Kurzweil 3000 is the most popular text-reading tool out there. It's great for students who have physical disabilities that prevent them from accessing books, or for students with reading deficits. I found it very intuitive and easy to use. Students can change the speed at which text is read, and alter the voice that is reading the text. Additionally, teachers and students can place notes on the text as they read.
However, the process of scanning and preparing text is longer than one would expect. While the program is mostly accurate, it sometimes misread words or symbols on the page. Scanning entire chapters or books, and ensuring that the text is read correctly can be extremely time-consuming.
More information can be found here: http://www.kurzweiledu.com/
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Classroom Suite
Classroom Suite has many different possible uses and purposes within the classroom. The program provides an alternate means of completing schoolwork, participating in classroom activities and demonstrating knowledge. For writing, math, and reading activities, teachers can create customized activities for students that match what the rest of the class is doing in particular subject areas. Rather than writing on paper, which is hard for some students with fine motor difficulties, or spelling and mechanics problems, students can complete writing assignments on Classroom Suite. The program provides various templates (autobiography, letter, book reports, science reports, journals) for assignments that students might be asked to do in class to demonstrate their knowledge of certain topics across all disciplines. Students can choose to write without these templates, to create stories and other documents with and without pictures. Some students may be motivated by being able to design paintings on the program, or by adding fun pictures to their work. Students can choose to use an on-screen keyboard in both QUERTY and ABC formats, with large letters to input information. Word prediction software is also available for students with spelling difficulties in order to allow these students more independence in the creation of their works.
Additionally, there are math and reading programs available on Classroom Suite. Teachers can make worksheets on the program, whose paper equivalents students are completing in class. Students will be able to manipulate objects and perform calculations on the computer with large number and symbol representations. The program ensures that place value is maintained throughout the students’ operations, promoting success and independence for students who struggle with the concept, or with writing skills.
Classroom Suite is generally intuitive and easy to use. All action buttons are labeled, and dialog boxes can be read aloud. In many cases, instructions for activities can also be read aloud. Teachers can easily customize any activity by changing the content, or starting from scratch. One criticism I have is that the picture library is not the easiest to access. It comes up on the bottom of the screen, but there is no search box to search for a specific picture. It seems as if students must look through all of the pictures in each category first. This might be difficult for students with attention problems, who might be distracted by all the options. Also, students who cannot conceptualize categories, or may not be able to categorize certain objects may have difficulty using this particular feature.
Additionally, there are math and reading programs available on Classroom Suite. Teachers can make worksheets on the program, whose paper equivalents students are completing in class. Students will be able to manipulate objects and perform calculations on the computer with large number and symbol representations. The program ensures that place value is maintained throughout the students’ operations, promoting success and independence for students who struggle with the concept, or with writing skills.
Classroom Suite is generally intuitive and easy to use. All action buttons are labeled, and dialog boxes can be read aloud. In many cases, instructions for activities can also be read aloud. Teachers can easily customize any activity by changing the content, or starting from scratch. One criticism I have is that the picture library is not the easiest to access. It comes up on the bottom of the screen, but there is no search box to search for a specific picture. It seems as if students must look through all of the pictures in each category first. This might be difficult for students with attention problems, who might be distracted by all the options. Also, students who cannot conceptualize categories, or may not be able to categorize certain objects may have difficulty using this particular feature.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Accessibility on Google
I don't know how many people realize the incredible number of features Google has. I was looking through some of the newer ones I hadn't checked out yet, and discovered that Google has developed a browser for the visually impaired. You can also access it by typing in http://labs.google.com/accessible/.
you type in your search topic as you would on regular Google. The results page is modified for the those with visual impairments. Only one result is highlighted at a time, in a different color, and the print is significantly enlarged. As you navigate through the results (by pressing the down arrow, or clicking on different results) a clicking sound occurs to indicate that a new result is being selected!
TRY IT!
you type in your search topic as you would on regular Google. The results page is modified for the those with visual impairments. Only one result is highlighted at a time, in a different color, and the print is significantly enlarged. As you navigate through the results (by pressing the down arrow, or clicking on different results) a clicking sound occurs to indicate that a new result is being selected!
