One final thought

Thank you to my colleagues in this cohort and to Barb for making this course a positive, enjoyable learning experience.

Have a great summer!

Final Thoughts

Taking this course has truly opened my eyes to the possibilities for providing students more access to literacy through the use of low, medium and high tech assistive technologies. What I have learned will make me question my practices as a resource teacher because I now know about so many tools, apps, strategies and software programs that I did not know about previously. I have learned not only how to use them but more importantly, where, when and why to use them and how they can provide remediation or compensation in any aspect of the reading or writing process.

I am most excited about how I can use the iPad and various apps to provide support to my students. Kids think the iPad is so cool and fun, so if I can use this motivation to my advantage than I will certainly put it to good use. But I am not just excited about apps alone. I have a student in mind already for using co-writer and can't wait to see how it helps her in the writing process.

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to learn about how assistive technology can provide access to literacy for students who have been struggling with "traditional" methods and strategies. I am also excited to see where technology will take us in the future.

Task Analysis for Writing

Breaking down the writing process into individual components is a very detailed process indeed. Like the reading process task analysis, it is overwhelming to see everything students need to be able to do simultaneously, to execute the action of writing. But by doing this analysis, it highlights specific areas in which students may need compensation or remediation. Deciding on an intervention depends on what aspect of the writing process needs support. When a particular aspect of the process can be identifies, we have made the first step in helping that student. The next step is to select the right tool or strategy to best help the student.

For a detailed analysis of the writing process including a discussion of remediation vs compensation and a list of apps, software, tools and strategies including where in the writing process they could help, see the following blog:

http://writingassistivetech.blogspot.ca/

Below is a task analysis of the writing process

UDL Toolkit

UDL Toolkit

Check out this website for links to a large number of sites and tools that are designed for universal learning. They can be used by a wide range of students for a variety of purposes. They are universal because the way they are made allows for everyone to use them.

Readprint.com for audio books

Readprint.com

• Thousands of Free Online Books!
• Keep track of what you’ve read and books you’d like to read
• Discover new books and get recommendations
• Discuss books & join online book clubs & groups
• And, best of all...it is entirely FREE!

Reluctant or struggling readers  will enjoy using this site where they can select a book of their choice to be read aloud to them. This will give them access to the text that they otherwise would not have had. They can listen to texts on their iPods etc or on a desktop computer.

Trouble starting to write?

The Story Starter

How many times have you heard a student say "I don't know what to write about!"? If you are like me, somewhere, you have a binder of story starters...but where are they? Well, they are bookmarked on your computer (if you know about this site). The site generates interesting story starting sentences. If you don't like the one provided, no worries, simply click the mouse and a different one will be generated immediately.

This is great for students who simply draw a blank when it comes to writing or as a fun way to motivate a reluctant writer to begin. Follow the kink above to access the website. It looks like this:

Math Dictionary

Math Dictionary

Do you have a math wall in your classroom? What about a math dictionary? Are they too bulky and hard to find? Check out the above site for a virtual math dictionary. When a student doesn't know a math word, they are just a click away! Here is an example of one of the pages. You simply find the letter the word starts with, find the word, click on it and you are provided with a definition and an example.

Virtual Manipulatives

The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

This sight allows the user to access a variety of math manipulatives which can be used for all strands and grades. Here are some examples fro the grade 3-5 number and operations list. These would be very motivating for students who sometimes are embarrassed to use manipulatives.

	Abacus – An electronic abacus that can be used to do arithmetic.
	Bar Chart – Create a bar chart showing quantities or percentages by labeling columns and clicking on values.
	Base Blocks – Illustrate addition and subtraction in a variety of bases.
	Base Blocks Addition – Use base ten blocks to model grouping in addition.
	Base Blocks Decimals – Add and subtract decimal values using base blocks.
	Base Blocks Subtraction – Use base ten blocks to model separation of groups in subtraction.
	Chip Abacus – Learn about carrying and digits using chips.
	Circle 0 – A puzzle involving adding positive and negative integers to sum to zero.

Using Kurzweil

 

There was a grade 6 student who was reading at a grade 3 level. He was unable to access the information in this article because it was too challenging. He was unable to decode words, couldn't pronounce some others and was unable to comprehend the text. When he was done, he didn't gain anything because he was exhausting himself on the decoding and missing key pieces of information. How could this all change? Kurzweil can change all this. We need to start thinking compensatory, not remediation. Kurzweil can give students access to this information.

My Colleague Bev and I explored Kurzweil 3000 together and learned a lot about the program. Here are some bullet points about the program.

