Saturday, 9 July 2011
Introduction to Assistive Technology
This video is produced by the Don Johnson Empire, and it is called “The case against assistive technology”. Of course, it doesn’t present a case against assistive technologies, but instead looks at the assumptions stopping schools from using technology. Although it does not apply specifically to the writing process, it does demonstrate the direction in which we are moving, and gives us a glimpse into the future. This is a must see for anyone who is reluctant to incorporate assistive technology into their classroom.
This link is an hour long webinar on Integrating Assistive Technology Writing Tools. It is presented by an assistive technology consultant and program director and it discusses assistive technology for writing, and discussing how to integrate and implement these processes into the classroom integration.
Friday, 8 July 2011
Planning to Write
Most struggling writers spend less than one minute planning (Writing Better, 2005). Many of these students demonstrate poor organizational skills, and feel overwhelmed with all of the requirements involved when completing a writing task. There are assistive technologies available to assist these students.
Inspiration and Kidspiration:
http://www.inspiration.com/
http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration
Inspiration and Kidspiration are “The visual ways to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts”. Esentially, they are brainstorming tools that help students visually organize and outline their ideas in order to support the writing process. Students can use images to represent and sort their ideas, all the while being more engaged. These programs can be used to create storyboards, build sequence charts, or break up longer assignments. On the websites, there are examples of how to use this software not only in Language Arts, but also Science and Social Studies, The websites include testimonials and successful stories, as well as a list of awards and studies that reference Inspiration, and there is even a Webinar walking you through the program (to further convince the hesitant buyer). One also has the option of downloading a 30-day free trial to test drive either program before purchasing. If you teach in an elementary school, Kidspiration is the most appropriate program, while Inspiration is geared more toward secondary students.
Draft:Builder:
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/draft_builder/index.html\
This program, developed by Don Johnston, breaks the writing process down into three steps (and unlike Inspiration, helps students transition from brainstorming to writing):
1) brainstorming
2) note-taking
3) writing the first draft
Draft:Builder includes a dictionary, a bibliographer (with APA and MLA formats), a talking spell checker, and new natural-sounding speakers. The website includes numerous testimonials and case studies, as well as a product demo and a free 30 day trial (although you have to be teaching in the U.S.A. to apply). A single computer license is $139.00, but if you outfitted an entire school (50+ computers), the cost could drop as low as $69.50 per computer. The website professes that teachers can be trained on how to use Draft:Builder in a mere 30 minutes.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Assistive Technology: Kurzweil 3000
A great video on how Kurweil 3000 has helped students of all abilities with their writing, comprehension and organization.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Writing Right
CoWriter
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/cowriter/index.html
CoWriter is a predictive word software program that allows the user to write entire sentences by typing only a few letters. It is so effective because it uses “Linguistic Word Prediction” so it uses “grammar-based intelligence”, meaning it can predict words within the framework of a valid sentence and is more flexible than traditional word prediction programs. This program works with other writing applications from Microsoft Word, to Emailing. CoWriter is very beneficial for those who have poor handwriting, who struggle with phonetic spelling, who have difficulty typing, or who struggle with written expression. Again, the website includes links to a demo, and testimonials, and claims teachers can be trained in 30 minutes. If you click on the link below, you can view before and after samples of writing from students who try CoWriter.
http://www.donjohnston.com/media/flash/cowriter_student_samples/index.html
The software is rather expensive and ranges from $290.00 per computer (for 1 – 4 computers) to $145.00 per computer (for 50+ computers).
http://ssrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/jrenouf/CoWriter.htm
The South Shore Regional School Board has put together a series of short PowerPoint presentations that demonstrate a number of topics from a brief introduction to the CoWriter, to using topic dictionaries and changing your speech options.
WordQ
http://www.goqsoftware.com/en/
Similar to CoWriter, this software program suggest words to use, and then provides spoken feedback, to better identify any errors. The program has many advantageous features such as learning words you like and predicting these faster, and reading exactly what you write (making it easier to identify poor grammar or punctuation). It also appeals to youth, as the website remind users that WordQ can read websites, including Facebook and Twitter. Those interested can watch video tutorials, available on the website, and try a thirty day demo. The listed price is $199 per license, and the website states the price lower with the number of licences purchased.