TRY IT!
Monday, November 24, 2008
How-To Manuals for Popular Technology
This website from the High Tech Center Training Unit (HCTC) has how-to manuals and tutorials on how to use a lot of the technology found that can be found in classrooms.
This includes:
JAWS
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Kurzweil 3000
Captioning tools
Web accessibility manuals
Alternate media manuals (e-text, braille, etc)
Web evaluation tools.
I have to thank Jade for providing me with the link for all these great resources!
This includes:
JAWS
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Kurzweil 3000
Captioning tools
Web accessibility manuals
Alternate media manuals (e-text, braille, etc)
Web evaluation tools.
I have to thank Jade for providing me with the link for all these great resources!
Ergonomics
So, after going through this blog I realized that I never posted about my ergonomics self-assessment. Needless to say, I have a horrible computer setup, with equally awful ergonomic habits. Using the guide and checklist from Cornell University, found at:
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ErgoTips2002/home.html
I assessed my workstation with some of the following results.
CHAIR: My chair is wooden and not adjustable in terms of height, or ability to recline. I am very low while my desk and keyboard are very high. The chair does not allow me to use proper form when I am typing. To get comfortable, I tend to sit with one leg underneath the rest of my body rather than with my feet flat on the floor. Also, armrests would be beneficial so I could rest my arms in a comfortable and ergo-friendly position while typing. I like some of the chairs found at http://www.askergoworks.com/category/41/Ergonomic+Chairs.aspx
KEYBOARD: I use a laptop, so I cannot move my keyboard away from my screen, as is suggested. My laptop usually sits on my desk, and I tilt my wrists and arms up to type rather than typing with my arms parallel to my thighs. One product that I found that would allow me to adjust the position and height of my laptop rather than my desk, is this Ergo T340 adjustable laptop workstation: http://www.askergoworks.com/products/1293/Ergo-T340-Adjustable-Laptop-Workstation.aspx. Another advantage is that this product comes with a built-in document holder. An additional problem with my keyboard is that the little bones in my wrists start to hurt after I type for long periods of time. I thought some palm pads like the ones found here http://www.askergoworks.com/products/326/Notebook-Palm-Pads.aspx might help.
MOUSE: In considering placement of the mouse, the Cornell website suggests placing the mouse on the side of the hand that is most comfortable to you. Because I use a laptop, I prefer not to connect an external mouse. Rather, I have become accustomed to using the mouse pad on the computer itself. This is in the middle of the keyboard, so when I use it, my hands are not in a relaxed position to the side. What is beneficial though, is that on my new Mac I do not have to click and scroll at the same time. Rather, I can use two fingers to scroll up and down, and from side to side. However, I would not mind using a roller-ball mouse like the ones here: http://www.askergoworks.com/products/986/Logitech-Marble-Mouse-Trackball.aspx
WORKSTATION: I had never really considered other items in my workspace, or my phone. I use my cell phone, and always have it within easy reach, consistent with the recommendations. To avoid resting the phone between my neck and shoulder, I could benefit from a headset like the ones sold here: http://www.askergoworks.com/category/44/Telephone+Headsets.aspx. Other objects, like a stapler, pens, post-its, etc are usually not in an organized place where they are easy to reach. Rather, these items are typically scattered around the desk, or on another table, causing me to strain my body by reaching over, or to have to leave my workstation altogether.
Some other great websites for ergonomic-friendly products, for kids and adults alike include:
http://www.askergoworks.com/kids.aspx
Rifton Equipment
Manufacturer of widely used equipment for children with physical disabilities.
Laptop Laidback
This is a product for people who must use a computer in a reclining position.
Heads Up
With certain kinds of disabilities, the person has great difficulty holding his or her head in a functional position. This manufacturer offers an interesting solution.
Wenzelite Re/hab
This manufacturer offers a variety of equipment for positioning children with disabilities at home and in classrooms.
Adapt-a-Cut
The purpose of Adapt-A-Cut® is to provide an ergonomic means of cutting sheet material by small children, the elderly, or people with limited dexterity or loss of fine motor skills.
