The Assistive Technology Blog

Dr. Karen Erickson and The Center for Literacy Studies at UNC Chapel Hill, is collaborating with Benetech and they have developed Route 66 Literacy. This is a internet based educational service designed for adolescents and adults with significant learning disabilities in the areas of reading and writing. The content is current and of high interest to adolescents and adults. Because it is online, the content can be updated to reflect current topics and new storeies. The service provides a Teacher Tutor that supports the instructor as they are working with their students. The program has built-in access features that are accessible by the most challenged learner. Contact the company to learn more about this innovative approach to teaching literacy to adolescents and adults:
http://www.Benetech.org/literacy/route66.shtml

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want to read (and share with others) some great, well-written articles about the successes achieved by individuals with disabilities thorugh using AT? Check out http://www.fctd.info/success_stories.php.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 6:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you haven't visited this website, do it now! http://www.fctd.info

From the website:

The Family Center Knowledge Network is comprised of more than 1900 organizations that share a concern for the families of children with disabilities. Members of the Knowledge Network have first hand access to our monthly newsletters, online discussions and special events.

Family Center Resources

AT Resources CD Rom - Looking for disability organizations, articles about AT, transcripts from online discussions...You’ll find it all here! The Family Center compiles all of its resources onto one accessible and information-rich CD-Rom.

FCTD Online Conference Series - Every other month nationally recognized experts lead month-long online discussions on a range of AT topics. Consumers, families, friends and professionals are encouraged to participate. Share your questions, comments, experiences and concerns or just listen-in. Hear from others working in the field. Learn from the experts.

Monthly Newsletters - FCTD News & Notes brings you timely articles on a wide range of AT topics from inclusion to planning a summer vacation for a special needs child. Each issue features interviews with experts, profiles of the Family Center's member organizations and additional assistive technology resources.

Resource Review Database - This fully-searchable database contains hundreds of reviews of books, articles, research and other materials of interest and utility to families of children with disabilities.

Member Database - Information on more than 1,200 disability organizations searchable by state, type of organization and target disability.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 5:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The TTAC library at VCU has just received 11 new Start-to-Finish titles, including The Red Badge of Courage, Macbeth, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Frankenstein, the Iliad, the Odyssey and the Jack London Short Story Collection. Why use Start-to-Finish books with your students?

Familiarize students with formal literary language and help them make the transition to grade-level text.

Grade 4-5 readable text

Lower ability can read with support

Syntax and vocabulary of more formal English

Complex or abstract vocabulary

More ideas introduced into longer sentences

Varied sentence structures

Auditory support for key words

Sentence-by-sentence highlighting

10,000 to 12,000 words
150-200 words per page
10 to 12 chapters
900-1,200 words per chapter
Illustrations, vary in size and placement
Two pages viewable on-screen

Computer quizzes let students demonstrate comprehension and vocabulary development. Recording their own reading, students master fluency with repeated reading. Students get instant feedback and teachers get detailed reports on accumulated student performance and time-on-task. Completed and blank quizzes can be printed for off-computer activities.
Questions quiz poses inferential questions to demonstrate comprehension.
Meanings quiz reinforces new vocabulary and idioms introduced in the chapter.
Optional speech in quizzes allows for additional support, if needed.
Fluency practice activity uses short, manageable passages to allow students to practice fluent reading through repeated reading.
Fluency readings are recorded for students and teachers to assess the quality of rate, intonation and accuracy.
NEW! Completed and blank quizzes and fluency activities can be printed by students for off-computer activities.

In our library, Start-to-Finish book sets come with a large-print paperback version of the text, computer book, audio cd, teacher guide and extensive options for the teacher to track student fluency and comprehension. Stop by or call us at the library to check these out!