Clicker 5
http://www.cricksoft.com/us/products/tools/clicker/home.aspx
Clicker 5 is a writing support tool that allows users to compose sentences without writing or using the keyboard, simply by clicking on words or phrases. This program displays both symbols and text and the words are read aloud, enabling learners to make connections between images and words. Clicker 5 is a beneficial tool for these with dyslexia, low vision, physical disabilities, and various learning disabilities because it: breaks tasks down into manageable steps; is multisensory and keeps children motivated; comes fully accessible with switches; and has special high-contrast colour options with the choice of zooming in. Interestingly enough, this software application is more expensive for each individual license, compared to other programs ($249.00 per license), but there is the option of having unlimited access for a single school for $2,000. Therefore, if you want it on eight or more computers, it makes financial sense to get unlimited access. There is a video on the website with additional information for those interested. As well, a graduate student by the name of Rose Racicot completed her M.Sc. Thesis on Clicker 5, and you can read her dissertation for further information:
http://www.cricksoft.com/Files/research/RACICOT_Thesis.pdf
Write OutLoud
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/write_outloud/index.html
Don Johnson does it again with the Write Outloud software application, designed as a simple text to speech option. Although there are many text to speech programs, Write OutLoud is a good fit for students who have only moderate grammar and spelling challenges, and who write better with auditory support. Words are read as they are written, and the program has a dictionary, spell checker, and even a homophone checker. Again, there is a tutorial online, and teachers can be trained in 30 minutes. As with all Don Johnson products, the more you buy, the more you save ($84.00 for a single license, compared to $42.00 for fifty or more licences).
Ghotit
http://www.ghotit.com/home.shtml
What I like most about this program, is that you can try and use it for free. If you visit the website above, you can copy and paste text into a box, and the program will autocorrect for you. Each incorrect word is highlighted; when you click on the word, there is a list of suggestions, and each has the definition attached so you can be sure to select the proper word. This is much more effective than the typical spell checker on Microsoft Word, and students can use it for free at home or at school.
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/cowriter/index.html
CoWriter is a predictive word software program that allows the user to write entire sentences by typing only a few letters. It is so effective because it uses “Linguistic Word Prediction” so it uses “grammar-based intelligence”, meaning it can predict words within the framework of a valid sentence and is more flexible than traditional word prediction programs. This program works with other writing applications from Microsoft Word, to Emailing. CoWriter is very beneficial for those who have poor handwriting, who struggle with phonetic spelling, who have difficulty typing, or who struggle with written expression. Again, the website includes links to a demo, and testimonials, and claims teachers can be trained in 30 minutes. If you click on the link below, you can view before and after samples of writing from students who try CoWriter.
http://www.donjohnston.com/media/flash/cowriter_student_samples/index.html
The software is rather expensive and ranges from $290.00 per computer (for 1 – 4 computers) to $145.00 per computer (for 50+ computers).
http://ssrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/jrenouf/CoWriter.htm
The South Shore Regional School Board has put together a series of short PowerPoint presentations that demonstrate a number of topics from a brief introduction to the CoWriter, to using topic dictionaries and changing your speech options.
WordQ
http://www.goqsoftware.com/en/
Similar to CoWriter, this software program suggest words to use, and then provides spoken feedback, to better identify any errors. The program has many advantageous features such as learning words you like and predicting these faster, and reading exactly what you write (making it easier to identify poor grammar or punctuation). It also appeals to youth, as the website remind users that WordQ can read websites, including Facebook and Twitter. Those interested can watch video tutorials, available on the website, and try a thirty day demo. The listed price is $199 per license, and the website states the price lower with the number of licences purchased.
