Scan and Read Software

     The name of this post says it all.  This form of assistive technology scans and reads texts for students with specific learning disabilities and difficulty reading texts, especially students that have low vision or blindness.  The first thing that is required for this software to be beneficial, is a scanner or other device for texts and other documents to be scanned into a computer and transformed into digital format.  Once the document or text is converted into a digital format, it can be edited, texts can be enlarged, additional spacing can be provided, background and highlighting features can also be used.  

Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software

Dragon Naturallyspeaking Voice Recognition Software

     This is probably the most common product in the world of voice recognition software.  Dragon NaturallySpeaking software has a wide variety of products that have basic features or premium packages that offer a few more options.  

     One of the most important things that I look at when I am ready to spend money on any product or piece of technology, are the reviews from previous users.  Dragon Speech has always had solid, positive reviews.  I would say that it would be great investment to purchase this assistive technology for personal or individual use.  Again, as an educator, it may not be your decision, it may come down to the school district that you work in.  

Here is a short YouTube video on Dragon Speech...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtBBQ-jW3k8 

Talking Word Processor Software

     The second type of assistive technology that can be seen in classrooms, is talking word processor software.  It is slightly different from the text to speech software that we have all heard about.  Talking word processor software provides as text is being typed.  Students and teachers that use this type of software can choose to have each letter, word, sentence and/or paragraph read back to them.

     

     The link that I am providing has four different TWP's that can all be used in classrooms.

http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Curriculum/Reading/talkingWord.php 

Word Prediction Software

     Word prediction software benefits those students with specific learning disabilities or students that may have dyslexia.  Furthermore, there are numerous types of word prediction softwares on the market, for teachers it will most likely come down to your school district and what they are willing to pay for.
     One brand of word prediction software that I found and researched was Co:Writer Universal.  I have provided a link to Co:Writer Universal.  This web page is loaded with numerous videos, demos, and other resources that provided a detailed description about the assistive technology.

http://donjohnston.com/cowriter/

Alternative Keyboards

Hey everyone...

     So I know my last post was about the assistive technology continuum and we talked about "high-tech," devices in the classroom, all the way to "no-tech," items that are put in place for students, as well.  I just wanted to take a short post to blog about alternative keyboards and their different characteristics, as they apply to different students.
     Alternative keyboards are designed in many different ways, they can be split, rotated, tented, or have no slope.  Furthermore, although the keyboard is attached to a computer or other high-tech device, the alternative keyboards would be considered relatively low-tech.

• Split and Rotated Keyboards - Help to keep the wrists straight.
• Split and Tented Keyboards - Help to keep the wrists straight.
• Keyguards - Keyguards are plates that sit over your standard keyboard and have less of a tactile feel.  

As an educator, it is also important to consider the pricing for the alternative keyboards.  Apple products are obviously going to be more expensive that a Logitech product.  These alternative keyboards can range in price from $12.99 to upwards of $1,000.

Portable Word Processor

     In simpler terms, these are portable keyboards that students that have trouble with note-taking due to learning disabilities or physical disabilities.  Furthermore, students with poor handwriting or attention disorders can also benefit from using this type of device.  Portable word processors usually have the feature to auto-save the text that has been typed into the device.

     Here is a short list of the different portable word processors that I researched:

• AlphaSmart (http://www.alphasmart.com)
• Quick Pad Technology (http://www.quickpad.com)
• Advanced Keyboard Technologies (http://www.writerlearning.com)
• Alta Heights Technology (http://www.one2onemate.com/student.html)
• Perfect Solutions (http://www.perfectsolutions.com/pc6f.asp)

Assistive Technology Continuum

Alright everyone,
      I'm well rested and ready to provide some more information about communication and computer access as it related to assistive technology.  When many people hear the word technology, they usually think about computers, tablets, cell phones, etc.  However, it is important to understand the continuum of technology.
     At one end of this continuum is "high-tech," which consists of the technology that we are most familiar with (sophisticated electronics, computers, smart phones, etc.).
     As we move away from the "high-tech," area of the continuum, the next area is considered "medium-tech."  In this area, you would find you automated wheelchairs and other devices similar to that.
     Moving even further away from "high-tech," we reach the an area considered "low-tech."  Low-tech items are less sophisticated and can include devices such as adapted spoon handles, non-tipping drinking cups, or velcro fasteners.
     Finally, the last area we reach on the Assistive Technology continuum is an area known as "no-tech."  No-tech solutions are those that make use of procedures, services, and existing conditions in the environment that do not involve the use of devices or equipment.  These might include services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy or the services of other specialists.

