Local Classroom Technology Integration Specialists

Gaby's website

Justin's website

We find ourselves very fortunate here in the U.P.!  We have some awesome Instructional Technology Integration specialists to help us out with issues related to Google Chrome, iOS devices, Android, etc. Here's a few sites where you can find instructions (Justin's video tutorials) and resources (Gaby's Diigo collection). Justin works with Dickinson-Iron districts and Gaby can be found in Marquette-Alger districts. It's great to have these experts to rely on!

Eyebridge, an app with human interaction for visually impaired!

An Eyebridge subscription provides live, on-demand, remote visual assistance to help blind or visually impaired individuals with navigating a crowded street, taking public transportation, object identification or written word interpretation. With a wifi connection and Bluetooth headset, a user connects to the service that automatically enables the rear facing camera on a smart phone for live video assistance anywhere in the world, 24/7!



INTRODUCTION TO EYEBRIDGE from EyeBridge on Vimeo.

Organize apps with Insignio

Thanks to a colleague in Region 1 for sharing this great new app tool!  Have you ever wished there was a way to collect apps you're interested in, make lists and notes about them, then share that information? Looks like Insignio fits the bill. It also connects you to app reviews by therapists and special education teachers.

The site was developed by a group of parents, therapists, teachers and doctors with the mission to "Bridge the gap between technology and people with disabilities". Simply create an online account and watch their short, informative videos to get started. This looks to be a very useful service!

Resource for Apps - both iOS and Android

On the never-ending quest for apps, I found this site that's proven very helpful. Of major importance is the inclusion of Android and Google apps, not just iOS. Seeing as I'm responsible for AT equipment purchasing on a budget, I'm looking at Android tablets since they are so economical. Yesterday's quote for an 8" Android tablet was just over half the cost of an iPad! So I started looking at Android apps and found this site. A recent post focuses on special education apps and lists 11 that are also available on iOS. Although the Bookshare app isn't one of them, I know there is a free Android Bookshare app, GoRead.

I'm working on a Purchase Order for an Android tablet and will post about it soon!

There's an app for that! But is it right for my student?

How many apps have you downloaded that you've only used once? An average of 26% of apps are only used once! With thousands of apps available for education alone, how can you sort through and find the right ones for your students? I just ran across this article that provides some great tips to help you decide if an app is appropriate before downloading or buying it. Besides the common sense tips like reading reviews and finding YouTube videos that show the app in action, here's some other thoughts to consider:

• Are additional in-app purchases necessary to make the app functional?
• Do advertising messages pop up during use?
• What privacy policies are connected to the app? Are you agreeing to share information with the developer?
• Before updating an app, check if the update is useful. Some updates remove important features that you may have depended on. 

There's plenty of sites that review apps and provide more on this topic. While writing this post I came across a Blog, Apps in Education, with a link to a Google doc that you can add to and re-share! It's a collaborative guide to what apps do what. Many thanks to all that have contributed!
 What apps do what ??? Collaborative classroom guide  - - -> PLEASE ADD YOUR IDEAS AND RE-SHARE!!

Using an iPad to Help Struggling Readers - OT's with Apps

I ran across this very useful site while reading about using an iPad with struggling readers on LinkedIn.  On a side note, LinkedIn has become one of my favorite resources for learning about new products.  I'm a member of two groups on LinkedIn, Assistive Technology Professionals and K12 Assistive Technology Professionals, both have excellent conversations which is where I found out about OT's with Apps.  If you're looking for information on either iPad or Android apps to help with OT intervention, try this site!

Kathy Schrock's Guide to Everything

Scan this QR code if you want to sign up for Kathy Schrock's periodic newsletter, or click on the post title to be directed to a one-stop, amazing resource for, as Kathy puts it, "Everything"!  If you work with technology in the schools, you'll agree.  Here you'll find technology resources for

• Apps
• Assessments & Rubrics
• Authentic Learning
• Bloomin' Apps
• Concept Mapping
• Connecting your Classroom
• Creating Classroom Web Pages

Well, you get the idea!  Thanks to Jane S. in the Copper Country for sharing this incredible resource!  Be prepared to stay awhile.

Certification in Mobile Device use in Education

Now there's a certification program to ensure that educators are prepared to effectively implement mobile devices like, iPads, with students with disabilities.  Courses start in August - some are free, most have a fee, and these may be eligible for CEU's.  The first two courses are free - they are:

• What's New with the IOS 5 Webinar August 29, 2012 (GMT -5)
  August 29, 2012 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm @ Central Time Zone USA- Free online webinar
• Fishing for Apps Webinar August 30, 2012(GMT -5)
  August 30, 2012 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm @ Central Time Zone USA- Free online webinar

The post title will re-direct to the Bridging Apps site.

Android Accessibility Website

Trying to decide on a new Smart Phone?  Here's helpful information with links to the eyes-free YouTube channel, an eyes-free Android Blog and an eyes-free mailing list. This post title links to a one-stop place for all you need to know for Android Accessibility.
If you're on LinkedIn, join the Assistive Technology Professionals Group for up to date information.  You can start discussions, create polls, and follow members.  There's also a LinkedIn Group K12 Assistive Technology Professionals for those of us that work with students and school staff.
If you're not familiar with LinkedIn, it operates the world's largest professional network on the Internet.  It's free and similar to Facebook, only for work.