Assistive/Adaptive Technology
Students with Cognitive Difficulties
Dolphin EasyConverter is software that allows the instructor to scan text material to create versions in Braille, Large Print, MP3, and Daisy. The software is designed to for use in schools, colleges, universities and companies. The use of the software is described as being easy to learn with capabilities for more advanced features as the instructor becomes more acquainted with the software. The software would be ideal for the lessons that require students to read through material before starting a new project. http://www.adaptivetech.co.nz/CognitiveLearning-Disability |
Kurzweil is a collection of software designed for all levels of cognitive ability that need assistive technology. The software also includes programs for second language learners. The software includes: writing tools, transition tools, multi language dictionary, text reader while typing, guided writing processes, text to speech with human quilt voices, read-the-web-access, word prediction, picture dictionaries, quizzes, tests and all done on a single interface. Teaching and learning tools a part of the program.
The Kurzweil software would enable my cognitive disability students to become more independent in the classroom. My courses involve research and creation of artifacts for each lesson we do. Included in this are projects that involve computer use for simulations, instruction, and artifact creation. http://www.kurzweiledu.com/default.html |
Autism Timer App This app offers a digital timer for students with Autism. The app could be used during project construction, or while conducting research for the history of a topic. |
Aurifi App This app is a challenging and rewarding audio game for students with learning disabilities. This app would help my students with following video instruction that are part of each lesson I teach. The students watch the instructions on my YouTube channel. |
Students with Physical Difficulties
The RJ’s EZ See website provides keyboards for students with physical abilities. The keyboard assists the students in seeing the keyboard by applying larger letters and numbers on colored coded keys. The keyboards are available with keys in different colors and specifications based on the disability. Keys are easily removed to limit confusion, so only the required keys are present. http://www.rjcooper.com/ez-see/index.html |
The Head Tracking Mouse by NaturaPoint is designed to sit on top of a monitor and transmit a signal that is reflected back to it by a reflector worn by the user. The device allows the user to operate a computer hands free if the student has a physical disability that eliminates the use of their hands. http://www.abilityhub.com/mouse/headtrack.htm |
Dragon Dictation App This app enables the student that has a physical disability that does not allow them to right, the opportunity to dictate information. The app could be used in place of having to fill out worksheets and daily log entrees in their PSW. |
Alexicom AAC App This app augments the ability the student has for communicating effectively with others. There are over 300 pages and 2,000 images to assist communication levels. This app could be used in my classroom at any point during the class to help the student communicate with peers or the instructor. |
Students with Sensory Difficulties
The SpringBoard by Prentke Romich Company is a digitized speech, dynamic display product. The product is designed for the person just starting to use augmentative communication technology. This is a audio product designed to assist students with audio disabilities. I have had a few students in the past that were mute and this technology would have help them communicate with their peers and teachers independently. The Prentke Romich Company offers many different models of the digitizer. http://www.abilityhub.com/aac/aac-devices.htm |
The Pearl Portable Reading Solution is designed for low vision or blind individuals to bring text to life through a process of scanning to a text reader. The product has multiple voices to choose from. The upright camera is ready for use in a matter of moments and customizable. A tool like this on my class would allow the student to read the textbook, all the lesson plans for participating and completing the projects. http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/pearl-product-page.asp |
MyTalkTools Mobile App Allows people with communication disorders to communicate their needs with those around them. The service provides access to both MyTalk Mobile and MyTalk Workspace. The two apps together are major breakthrough in augmentative, alternative communications (AAC). This app would help all students with speech disabilities to communicate freely. |
Glow Draw App This app helps students with visual disabilities, by creating images that glow against a dark contrasting background. This app could be used in my classroom in a way that would allow the student to communicate ideas and thoughts through drawing images. |
At Risk Students
Arise is a non-profit foundation start by a husband and wife team. The foundation has developed several tools for teachers to apply to their classroom on a daily bases. The vision of the Arise is to teach life skills that are not hereditary; to build social and emotional fitness in troubled youth. The foundation has created life skills lessons that are easily understood and a formula for training staff to utilize the designed curricula in the classroom. The Arise foundation has more then thirty years of experience and is used nationally and internationally.
