TechKnowledgy 2009
November 20, 2009
TechKnowledgy 2009...
More TechKnowledgy 2009...
November 19, 2009
Our 1000th post!
A grand, 1 K, however...
When we began the Assistive Technology Blog in the summer of 2006, our intention was to reach AT practitioners across our region who wanted to keep up-to-date with best practices in the field. To our amazement and satisfaction, our blog has reached people around the state as well as across the country. We even hear from folks from overseas! When we visit national conferences, we see others reference the Assistive Technology Blog; consumers who use assistive technology have responded with questions and good information, and we have been identified as one of the 200 educational blogs to watch by American Educational Research Association members! Stick with us for the next thousand--we'd love to hear from you!
TechKnowledgy 2009 has begun...
Follow the feeds...
Wish you could have attended the recent National Center on Technology Innovation's annual conference? Wonder what the presenters were sharing? Interested in reviewing the content? You have some options!
Follow the twitter feed that was collected during the conference at, http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/2009/10/29/conf09-twitter-feed/
Check the conference page for uploads of conference sessions and materials at,
http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/2009/09/01/conf09-conference-agenda/
A cool web site about digital access for students
At the National Technology Innovators Conference this week, quite a bit of discussion focused on the importance of recognizing the influence digital technology plays in the lives of today's students. From the importance of portables, mobile access, social media, ereaders and universal design for learning, each of these were highlighted as forces shaping the future. One of the websites shared was Taking it Global at http://www.tigweb.org/. This site offers an example of a social network designed to push some of these directions and provide information to students in a digital and collaborative form. Worth perusing!
What is your personal learning network?
One of the buzz words I heard at the recent NCTI conference this past week was the reference to personal learning networks or PLN. In this digital age of so much information that crosses our desk and air waves, it is often overwhelming to find ways to keep up. Some of us try to maintain multiple connections through social media tools such as various blogs, wikis, twitter feeds and social networks. Others attend conferences. The reality of our current economic situation, limits on resources and travel, and difficulty trying to keep abreast of the changes perhaps begs the issue of how to digitally design a personal learning network to stay informed. One of my AT colleagues from Loudoun County schools recently shared how he subscribes through RSS feeds into his personal blog (http://thetechflash.com) or web portal to keep abreast of all this information. We try to build such a PLN for all of you through our AT blog, Something to consider-- something to build?!
November 18, 2009
Comments, stories and reasons why we need innovation and change..
While attending the National Center on Technology Innovation Annual Conference in Washington, DC, I've had the opportunity to hear more about the upcoming National Education Technology Plan. As the new Director of the Office of Education Technology, Karen Cator and others requested, we all need to share our comments, stories and reasons why assistive technology works, education technology is important, and accessibility needs to happen for enabling all students to learn. Comments are requested from the field and needed soon, by 11/30/09. Please take the time to share at http://www.edtechfuture.org
The preferences of those digital natives...
This past week, Mr. Lee Raine with the Pew Internet & Life Project shared some percentages on the use of technology of those digital natives (those born after 1990)...
97% play computer games 35% find songs online
75% have cellphones 55% use wikipedia
93% use the Internet 74% have mp3 players
90% use browsers for cloud computing activities 73% use social networking sites
60% use instant messaging 40--50% tag content
14% use blogs 40% have digital cameras
That net generation!
59% read blogs
TechKnowledgy 2009 starts tomorrow!
Hope to see you all at the Richmond Convention Center on Thursday and Friday! It should be a great conference...if you were not able to register, stay tuned and we'll post what we learn.
November 17, 2009
Talking watches are more chic now!
I opened a catalog at home today and saw a nice-looking $40 watch with a round face and luminescent hands. You press the button on the side and a man's voice announces the time, date and settings. Since it's an "atomic watch," the time is corrected automatically by radio waves...it even adjusts automatically for Daylight Saving Time (anyone could benefit from this, not just individuals with visual impairments!). Universal design is coming into its own!
November 16, 2009
The future of ebooks and the future of access
I always enjoy presenting information about technology trends and how these involve accessible technologies. In this digital age, this is more exciting than ever before. On October 28, 2009, I joined a colleague for such a presentation at our state education technology conference. We shared our wares - iPod Touch devices, netbooks with free screen readers, compact OCR scanners, and the Livescribe. The audience of IT administrators seemed impressed, especially when we shared the Proloque2Go app for the iTouch and that evolving industry.
As we moved through the day, I was again impressed with a feature speaker who shared some of the emerging technology trends for education. Among them again, netbooks, mobile devices, flexible paper and the future of ebooks. Apparently, next year we may see a new series of ebook readers designed for the K-12 classrooms complete with touch sensitivity and color browsing.
