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Technologies for Learning

Palmetto Association of Independent Schools Symposium 2010. Technologies for Learning. Mary M. Silgals, MLIS April 19, 2010. My Disclaimer.

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Technologies for Learning

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  1. Palmetto Association of Independent Schools Symposium 2010 Technologies for Learning Mary M. Silgals, MLIS April 19, 2010

  2. My Disclaimer • I do not endorse any of these products over another similar product. Any product I might discuss or demonstrate today, either I purchased, came from shareware, or was a free download. No product was given to me by any manufacturer to promote. • If I speak enthusiastically about a product, it’s because I have seen it work well with my students or in my curriculum!

  3. AT Tools for specific learning problem areas There are AT tools to help students who struggle with: • Listening • Math • Organization • Memory • Reading • Writing

  4. What kind of tools are available? • Abbreviation expanders • Alternative keyboards • Audio books and publications • Electronic math worksheets • Free-form database software • Graphic organizers and outlining • Information/data managers • Optical character recognition • Personal FM Listening Systems • Portable word processors • Proofreading programs • Speech recognition programs • Speech synthesizers/Screen Readers • Talking Calculators • Talking spell-checkers and electronic dictionaries • Variable speed tape recorders • Word prediction programs • New Stuff almost everyday!

  5. Abbreviation Expanders (Difficulty in writing) • Used with word processing, these software programs allow a user to create, store, and re-use abbreviations for frequently-used words or phrases. This can save the user keystrokes and ensure proper spelling of words and phrases he has coded as abbreviations.

  6. Example

  7. Alternative Keyboards (Difficulty in Writing) • These programmable keyboards have special overlays that customize the appearance and function of a standard keyboard.  Students who have LD or have trouble typing may benefit from customization that reduces input choices, groups keys by color/location, and adds graphics to aid comprehension.

  8. Examples

  9. Virtual Keyboard • Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard • http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/8193/ • http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/

  10. Alternative Keyboard Layouts Three Dvorak layouts are available: • Keyboard layout for two-handed users (U.S. English) • Keyboard layout for people who type with their left hand • Keyboard layout for people who type with their right hand http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/altkeyboard.aspx Left hand typers:

  11. Audio books and publications(Difficulty in Reading) • Recorded books allow users to listen to text and are available in a variety of formats, such as audiocassettes, CDs, and MP3 downloads. Special playback units allow users to and search and bookmark pages and chapters. Subscription services offer extensive electronic library collections.

  12. Examples PlayAways Book Courier RFD&B Players

  13. Book (Text) Display Readers • A new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. • Amazon Kindle - Kindle http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI73MA/?tag=gg84627-20&gclid=CPLbhrXh3ZACFQ6CPAoddBzuVw • Foxit http://www.foxitsoftware.com/ebook/ • Sony Reader - http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665245739

  14. E Readers Sony Reader Kindle eSlick B&N Nook iPad

  15. Don Johnston ClassMate Reader • http://www.donjohnston.com/products/portables/classmate/index.html • Listen to textbooks & other material using built-in text-to-speech, while following highlighted text on screen • Demo - On line Screen 2”x3”

  16. Scan Books into MP3s • BookReader V100 • Text to speech – turns printed text into spoken audio file which can be saved in MP3 format • www.plustek.com

  17. Electronic Math Sheets (Difficulty in math) • Electronic math worksheets are software programs that can help a user organize, align, and work through math problems on a computer screen. Numbers that appear onscreen can also be read aloud via a speech synthesizer. This may be helpful to people who have trouble aligning math problems with pencil and paper.

  18. MathPad Examples MathTalk - speech recognition mathematics. Do math without keyboard or mouse. Access To Math

  19. Touch Math – this is not software! • http://www.touchmath.com/ • Free samples, download use on interactive white boards

  20. Kidspiration • http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration • Free 30 day trial

  21. Free-form Database Software(Difficulty in organization and memory) • Used in conjunction with word processing or other software, this tool allows the user to create and store electronic notes by “jotting down” relevant information of any length and on any subject. The user can later retrieve the information by typing any fragment of the original note.

  22. Examples Palm with Info Select InfoSelect Organizer

  23. Graphic Organizers (Difficulty in writing) • Graphic organizers and outlining programs help users who have trouble organizing and outlining information as they begin a writing project. This type of program lets a user “dump” information in an unstructured manner and later helps him organize the information into appropriate categories and order.

  24. Examples Kidspiration Inspiration Software

  25. Information data managers (Difficulty with organization and memory) • This type of tool helps a person plan, organize, store, and retrieve his calendar, task list, contact data, and other information in electronic form. Personal data managers may be portable, hand-held devices, computer software, or a combination of those tools working together by “sharing” data.

