1. IELTS Question2 Preparation By mark

2. Introduction The title Thinking time Brain storming The topic sentence The topic paragraph The supporting materials  One paragraph-one idea  Three supporting ideas

3. Introduction 2 Linkage words The conclusion The word count Editing and proof reading Final reading.

4. The title The choice of title: For this demonstration, I have chosen the following topic: ‘The use of computers has made it easier for people with learning difficulties to access higher education’. In what ways do you agree with this statement. You should write 240 words You are required to write to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the subject. You should draw on personal experience and relevant evidence to support you argument.

5. We have our title Thinking time! What do we understand by the question? Is it to argue, inform, describe, or compare Take a few minutes to think of what you know from personal experience.

6. Brainstorm ideas! You have about forty minutes to answer this question, so a few minutes writing a memory map is time well spent. For this exercise you need to think of three key ideas, this is a good plan regardless of the question; for each idea another linked theory, statistic, or contrast.

7. What can we come up with in five minutes. Computer aided learning  Dyslexia and dyscalculia The fun of animated learning  Making things more interesting with hands on learning  Student centered Legible handwriting  Left-handedness and other writing difficulties  Cut and paste essay theory

8. You are now ready for the first sentence. The topic sentence needs to be almost the same as the question, you need to rewrite using the key meanings from the question topic. From this sentence, your whole essay is to grow, without changing. Our topic ‘disability and educational access using computers’

9. Computers are an excellent tool for disadvantaged people with learning difficulties, because… My topic sentence leading to my topic paragraph… I need to introduce the question theme in about 30 words, with one key idea from my brainstorming. I also need to consider the word limit and the linkage of ideas.

10. Computers are an excellent tool for people with learning difficulties, because, they help with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, without the need to write using a pen, or wade through pages of dry and boring text to understand difficult concepts. They have also added a student centered way of learning, where students can study in an interesting way in the own time.

11. Supporting paragraph 1 This topic paragraph leads nicely on to our first argument, that is computer aided learning for dyslexics and people who have trouble with maths. A definition of dyslexia and an explanation of how in your opinion this technology could help sufferers.

12. Supporting paragraph 2 Compare and contrast the traditional models of learning with the animated and entertaining way that computer generated, edutainment has made learning a fun process. Also, look at the way the environment is now student centered, rather than the old-fashioned model of teacher dictatin!

13. Supporting paragraph 3 How important is handwriting? Think of some anecdotal evidence as to the importance of hand writing and how it can severely affect a person’s chances of gaining entry to higher education. Furthermore, consider cut and paste technologies to enhance the production of long essays, and simplifying the editing process.

14. Use those linkage words. But Also Then And Furthermore Firstly, secondly… finally On the other hand In contrast However Following Even though Though Use them sparingly, but use them.

15. Editing/proof reading and the word count By rule of thumb the word count of 240 words is approximately two thirds of an A4 page, and requires about three to four paragraphs containing two to three key themes with supporting ideas. ((don’t write more than this) Wasting time). As for the proof reading, read through twice, look for words that don’t appear right, try and use simple effective language.

16. The essay Computers are an excellent tool for people with learning difficulties, because, they help with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, without the need to write using a pen, or wade through pages of dry and boring text to understand difficult concepts. They have also added a student centered way of learning, where students can study in an interesting way in the own time. The most useful aspect for people with learning difficulties is the ability it offers to people who have trouble writing, reading and doing basic mathematics. Previously, these were often marginalized and struggled to meet even the most basic levels of education, furthermore, traditionally, it was not considered discrimination to exclude these people from the educational system. By making the learning process more interesting, the repetitive nature of acquiring knowledge has been replaced with the fun experiential way of computerized learning, where even disadvantaged…

17. … students can learn at a pace that suits them. By repeating difficult concepts and theories with the help of animation or simulation, learning is now in the grasp of many disabled people. Another issue is that of handwriting and legibility. Many people suffering from dyslexia in particular have trouble with written script. With type fonts and printers, they can always hand in legible essays and written material. The only time this becomes obvious is during exams, even there arrangements can be made to access a computer for legibility. The final issue is the option of cut and pasting your essay into a puzzle. By changing your mind a day or two after you wrote it, on paper it is set in stone, on a computer you can keep moving sections around until you are happy with the result. In conclusion, the evidence for the use of computer aided learning for students with disabilities is overwhelming. I am sure there are negative considerations, but that’s for another essay. 310 words in 35 minutes.

18. Conclusion We have looked at: The title Brain storming The topic sentence The topic paragraph The supporting materials Linkage words The conclusion The word count