• Versions 10, 11 and 12, with 4 tool bars ( red- main; yellow- reading; green- study skills; blue- writing.)
• Collapse a tool bar to make it more user friendly and less busy.
• For kids who require compensatory strategies starting in Grades 3 and 4 if needed and have diagnosed LD in HRSB; but NOT just for kids with LD!
• Take a hard copy document, photocopy or enlarge to make a kesi file- ANY info can be scanned
• Reading, writing and ESL translation
• Auto defaults to Kesi folder
• Scans in 15 secs ( Saving the California CONDOR) Kids who are reluctant readers benefit from magnification of the text- UDL!!
• Hit read- it highlights and reads, by sentence and word by word. If too fast, you can adjust the synthetic speech to a slower speech level
• It becomes a multisensory reading activity!
• Self paced for kids with working memory, ADHD, Autism Spectrum, longer processing time, phonological issues etc.
• It provides access to the  text at their level- visual and auditory strengths , as well as prior knowledge issues
• You can also change the size and colour of the cursor to help teachers and students
• It works as a defaut dictonary as well( American Heritage children's) which helps for kids with vocabulary and comprehension difficulties
• Change dictionaries- reference, select dictionary, recommend rate of speech feedback, size of font and American Heritage children's dictionary
• Online translation- through gogle translate
• Synonym and pronounce works the same as a dictionary- kids with ESL, articulation or decoding issues can have words broken down, or word by word
• Syllable breakdown is great decoding help for kids with auditory processing issues- cursor in front of the word
• The HELP menu is awesome and provides an online information and help session
• The tool bar is well organized and you can also save in many different ways - might want to save in a text file, so students who require conversions to text and can take it to a natural reader without kurzweil format. ( file, save as kesi file, rtf- rich text format- takes away the formatting)
• Reading toolbar( yellow tab) Self paced is set in sentence at reading unit, so visual tracking issues would follow along better, as well as kids with CP, for example.
• You can adjust and modify settings to help different children
• Rate of speech feedback is really useful for kids with advanced auditory processing, as you can move to 3-400 wpm( words per minute)
• Page thumbnail is good for kids writing exams- with anxiety as it shows visually where you are on the page.
• Thumbnail of whole document helps kids segment the 15 pages of the document, for example.
• The biggest problem is that classroom teachers find it as a lot of extra work ( time, training, and additional time investment!)
• you can use camera, scan to PDF, voice reader, speech selection and read to loud with the ipads to do similiar activities!
• If the text was already digitized, UDL, life becomes a lot easier!
• Dept. of Ed printing company should be providing UDL for all text in the board!
• Making curriculum accessible is where this technology is headed.
• Study tools toolbar- is great for kids missing the main points, and highlighting is often an adaptation for students, where you can also give directions, instructions or do a sticky note for a student to reply, respond or drag over word choices. It will read aloud to the student, and you can move the sticky note( yellow background). Doing exams in Kurzweil, you can do text notes for word prediction, for example.
• It is a very comprehensive tool for kids with executive functions ( column notes), and bubble notes are cool as they can be used for comprehension assessment, attention, self regulation, and encourages independence. The down side is that they do take time to produce.
• Go to tools, note, and add bubble note, and provide a definition. Then choose cloud, size, open option ( open after unit is read), read note on open, and question options, then text answer. When
• You can scan as a pezi file, import, copy paste text, import and have read aloud or convert to pdf. You can also save, export as an audio file ( convert to an mp3 file to be really portable for students) You can also email it out and put it in output audio file.
• We need to be able to read and with written output. ( file, new- word processing doc.)- kind of like Inspiration built into Kurzweil. We need to provide extra support through the Word rediction ( crystal ball) You have to make a topic dictionary ( ie: cowriter- great filter) open a kezi file, tools, and word lists, set up word lists, new and create word list from kezi file. Word prediction is great for kids with phon awareness issues, and takes so much less brain energy- think about how much time the reading and writing process takes. Research shows that because they are involved and interacting in the writing process, they become better spellers!

Bubble notes can be added to a document in Kurzweil. There are a number of uses:

Assessment

Chunk assignments

Engage those with attention issues

Students attend more because hey know there is a question.

Create study questions

Automatically read questions for testing.

EPA could create bubble notes with student.

Students can respond to questions with voice notes.

In my last post I mentioned Scribble Beard app for fine motor but I thought a video might better show how it works. Click below for a video.

Scribble Beard App

Apps for Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are the ability to make precise movements with the wrist and fingers. Fine motor involves strength, dexterity and all other uses of the wrist, hands and fingers. A deficit in fine motor skills affects many school activities. Fine motor skills develop from a fisted grasp and large movements at age 2 and it develops quickly  by the time a child is 4. Then they have a tri-pod grip and can copy a square. Pencil grip and letter formation are established by grade 3 or 4. A remediation program is usually implemented when troubles with fine motor become evident. Below are a list of apps that help develop fine motor skills and develop other skills as well. 

