Assistive Technology

1. Assistive Technology By: Darlene Baker, Sharon Letendre, Joellen Defeo, & Kathleen Marcoux

2. “Assistive Technology Products can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication, education, work or recreation activities, in essence, help them achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life.” “Assistive Technology devices can help improve physical or mental functioning, overcome a disorder or impairment, help prevent the worsening of a condition, strengthen a physical or mental weakness, help improve a person's capacity to learn, or even replace a missing limb.” http://www.rehabtool.com/at.html

3. This presentation will show examples of Vision and Reading, Communication, Education and Learning, Hearing and Listening, and Computer Access Aids. However, Assistive Technology also includes Daily Living Aids. Environmental Aids, Ergonomic Equipment, Mobility and Transportation Aids, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Recreational and Leisure Aids, and Seating and Positioning Aids

4. Hardware Options • Alphasmart • Reading Pen • FlyPen • Intellikeys Keyboard • FM Amplification Systems • Touch Screen Monitors • iPods

5. AlphaSmart 3000 Order From: AlphaSmart, Inc. 973 University Avenue LosGatos, CA 95032 888-274-0680 http://www2.alphasmart.com/ • Students can enter and edit text then send it to any computer to begin formatting. • Students can send their text directly to a printer for printing. • Students can use it in the classroom, on field trips, at home, the library or anywhere else. • It is small and portable (It weighs less than 2 lbs. and is 1.9" x 12.4" x 9.3") • Low cost at only $199.00 • It can run for over 700 hours on 3 AA alkaline batteries or you can purchase the optional rechargeable battery pack, which provides up to 200 hours of use between charges. • It will store approximately 100 pages of single-spaced text in 8 files. • It is compatible with most personal computers and printers. • It comes with a 3-year warranty and unlimited technical support, which is toll-free for educators. • International character support for Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish is included. • 4-line by 40-character LCD display. • Includes cut/copy/paste and a built-in 70,000-word spell checker. • Sticky Keys, Slow Keys (delay), and Auto-Repeat ControlFor individuals with special needs. • SmartApplets (Mini software applications that can be downloaded to the AlphaSmart 3000 to extend their functionality for keyboarding, outlining, classroom quizzing, and more. These SmartApplets include AlphaWord, Keywords, AlphaQuiz, Inspiration and CoWriter.

6. Reading Pen • This pen will scan, define, and pronounce words from any printed material. • It will display the words on the built in LCD screen. • It will provide synonyms in context. • It can translate from English to Spanish. • It comes with a built in speaker and headphones. • It comes in 2 versions. • Reading Pen Basic Edition K-12 • Reading Pen Advanced Edition for College or Adults. You can find it online at: http://www.soundbytes.com/page/SB/PROD/104018

7. FlyPen • This pen will scan, define, and pronounce words from any printed material. • It will display the words on the built in LCD screen. • It will provide synonyms in context. • It can translate from English to Spanish. • It comes with a built in speaker and headphones. • It comes in 2 versions. • Reading Pen Basic Edition K-12 • Reading Pen Advanced Edition for College or Adults. You can find it online at: http://www.flyworld.com/

8. Intellikeys(PreK-8) http://www.rjcooper.com/intellikeys/index.html A programmable alternative keyboard that enables students with physical, visual, or cognitive disabilities to easily type, enter numbers, navigate on-screen displays, and execute menu commands. Use with Overlay Maker program to create your own overlays for the keyboard. Use with Intelletalk software. http://www.intellitools.com/default.aspx

9. Students who: • Have IEPs • Have limited English proficiency • Need additional instructional support . • Helps you teach reading, writing, and mathematics, plus provide access to the computer. • Provides access for anyone with physical, visual, or cognitive disabilities who has difficulty using a standard keyboard. • Overlays work with Kidspiration, Inpiration, CoWriter, Write OutLoud, MS Word and PowerPoint.

11. Fm amplification systems The teacher wears the microphone and transmitter. FM systems consist of a microphone, a transmitter (or mic-transmitter combination), a receiver and some method of sending sounds from the receiver to the student's ear. http://www.boystownhospital.org/Hearing/hearingaids/fmsystems.asp

12. Touchscreenmonitor • Allows student to use computer without using the keyboard. • Allows direct selection of the computer by touching the screen, making it easier to select an option directly rather than through a mouse movement or keyboard. • Touch screens are either built into the computer monitor or can be added onto a computer monitor.

13. Using iPods & Podcasting An iPod is a portable device for storing and playing audio and video files encoded by MP3 or MPEG. Using iPods and literature books will help promote comprehension, speaking listening and writing skills amongst your ELL students. iPods should be used as tools or companion devices to reading the printed version of trade books. They should not replace these important literature pieces. A Podcast is audio or video content that is distributed live or downloaded from the Internet. It can be played back on your computer or through another mobile device such as an iPod or MP3 player. Podcasting offers a lot for students with diverse learning needs. It can assist them with learning or reviewing content in a personal way. Learn to Podcast: http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/index.htm

