1 Dyslexia-friendly teaching and learning

Create a welcoming learning environment

• This step starts with the educator/mentor, sharing some general personal anecdotes and experiences. This can foster a sense of trust and community in the room.
• Can be particularly effective in reducing anxiety and encouraging curiosity among learners.
• When it comes to supporting dyslexic learners, it’s crucial to present information in a way that builds on their strengths, such as using visual aids and interactive examples.
• Encouraging learners to engage with the material and considering it from different perspectives can also enhance their understanding and retention of the subject matter (Eyler, 2018).

Empower learners to take ownership of their learning

• Learners should understand that they are at the centre of their learning, and they are in control. This can be transformative.
• Encourages active engagement, critical thinking, and personal accountability, thereby weakening the hold of dependency and passively receiving information. By fostering an environment where learners are motivated to explore, question, and apply their understanding, educators/mentors can cultivate a sense of independence and confidence in students.
• This method not only enhances the learning experience but also prepares students for real-world challenges where self-directed learning and adaptability are key (Zull, 2011).

Reflection: the power of questions plays a crucial role in cognitive processes

• Taking time to reflect on sensory data and recall relevant memories can be more beneficial than rushing, as speed may hinder this reflective process.
• Asking oneself introspective questions can highlight daily successes and align understanding with personal goals.
• Sleep is not just downtime but an opportunity for the brain to process information and consolidate memories.
• The process of creating, analysing, and discarding ideas is fundamental to cognitive growth, leading to the generation of new, potentially more refined ideas. This cycle is essential for making meaning out of ideas, continuous learning, and development (Zull, 2011).

Effective use of working memory in various environments

• Focusing on a limited number of key elements to enhance learning. This approach emphasises the importance of brevity and clarity, suggesting that learning experiences should be direct and simple.
• For instructors, the challenge lies in empathising with the learner’s perspective and distilling complex information into basic, accessible concepts which they can hang additional knowledge from, ensuring that the core message is quickly and clearly communicated.
• Asking learners to make summaries at the end of a period of learning encourages reflection and develops a skill for identification of the main points (Zull, 2011).