Eva is an A-level student, studying in West London. She's 16 and really interested in computer science and psychology.
Eva joined Dolphin for a week's work experience through Blind in Business and was invited to write a blog to talk about the impact assistive technology has on her life and her studies.
How Dolphin EasyReader App Helped Me Achieve Great GCSE Results
When it comes to preparing for exams like GCSEs, many students face challenges in accessing their study materials effectively. For me - as someone with a visual impairment - this was one of the biggest hurdles.
Traditional textbooks were often difficult to read and I found it hard to keep up with the volume of content I needed to learn. However, everything changed when I discovered Dolphin EasyReader App. This app that would ultimately transform the way I studied, to help me achieve excellent GCSE results.
What is Dolphin EasyReader?
Dolphin EasyReader is an intuitive and accessible reading app designed to support people with visual impairments, dyslexia, and other learning difficulties.
It allows users to access a wide range of reading materials, including textbooks, audiobooks, and learning resources, in formats that are easier to navigate. Whether it's through text-to-speech or customisable visual options, EasyReader provides a range of features that make studying more accessible for students like me, who struggle with reading traditional text.
I was introduced to the app during my search for a solution to my visual impairment-related challenges. Being unable to read printed text easily, I needed a tool that could read my textbooks aloud or at least present them in a more accessible format.
Dolphin EasyReader quickly became the tool that helped bridge the gap between me and my GCSE study materials.
Why Dolphin EasyReader Made a Difference
As a student with visual impairment, studying for my GCSEs presented some unique challenges. I needed a tool that would allow me to engage with my textbooks in a way that worked for me.
Here's how Dolphin EasyReader made that possible:
Text-to-Speech Functionality
The most important feature of Dolphin EasyReader for me was its text-to-speech functionality. This allowed me to listen to my textbooks being read aloud in a clear and natural voice.
For many students, this might seem like a minor feature, but for someone with visual impairment, it was an absolute game-changer.
Listening to my textbooks rather than reading them visually allowed me to absorb the material without the strain of trying to decipher printed text. Whether it was a dense history chapter or a complicated science formula, the ability to listen to the content made it more engaging and accessible.
The app’s ability to read aloud at varying speeds meant that I could adjust the pace to my own needs. If I needed to absorb the information slowly, I could slow the speech down, or if I wanted to go through the material faster, I could speed it up.
This feature significantly improved my ability to stay on top of my subjects, as I was no longer limited by the amount of time I could spend reading. I could listen to my textbooks while doing menial tasks, turning otherwise unproductive moments into valuable study time!
Customisable Visual Features
While the text-to-speech feature was essential for me, there were also many times when I preferred to read the text visually.
Dolphin EasyReader App gave me the ability to customise the visual layout of the text, which was incredibly helpful. As a person with visual impairment, having control over the font size, text colour, background colour and spacing made a huge difference in terms of comfort and accessibility.
The flexibility to adjust the text size was particularly important. Some days I found myself needing larger text to make reading easier, while on other occasions, I could manage with a more standard size.
The ability to change the background and text colour also helped reduce glare - which can be problematic for people with certain types of visual impairments. This customisation allowed me to fine-tune the app to my specific needs, ensuring that I could study efficiently without eye strain or discomfort.
Access to a Wide Range of Study Materials
Another standout feature of Dolphin EasyReader was its access to a vast library of study materials. The app can download textbooks, learning guides, and educational resources from multiple sources, giving users access to everything they need to prepare for their exams.
This was a crucial aspect of my preparation for GCSEs, as I had a wide range of subjects to cover, each with its own set of textbooks.
With Dolphin EasyReader, I didn’t have to worry about whether my textbooks were available in an accessible format. The app made it possible for me to read or listen to my entire curriculum -including subjects like English, Maths, Computer Science, and Science - without being limited by the physical constraints of traditional textbooks.
Having all of these resources in one place was incredibly convenient and saved me time looking for different formats of the materials I needed.
Offline Functionality
One feature that was especially useful was EasyReader App’s offline functionality. By downloading textbooks and other materials onto my device, I could access them without needing an internet connection. This allowed me to study anywhere — whether at home, on public transport, or even while waiting for appointments.
The flexibility to study whenever and wherever I wanted meant that I could make the most out of every available moment.
This feature also meant I didn’t have to worry about internet connectivity during study sessions, making studying a more seamless and stress-free experience. Whether it was revising a tricky maths formula or reviewing parts of the CPU, I could study without distractions and in a way that suited my schedule.
Motivation and Confidence Boost
Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of using Dolphin EasyReader was the boost it gave to my motivation and confidence.
As someone with a visual impairment, it’s easy to feel discouraged when you see others breeze through their study materials without any problems. With Dolphin EasyReader, I felt like I was on a level playing field. The app gave me the tools I needed to succeed, and it made studying feel more manageable.
Knowing that I could easily access my textbooks in an accessible format gave me the confidence to keep going, even when things got tough.
As I started to see improvements in my understanding of the material, my motivation grew, and I was able to approach my GCSE exams with a sense of preparedness and self-assurance.
The Results
In the end, Dolphin EasyReader App played a pivotal role in helping me achieve excellent GCSE results.
By making my study materials more accessible, it allowed me to engage with my coursework in a way that suited my learning style and visual needs. The text-to-speech function, customisable visual settings, offline access, and wide selection of materials all contributed to making my study sessions more efficient and effective.
I walked into my exams feeling well-prepared and confident. My GCSE results were a reflection of the hard work I put in, and I know that Dolphin EasyReader played a significant role in that success.
Find out how to introduce EasyReader Premium Education Plan to your school or college, and make reading accessible and inclusive for your students who are vision impaired, dyslexic or have other additional learning needs. We offer teacher training with accredited courses and a whole-setting approach to accessible reading.
EasyReader App is available to individuals and connects you to accessible libraries including RNIB Bookshare Education Collection and Calibre Audio.
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