan a member of the Education Select Committee said “I was so pleased to visit Scanning Pens and listen to how the pens have supported and transformed many young people who face daily reading challenges, too many people struggle with literacy problems throughout their lives and this is a fantastic tool to enable them to overcome these difficulties.”

CEO and Co-Founder of Scanning Pens Mr Jack Churchil comments: “We were thrilled to welcome Lucy to Scanning Pens. Since we opened our Telford office nearly two years ago, we have recruited many local people and provided educational support to hundreds of reluctant readers, some with complex learning needs, many of whom live in Telford and surrounding areas. Scanning Pens have always been committed to being an active part of the local community so welcoming Lucy as the local MP was a great honour for us”.

About Scanning Pens

Founded in 2003 Scanning Pens is a dedicated supplier of assistive technologies including mobile scanners and reading aids to support people with a diverse range of disabilities. Scanning Pens have recently been announced as finalist for the 2018 Dyslexia Information Day Award and the Supportive Employer Award. This marks a number of prestigious awards gained by Scanning Pens Ltd over recent years

For further information please visit www.scanningpens.com 

Exam Accommodations in South Africa

South Africa is an emerging opportunity for BETT 2018 Award finalists Scanning Pens Ltd based in Telford UK with additional offices in USA, Canada and Australia. The ExamReader pen which is approved for use in all GCSE’s by the JCQ to support students who have reading difficulties such as dyslexia independently take exams knowing they can read and understand the questions. This revolutionary device has now won approval by the Western Cape Examination Department and Independent Exam Board of South Africa.

The ReaderPen and ExamReader pen recently won the prestigious Eduweek Africa Award for Innovation at the conference held in Johannesburg in June underlining how effective use of technology has impact upon student’s daily lives.

The scanning pen allows students who have dyslexia or other reading difficulties to work independently and to access text without the need for continued teacher intervention and support freeing up valuable time within lessons.

In a recent report conducted by Bath Spa University in a multicultural, urban school in the UK found, “...that many of the participants did benefit from the development of vocabulary, reading comprehension, confidence and independence through the six weeks of pen use, particularly when given the freedom to use them both at home and at school.” (Mortimore, 2018)

About Scanning Pens

Founded in 2003 Scanning Pens is a dedicated supplier of assistive technologies including mobile scanners and reading aids to support people with a diverse range of disabilities. Scanning Pens have recently launched their Succeed with Dyslexia campaign which aims to re-establish self-confidence and provide the opportunity to succeed and champion that anything is possible with dyslexia.

For further information please visit www.scanningpens.com #succeedwithdsylexia

Editors notes:

Scanning Pens Ltd (registered in the United Kingdom), Scanning Pens Inc (registered in the United States), Scanning Pens Corp (registered in Canada) and Scanning Pens Pty Ltd (registered in the Australia), collectively known as Scanning Pens is one of the largest supplier of mobile scanners in the world, we represent many of the leading manufacturers of this type of technology.

We are the exclusive suppliers of all C-Pen Education products, including the C-Pen Reader Pen, C-Pen Exam Reader and C-Pen Dictionary Pen.

We supply to trade, schools, districts, businesses and end users.

We manage the following additional websites:
www.readerpen.com
www.examreader.com
www.dictionarypen.com
www.scanningpens.blog
www.scanningpens.group

We are members of the following associations:

ATIA, BATA, BESA, BSME, COBIS, EARCOS, IDA, AISA, Speld QLD & NASEN

Awards:

http://www.educationweek.co.za/AwardWinners

http://bettawards.com/finalists/

The British Dyslexia Association presents Seeing Dyslexia Differently at International Conference 2018

This year marks the 11th International British Dyslexia Association (BDA) International Conference (IC) which explores research, developments and inspiration in the dyslexia and learning difficulties field.

Over 800 attendees from the worldwide academic, corporate, and public sectors are expected at this year’s international conference held at the International Centre, Telford, Shropshire from 12th -14th April 2018, making it the largest international conference and exhibition focusing on dyslexia.

More than 50 sessions are devoted to the latest trends and developments around the conference theme: Evidence to practise and back again.

Professor Susan Gathercole (Cambridge University) and BDA Chair says “Professor Susan Gathercole (Cambridge University) and BDA Academic Committee Chair says “The educational climate continues to change rapidly and our aim at the BDA is to make accessible the cutting edge of dyslexia development for our attendees. With our key sponsors Scanning Pens and Microsoft, the International Conference programme is designed to fit many different styles of learning. We offer discussions and debates, hands-on live demo zones and workshops, and have exhibitors and guests from start-ups through to the most established corporations.” 

In addition to the platform for education world leaders and organisations to showcase and discuss collaborative solutions, the IC provides an unrivalled opportunity for networking and has become a fixture on the learning difficulties and dyslexia calendar.

International Keynote speakers include

·       Professor Daniel Ansari - Canada Research Chair in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

·       Professor Simon Fisher – Director, Institute of Psycholinguistics

·       Professor John Gabrieli – London Metropolitan University

·       Professor Linnea Ehri – City University, New York

·       Professor Manuel Casanova – Chair, Childhood Neurtherapeutics

·       Professor Victor van Daal – Edge Hill University

·       Professor Susan Gathercole – Cambridge University and BDA Chair

·       Professor Amanda Kirby – University of South Wales

·       Professor Rob Savage - UCL

NEW Parents and Carers Day

A Parents’ and Carers’ event will be hosted on Saturday, alongside the conference day! This event is aimed at parents and carers of young people with dyslexia and those who have a general interest in finding out more about this learning difference. Tickets are limited and cost £20 and will offer engaging live demo’s, discussions and inspiring concepts around supporting children, what changes in SEND means for you, and legal information as well as lots more.

For further delegate and visitor information please visit - http://bdainternationalconference.org/