  26. Examples Franklin Children’s Dictionary Memo to Me via email Palm

  27. IPod Touch

  28. Optical character recognition(Difficulty with reading) • This technology allows a user to scan printed material into a computer or handheld unit. The scanned text is then read aloud via a speech synthesis/screen reading system. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is available as stand-alone units, computer software, and as portable, pocket-sized devices.

  29. Examples Wynn Software Read and Write Gold Kurzweil Voice Reader/Camera Imaging Reading Pens

  30. Intel Reader Reader Work Station

  31. Personal FM listening system(Difficulty with listening) • A personal FM listening system transmits a speaker’s voice directly to the user’s ear. This may help the listener focus on what the speaker is saying. The unit consists of a wireless transmitter (with microphone) worn by the speaker and a receiver (with earphone) worn by the listener.

  32. Examples LES 370 AT-216Digitally Synthesized Wireless Auditory Assistance Kit Easy Listener Transmitter and Receiver

  33. Portable Word Processor(Difficulty in writing) • A portable word processor is lightweight device that is easy to transport (e.g., from classroom to home). It can be helpful to kids who may have trouble writing by hand and prefer to use a keyboard. Word processing allows the user to edit and correct his written work more efficiently than doing so by hand.

  34. Examples AlphaSmart QuickPad Products

  35. New Text2Speech Voice Box • Adds speech to the NEO from Alpha Smart – retrofit existing units or buy with new units • www.donjohnston.com/cowriterneo

  36. Proofreading Programs • Students who struggle with writing (e.g., spelling, grammar, punctuation, word usage, and sentence structure) may benefit from software programs (included in many word processing systems) that scan word processing documents and alert the user to possible errors.

  37. Speech Recognition Program Software(Difficulty in writing) • A speech recognition program works in conjunction with a word processor. The user “dictates” into a microphone, and his spoken words appear on the computer screen as text. This can help a user whose oral language ability is better than his writing skills.  

  38. Examples Dragon Naturally Speaking For Windows OS ViaVoice for Windows And Mac OS iListen for Mac OS For Vista

  39. Examples continued Word Q and Speech Q http://www.wordq.com/

  40. Vista/Windows 7 Operating Systems • As each OS is introduced, more and more assistive technologies come pre-loaded such as web readers.

  41. Speech Synthesizers/Screen Readers (Difficulty in Reading and Writing) • These systems can display and read aloud text on a computer screen, including text that has been typed by the user, scanned in from printed pages (e.g., books, letters), or text appearing on the Internet.

  42. Examples • aspireReader http://www.cast.org/products/ereader/index.html • Features: • Read aloud via human-recorded or computer-generated speech • Reading speed control to ensure understanding • Advanced navigation and search • Keyboard-controlled shortcut keys • Electronic bookmarks and note taking • "Where am I now?" feature • Playable via CD, DVD, WWW, etc. AspireReader

  43. Version 8.1 include: Screenshot Reader Scanning Enhancements Study Skills Integration Summary Feature Take Settings Home Fact Folder Preview Panel Fact Mapper Enhancements Text to Speech with Highlighting including websites and PDF files Talking Dictionary Spelling/Homophone Checkers Word Prediction Research Tools with Graphic Organizer - Fact Finder, Fact Folder, Fact Mapper Daisy Reader Application Study Skills Customizable Toolbars and Multiple Options For Toolbar Positioning MP3 Creation Translator Scanning Teacher's Toolkit Examples • Read and Write Goldhttp://www.texthelp.com/page.asp?pg_id=10059 • Read and Write Gold Mobilehttp://www.texthelp.com/page.asp?pg_id=10178

  44. Free –Internet Text Readers • Read Please – Free version and Trial version, check specific OS requirements before downloading • http://www.readplease.com/english/downloads/ • Speakonia – http://download.cnet.com/windows/voice-recognition-software/ • Balabolka - http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm

  45. Talking Calculators(Difficulty in math) • A talking calculator has a built-in speech synthesizer that reads aloud each number, symbol, or operation key a user presses; it also vocalizes the answer to the problem. This auditory feedback may help him check the accuracy of the keys he presses and verify the answer before he transfers it to paper.

  46. Examples Basic to Scientific

  47. Talking Spell Checkers • Talking spell checkers and electronic dictionaries can help a poor speller select or identify appropriate words and correct spelling errors during the process of writing and proofreading.  Talking devices “read aloud” and display the selected words onscreen, so the user can see and hear the words.

  48. Products Franklin Spell Checker WordWeb Pro Software

  49. Variable Speed Tape Recorders(Reading and Listening) • Tape recorders/players allow a user to listen to pre-recorded text or to capture spoken information (e.g., a classroom lecture) and play it back later. Variable speed control (VSC) tape recorders speed up or slow down the playback rate without distorting the “speaker’s” voice.

  50. Examples Super Desk Mate II – Maxi Aid Handi-Cassette II -

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