Meredith Adds Reading, Study Software to Student Laptops
This fall, Meredith College students will be equipped with new learning tools, as Meredith becomes the first college or university to provide WYNN Wizard reading technology on all student laptops.
WYNN Wizard, a product of Freedom Scientific’s Learning Systems Group, is reading/writing software that enables students to use their strengths to support their individual learning style. The product includes the following features:
A bi-modal approach to reading—text is highlighted as it is spoken aloud;
Full editing capabilities—modify scanned pages or new documents;
Natural sounding speech;
A built-in talking dictionary;
Study tools, including highlighting, book marking, outlining, text and voice notes;
Spell checking as the user types;
Ability to read web sites; and
Ability to converts texts to MP3 formats for increased portability.
Reading Technology Aids All Students Jill Triana, Meredith’s disabilities services coordinator, believes the new software will be beneficial for all students because it fits the principle of universal design.
Universal design is meant to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost.
“The software is helpful for any student who finds reading difficult, time consuming or boring,” Triana said. “This tool will help us meet the need of this generation of college students.”
Reading technology is for any student, with or without a disability, who is interested in enhancing their reading, writing and studying processes. The software, based on educationally-sound learning strategies, can be customized to fit the student’s learning needs.
The benefits of WYNN Wizard software include enhancement of both auditory and visual learning, reduced distractions while reading, and improved reading comprehension.
Pilot Project Benefit Determined Product Choice Meredith previously offered WYNN Wizard software in computer labs, primarily for use by students with disabilities. Recognizing the benefit to these students, the College evaluated other software offerings, instituted a pilot program with more than 50 students, and then selected WYNN Wizard. During the 2008-09 academic year, Meredith is expanding the program campus-wide in partnership with Freedom Scientific.
“We are delighted that Meredith College understands that all students learn differently and that WYNN will assist their students to be more productive and successful,” said Roberta G. Brosnahan, VP & General Manager of Freedom Scientific, LSG. “Use of this technology assists all students to use their individual learning style to achieve success both at college and in 21st century jobs.”
Through the Meredith Technology Initiative, each full-time freshman at Meredith receives a laptop. This computer is replaced during the junior year with a laptop that the student can keep after graduation.
Incoming freshmen and juniors will receive laptops that are equipped with WYNN, beginning with freshman laptop distribution day, August 19, 2008. All students in other classes can have the software loaded on their laptops by request.
About Freedom Scientific Freedom Scientific develops, manufactures and markets innovative technology-based products and services that aid individuals with vision impairments, learning disabilities and reading/writing challenges. Freedom Scientific’s Learning Systems Group is recognized as a leading provider of easy-to-use, easy-to-learn solutions, based on sound educational principles. The Learning System Group’s products assist individuals of all ages to be more successful with reading and writing. Visit www.freedomscientific.com/lsg for more information.