As the economy continues to remain in the recession the financial burden put on families takes a toll on the students mentally and physically. Every year we students come into school from out of town because their parents are looking for jobs. The Arise Foundation can help all teachers recognize the at-risk students and provide intervention when and where it is needed. I would benefit from this knowledge on a daily bases, to assist a student that fit the criteria for being at-risk. http://at-riskyouth.org/ |
The Don Johnson Corporation has developed a RtI (Response to Intervention) program for assisting students that require intervention for a successful school career. The RtI program is constructed in three tiers, also identified as the 3 Tier approach, is recommended as an integrated educational problem-solving approach. The structure of the RtI is consistent with federal legislature in mind; this includes IDEA, NCLB and the scientific method. The RtI program would assist me in identifying at-risk students and being able to provide quality intervention instruction with the support of our special education department. http://www.donjohnston.com/prof_services/rti/index.html |
My Homework App This app allows students to organize their school responsibilities to assure they have all the information they need with class activities, projects and homework. This app would help an at-risk student stay on schedule better with class assignments. All my students could benefit from this app, not just the at-risk students. |
Stories2Learn App This app enables parents and teachers to create personalized stories using photos, text and audio. The stories could be specialized for the students needs, which may include social skills, fundamental literacy, and leisure through reading. The stories can be created to teach new social cues or to improve current social skills. This may include taking turns, sharing, proper behavior in certain settings, and how to share. The app can also be used for creating schedules. This app would have its benefits in my classroom by providing a resource for students to refer to when a situation arises that the student might be unfamiliar with. |
Gifted and Talented Students
The Davidson Institute offers means for an instructor to create a virtual learning environment for gifted and talented students. Because of budget cut backs, schools and teachers are finding it necessary to find other means and resources for keeping their gifted and talented students engaged and challenged. The Davidson Institute does just that. Teachers need specialized knowledge on best practices in the classroom for teaching gifted and talented learners. The tool and knowledge a teacher would have to create a virtual learning environment provides an engaging and challenging method for instruction. The addition of a virtual learning environment (VLE) enables the instructor to manipulate the environment to fit the student’s strengths and weaknesses. This provides customized instruction for student success.
I have many students that come through my classes that are labeled gifted and talented. The Davidson Institute has tremendous appeal to me. The opportunity to build a VLE to keep my students involved in the lesson beyond the required material will create a better overall environment for all students. http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10436.aspx |
The British of Columbia Ministry of Education has developed a gifted and talented website with resources and strategies. The website provides a table of content to assist with finding exactly what you are looking for. The website includes resources for identifying a gifted student, strategies for developing the correct type of instruction and many other extensive resources. The website is idea for a teacher that has little to no experience with gifted and talented students.
This website will offer me an extensive resource for developing correct instruction for gifted students. There are many strategies available with knowledgeable content. The website provides artifacts that I can use in my classroom. http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/gifted/ |
Coaster Physics App This app allows the student to see how the laws and principles of physics apply to a roller coaster in motion. The students are able to design and test their roller coaster for speed, acceleration, energy use, and g-force changes as the roller coaster roles through the design. There seem to be no limits on the track design and testing. This app would be a great addition to my own lesson on roller coaster design during the construction lesson. I will be adding it to assist students in designing their own physical model roller coaster. The student can do a virtual test before actual construction starts. |
Carpenter's Helper Lite App This app allows the user to do construction calculations at any degree of difficulty. It has a screen that is large and shows all the functions needed to do all the possible calculations in construction. This would be a great tool for my more advanced construction students. It would be a tremendous assets to their projects as they build them to scale. |