The iPad had a number of apps that can help develop fine motor skills including pre-writing and writing skills. One called Dexteria has three great apps.

Tap It uses finger isolation to wok on dexterity. You place your hand on the screen and tap a coloured icon with each finger, one at a time. It times and records your performance so it can be tacked.

Pinch It  is a game where students pinch objects with the fingers and thumb to develop dexterity and pinching ability.

Write it follows Handwriting Without Tears program for letter formation and teaches students proper letter formation. You can use your finger to trace letters on the screen but using a stylus (and specialized stylus) promotes proper tri-pod grip.

Bugs and Buttons  is an app that also develops fine motor skills but also teaches counting, sorting, categorizing and other basic skills. It focuses on pinch and grab motion. It is vary motivating as well and would keep a student engaged.

Piano Playing can be used with one or two hands and can be used like a traditional piano. It focuses on finger isolation and fine motor control.

Injini is an app that has activities developed by teachers to assess young children. It has visual motor and patterning aspects as well as fine motor and pre-writing skills. The tracing game is programmed by levels to reflect development of line skills development for writing. It starts with vertical lines and advances to more complex shapes. Frog is a game where you control the frog’s tongue to catch insects to develop fine motor and pencil grip.

Touch and Write allows you to trace individual letters to promote fine motor control and to learn letters. The game gives you rewards and you can write with different things such as icing or pumpkin pie. You can program words to be traced as well. This could be used to personalize a program with target words.

Shape Builder is a 99 cent app that reinforces pre-writing skills and pencil grip. It uses fine motor skills.

Write Pad helps older students with written output who have low motivation. The app converts writing to text. You can use printing or cursive. It is engaging to have it converting it to text in front of you. You can pull up a keyboard to assist if the program does not recognize a letter. You can specify a language and you can use word prediction. There is a lot of depth to this app.

Cars 2 car mate uses a toy car as the stylus to drive through streets. You are manipulating the car and using proper pressure. It is extremely engaging and motivating. The app is free but you buy the cars.

Scribble Beard is an app for fine motor. You use a stylus. It animates what you draw. You can select pencil or crayon so you can colour your drawing. It gears to the creativity of the child. This app is $2.99.

When using these apps, promote the use of all fingers and the thumb and the use of the stylus, not just index fingers. The user also has to use a proper degree of pressure, which is also a fine motor skill. The use of a stylus is highly recommended to develop proper grip for writing.

All of these apps get me really excited. Just last year, I did fine motor activities in a Learning Centre and I was using clothes pins, crayons, tweezers and puff balls and other low-tech materials. They were good for fine motor but not all that engaging. These apps blow these older techniques out of the water for engagement and motivation.

Using apps to aid in the reading process

Education 5163

Assignment 2 Gary Sweet and Bev Anthony

Assistive Technology:  10 apps to support reading remediation, executive functions, sensory processing, phonological processing, orthographic, meaning and context.

1.       Speech with Milo: Sequencing.

This app costs $2.99, and is great for kids who have difficulty with sequencing ideas and vocabulary in the reading process. There are 3 step picture stories where Milo asks you what order the particular event needs to go in. There is good feedback for the students- they all love Milo. There are other Milo apps, such as adjectives and prepositions to further develop reading.

We have used this app with students who are on the Autism spectrum, as well as students who are developmentally delayed in the reading process and have difficulty with sequencing. It provides corrective practice for these students in the classroom, so they can work independently on this reading strategy.

2.       ABA Receptive Identification based on Function, Feature and Class- cost varies from .99 to $1.99.

These apps are great for students who have difficulty identifying and understanding vocabulary. These apps would fit under the meaning processor, and more specifically the vocabulary and vocabulary retrieval. The task involves recalling the function, for example, using active working memory to hold the object in your mind while you search for categories to place the item.

We have used this app for students who have difficulty classifying and organizing information. Students with executive functioning difficulties would benefit from practice with this skill. This app could be used in the classroom with a partner or independently. As well, you could extend this activity into reading buddies with students in a younger grade who would have the same needs.

 

3.       ABC Pocket Phonics- $2.99

This app is designed for iPhone and iPad. It can start at the basic level of letter formation, letter sounds, vowels, blends and digraphs. The activities help students develop orthographic processing, phonological awareness and fine motor skills. This fits under phonological processing, specifically letter recognition, sound/ letter association and phonemic awareness. We could match this app with any student with difficulty decoding words while reading, as well as those requiring instruction and practice with letter formation.