As I returned to my computer and email the following day, there again was a new announcement about ebooks and ereaders, http://followthereader.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/the-day-it-all-changed/. Exciting developments for the future and the opportunities for learning!
Follow a leader in UDL through a social media connection: CAST on Facebook
Want to keep abreast of the latest developments in UDL? Want to have daily updates in your Facebook profile to follow this information? Then, become a Fan of CAST on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CenterforAppliedSpecialTechnology
Kurzweil partners for new e-reading software
Kurzweil Technologies will supply digital content for K-NFB Reading Technology, a newly developed e-book reading software created by Kurzweil in collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind. The software will be offered to consumers for free. Consumers can purchase books directly through the software. The software will be available for laptops (both PC and MAC) as well as net books, and mobile phones. It's scheduled to be released at the end of November. Keep up with what's happening by logging onto
November 15, 2009
How to select a digital voice recorder
Selecting a voice recorder, especially if your end goal is to not only record, but eventually to transcribe, is a challenge. Check out these reviews:
- http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/2008/08/1-voice-recorder-per-child.html
- http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/2005/07/shootout-stereo-digital-voice.html
- http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/2006/09/your-voice-recorder-questions.html
- http://reviews.cnet.com/4321-6519_7-6654814.html?tag=rtcol;relnews
Freedom Scientific has new podcast on JAWS
From the website:
Freedom Scientific's JAWS® 11 screen reading software and Microsoft's new operating system, Windows® 7. JAWS 11 offers a number of feature enhancements to improve accessibility with this new operating system, and Microsoft itself has made many changes. To get a user perspective on JAWS 11 and Windows 7, we are joined by J. R. Westmoreland, an experienced technology user. We discuss what's new in Windows 7 and when might be the right time to consider an upgrade. Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast035-october2009.mp3
What's a LoTTIE kit?
Great question! Take a few minutes to follow this link from the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System to learn more about these assistive technology assessment kits that offer Low Tech Tools for Inclusive Education.
We have an assortment of them in our library that can be checked out for three weeks as you determine what tools your students might need! Great for collaborative special education teachers who are finding their feet in strategizing for students in a new classroom.
The ultimate mechanical pencil for general use!
The Ticonderoga SenseMatic mechanical pencil automatically senses when you need more lead based on the pressure with which you write...and automatically advances just the right amount while you are writing. No clicking, no twisting and no sharpening--good for students with pressure-issues, those who like to "click" a little too much, and those who are drawn to the pencil sharpener.
Type "Sensematic pencil" into your preferred web search engine to find them...or ask us!
Erasable highlighters
I have recently been asked by a lot of people, "Where do you find erasable highlighters?" My typical response (which is, "I Google them") has apparently left something to be desired.
Here, therefore, is a link to the Office Max brand erasable highlighter, which is CHEAP!
Playing card holders make card games more accessible
The Indiana Assistive Technology Blog has a great photo and nice write-up about a personal favorite AT device: playing card holders. Added bonus: photos of a number of useful prying tools--great for any of us with limited hand strength.
Online shopping tool for individuals with visual impairments
Last month, the Indiana Assistive Technology Blog reviewed the new online "User Assistance Tool" from Macy's for individuals with visual impairments. Read their review here: http://blog.eastersealstech.com/tag/macys-user-assistance-tool/
Single-sheet cutters are alternative to scissors
Lifehack (a site devoted to making life easier) offer this solution for cutting pieces from the newspaper:
Problem: It is not a quick job. You need to find a pair of scissors, lift up the page you want to cut, and try to trace and cut it along the section.A better solution: There is a more elegant tool called Single Sheet Cutters which provides a quicker and safer way to cut out any newspaper or magazines. Draw it along the section to cut. Best of all, you don't need to lift up the top page, only top sheet is cut, underlying pages will stay.
Great for one-handed use!
November 13, 2009
Write in the margins with highlighter tape
Students who have trouble tracking text and transcribing their answers might benefit from this use of highlighter tape as "marginal gloss":
- Place 1" highlighter tape down the margin of a textbook page.
- Write one or more questions on the tape (perhaps one at the top or a couple next to two different paragraphs).
- Have students write responses directly on the tape beside the relevant paragraph. Some students might simply draw a bracket to show where the answer is.
Students can also use thinner highlighter tape to locate and highlight the answer for things like definitions and other identification-level questions.
