Saturday, January 24, 2009
Enhancing classroom communication and collaboration with Internet blogs
A new blog has been added to the AT Related Blog section. It's all about classroom blogs and wikis and has some great examples of both. As always, this post title links to it. Let me know what you think...
Online writing program Time4Writing.com
SpellingCity.com had a link to this site. Information from this site states that:
Time4Writing helps 3rd - 12th graders with:
Sentence Writing
Paragraph Writing
Essay Writing
Writing for SATs and other standardized tests
Time4Writing provides 8-week writing courses online that help elementary, middle and high school students build writing skills through one-on-one interaction with a certified teacher.
If you check it out, please post your feedback here for others to see.
Time4Writing helps 3rd - 12th graders with:
Sentence Writing
Paragraph Writing
Essay Writing
Writing for SATs and other standardized tests
Time4Writing provides 8-week writing courses online that help elementary, middle and high school students build writing skills through one-on-one interaction with a certified teacher.
If you check it out, please post your feedback here for others to see.
Very cool online spelling site
Click on the post title to link to spellingcity.com. It has over 38,000 spelling words and eight spelling games. A real person says each vocabulary word and sentence
After taking the online spelling test, students can print out a report, retake the entire test, or get tested only on spelling words that they got wrong on the first time spelling test.
TeachMe spells and displays the word in ways that stimulate memory for visual and verbal learners.
Printable Games include WordSearch, UnScramble, WhichWord? and MissingLetter.
Printable Handwriting Worksheets for combined spelling and handwriting practice can be created from any saved list (this feature only works if the list is saved). Choices includes three sizes of lines, capitals or small letters, script or cursive, and with directional arrows on or off.
After taking the online spelling test, students can print out a report, retake the entire test, or get tested only on spelling words that they got wrong on the first time spelling test.
TeachMe spells and displays the word in ways that stimulate memory for visual and verbal learners.
Printable Games include WordSearch, UnScramble, WhichWord? and MissingLetter.
Printable Handwriting Worksheets for combined spelling and handwriting practice can be created from any saved list (this feature only works if the list is saved). Choices includes three sizes of lines, capitals or small letters, script or cursive, and with directional arrows on or off.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Read Outloud for Macs Update (Bookshare)
Earlier today I posted that Read Outloud is available for Macs (Bookshare version). I called bookshare to verify and received this reply:
"we have released a beta version of this program for the pc, which can be downloaded from our "reading tools" page. We hope to have the Mac version from Don Johnston in the next month or so."
As many of you know, Read Outloud full version is available cross platform from Don Johnston. There is a reasonable rate for site licenses.
"we have released a beta version of this program for the pc, which can be downloaded from our "reading tools" page. We hope to have the Mac version from Don Johnston in the next month or so."
As many of you know, Read Outloud full version is available cross platform from Don Johnston. There is a reasonable rate for site licenses.
Friday 1/23 Computer lab
For information on programs available to explore, see the Region 1A information section or click on this post title.
New Bookshare website
The title to this post links to the new Bookshare.org website Training page where you'll find dates for webinars and Quick Guides! The link is in the bookshare section as well.
In addition, Read Outloud is available now and works for MAC users! Here is an excerpt from the website page READING TOOLS.
Software for Macintosh® computers
READ:OutLoud Bookshare Edition by Don Johnston
This DAISY reader is designed specifically for people with learning disabilities. It is not recommended for use with screen readers. This software features high-quality text-to-speech for multi-modal reading, spotlighting, note-taking and other study skill features, an online dictionary, and more. For additional information, visit the Don Johnston website.
To download this software, you need to be logged in as a Bookshare Member.
READ:OutLoud User Manual
There is also a planned Macintosh version of Victor Reader Soft that will be available later in 2009. In the meantime, Mac users can read Bookshare books in their browser.
In addition, Read Outloud is available now and works for MAC users! Here is an excerpt from the website page READING TOOLS.
Software for Macintosh® computers
READ:OutLoud Bookshare Edition by Don Johnston
This DAISY reader is designed specifically for people with learning disabilities. It is not recommended for use with screen readers. This software features high-quality text-to-speech for multi-modal reading, spotlighting, note-taking and other study skill features, an online dictionary, and more. For additional information, visit the Don Johnston website.
To download this software, you need to be logged in as a Bookshare Member.
READ:OutLoud User Manual
There is also a planned Macintosh version of Victor Reader Soft that will be available later in 2009. In the meantime, Mac users can read Bookshare books in their browser.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Scholarship to MACUL
MITS has a scholarship available to the MACUL conference in Detroit, March 18-20. The scholarship will cover the $180.00 registration fee, $5.00 SIGSPED membership fee, and $90.00 to defer travel costs.
Click this post title to get more information and a link to the scholarship application. Good luck!
Click this post title to get more information and a link to the scholarship application. Good luck!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Accessible Instructional Materials 101 (AIM)
There is a new section on the blog for information on AIM. If you weren't able to make it to the training with Scott Marfilius, the powerpoint and handout from the session are posted there. Also a powerpoint on Sorting Through Features along with two handouts that correspond.
AIM 101 session goals:
Introduce legal mandate and define terms
Illustrate how NIMAS works
Discuss ways to acquire various specialized formats
Define the decision making role of the IEP team and legal issues that impact acquisition
Share available national and state supports and resources
Sorting Through Features relates to Decision making about AIM and follows SETT questions pertaining to Accessible Instructional Materials.
Both powerpoints and handouts are very good resources. Scott's email address is at the bottom of his handouts.
AIM 101 session goals:
Introduce legal mandate and define terms
Illustrate how NIMAS works
Discuss ways to acquire various specialized formats
Define the decision making role of the IEP team and legal issues that impact acquisition
Share available national and state supports and resources
Sorting Through Features relates to Decision making about AIM and follows SETT questions pertaining to Accessible Instructional Materials.
Both powerpoints and handouts are very good resources. Scott's email address is at the bottom of his handouts.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New software product - Beta version (click here)
I came back from break to an email from an employee at Ginger Software. They have developed a new program for people with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
Ginger Spell uses context to correct, with the click of a button, whole sentences containing misused words and multiple severe spelling mistakes.
Click on the post title to connect to www.gingersoftware.com where you can download the free Beta version and try it out. They don't have pricing determined yet so it is free until mid 2009. They estimate it will be about $100 for a home user annual subscription. It's currently for windows only but they are working on a mac version.
Ginger Spell uses context to correct, with the click of a button, whole sentences containing misused words and multiple severe spelling mistakes.
Click on the post title to connect to www.gingersoftware.com where you can download the free Beta version and try it out. They don't have pricing determined yet so it is free until mid 2009. They estimate it will be about $100 for a home user annual subscription. It's currently for windows only but they are working on a mac version.
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