How Present Pal Supports Dyslexic Students Like Olivia at Arden University
Discover how Present Pal helps Olivia manage presentation anxiety, break down complex text, and present with confidence in distance learning assessments.
The Challenge
As a Criminology student at Arden University, Olivia’s course includes a number of graded presentations, despite being delivered entirely through distance learning.
“My first assignment was a recorded presentation on Becoming a Criminologist which was part of my Level 4 grade. Then for my second assignment it was an online debate on History of Crime and Punishment, which was what my module was graded on.”
For Olivia, who is dyslexic, these kinds of assessments presented a serious barrier. Like many students with dyslexia, these challenges weren’t just academic, they directly impacted Olivia’s confidence, anxiety, and ability to demonstrate her knowledge.
“Before using Present Pal I used to struggle with reading out loud, especially long pieces of text. I would read my words in the wrong order or the words would muddle on the page. I also struggle with pronunciation of longer, difficult words.”
The Solution
Olivia was introduced to Present Pal by her DSA Needs Assessor. From her very first use, Present Pal became a vital support tool, helping her manage the structure, flow, and delivery of her presentations in a more accessible and personalised way.
“I am more confident with my presentations. It has allowed me to break down my slides into smaller, more manageable chunks. I can also make the words bigger, which I find more useful for reading out loud.”
She found particular value in Present Pal’s PowerPoint integration, especially the ability to read her notes using dark mode - something she’d never been able to do comfortably before.
“I link my phone to my laptop which allows me to read off my phone - I find that easier with dark mode. It takes away the anxiety from presentations and makes my presentations smoother.”
The Result
Confidence Boost for Every Presentation
Since using Present Pal, Olivia’s mindset around presenting has shifted. Olivia feels less stressed, and is ready for her presentations.
Improved Grades on Assessed Work
Present Pal didn’t just help Olivia feel better; it also helped her perform better. “It has helped my presentation grades.”
A More Accessible, Less Stressful Experience
Features like dark mode, larger text, and the Present Pal mobile app helped Olivia focus on content instead of struggling with how to deliver it.
Without Present Pal, Olivia’s university journey would have been a far more stressful experience. She now recommends it to other students who feel overwhelmed or unsupported when presenting.
“I feel like my university experience would be more difficult and I would struggle more without Present Pal. I would recommend it to help with your studies. It makes everything easier for presentations. Why struggle when you don’t need to?”
Want to help the students you support overcome presentation challenges like Olivia?
Explore how Present Pal can transform presentation anxiety into confidence and improve student outcomes.
