Check out this video made by my uncle, Richard Sennott, for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Closing the Gap 2008 Video Link

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

mywebspiration logo

Are you participating in the public beta test of myWebspiration. (www.mywebspiration.com)  From the makers of the graphic organizing softwares Inspiration, Kidspiration, and Inspiredata, comes the web 2.0 version of the software.  In my intial trials of using myWebspiration, my impression is that for the basics it works just like Inspiration, my graphic organizing software of choice.  Yet, gosh do I miss being able to do (contro/ command e).  That resizes your graphic.  There a few other usability features that will also be upgraded, such as undo, super small cell color fill buttons, and other problems related to overriding the browser function keys. Hey, that’s why its a beta right?  I just started a collaborative project using the sharing feature and will report on how it goes.  Overall, I think this software has great potential to give students access to the software at home, which assumes that the company continues its aggressively priced bulk liscensing options for schools.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Check out the new Family Center for Technology and Disability article featuring the work of Karen Janowski.
Karen Janowski champions universal design and assistive technology.  It is terrific to see her work being recognized.  Check out her blog too.  teachingeverystudent.blogspot.com

Here is an excerpt:

AT & High Incidence Disabilities: Independence is Her Goal

An Interview with Karen Janowski, Assistive and Educational Technology Consultant
and Special Education Instructor, Simmons College, Boston, MA

“In education, there often appeared to be an insufficient level of appreciation for promoting independence among all kids, especially those with high incidence disabilities, and in promoting methods that are successful in that regard,” declares Karen Janowski. “That’s what originally sparked my interest in assistive technology, because AT removes barriers to learning and gives kids additional ways to demonstrate what they know.”

While appreciation for the goal of AT-aided independence has increased in the years since she earned her Masters in AT from Boston’s Simmons College and adopted AT consulting in public schools as a career, there is plenty of room for improvement, she admits.

The independence movement’s ignition button, she recalls, was pinpointed by AT authority Dave Edyburn. “Dave points out that the new language included in the reauthorization of IDEA in 1997, which stipulated that all students on IEPs had to be considered for AT, created four million students who were potential AT users.”     Read more from the article

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

In the context of an Augmentative and Alternative Communication course, it is often challenging to teach the subject matter framework information, general device knowledge, device programming, as well as all of the intangibles such as Velcro strategies and light tech board hacks and modifications. As more and more information and research comes onto the scene coupled with the ever expanding list of mid-tech to high-tech speech generating devices, we need to start finding ways to compact the information. One clear focus of assistive technology research for the foreseeable future is looking at ways to get massive amounts of framework and technical knowledge to students who are often busy either in full time school programs or both in a combination of school and employment settings.

Personally, I am being called on in an ever greater way in the speech language division I work in to provide training and tutorials to students in the graduate degree program. While it is important to have a personal touch and bring the concepts to life, it has been helpful to find ways to not reduplicate training and efforts.

Here is one resource my friend Amir Shasavari and I created. It is authored in Keynote, but here is the PowerPoint version. The focus is to help train people about the relatively new Tango! AAC device from Blink Twice. Here at Nova Southeastern University, we are finding it a helpful resource for training graduate students in Speech Language Pathology in their diagnostics as well as their AAC course.

The presentation/ tutorial has features that are important for both online learning and for self study:

• linkable information that goes out to increasingly rich levels of media (video, more directions, downloads)
• solid navigation tools inside the tutorial
• a uniform look and feel to the whole user experience

I hope you find this resource useful and consider the importance of this topic.

Download the tango tutorial in MS PowerPoint

Click the image or here to go to the online flash version.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

YouTube is very likely blocked at your school. No the debate on viral video will not ensue. Instead we focus on application of YouTube in general and special education, specifically as a way for teachers of AAC users to help build background knowledge and to provide writing motivation. Let’s discuss both why we want to use YouTube videos in writing and how to download those videos in YouTube is in fact blocked where you are.

Students will be successful if they have a good accessible writing setup, writing strategy instruction, and the motivation to express themselves. YouTube videos can be a powerful way to engage students. Creating that feeling of “I just have to say something” may be elicited by the very funny videos of Gizmo Flushes or Eating Insects. Yet, others may be amazed by the Painting Elephant. Yet, others may be interested in sharing about the National Geographic Video Stream or the Discovery Channel’s. Maybe your more sophisticated students might like to email a friend about the Museum of Modern Art’s YouTube Video Stream. The goal of all of this is to provide fuel for the writer, inspiring them to pick up their pencil, click away at the keyboard, or use their alternative pencil.

