Dyslexia and Learning Computer Programming: Some Student Views

1
Dyslexia and Learning Computer ProgrammingSome
Student Views

• By Norman Powell
• David Moore
• John Gray
• Janet Finlay
• John Reaney
• LTSN-ICS Development Fund

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Introduction

• Definition of Dyslexia
• Mapping of Dyslexia and Programming
• Other Issues
• Summary

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Dyslexia is...

• a descracpniy in ieliglnctnee and lgangaue
  aitbily.
• Birsith Dcslyxeis
• ... a dsidroer minfeetasd by dfiticuefils in
  lanienrg to raed, dptiese cvnaneotinol
  insurittcon, aetdqaue itlcnelegine and
  sioco-catlurul otonprpuity.
• The Wlrod Faediotren of Nugrooely

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Dyslexia is...
a discrepancy in intelligence and language
ability. British Dyslexics
... a disorder manifested by difficulties in
learning to read, despite conventional
instruction, adequate intelligence and
socio-cultural opportunity. The World
Federation of Neurology
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Dyslexia is...

• a discrepancy in intelligence and language
  ability.
• British Dyslexics
• ... a disorder manifested by difficulties in
  learning to read, despite conventional
  instruction, adequate intelligence and
  socio-cultural opportunity.
• The World Federation of Neurology

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Mapping of Dyslexia and Programming
Mapping

• Features of Dyslexia
• Process of Programming

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Features of Dyslexia

• Deficiencies in Left Brain Activities
• Handwriting
• Spelling
• Reading
• Writing Skills
• Short Term Memory
• Organisation

• Compensations in Right Brain Activities
• Visualisation
• Spatial Awareness
• Creativity
• Lateral Thinking

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Students Experience of Dyslexia

• Deficiencies in
• Left Brain Activities
• Poor slow handwriting
• Mixed spelling ability
• Slow reading
• Structural Sentence
• STM Problems
• Naturally disorganised

• Compensations in
• Right Brain Activities
• All visual thinkers
• Problem solving
• Conceptualisation
• Preferred diagrams
• Difficult to compare!

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Students ProfilesWechsler Adult Intelligence
Scale

• Perceptual Organisation
• ?
• Verbal Comprehension
• ?
• Working Memory
• ?
• Processing Speed

• Block ?
• Design

? Letter- Numbering ? Sequencing
?Digital Span ?
? Digital ? Symbol Coding
?Symbol Search ?
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Process of Programming
Recognition of Need
Right
Problem Definition
Right
Synthesis
Right
Analysis
Left
Implementation
Left
Evaluation
Left/Right
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Hypothetical Mapping
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Students Mapping
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Comments on Students Mapping I

• Difficulty with model of programming
• Understanding terms (Synthesis).
• Familiar with other models (SDLC).
• Rewrote model to different degrees.
• Not as polarised as hypothesised
• M Uniform, - S Polarised, - T In-between
• Negative features more pervasive
• Documentation would expose Reading and Writing
• STM Organisation would effect all stages.

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Comments on Students Mapping II

• Despite the preceding
• Generally thought to be a good way of thinking
  about the issues.
• Provides evidence to support the broad ideas of
  the hypothesis, if not the details.
• Individual differences are important
• People, students and programmers generally,
• Dyslexia specifically

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Computing Issues

• Programming is not the Issue
• Syntax Colouring
• Predictive Typing
• Links to Object Libraries
• Feedback from compiler (could be better)
• Visualisation Skills
• Logical Thinking
• Enjoy and Achieve
• However, not true for all dyslexic students.

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Teaching and Learning Issues

• Time
• It takes twice as long to do anything
  assignments/exams
• Lectures
• Not easy to absorb lots of information
• Visual Anchor
• Notes
• Can not make reliable notes
• Handouts are essential
• Early release of handouts beneficial
• Advocates recording lectures
• Practical Classes
• Very beneficial, would like more.

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Summary

• Definition of Dyslexia
• Mapping of Dyslexia and Programming
• Other Issues
• Summary
• Thank you! Questions?