Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists January 2016 | Page 4

Improvements in Handwriting and
Transfer of Skills Following iPad Instruction
Computer and Education published research examining
the effectiveness of iPad computerized writing instruction
for 4th–9th graders (n = 35) with diagnosed specific
learning disabilities (SLDs) affecting writing: dysgraphia
(impaired handwriting), dyslexia (impaired spelling), and
oral and written language learning disability (OWL LD)
(impaired syntax composing). Each participant completed
18 two-hour iPad lessons with multiple learning activities.
The goal of the activities was to improve subword(handwriting), word- (spelling), and syntax- (sentence
composing) level language skills by including all listening,
speaking, reading, and writing to encourage a functional
writing system. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated
using normed measures of handwriting, spelling, and
composing except for one non-normed alphabet writing
task.
Results indicated the following:
1. grade 4–9 students with dysgraphia improved in handwriting.
2. grade 4–9 students with dyslexia improved in spelling.
3. grade 4–9 students with oral syntax disability improved in that skill.
4. all but oral syntax was evaluated with pen and paper tasks, indicating that thecomputer
writing instruction transferred to better writing with pen and paper.
5. performance on learning activities during instruction correlated with writing outcomes.
6. individual students tended to improve in the impaired skill associated with their diagnosis.
The researchers concluded that students with persisting SLDs affecting writing, computers can
also be used for Tier 3 instruction to improve the writing skills of students in grades 4–9 with
history of persisting writing disabilities.
Reference: Virginia W. Berninger et al. Computer instruction in handwriting, spelling, and
composing for students with specific learning disabilities in grades 4–9. Computers & Education
Volume 81, February 2015, Pages 154–168 doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2014.10.005
Handwriting Stations includes the materials to create a
handwriting station on a tri-fold or in a folder. The station includes
proper letter formation for capital and lower case letters, correct
posture, pencil grip, warm up exercises, letter reversals tips and
self check sheet. In addition, there are 27 worksheets for the
alphabet and number practice (Handwriting without Tears® style
and Zaner-Bloser® style). This download is great for classroom
use, therapy sessions or to send home with a student.
Find out more at
http://www.yourtherapysource.com/hwstation.html

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