Onion Mountain Tech
Tons of products! They have tons of low-tech aids for classrooms. This page is a set of different easy to grip pencils and pencil grips, but do look around all the other products as well.
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ErgoTips2002/home.html
I assessed my workstation with some of the following results.
CHAIR: My chair is wooden and not adjustable in terms of height, or ability to recline. I am very low while my desk and keyboard are very high. The chair does not allow me to use proper form when I am typing. To get comfortable, I tend to sit with one leg underneath the rest of my body rather than with my feet flat on the floor. Also, armrests would be beneficial so I could rest my arms in a comfortable and ergo-friendly position while typing. I like some of the chairs found at http://www.askergoworks.com/category/41/Ergonomic+Chairs.aspx
KEYBOARD: I use a laptop, so I cannot move my keyboard away from my screen, as is suggested. My laptop usually sits on my desk, and I tilt my wrists and arms up to type rather than typing with my arms parallel to my thighs. One product that I found that would allow me to adjust the position and height of my laptop rather than my desk, is this Ergo T340 adjustable laptop workstation: http://www.askergoworks.com/products/1293/Ergo-T340-Adjustable-Laptop-Workstation.aspx. Another advantage is that this product comes with a built-in document holder. An additional problem with my keyboard is that the little bones in my wrists start to hurt after I type for long periods of time. I thought some palm pads like the ones found here http://www.askergoworks.com/products/326/Notebook-Palm-Pads.aspx might help.
MOUSE: In considering placement of the mouse, the Cornell website suggests placing the mouse on the side of the hand that is most comfortable to you. Because I use a laptop, I prefer not to connect an external mouse. Rather, I have become accustomed to using the mouse pad on the computer itself. This is in the middle of the keyboard, so when I use it, my hands are not in a relaxed position to the side. What is beneficial though, is that on my new Mac I do not have to click and scroll at the same time. Rather, I can use two fingers to scroll up and down, and from side to side. However, I would not mind using a roller-ball mouse like the ones here: http://www.askergoworks.com/products/986/Logitech-Marble-Mouse-Trackball.aspx
WORKSTATION: I had never really considered other items in my workspace, or my phone. I use my cell phone, and always have it within easy reach, consistent with the recommendations. To avoid resting the phone between my neck and shoulder, I could benefit from a headset like the ones sold here: http://www.askergoworks.com/category/44/Telephone+Headsets.aspx. Other objects, like a stapler, pens, post-its, etc are usually not in an organized place where they are easy to reach. Rather, these items are typically scattered around the desk, or on another table, causing me to strain my body by reaching over, or to have to leave my workstation altogether.
Some other great websites for ergonomic-friendly products, for kids and adults alike include:
http://www.askergoworks.com/kids.aspx
Rifton Equipment
Manufacturer of widely used equipment for children with physical disabilities.
Laptop Laidback
This is a product for people who must use a computer in a reclining position.
Heads Up
With certain kinds of disabilities, the person has great difficulty holding his or her head in a functional position. This manufacturer offers an interesting solution.
Wenzelite Re/hab
This manufacturer offers a variety of equipment for positioning children with disabilities at home and in classrooms.
Adapt-a-Cut
The purpose of Adapt-A-Cut® is to provide an ergonomic means of cutting sheet material by small children, the elderly, or people with limited dexterity or loss of fine motor skills.
Onion Mountain Tech
Tons of products! They have tons of low-tech aids for classrooms. This page is a set of different easy to grip pencils and pencil grips, but do look around all the other products as well.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Make your own Smart Board
In an ideal world, every classroom in America would have a Smart Board. They allow students with multiple abilities and disabilities to access and present content. However, these are very expensive pieces of technology. Many schools do not have the extra funds to even equip one or two classrooms with Smart Board technology.
BUT this teacher in NY has discovered a way to use a Nintendo Wii to make his own "interactive white board." Check out this video!
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1243570743/bclid1815835555/bctid1900229747
BUT this teacher in NY has discovered a way to use a Nintendo Wii to make his own "interactive white board." Check out this video!
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1243570743/bclid1815835555/bctid1900229747
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