The home of QuickScan and StudyScan
the original dyslexia screening programme
the original dyslexia screening programme
Pico Educational Systems Ltd. was incorporated in September 1995, specialising in the creation of the first software of its kind for the screening and diagnostic assessment of dyslexia, learning styles, and cognitive profiles, together with individualised training recommendations for users aged 14 onwards. These programmes were backed up by comprehensive research studies carried out in university settings within the context of a Government funded Initiative, Senior Research Fellowship and a PhD doctoral thesis. Those involved have been specialists in the field of Dyslexia and working as Educational Psychologists with many years relevant experience. The detailed and practical research work was carried out over 5 years to ensure that the products are of the highest standard and appropriate for Secondary age students through to graduate level and beyond.
Pico Educational Systems Ltd is proud to have been the first to produce a computer based assessment programme within the dyslexia field for students in Further and Higher Education and it has also supplied Sixth Form Colleges, Secondary Schools and a number of other leading institutions with training requirements.
The original Pico Team brought together their very different but complementary skills and experience to create these products and are now considering new possibilities with on-line versions of their screening programme. It has gained a reputation for its thorough technical support, in building and expanding systems and networking for a range of requirements and settings, from individual needs to multiple sites accessed by thousands of students.
StudyScan was initially launched by ISL, Interactive Services Limited, who were leading providers of education and training software.
The Pico team worked with ISL in piloting the StudyScan Suite and were involved in development and research throughout this period. Pico Educational Systems now market and support the programme and have continued this commitment to maintaining the high stadard of these products.
Pico Educational Systems Ltd is a Supporting Corporate Member of the BDA (British Dyslexia Association).
Dorota Zdzienski, who devised the programme, was awarded her PhD entitled 'Dyslexia in Higher Education' in 1999. It was the extensive research carried out for her PhD which formed the basis of the StudyScan Suite.
Dorota has 25 years of experience in the field of Specific Learning Difficulties in a wide variety of posts, ranging from teaching and assessment to lecturing, and has presented papers at local, national and international conferences. She has also set up courses for teacher trainers in the dyslexia field and devised new and innovative methods to help dyslexic students. see Research
Dorota worked as a Senior Research Fellow and Project Manager for a prestigious HEFCE project on Dyslexia in Higher Education, was a Post Graduate Research Supervisor, and a member of the original National Working Party on Dyslexia in High Education.
Michael's background is in Banking where he held a number of Executive roles specialising in Product Development, Training and Team Development. He takes pride in the 'Team Concept' actively encouraging staff to expand their abilities to the full.
He has such a belief in the value of StudyScan and its benefit for adults with dyslexia that he made a substantial investment in the Pico Company, as the Managing Director, knowing that this was undoubtedly a marvellous tool for all establishments concerned with the educational welfare of its members.
An experienced technical and creative author, with a background in journalism and a variety of successful publications to his name, Lee brought his skills to the production of the battery of tests which make up the StudyScan Suite.
Furthermore he turned his logical and mathematical talent to working with ISL's programmers in creating StatScan, the in-depth results and report generation package. This included the comprehensive analysis of errors report which enables a tutor to produce individualised training programmes.
With a background in broadcast and corporate television, Steve produced the original storyboard for the programme and put together many of the technical aspects. He has now brought the original programme release up to date and added accessibility support for QuickScan to meet DDA requirements.
In his role of Technical Support, Steve provides continuing IT back up for all StudyScan installations and has produced several bespoke modifications to resolve specific application issues for clients.
Rae's background in corporate television production and marketing, now applied to Pico, gives new meaning to the term "multi-skilling"! The first port of call for our many clients, Rae also manages Pico's extensive database, keeping track of the evaluation copies of StudyScan which are sent out each week, and providing product information and support both to the Pico team and to existing and potential customers.
"As Managing Director I have an immense amount of pride and satisfaction in working with such a highly qualified professional team who have dedicated themselves to the development and success of The StudyScan Suite."
Michael Walker - Managing Director,
Pico Educational Systems
"We decided to use QuickScan with all new students as part of the Inclusivity Policy,
so that all students could gain greater
self-awareness about their learning."
Isabel Martin, West Kent College
"An exciting and very useful product... welcomed by staff and students alike."
Carolyn Johnston, Park Lane College Leeds
"StudyScan is included within the Dyslexia Advisor's Toolkit held in all Army Education Centres. It is considered to be a valuable resource. QuickScan is particularly useful as a screening tool for potential learning difficulties and to identify preferred learning styles."
Shirley Milburn, Army Policy on Dyslexia
"I find that an unexpected benefit of the assessments has been the recognition of students' strengths when previously weaknesses were focused on. Accepting what is wrong in the context of what is not wrong is encouraging."
Debbie Frost - Disability Liasion Officer,
Sunraysia Institute of TAFE Australia
"We will be using your wonderful Quickscan once again next academic year."
Glenys Tucker
Head Academic and Learning Support