November 12, 2009
Flexible paper...an emerging technology
This emerging technology, flexible paper, is set to debut in 2010. As a technology, this should offer some neat functionality as they share on their website, "AUO's flexible e-paper display can be repeatedly bended, making it even closer to functionality of real paper. The flexible e-paper is portable and unbreakable, significantly increasing the product's cushion."
An exciting technology worth a peek - http://auo.com/auoDEV/pressroom.php?sec=newsReleases&intTempId=1&intNewsId=727&ls=en
Adaptable Access!
If you are looking for an affordable interface for students who are using an alternative input system and using multiple computers, take a look at the following link:
http://www.westest.com/darci/index.html
November 11, 2009
Inclusion, AT, UDL and Learning: All ingredients for success
This was a video clip we shared at the Virginia Department of Education's Technology Leadership Conference on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. This clip from Edutopia provides a nice presentation of how this process should happen!
One of our favorite "Apps"
I remember when this iTouch App was announced. The excitement in the air amongst my AT colleagues was contagious. Finally, an important augmentative alternative communication (AAC) tool that could be used on this mainstream portable device -- the Proloquo2Go. When assistive technology functionality becomes available in these types of portable tools, access is more widely available for all!
November 10, 2009
A national leader in UDL provides a voice for technology
Last week we heard the exciting news that Dr. David Rose has been named to an important group that will develop the new National Educational Technology Plan. As a co-founder of CAST and a national researcher in UDL, Dr. Rose will bring keen insights to this development. The details of that announcement are noted below:
"The U.S. Department of Education has named David Rose, chief scientist
and co-founder of CAST, to a technical working group charged with
developing a new National Educational Technology Plan that guides the
use of information and communication technologies in transforming
American education. The plan will provide a set of concrete goals that can inform state and local educational technology plans as well as inspire research,
development, and innovation. Dr. Rose is among a number of distinguished educators, researchers,state and district education technology leaders, and policymakers who
are working together to support the development of the plan. "I am
honored to be included in this distinguished group," says Dr. Rose.
"I want to represent the needs of all learners but especially those who
are marginalized by the general education curriculum-students with
disabilities, English language learners, and so forth. It is essential
that the plan reflect the diversity of students in today's classrooms
and recognize that diversity as a strength of our educational system
rather than merely a challenge."
Dr. Rose is seeking your feedback on any relevant reports, effective
technology tools, or exemplary programs, activities or curricula that
are designed to include and benefit all students.To submit comments and learn more about the Plan, visit the National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) website:
https://edtechfuture.org "
November 9, 2009
From our friends at FCTD
Here's the latest information from our friends at the Family Center on Technology and Disability, "AT in the Classroom: Give us the Tools..",http://www.fctd.info/resources/newsletters/displayNewsletter.php?newsletterID=10080
Quick Draw Paper makes art accessible
November 6, 2009
Those digital students...
This video shares a wonderful perspective on why we believe in frameworks such as universal design for learning (UDL); frameworks that celebrate the positive practices of infusing technology to support learning.
November 5, 2009
Following new developments about UDL and technology
If you're like many of us, staying abreast of the latest trends and developments in technology is overwhelming. Add to that the long list of social media tools that are important to follow and, well, things can become quite overwhelming. That's why I've chosen to become a "Facebook Fan' of both CAST and NCTI. For example, just last week, CAST posted several new tools and developments through their Facebook page such as:
* A new one-page reference on great #UDL learning tools from CAST
http://bit.ly/2Y1N0S
* Canada embracing UDL. Important in a bilingual culture. http://bit.ly/4AYOa
* NEW book on policy and UDL debuts, "A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning"
Take the time to make your social media tools work for you and stay abreast of the news!
Providing computer access to persons with physical disabilities
Check out the following link for the Darci Too which provides universal computer access to persons with physical disabilities:
http://www.westest.com/darci/index.html
November 4, 2009
National resources on universal design for learning (UDL)
If you're looking for some great resources to inform others about universal design for learning, consider visiting the National UDL Taskforce. Several UDL Fact Sheets are available including a new edition for English Language Learners.
November 3, 2009
How AT can be integrated into existing general education structures and intitiatives
This 70-minute recorded webinar features Gayl Bowser: Integrating Assistive Technology Writing Tools. Click on http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=129373&title=Integrating_Assistive_Technology_Writing_Tools to watch.
November 2, 2009
Braille Labeler-it's portable and inexpensive!
Do you remember using a hand-held labeler when you were young with sticky tape that could be used to put your name on all of your special items? Have you wanted to provide access to students who use braille, but don't have access to a Braille machine? I found a portable brailler for $34 dollars that can be used to quickly provide access to print and the environment. The device has regular print as well as braille, so it can be used by everyone.
Check it out!