14. Teacher Uses Student Uses • Teachers can create Podcast presentations • Overall studies conclude that writing skills and vocabulary development improved in three studies. • One study reported a significant increase in comprehension skills. • The advantages of this are: • Students can repeat lectures at their convenience • They can be replayed to assist in increasing comprehension • Assists with exam and material review • Allow instructors and faculty to listen to and review their lectures to improve their practice. • Students gain control over their learning experience because they can manage the speed, direction and pace of their learning. • Students can create Podcast presentations • Can be used as a language lab to record vocabulary • To conduct question and answer conversations • Check pronunciation • Store language exercises for instant replay

15. Technology Projects • Other projects: • Yearbooks • PTO Information • School Newsletters • Meetings • Proms • Book Reports • Oral presentations or essays • Prepare an advertisement commercial • Conduct surveys or interviews • Record music they sang/produced

16. Benefits of Using iPods for Academic Use Problems of Using iPods for Academic Use • Students can learn better through the use of visuals and supporting audio. • Students will enjoy the personal feel of hearing stories or lectures on their own. • Students can replay things that they are not completely clear on. • Students can set their own pace and choose the environment in which they will learn. • Younger students may see the iPod as a toy and may take a bit longer to get on task in their learning. • The ear pods can be too small for younger students and will cause them to play around with them. (The solution to this is to put regular earphones on the iPod) • Students may become dependent on the iPod and may lose interest in independent reading without one. • Older students may jump ahead chapters and miss important information.

17. Software Options • Boardmaker • Kidspiration • Write Outloud • CoWriter • Zoom Text

18. Boardmaker by Mayer Johnson • Create boards in over 15 languages. • Choose your layout and create your own board setups. • Choose from over 3,000 Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). • It can be used in any and all content areas. • Can be used to create: worksheets, calendars, matching problems, number books, graphic organizers, all about me books, picture vocabulary cards, flash cards, books, sentence prompts, etc. http://www.mayer-johnson.com/

19. Teachers: Learn how to use Boardmaker online: http://www.yellowschoolbustour.com/index_web_classes.htm

20. Kidspiration http://www.inspiration.com/ • Kidspiration is a type of software that is used to make graphic organizers. It contains ready made templates or the students can create their own. • Kidspiration was developed in 2001 and applies the principle of visual learning for students. • Kidspiration received awards in 2006: EDDIE Award, 2 Codie Awards from Software and Information Industry Association, Bessie Award, Teachers’ Choice Award for the Family.

21. Characteristics & Uses • Students are able to see, develop & organize ideas. • Access to over 1,200 images. • Create graphic organizers, webs, concept maps & diagrams. • Picture tool bar. All buttons are represented with images and audio when scrolled over by the cursor. • Subject areas include reading, writing, science, social studies & more! • All lesson plans meet the state standards. Create your own on Activity Wizard. • Create “Super Groups” for sorting and categorizing concrete and abstract elements of information.

22. Subject Areas • Language Arts: spelling lists, noun/verb/adjective graph, story event (sequencing), character analysis, poetry webs • Science: K/W/L, sequencing, vocabulary, lab reports, cycles • Social Studies: sequencing, vocabulary

23. http://www.donjohnston.com Write: Out Loud • Talking word processor for students in grades 3-12 • Provides auditory feedback • Revising and editing tools CoWriter • Word prediction software for grades 1-8 • Expands students vocabulary • Improves written expression • Helps students create grammatically correct sentences.

24. ZoomTextSoftware(Visual/Audio Aid Software) • ZoomText Magnifier ~ Enlargens and enhances what is displayed on your monitor. • ZoomText Magnifier/Reader ~ Reads your documents, webpages, or emails to you! http://www.synapseadaptive.com/aisquared/zoomtext_9/zoomtext_9_home_page.htm

25. Low Tech Options

26. You can find it online at: www.irlen.com Irlen Syndrome is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain's ability to process visual information. Visual Distortions Include: Blurry, Halo, Rivers, Seesaw, Shaky, Swirl, Washout The use of colored overlays, colored paper, or colored filter lenses can help improve students reading fluency and comprehension. This will allow the student’s brain to accurately process the visual information.

27. Magnifying Bar This can be useful to any and all students, not only the visually impaired. The yellow guide line helps students keep track of where they are reading. It can be used to help students read in all of the content areas. 2X Extra Wide Magnifying Bar with Yellow Guide Line - $5.95 each You can find it online at: http://www.soundbytes.com/page/SB/PROD/104018

28. Pencil Grip This is a large, comfortable grip shaped to position fingers correctly, keep the web space open and provide a wide area of contact with the fingers. http://www.otideas.com/Items/PencilGrips.htm

29. Move -n- Sit • Designed to promote active sitting. • Strengthens and enhances the stomach and back muscles. • Absorbs pressure on the back that sitting for long periods of time can cause. http://www.backinaction.co.uk/move-n-sit

30. Slant Board • Reduces neck, back, and eye strain. • Promotes better posture. • Transforms a flat surface into an ergonomic desk. • Flexible to fit your needs. • Sets up in seconds. • Stores flat. http://www.healthydesign.com/slantbd/slantbd.html

31. Works Cited Duke University Ipod First Year Experience Final Evaluation Report (June 2005).  Retrieved September 21, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://cit.duke.edu/pdf/reports/ipod_initiative_04_05.pdfPatten, Kathryn B. ; Craig, Dorothy Valcarcel.Teacher Librarian, iPods and english-language learners: a great combination (June 2007). Retrieved September 21, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-6596703/iPods-and-English-language-learners.html#abstract Online Resources: