iBooks
On July 19, 2010, Apple updated iBooks to version 1.1.1. This update adds a key feature, “the ability to experience books that include audio and video.” This is terrific for a wide variety of learners from individuals just learning to read to experienced readers. The key component is the expanded interactive nature of digital books. This is important because iBooks is a mainstream application, not just a special education focused tool. This certainly looks to be a step in the right direction towards the goal of more universally designed literacy resources. Researchers at Penn State will be pleased about this ability, as it will empower them to start to use more interactive books on the iPad. You can see some of the work they do on this terrific website, aacliteracy.psu.edu.
Here is what the update brings:
• The ability to double-tap an image within a book in order to view it in greater detail.
• The ability to experience books that include audio and video.
• Look up definitions to English words inside books without a specified language.
• An answer to an issue that may have caused some book downloads to not complete.
• The addition of many stability and performance improvements.
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Look how Origin Instruments helps this drummer reinvent his way to rock. This is one of the best assistive technology stories of the year. This is a must read/watch and share. Accessible drums
Disabled musician reinvents the drum
By Chris Welch, CNN
Beakers
I have learned so much in the 13 or so years in this field. The learning has grown exponentially, especially since I first envisioned an AAC app for the iPhone, which turned into Proloquo2Go, and as I started the PhD program at PSU. Yet, as much as I am seeing, experiencing, and learning from reading, meeting people, attending conferences, classes, researching, and more, I am realizing there is so much more to learn. There is so much to learn about how to assist the people with disabilities I work to serve. The fields of education and universal design are endless, for sure. I now believe that it is going to take more than I thought to truly make a holistic difference in the lives of these people I care deeply about. During this time of reflection in my work and life, I am again asking the question, “What will it take?”.
So with that being said, it is “back to the lab again”, where I will be working on that question systematically over time. What a gift to be here at Penn State! The people here are simply terrific. I look forward to sharing the fruits of our research work with you over the coming months and years.
This blog is very important to me and while the posts have been infrequent recently, look for them to pick up shortly.
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