Hopefully this provided some insight into assistive technology and helps educators understand the continuum of assistive technology and also that is does not have to be a computer or tablet in order to help students with disabilities.

Assistive Technology Continuum

Alright everyone,
      I'm well rested and ready to provide some more information about communication and computer access as it related to assistive technology.  When many people hear the word technology, they usually think about computers, tablets, cell phones, etc.  However, it is important to understand the continuum of technology.
     At one end of this continuum is "high-tech," which consists of the technology that we are most familiar with (sophisticated electronics, computers, smart phones, etc.).
     As we move away from the "high-tech," area of the continuum, the next area is considered "medium-tech."  In this area, you would find you automated wheelchairs and other devices similar to that.
     Moving even further away from "high-tech," we reach the an area considered "low-tech."  Low-tech items are less sophisticated and can include devices such as adapted spoon handles, non-tipping drinking cups, or velcro fasteners.
     Finally, the last area we reach on the Assistive Technology continuum is an area known as "no-tech."  No-tech solutions are those that make use of procedures, services, and existing conditions in the environment that do not involve the use of devices or equipment.  These might include services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy or the services of other specialists.

Hopefully this provided some insight into assistive technology and helps educators understand the continuum of assistive technology and also that is does not have to be a computer or tablet in order to help students with disabilities.

The first website that I found was actually extremely useful and very interesting to read through.  The web page is idl-irn.org.  The Universal Design for Learning Implementation and Research Network not only provides resources throughout the years, but it also provides information about the UDL-IRN Summit, which is being held on March 30 and 31, 2017 in Orlando, FL.  The UDL Summit is a collaborative meeting that supports and promotes the identification and development of models, tools, research and practices designed to foster effective UDL implementation in all educational environments.

Aside from the UDL website, one of the most "teacher friendly," web sites that I have visited recently is www.teacher4theheart.com.  Teach 4 the Heart is a Christian-based web page that has a wide variety of resources to travel through and explore, however the one section that I found, actually led me to their "50+ Best Websites for Teachers."  From here I have found several more websites for educators and other professionals to explore for resources and communities of learners (education.com, pinterest, etc.)

The third webpage that I have found actually came through the previous website that I visited and this is called www.readwritethink.org.  This webpage provides classroom resources, professional development opportunities, videos, etc.  The one tab that jumped out at me, however, was the "parent and after school resources," which provided additional help and support for parents, guardians, and other after school programs from Kindergarten to 12th grade.

Good Morning All,

I know it has been a long time since my last post, but with the beginning of the new school year and getting everything in order for school, I have not been posting recently.  Anyway, I'm back and ready to go.  The second website that I visited and would like to comment on is http://www.udlcenter.org.  This is actually the national center on universal design for learning.  There are several different avenues that you can travel once you open up their home page.  There is an overview page, entitled "About UDL," there is an "Advocacy," tab, "Implementation," "Research," which allows people who visit this webpage to get all the latest facts about UDL.  Finally, there is a "Community," tab that allows educators and other professionals to connect with one another and a "Resources," tab that allows people to discover and learn even more into the ever changing world of UDL and education.

The first website that I visited was http://www.cast.org

I found this webpage to be extremely helpful in two areas.  The first part that I found was the UDL Lesson Builder, that provides educational materials for all teachers and provides varying levels of support.  The UDL Lesson Builder provides you with various entry points for educators and other professionals to get started.  When you visit this web page, you may explore model UDL lesson plans or create, save and edit your own UDL lesson plans.  There are a variety of other tools to create and adapt lessons that will ultimately increase access and participation in the general education curriculum for all students.