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 6:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is a great resource for your students. An online subscription to a newspaper for beginning readers and those with disabilities. News-2-You is a weekly newspaper related to current events and the subscription runs from September to June, providing a resource for you throughout the year. Picture symbols and print are used together in articles that pertain to current world events. The text is written in three levels: regular, simplified, higher level and includes communication boards that relate to the content of the newspaper. You can use the material throughout the week for different purposes---be creative...the time consuming work has been done for you! I know many of you have used this resource. Tell us how you use it in your classroom!
The website has a sample you can download and try with your students.
Have fun!
http://www.news-2-you.com/index.aspx

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 9:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Need a fun review or debriefing activity for all types of learners, kinesthetic, visual, and tactile? Use the "processing cube" from Training-Wheels.com. The cube is 6x6x6 and has vinyl "see-through" windows on each side. Laminated cards come with it with various processing questions and directions on it to change the cube into multiple different activities. Just slide cards or photos into the clear plastic sleeves on each side of the cube...and play!

From Training-Wheels.com, a site for experiential educators:

The great thing about this cube is that you can change it every time you use it. You can come up with different questions for each student or group you have. There are several ways to customize the cards for the different groups you have. One would be to hand out blank index cards and colored pens or markers. Let the students color on and come up with their own questions to ask. This involves the participant in the planning process and they will have more investment in answering the questions they come up with on their own. Let the kids draw pictures and their own questions. A lot of times, kids will answer their own questions before they will answer yours!

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 5:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Follow this link to find how to make a moisture guard for almost any device, from keyboards, remote controls, or AAC devices. This trick utilizes a box of window insulation material found at any hardware store for under $20.

http://www.iltech.org/techtalk.asp#tendollar

Posted by Mona at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The world of visual maps and concept mapping is now available on the web. Users can actually create visual concept maps within the web, reducing the need to download any software. This approach to visual concept mapping can also be included in online communities....such as blogs. Visit http://www.gliffy.com for more information!

Posted by Fran Smith at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With the need to assess ALL students comes the need for tools that reach ALL students. Don Johnston Inc. along with researchers in the field of literacy have teamed up to create books that meet the literacy needs of students who need enrichment, transitional or conventional text. The series includes history and science topics like early settlers, volcanoes, Cival War, as well as sports and life skills and many others. The book sets also include teacher materials for tracking student progress and creating supporting materials. Check it out on Don Johnston's website: http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/stflsfrm.htm

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 9:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We have received a pre-production demonstration model of the TANGO AAC device to preview for 3 weeks. The TANGO has been developed by leading experts in the field of language and speech development. Pati King-DeBaun, Caroline Musselwhite, Linda Burkhart and Karen Erickson have lent their expertise for the development of this product. The TANGO is designed to be dynamic which allows for more conversational turns with the AAC user. It is programed with hundreds of phrases categorized according to "talk topic". It also has features for self programming and forming sentences and phrases using a word prediction method. Another feature of the TANGO is the built in digital camera which will allow the user, family member or teacher to take photos of events or objects. The TANGO also includes voice morphing which will allow the AAC user to whine, whisper or shout a phrase.

Ablenet will be shipping the TANGO to consumers who ordered the device in late September. Right now the device features a child's voice but plans are in the works to make teen and adult voice versions. If you are interested in seeing how the TANGO operates call us at T/TAC in the next 2 weeks before we ship it back to the company.

For more information regarding the TANGO visit their website at:

http://www.blink-twice.com/

Posted by Mona at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We know that Hundreds Charts are one of the essential tools in early math instruction--counting, sequencing, fractions, decimals, percents, basic manipulative use, the Sieve of Eratosthenes!

Save some time and use this Microsoft Word version of a Hundreds Chart: print it, laminate it, project it, whatever you can think of! Click on this link to download the chart: Download file

Here's an example of virtual highlighting:

Idea: To find least common multiple of 8 and 6, highlight the multiples of 6 in yellow--when you hit one that should be both blue AND yellow, make it green! That's a common multiple!

You might want to pre-highlight one (8s or 6s) and have students do the other. Other ideas?

