Macworld: What Will It Bring?
by Samuel Sennott
I am so excited about the Macworld Expo keynote tomorrow. Out of all the possible new products, I am really hoping for the release of an Apple tablet. It seems unlikely at this time, yet I think it would be so terrific for special education. The research and practice I [...]
Color Talking Word Wall Template with Apple OS X
by Samuel Sennott
Good news! TextEdit does allow you to color the cells in a Table.
I provided directions in a section of the updated guide to using the Talking Word Walls. Here is the text from the mixed(visual and text) directions:
Part Two: Working with the Colored Template
1. The colored TextEdit template is [...]
Apple Computers Allow Talking Word Wall
by Samuel Sennott
You can utilize the OSX Voice over feature to create a personalized word wall system that has simple text to speech by clicking or arrowing into the letters or words on the word wall.
Doing a daily word wall practice as part of a systematic phonics instructional program is a terrific way to provide [...]
Motivation to Write
By Sam Sennott
We can share many things when we write. We can share our selves, joy, pain, insights, laughter, encouragement, discouragement, a kind word, information, or curiosity. For many people, being highly motivated to write is an assistance to the writing process. What do you think motivates you most to write? [...]
Poster Boards of Interest at ASHA 2007
By Samuel Charles Sennott
The poster board sessions at ASHA 2007 on AAC, literacy, and special education for individuals with communication disorders were a terrific chance to speak with the presenters and actively engage in learning about the subject presented. I will try to briefly summarize an impression of a few of the excellent mini-lessons, [...]
AAC: Display Characteristics That Support Aided Symbol Use: Color & Animation at ASHA
By Samuel Charles Sennott
This session foreshadows the influence that digital natives will have on the AAC systems and software systems we use in special education. Additionally, the research focus on clearing the unnecessary access challenges with traditional AAC systems is terrific. Seeing the presenter, Lacy Donofrio, speak about authoring her lessons in [...]
OLPC and AAC for the Developing World with Adam Bowker at ASHA 2007
By Samuel Charles Sennott
This poster board session at ASHA was authored by Adam Bowker and Dr. Janice Light, both from Penn State. There is one powerful, clear message that was presented here: that you could never hand a child with disabilities something like a Dynavox Series 5 Device in a developing nation. [...]
Gail Gillon’s Phonological Awareness Sessions at ASHA
By Samuel Charles Sennott
Using engaging phoneme level activities that work towards increasing authentic literacy performance was the message of the great group from New Zealand, led by Gail Gillon. No matter which way you’ve heard it, you have certainly heard about the importance of phonological awareness to early literacy success. This domain has great [...]
Digital Picture Frame with Switch Adapted Remote Control
by Samuel Sennott
Have you seen a digital picture frame in a catalog, online, or in a store? This emerging technology will make a terrific book reader, photo browser, partner assisted communication tool, and electronic pencil. The good news is that they are quickly shifting to including a remote control with them. [...]
50 Web 2.0 Tools to Tell a Story
by Samuel Sennott
I think that I am going to send Alan Levine some sort of thank you gift. Maybe we should start a pool. Seriously, his wikispaces site highlighting 50 Web 2.0 Tools to Tell a Story is just terrific. This is a great way to share the multitude of tools available [...]
