One of the world's top thinkers on dyslexia, he demonstrated how affected pupils needed to be given permission to learn differently, and how changing the learning process in schools could not only benefit those with dyslexia, but all children in the classroom.
"If we can personalise the learning process, they all learn so much better," he said.
Mr MacKay is the creator of Britain's Dyslexia Friendly Schools concept.
About one New Zealander in 10 has dyslexia, including 70,000 schoolchildren.
The seminar won the approval of both teachers and parents.
Shirley Forrest, a specialist support teacher from Arrowtown Primary School, said Mr MacKay's simple, easy techniques were "fantastic".
"We used to think that many children who were struggling in the classroom simply needed more one-on-one time, more of the same. Now we know they need something quite different and far more specific and tailor-made," she said.
Mt Aspiring College teacher Kay Hart said Mr MacKay's methods of working with dyslexic children were essential learning for teachers and parents.
"It's a real uphill battle to get some schools involved but it must be done. When you see the change in a child's self-confidence when they realise that they are able to think and do, and that the words don't matter so much, it's very invigorating," she said.
Jan Rockliff, who works at Cromwell College and has a dyslexic child attending Goldfields Primary School, said school was terrifying for her child, who saw it as hard work for very little reward.
"It can be incredibly frustrating, being a parent, because there doesn't appear to be anything you can do to help them, but the seminar gave me a great insight into how dyslexic children see things and the whole confusion they feel.
"This is the first time I've seen and heard about a simple process of learning that can be introduced in manageable bite sizes while also making it fun for your child," she said.
Remarkables Primary School teacher Lara Moss said all pupils, not just those with dyslexia, could benefit from Mr MacKay's techniques.
"I want to hear more about becoming a dyslexia-friendly classroom. As a teacher and a parent with a child who most probably has dyslexia, I find [Mr McKay's] techniques fascinating and inspiring and hope to take them home and to the classroom," she said.
Goldfields Primary School and Wakatipu High School were each awarded $1750 from the Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand and the Cookie Time Queenstown store in a draw at the seminar, sponsored by Millbrook Resort and the Queenstown Cookie Time store.
Cookie Time supports the Dyslexia Foundation through the Cookie Time Charitable Trust.