4.        
Ibooks- interactive books $ Free!

Interactive books are basically books in digital format as compared to traditional books printed on paper. There are amazing differences and most of them are improvements upon “normal” books. They take up no space on the iPad, they weigh nothing, they are cheap to buy and updates are easy to get and free. But the most amazing aspect is the interactive features that allow students to interact with the text, illustrations and diagrams. By touching the screen, the reader can go deep into the text to find meanings, have it read aloud and even manipulate pictures and diagrams to move and rotate them. The possibilities are endless. This app fits everywhere in the reading process! It helps with executive functions, provides sensory feedback and it is so interesting that it keeps the reader on task. The read aloud option makes accommodations for those with trouble decoding and other reading difficulties. It basically gives many students access to information that they didn’t have before. It is engaging and will motivate struggling and reluctant readers. This could be used during reading time in class and for teaching in content areas such as science and social studies.

5.       Montessori apps- opposites ( pre- language) or Montessori Words- phonemic awareness $2.99

This app teaches word meaning through teaching opposites. It actually teaches students visually by showing pictures of opposites. For example big/small is illustrated by a picture of an elephant and a mouse. It will increase a student’s vocabulary and understanding of words when they come across them while reading. There is text to go with the pictures so the student can recognize how the word is spelled. This would fit in with meaning processing and vocabulary development. It would also help with overall reading comprehension. You would use this app during class time when other students were doing reading or word study. This could be part of an IPP student’s word study program, be set up as a work station or used with partners for teaching meaning of words in the younger grades.

6.       Language, Question or Sentence builder- ( Sentence Builder)

This $5.99 app teaches students to build sentences with words in proper grammatical and syntactic form. Students move the reels of words to form sentences that match a picture. The settings can be changed for different levels. There is corrective feedback, should you choose. The program also keeps stats on student performance so their progress can be monitored.

This app definitely fits in to the sentence structure and syntax part of the reading process but also helps to develop vocabulary and word comprehension. You could use this app for a student who has a weak or delayed vocabulary to teach words but more likely for a student who has trouble recognizing sentence structure in print. By teaching patterns of sentence structure, the student can develop syntactic cues when reading text to help decode unknown words. As with other apps, it could be used during language arts time when students are reading or writing. This app has writing applications as well because in effect, students are writing sentences.

7.       Text to Speech Natural Reader- FREE!

With this app, the user can have text read out loud. You can set the program to highlight the text it is reading so you can follow along with it. The tool bar floats on the screen on top of any documents and it is available any time you want to use it. You can set the voice and the speed to your preference. It can read websites, digital text, emails etc. This app has obvious uses as struggling readers can have any text read to them allowing access to the same text as their classmates in all subject areas. This is an example of a compensatory strategy. This app would fit in the meaning processor area of the reading task analysis map as the true purpose here is to allow students to access the meaning of text.

8.       Monkey Preschool Lunch Box-  99 cents by THUP games for iphone/ ipad

 The #1 preschool game in the app store. Learn and have fun by helping monkeys pack lunch! Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is a collection of six exciting educational games for the preschooler (ages 2 to 5). The six activities include: letter identification, counting, colours, puzzles ( fine motor), difference, and a matching/ memory activity. This app works on the orthographic processes of letter recognition, recall, memory, as well as executive functions of attention and concentration. It is highly motivational, interactive and engaging for students in the Primary range who are developing their literacy and numeracy skills.

 

9.       Fluid 2- 99 cents

This app is a virtual pond with music that allows students to interact and receive sensory feedback. It encompasses the sensory component of the reading process, and prepares students mentally and emotionally to begin reading. This app is especially beneficial for those students on the Autism spectrum who benefit from sensory redirection to prepare for changes or transitions in subject or activity.

 

10.   Time Timer- $4.99

A visual timer app with a clock that counts down the time. This is especially beneficial for those students with executive function challenges including self- regulation, sustaining attention, time management and pacing. All of these are skills that students use in the reading process. A reluctant reader may need a visual representation of time allocated to the task. It also can be used to alleviate anxiety for those who don’t have an understanding of time.

Reading Process Map for Apps

I previously posted my reading task analysis concept web. I have since made adjustments to the map and added where in the reading process, different apps could be used. Stay  tuned for a detailed analysis of the 10 apps I mentioned on the map. The light bulb indicates an "idea" of where one could use the related app.

Below is an in depth analysis of the task of reading. As you can see, when we ask students to read, there is an incredible amounts of tasks we are asking them to do in perfect sequence and balance. No wonder so many students have trouble in reading. The challenge is to figure out where the deficiency is and accommodate with the right assistive technology.