So, check out some videos we have screened the old fashioned way, by watching them. http://otot.wikispaces.com/Writing+Setups

Here are the directions (with screenshots) for how to download YouTube Videos for free:

Download the PDF:downloading-youtube-videos

Goal: To create a library of downloaded videos that can be used to build background knowledge or be written about.

GECO Your Way to Downloading and Using YouTube Videos in Education

• Go to www.zamzar.com with your videos URL address.

o Ex… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LHoyB81LnE

• Enter the URL of the video you want to convert
• Convert the video to your preferred movie format using www.zamzar.com

o We like .mpg for use with PowerPoint!

• Open up and insert your movie into the video connection PowerPoint template, found at http://alltogether.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/downloading-youtube-videos-for-education or use the preferred software of your choice. (ICS, Clicker, etc.)

o Modify the template with a title, etc.
o Insert your video in the right spot. Resize as necessary.
o Make sure to cite the URL on the back page.

Here is a PowerPoint template that you can use for student to write about the videos you download.

Download the PowerPoint Video Connection Template: videoconnectiontemplate52908

So have fun and get motivated this summer with YouTube, even if it is blocked at your school!

Installation of Richard Serra’s sculptures at MoMA

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1sBpsyRNfM]

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

I have had creating a video guide to using a step switch on one of my someday/maybe task lists for a few weeks now. I meant to do this in response to how much trouble people have with using this device, especially when they are learning about both the old and new styles. I was very pleased to stumble upon a set of how-to-videos that highlight a number of Ablenet products. I think this is a terrific resource for AAC or AT labs in SLP, Special Education, AT, OT, and any other teacher training programs that benefit from clear and easily shared training resources. Thanks Ablenet! Click the link or image to play the video.

Step-By-Step with Levels Video

Here is the link to the How-to-Videos page on the Ablenet site: http://store.ablenetinc.com/press/multimedia.aspx

“How-To” Videos
All-Turn-It Spinner		Quicktime Movie
Battery Device Adapter with Jelly Beamer		Quicktime Movie
BIG & LITTLE Step-By-Step communicator		Quicktime Movie
BIG & LITTLEmack communicator		Quicktime Movie
BookWorm literacy tool		Quicktime Movie
CRUISE adapted trackpad		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH scanning communicator		Quicktime Movie
iTalk2 communicator		Quicktime Movie
Jelly Beamer wireless switch		Quicktime Movie
Mounting systems		Quicktime Movie
PowerLink 3 control unit		Quicktime Movie
ROCK adapted joystick		Quicktime Movie
Battery-Operated Scissors with Jelly Bean switch		Quicktime Movie
Sensitrac pad with Adjustable Arm		Quicktime Movie
Switch Latch and Timers (SLATs)		Quicktime Movie
Step-By-Step with Levels		Quicktime Movie
SuperTalker progressive communicator		Quicktime Movie
Talking Symbols notepads		Quicktime Movie
WAVE adapted trackball		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH – In-Use Videos
The Out-of-the-Box Experience		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH – A Scanning Communicator		Quicktime Movie
Automatic Overlay Detection		Quicktime Movie
Building Language Libraries		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH’s Adjustable Viewing Angle		Quicktime Movie
Frame Lighting – SEE What You’re Saying		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH’s External Messages Jack		Quicktime Movie
Flexible Communication		Quicktime Movie
Ease of Use		Quicktime Movie
The Benefits of FL4SH		Quicktime Movie
An Unexpected Benefit		Quicktime Movie
Flip – In-Use Videos
Easy to Use		Quicktime Movie
Easy to Set Up		Quicktime Movie
Quiet and Convenient		Quicktime Movie
Accessibility		Quicktime Movie
Flexibility		Quicktime Movie
Shipping Details		Quicktime Movie
Personal Story Videos
Josh’s Story		Quicktime Movie

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Have you ever took a picture of a Step-by-Step Switch by Ablenet? How about a Jelly Bean Switch or a All-Turn It Spinner. You may search for these things with Google Images. I just stumbled upon the image bank that Ablenet offers. It is great to see companies starting to anticipate both teacher and distributor needs in this way. Click on the the link to check it out.  http://store.ablenetinc.com/press/

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Things are changing. The second generation OLPC laptop will have dual touchscreens and will be designed to function like a book. What does this mean for early childhood education, special education, and augmentative and alternative communication? Over the course of this summer, we will be exploring this with the goal of being ready for these new technologies. Also, the goal is to be able to play a part in the universal design for learning of this powerful new initiative. For now, enjoy the pictures of this upcoming device.

