In my experience, it's not possible (nor appropriate) to do straightforward proof-reading (that is, checking and correcting) for students with dyslexia whose difficulties lie in expressing their knowledge and understanding accurately and concisely in writing.
In most cases, the difficulties are rather more complex than can simply corrected by a proofreader, and often require several hours of talking, questioning, exploring, trying out different formulations, explaining the impact of different constructions, teaching grammar, punctuation, style etc etc. The student's learning preferences also need to be explored as they impact on the process of writing. It is vital to avoid writing for and on behalf of the student, and also important that the final product remains the student's own work. This is very much a learning-through-doing process and many elements need to be done several times over for the student to be able to learn them. I don't think that such students will learn to develop and improve their writing from someone else correcting their work and then getting feedback on it - which is what most academic tutors do and which is, in my experience, not helpful at all.
I feel strongly that this is part of what a dyslexia support tutor's role is, and it requires appropriate training and experience.
Sheila
>>> [log in to unmask] 12/04/02 12:59pm >>>
Hi everyone
I would like to find out what other HEIs are doing regarding the above. We
are thinking of utilising postgrad level support workers to proof read
dyslexic student's work. Before we decide if we are definitely going to
push forward we have several issues we need to resolve. These are: (1) do
other HEIs feel that a minimum of postgrad qualification is appropriate to
carry out this role (2) what hourly rate is appropriate and (3) the kind of
feedback the proof reader would need to give the student, i.e. one-to-one
or via written notes. Obviously there are time implications with feedback
and the resultant payment to the proof reader.
I would be really grateful if you could share your Institutional practice.
Carol
Carol Doyle
Accessible Curriculum Development Advisor
Disability Department UWIC
Western Avenue Cardiff CF15 2YB
Tel: 02920 416170
Email: [log in to unmask]
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