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is the inability to process written language even though you have adequate intelligence. Your brain is just differently wired. The brain is not active in the areas that break words down into various sounds.

Dyslexia according to Wiki, click here

Task Analysis for Blowing Nose...and you thought it is snot that hard

Ever wonder how many steps are involved in something as simple as blowing your nose? These are the processes we expect kids to be able to do. Sometimes we don't consider all of the steps and kills necessary to do such a task. By breaking down the task, we can isolate steps that cause problems for students.

This can be done for any task we have students complete.

Class Presentations of Webinar and Apps

Class Presentations on Webinars

Today our class gave presentations on the webinars we participated in, as part of our assistive technology course.

I was a member of the first group. We presented apps for students with Executive function (click on link for definition) difficulties. We created a blog to explain and demo some of the apps.Click the link below to connect to our blog.

Connect to our Blog here! 

 

Group 2 New Apps for LD

 What is LD

Technology can be the key to success for students with LD. The technology can be used at hme or at school.

Here are 4 apps for LD

Reading Comprehension can be used for different levels of reading and for reading groups.  It is versatile! It has speech selection as well and has comprehension questions too. It can be used as an assessment tool.


 

Mastering Sight Words is another app to help develop sight word vocabulary

7 Notes Premium app allows you to take notes without using pencil and paper. You can add images to the notes which is good for visual learners and to keep students engaged. It has word prediction, spell ceck, edit, and you can use a stylus.

Tools for Students supports students written output, organization, planning etc. It has graphic organizers and other tools for writing. It does not require wi-fi which is a bonus.Available for iPad only, not ipod Touch.

 

 

AppWriter US offers text to speech, word prediction, reads aloud and can use with other apps. It uses a new font for dyslexic students that modify letters in ways that make it easier to recognize and differentiate letters, making it easier for them to read. This app will help not only dyslexia but many other LD as well.

 

Group 3: Apps for Special Education 

Dragon Dictation is a speech to text app. You can speak and it types it out.

It replaces the need for a scribe. You can dictate notes for classes and assignments and can be used in all subjects. It gives students greater independence. They can even take exams.

 

Settings is an accessibility option on devices. It comes with all devices. It can read text, zoom, increase the size of the text, use high contrast, speak selection, assistive touch and a split keyboard.

Maps is a built in mapping application on all devices. It uses Google Maps. It is great for social studies teaching. It engages visual learners and students with visual-spatial challenges. You can tour different areas that students may not have seen. 

Math Tapper Apps are 7 different apps that are free. It is mostly engaging games that are fun and creates independence. It has self correction to guide learners and reinforces skills. It covers all strands and grade levels of math just by changing the settings. You could use it for centres and independent work.

All of these apps could be put on teacher websites.

Link to Group 3's Presentation

Group 4: Apps for Reluctant Writers

Strip Designer is a $2.99 app to create comic strips. It is a good idea generator and a motivator. It is also good for students with fine motor challenges as they don't have to write.

 

Pictello was presented in group number one but as you can see, it can be used for reluctant writers.

Writers Toolbox is good for teachers and students. It can be motivating for kids to develop a story, especially for reluctant writers.

 

It will help you build characters and scenarios etc. 

Instant Poetry is an app where you create poems by choosing a theme. It is good for generating ideas and finding word choice.

 

You can change the background and add pictures. Even students who are unmotivated would be intersted in creating poetry with this app.

Group 4: Apps for Reluctant Readers

 Audio Books and Interactive Books are interactive and fun. They have sounds and text can be read out loud

Story Builder is another app that allows you to create your own story. It is about language development.

Text to Speech apps such as Vbook Z or Stanza will read books aloud. It will highlight speech, change speed and read n different voices.There is an electronic voice  so there is little inflection.It can make any reading independent.

 

Pictello was presented in this group for reluctant readers. It was also presented in reluctant writers and Executive Functions presentations. 

ABC Pocket Phonics teaches letters and sounds and does it through games. You can use print or cursive letters.

 

Each app presented opens up my eyes to the possibility of applications and uses. I am excited to have an opportunity to us some of these apps in the future.

This morning, my colleagues Tarah, Nancy, Bev and I, created a blog to showcase our findings from the webinar we participated in on executive functioning. Here is the link to our blog.

http://tarahgarybevnancy.blogspot.ca/

Check it out!

 

Here is a great site with more apps for children with Autism:

 
http://www.bookroomreviews.com/2010/08/16/best-ipad-apps-for-autism-and-aspergers-syndrome/