Assistive Technology-Module 3

This week's explorations were very interesting. I was especially interested to find that computers come with already pre-loaded AT options. I am happy to see that we have moved to there being a standard of some assistance with all regularly purchased computers. The following is a review of the software packages that I explored in this week's module:

Software Name	Inspiration	Kurzweil 3000	iCommunicator
Company	Inspiration Software, Inc.	Cambium Learning Technologies Company	Interactive Solutions, Inc.
Price	$69 (single license) $895 (20 licenses)	$2,695 (Color learning lab pack-5)	$6,499 (software kit) $2,499 (upgrade kit)
Features	Create outlines, webs, concept maps, graphic organizers, process flows, and presentations	Comprehensive reading, writing, and learning software for struggling students.	Translates (in real time) from speech to text, speech/text to video sign language, and speech/text to computer generated voice. Also has a built in dictionary and thesaurus.
Pros	-Price -Students do the work but the shell is there to help them. -Allows movement between visual and written formats -Reinforces curriculum work -Visual appeal	-Provides access to any curriculum -Improves study skills -Provides decoding support while reading -Provides writing and self-editing tools	-Three translation types -Happens in real time -30,000 word signing vocabulary -250,000 English word library -Access to the Internet -All grade levels can benefit.
Cons	-For grades 6-12	-Price -Unrealistic voice on read aloud	-Price -Limited signing vocabulary -Teacher must wear a headset

I was impressed with all of these software programs. I was disappointed in the reading voice in the Kurzweil program though. It was still somewhat "roboty." I am excited to use Inspiration in my classroom. We have been learning about graphic organizers and story webs so I will have a chance to put it to actual practice. I wish I had known about some of these programs when my grandma was struggling with macular degeneration. As an avid reader, I know some of these programs could have really helped her continue reading as her eyesight deteriorated. I can only imagine that the assistive technology is going to continue to improve as time goes on. It is nice to know that people with disabilites can feel more independent and "normal" with the help of these software systems.

Assistive Technology-Module 2

1-I really enjoyed looking through the EnableMart website. They have some amazing things! I really liked some of the early reading tools like the LeapFrog Tag School Reading System. It was pretty expensive but a website like DonorsChoose.org could help to raise funds. I just like that it gives students more freedom to feel like they are reading. I hear "I can't read" over and over from my students and when they find a book that they can read they are so proud of themselves. I would love to see them use the LeapFrog tag and feel independent in their reading. I was amazed at all the things that are out their to assist people and allow them to do the same things that everyone else does.
2-Situation #1-student with a low reading level-a cd player with the curriculum stories in audio versions so they can listen to the story and answer the questions without having to read them on their own. Situation #2-a student with a very high IQ who has perfectionism issues with handwriting-using an alphasmart to type assignments and papers to that the frustration level doesn't get out of control when their handwriting isn't perfect. Situation #3-a hearing impaired student-using an amplification system within the classroom to help the student hear everything the teacher is saying. Regular ed. students can also benefit from the use of these systems because they can hear the teacher more loudly and clearly.
4-I was very impressed with the link that took me to all of the adaptvie keyboard types. That is an amazing list! I had no idea that there were so many choices out there to help people with different needs. The other site that I enjoyed looking at was the EnableMart site. I spent a lot of time just looking around at what there was out there. In my 9 year teaching career I haven't really had any students with severe disabilities. These sites really opened my eyes to what is out there.
5-The possibilities for hardware is limitless. I am sure that is comes down to price most of the time. Some of the items that are so technologically advanced are very expensive. I find that to be frustrating because so many people need and could use the assistance but they can't afford it. With all of the cuts in the education system, it is only going to get harder to get these extra assistive items. Some of the hardware, like the pen-like devices would be great for older students in middle school and high school.

Assistive Technology-Module 1

I found the National Federation of the Blind website to be very interesting. I am always amazed at the strength people who are different-abled have. Reading about the different programs on the website reminded me of a group of people the philanthropic sorority I am in works with. We go to the Michigan Blind Rehab Center once a month during the winter to play bingo (using Braille boards) with the residents. They are people from all over the state being trained on how to live an independent life without eyesight (or little eyesight). They are strong, determined people. I thought that the "Braille Readers are Leaders" program was a great way to get children reading and just because they read a different way doesn't make it any less important. As a first grade teacher I am constantly pushing early literacy programs.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities website had some suggestions in their teacher section that I will be able to give a whirl in my classroom. There was a great section on monitoring progress and some different ways to do that. It is always good to branch out and try different assessment techniques to make sure that every student has the opportunity to be successful.
I think these 5 modules about assistive technology are going to be very interesting!

Week #9-YouTube, Podcasts, and Audiobooks

*Podcast wasn't a new term for me, but I didn't really understand what they were. I thought I needed a fancy iPod to be able to use them as a resource. It was great to learn that I didn't. I found some great podcasts of the Dave Ramsey Show and some NPR shows that I miss because my carpool companion doesn't have the same taste that I do. I can see podcasts being great to listen to while I do computer work. I can just download them to my Google Reader and I'm set.
*I have had plenty of experience using YouTube, but it certainly isn't for anything educational, or at least not very educational. I used YouTube to learn how to use a drop spindle and break open a coconut. Also as a demonstration for my first graders to show them what the Hamster Dance is. It is amazing what you can find! I can see the benefit of using YouTube for book talks or educational videos. My school subscribes to Discovery Education's United Streaming so I don't usually need to look elsewhere for videos. I see YouTube as more of something to use for entertainment or to share something with your people.
How to use a drop spindle-YouTube
The "introducing the book" video was HILARIOUS! I enjoyed it. I could see middle and high schoolers enjoying that.
*I really enjoy listening to audiobooks on long car trips or while I am working on menial tasks around my house. I download them to my Kindle so that I can pick up where I left off at any location. It was excited to find places to download free books. I will definitely be sharing that information with the teachers that I work with and hopefully the middle school teachers can share with their students. We listen to audiobooks from time to time in my classroom. It is a nice change for the kids from listening to me to a different kind of entertainment. I enjoyed browsing the World eBook Fair website. Wow! My public library has ebooks, audiobooks, as well as iPods with books that they check out to people. I have only used the audiobooks on CD from their collection. I figure the others should be left for those that may not have the means to get the others on their own.
*This journey has taught me so much! I have learned about new topics that I'd never heard of and increased my knowledge about other topics that I knew a little about. I have bookmarked so many new sites that I will use regularly. I feel like I can be more connected to technology while having to do less work to be informed. I will definitely be using this technology in my classroom as well as in my job as a librarian sometime in the future. My favorite website was Library Thing. It is going to be a wonderful way to keep track of books and share books with my fellow avid readers.

Week #8-Zoho Writer & Library Thing

LibraryThing
I have to say that I thought Library Thing was a pretty fabulous tool. I wish I had better luck figuring out how to link to my certain book list and not to my whole account. It seemed like others had the same problem so I am wondering what I did wrong or how I can get it to work properly. Any suggestions? I had fun adding some books that I'm reading for enjoyment as well as some that I use for teaching.
I thought Zoho Writer was a valuable tool. I had never heard of it until this week. I have never used Google Docs before either, but had heard of it. It seems like the ideal program to use when you have more than one person working on a paper, like for a class group project. It's also a great way to ensure access to all of your documents wherever you are. I found that Zoho writer had a lot of great features like the view and compare option to look back at previous saves of the document and being able to post on your blog from Zoho Writer's website. It is definitely a program that I can see using. It seems like this is the new tool to use for online word processing-I have talked to a couple of people that are just starting to use this that aren't in this class.