This opens up amazing possibilities for customized keyboards for all kinds of learners!

Let’s Chat!

Overall, this is probably the best news we could have heard. As many of us have been holding the OLPC touchscreen vigil, the time is here. Much thanks to Pixel Qi for pushing the hardware design to new levels. AAC stakeholders may be interested in their new motto: The future of portable computing is all about the screen.

Additionally, many will be interested to note that Windows XP will be available on the XO.

I originally read about the update to the OLPC at: Xcomony.

This picture is inspirational when considering the accessible books project we are working on!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nEAIuFMTW4]

Here is a portion of the presentation announcing the update.

Other Related Articles

1. PC World
2. OLPC News

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

CAST Joins Google and Partners to Celebrate World Book Day

Releases innovative literacy tools to support reading and learning from books, websites

In partnership with Google, CAST today celebrated World Book Day, April 23, 2008, by introducing two new online literacy tools that provide robust, embedded learning supports for readers at all levels. UDL Editions by CAST (http://udleditions.cast.org/ <http://udleditions.cast.org/> ) are classics from world literature in a flexible online interface that supports and engages novice and expert readers alike. CAST Strategy Tutor (http://cst.cast.org/ <http://cst.cast.org/> ) offers adolescent readers customizable mentoring and support as they conduct Internet research and read websites.

Both UDL Editions and Strategy Tutor draw on CAST’s two decades of research and development of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an approach to creating inclusive educational environments that lower barriers to learning and while supporting learners’ individual skills, abilities, and interests. Carnegie Corporation of New York provided funding, and both projects are featured presentations of the Google Literacy Project (www.google.com/literacy), a joint nonprofit venture of Google, LitCam, and UNESCO, as part of its World Book Day Innovative Projects page.

The UDL Editions by CAST (http://udleditions.cast.org) render classic texts from world literature in a flexible online interface that provides just-in-time, individualized supports for struggling readers, and added-value features that engage novice and expert readers alike. Texts include English language works by Jack London, Shakespeare, Abraham Lincoln, and Edgar Allen Poe, as well as the Spanish-language classic, The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes. Learning features include:

* Leveled supports to build reading strategies and help readers understand the elements of the author’s craft;
* Texthelp® Toolbar for text-to-speech, highlighting and collecting highlights, dictionary and encyclopedia links, and translation between English and Spanish;
* Embedded coaches guide learners in strategic thinking and planning;
* Context-specific multimedia glossaries and enrichment activities;
* Multimedia background resources, including story links to Google Maps.

The toolbar created by Texthelp Systems, Inc., a leading developer of literacy support software solutions with offices in the U.K. and United States, expands access for all individuals, including Spanish language text-to-speech and other features for Lazarillo.

CAST Strategy Tutor (http://cst.cast.org <http://cst.cast.org/> ) is an online multimedia program that provides diverse adolescent learners with customizable mentoring and support as they conduct Internet research, and teachers with supports for using Web-based resources more effectively in the classroom. Strategy Tutor helps students read, research, collect and understand information better and more efficiently.

Students can store all notes in a personal, sortable electronic worklog that can be viewed from any computer. Teachers can access professional development resources, such as a database of teacher-created lessons, and create their own strategy-supported lessons. Get help from embedded coaches there to guide both students and teachers.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Check out the Talking Photo Ball by Brookstones for creating a simple four location story telling voice output device.

Each of the four sides has a switch that can hold a recorded message. This could be a helpful tool for sharing short co-planned sequenced social scripts for direct selectors. Theoretically you could switch adapt each of the four switches. For the reasonable $15 price tag, I might get out the soldering iron myself and give it a try.

One drawback is that the switch tops are removable and could be a constant temptation to pull off. Definitely check this out next time you are in a mall, as sky is the limit with ideas for this tool. Here are six:

1. Use it to send home a story from the day. Print out four pictures and co-construct the script.
2. Write four line poems and put the text from each of the lines on each of the four sides.
3. Buy 7 of them for $105 and you can put one letter of the alphabet on the sides. Countless games can be made up with this from taking all the caps off and matching them back on, to using it in a game with alphabet key words.
4. Try putting the weeks word wall words and chants on them and use them during your word wall instructional time.
5. Use it for providing key lesson instructions that student may want to hear repeated.
6. Use it during the memorization or reminder phases of writing strategy instruction.

Feel free to leave more ideas in the comments section.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post