Clicker 5
http://www.cricksoft.com/us/products/tools/clicker/home.aspx
Clicker 5 is a writing support tool that allows users to compose sentences without writing or using the keyboard, simply by clicking on words or phrases. This program displays both symbols and text and the words are read aloud, enabling learners to make connections between images and words. Clicker 5 is a beneficial tool for these with dyslexia, low vision, physical disabilities, and various learning disabilities because it: breaks tasks down into manageable steps; is multisensory and keeps children motivated; comes fully accessible with switches; and has special high-contrast colour options with the choice of zooming in. Interestingly enough, this software application is more expensive for each individual license, compared to other programs ($249.00 per license), but there is the option of having unlimited access for a single school for $2,000. Therefore, if you want it on eight or more computers, it makes financial sense to get unlimited access. There is a video on the website with additional information for those interested. As well, a graduate student by the name of Rose Racicot completed her M.Sc. Thesis on Clicker 5, and you can read her dissertation for further information:
http://www.cricksoft.com/Files/research/RACICOT_Thesis.pdf
Write OutLoud
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/write_outloud/index.html
Don Johnson does it again with the Write Outloud software application, designed as a simple text to speech option. Although there are many text to speech programs, Write OutLoud is a good fit for students who have only moderate grammar and spelling challenges, and who write better with auditory support. Words are read as they are written, and the program has a dictionary, spell checker, and even a homophone checker. Again, there is a tutorial online, and teachers can be trained in 30 minutes. As with all Don Johnson products, the more you buy, the more you save ($84.00 for a single license, compared to $42.00 for fifty or more licences).
Ghotit
http://www.ghotit.com/home.shtml
What I like most about this program, is that you can try and use it for free. If you visit the website above, you can copy and paste text into a box, and the program will autocorrect for you. Each incorrect word is highlighted; when you click on the word, there is a list of suggestions, and each has the definition attached so you can be sure to select the proper word. This is much more effective than the typical spell checker on Microsoft Word, and students can use it for free at home or at school.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Assistive Technology for Writing
Here is a great YouTube video that demonstrates different low tech tools to assist in writing.
This video below shows a young boy using a device called a WriterTrack, which prevents overstimulation, assists with proper spacing, and improves grasping patterns.
This video below shows a young boy using a device called a WriterTrack, which prevents overstimulation, assists with proper spacing, and improves grasping patterns.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Low Tech Assistive Products
LOW TECH PRODUCTS
There are many products and websites to buy different types of "low tech" products for students with needs for writing. They range from pencil grips to tomato seats. Here are a few companies and sample products.
Company Website: http://www.especialneeds.com/home.php
Katie Peglow is a licensed Pediatric Physical Therapist for Early Intervention. When you call, customer assistance will be OT's or Physical Therapists. Website has an extensive array of products listed by "Need". Needs include help with sitting, standing, walking, transportation, lying down, sensory intergration, balance,
crawling, communication and bathing. This Tomato Seat seems to be a popular product with all these websites.
EZ Grip is a company that specializes in adaptive pens and pencils.
Here are some sample products.
Products are not expensive. Website:
The Pencil Grip, Inc. company was started by Dr. Lois Provda, an Educational Therapist and now they sell hundreds of products. They are inexpensive tools that can be ordered online. Here are a few sample products:
Website:
TOYS FOR AUTISM
The website sepcializes on any tools required by children with autism The site was developed by an Atlanta based group of board certified OT's. They gear their site for parents and teachers of autistic kids.
Here are some handwriting assistive tools.
For posture and balance:
Costs vary depending on items.
Website:
AUTISTICCHILDREN.ORG
An on-line store for many products specialized for children with autism.
Here are some handwriting tools:
Posture and Balance:
Website:ACHIEVEMENT PRODUCTS
An extensive website to purchase items for special needs children. Categories are Sensory Stimulation, Sensory Optics, Sensory Intergration, Art Therapy, Gross Motor, Handwriting. Huge selection of products.
Handwriting:
http://www.achievement-products.com/FDMT, The Boutique
Another huge website that specializes on educational materials and sensory tools for special needs children.
http://www.fdmt.ca/catalogue/
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Songwriter's Pad for iPad
Here is a YouTube of the Songwriter's Pad app in action. You are able to look up choice of words, phrases, rhymes and there is a dictionary. There is also a recorder option where you can record your own lyrics, phrasing and melodies. This is great for students who want to write songs!
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