Dyscalculia and dyslexia in higher education – “Pathways to Progress”: Report on DDIG event held 27 March 2007 at Loughborough University

On Tuesday 27th March 2007, the Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Interest Group (DDIG) held its third full day conference “Pathways to Progress”. The event was held in Brockington Extension and the Mathematics Education Centre at Loughborough University. Two keynote presentations were given. The first, entitled “Back to Basics”, was given by Pauline Clayton, Principal Tutor for Mathematics at Dyslexia Action. This opening session of the day was designed to provide an overview, particularly for the nonspecialist teacher or lecturer. It focused on the connections between dyslexia and mathematical skills and explained how dyscalculia fits into this profile. It also included an analysis of the skills needed for mental calculation, particularly in the light of a dyslexic individual’s profile, and a summary of the different learning styles that learners employ in mathematics. The second keynote presentation concluded the day’s proceedings and was given by Dr Geraldine Price from the School of Education at the University of Southampton. “Student-led technology: practical solutions to making technology work” explored the need to bridge the gulf between good educational practice and pragmatic and practical solutions to making technology work effectively to support dyslexic writing difficulties. Three case studies from Dr Price’s research provided the voice of the dyslexic student in higher education (HE)….