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 4:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Virtual Vine is a great website for teachers of students in preK-2 or any of us focusing on early learning skills. The webmaster, Cindy, has 19 years experience as a Special Education Resource Teacher, teaching range of students with mild to significant cognitive disabilities. Hew website, http://www.thevirtualvine.com, is full of great ideas for centers using no tech and low/light tech manipulatives.

Here's an example of one:

Counting by 2s, 5s, & 10s: I use my number chart and "highlighter tape" to help my students see the patterns of counting by 2s, 5s, & 10s. The highlighter tape is actually cling on bookcovers that I purchased by the box at Office Depot. You just cut the film to the size you need, then it easily sticks and and can be easily removed without any sticky residue. Eventually dust and grime will get stuck to the back, so you just throw it away and cut new pieces. I've been using the same box for years!

Click here to visit the math section of her site and see her hundreds chart with "highlights" http://www.thevirtualvine.com/math.html
A great way to prompt any and all students during choral response counting activities!

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 4:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Click here to hear this entry read aloud: Download file

Highlighter Tape is a transparent tape that looks like a fluorescent highlighter pen, but the removable adhesive means you don't make permanent marks.

Who uses it? From a recent advertisement:

Pilot, Musicians, Knitters, Attorneys: use highlighter tape for expensive navigation charts, sheet music, knitting patterns, and legal documents! Removable highlighting tape is a great way to mark your route on all aeronautical charts. Easily change and remove the route without marking or damaging your charts.

How else can we use it?
Now you can highlight word parts, words, phrases, or sentences on any surface without damaging it! Use different colors to break words. Highlighter tape is easy to remove, and you can even write on it.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 6:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Palm Beach County Schools Dept of Exceptional Student Education has posted the SETT framework questions as a considerations document that can be completed and shared by IEP team members. Check out http://www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/Records/PDF/1859.pdf.

The areas of handwriting, reading, math, learning/study skills, and computer access are included in the considerations form, with a multitude of suggestions for students and their IEP teams to try (Magic Rub erasers, highlighter tape). A column in the document is provided to evaluate effectiveness.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 6:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The SETT Framework is the brainchild of Joy Smiley Zabala, an assistive technology specialist. It's "an organizational tool to help collaborative teams create Student-centered, Environmentally useful, and Tasks-focused Tool systems" that support students with disabilities in accessing and succeeding in the general education curriculum. The following excerpt is drawn from Joy Zabala's website (http://sweb.uky.edu/~jszaba0/SETTupdate2002.html):

The SETT Framework is built on the premise that in order to develop an appropriate system of assistive technology devices and services, teams must first gather information about the student, the customary environments in which the students spend their time, and the tasks that are required for the students to be active participants in the teaching/learning processes that lead to educational success. It is believed that the elements of the SETT Framework, with minor adjustments, can also be applied to non-educational environments and service plans.

Critical Elements of SETT
Collaboration
Communication
Multiple Perspectives
Pertinent information
Shared Knowledge
Flexibility
On-going Processes

It must be remembered that SETT is a framework, not a protocol. The questions under each section of the SETT Framework are expected to guide discussion rather than be complete and comprehensive in and of themselves. As each of these questions is explored, it is likely that many other questions will arise. The team continues the exploration until there is consensus that there is enough shared knowledge to make an informed, reasonable decision that can be supported by data.

For more about the framework, visit Joy Zabala's site (http://sweb.uky.edu/~jszaba0/SETTupdate2002.html).

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 6:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Judith Sweeney at Onion Mountain Technology created a continuum that is

"a one page form to use when looking at student needs and possible AT solutions. (Some schools use this as part of their IEP or planning sessions, marking each choice with a highlighter and taking notes on the back of the form.) For each problem that the student has, the team needs to determine the task, the specific need in relationship to that task, and the environment. Then they develop a plan for the tools which will be tried. Because the law considers low tech tools to be less restrictive, always start with the low tech options. If they 'solve' the problem, then stop. If they don't, then try the mid tech tools. Again, if mid tech tools solve the problem, stop. If not, then move to high tech tools."

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 6:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)