AT and Handheld Devices in ELA Lauchie MacKinnon

‘We Shape Our Tools, and Thereafter Our Tools Shape Us’ Marshall McLuhan

What is Assistive Technology? Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities (Authority 20 U.S.C. 1401(1))

Assistive Technology Continued Low-tech: low-cost, unpowered, simple, examples binders, tennis balls, rulers, papers, pencil grips Mid-tech: Lower cost, powered devices, such as calculators, spellcheckers, Time timers Hi tech: complex, expensive, example, computers, augmentative communication devices, software

Areas of Support Using AT Academic and Learning Aids Aids for Daily Living Assistive Listening Devices and Environmental Aids Augmentative Communication: Computer Access and Instruction Environmental Control Pre-vocational and Vocational Aids Recreation and Leisure Aids

Hand-Held Devices These devices are portable, they could be phones, music players, tablets. They have come to prominence in the last five years. They have a number of systems and companies who make them. Here are just a few. Apple - iOS Google- Android Microsoft- Windows 8 mobile BlackBerry- BB10

Applications that Support Learning I am going to identify applications that support lifelong learning, give access to writing and reading as the primary focus of the presentation. Also, if time permits we may look at other writing and reading tools.

Goal: Introduction to AT I will not be able to provide detailed information as the time constraints of the presentation will not allow. However, I should give you enough of an overview that you will be able to check it out and with some additional support use it when you get home.

Dragon Dictation You can find Dragon On handheld applications For both iPad, and iPhone as well as android systems The most powerful system still remains on a Personal computer. Dragon video review

Chrome by Google A voice search has add to chrome when googling It is found in all Platforms where Chrome is available. Word prediction when using Google can be helpful to find the proper spelling of words. Combining two words that are frequently found together increases the accuracy of the search. Pictures can be used to determine if the right word is found.

Apple and voice search iPhone 4S/ iPad New(3) also takes dictation. Instead of typing, tap the microphone button on the keyboard, speak your words, numbers, or sentences out loud, and let the device convert your words into text.

Siri Siri on iPhone 4S lets you use your voice to send messages, place phone calls, schedule meetings, set reminders, and more. It’s the intelligent assistant that’s there to help with the things you do every day. Google is rumored to be adding a similar device called Messenger.

Yellow Pages The Yellow Pages app are on many handheld devices it can function using voice. It finds businesses as well as individuals. You may also select from a series of pictures that gives you information of the location and telephone number for business in that area on a map You may also do a reverse lookup, type in a telephone number and you will receive a name. If you know the number this can be helpful for spelling proper names that are difficult.

Text to Speech Primarily due to accessibility laws that exist in the United States most operating systems, including some web browsers provide at least a basic text-to-speech engine built it to it. A Google search will give you an idea what's available, as well as searching for video can provide you with video to help you implement your new ideas.

Apple’s Voice Over Voice Over works with all of the built-in applications that come on iPad, including Safari, Mail, App Store, iTunes, Music, Calendar, and Notes as well as iBook. Apple is also working with iPad software developers to make even more applications VoiceOver compatible.

Speak It Copy s, documents, web pages, PDF files, and more; paste them into Speak it, and have the text spoken back to you with the highest quality text to speech engine. You can even create the same quality audio files of the text to listen to on the go.

Writing with iPad/pad/phones There are a vast number of devices that will support writing and drawing. Depending on the grade level of student each app has its own strengths and deficits. Handheld devices allow for input in a variety way; stylus, keyboard, touch keyboard, voice, fingers, camera, and stamps and stickers.

Notability My personal favorite, note taking and writing tool. The software allows for writing with stylus, typing, recording notes, saving and sharing with other devices. Notablility video

Note takers PaperDesk Video Review PaperDesk Paper by 53 Paper Video Phatpad Video Audiotorium note Video Bamboo paper Video Notes free apples

VoCal VoCal fuses a Dictaphone, Calendar and Alarm system into one app. You can have your own voice as your alarm repeating the message. iPhone, iPod, iPad push

Other recorders There are many other devices for all systems that will record your voice, many of them free. This can be very helpful for students to record notes, to write stories, to provide directions which have multiple steps without the teacher having to repeat them over and over again. All major operating systems for handheld devices have a recording system built-in as well has most phones. AudioMemos QuickVoice

Word Q Is designed to read text and support writing. WordQ word prediction as well as providing explanations for usage word. You can create your own word lists for proper names, or topics that you can add the vocabulary for example your lessons in science, language arts, place names.

Taska, Reminders, Priority Matrix All of them are organizers, each has unique features on how to sort and set dates for your information. Advantage for Reminders is that it syncs across all your machines that are Apple.

Webster's Dictionary Webster has a built-in voice search and in the iPad 3 the computer will read your results to you as well. I had some trouble with the voice dictation in school but otherwise the program works okay.

Cameras Cameras may be useful in the classroom for students with learning disabilities as they may take pictures of their homework, their actual homework or as a step by step guide in how to complete a task. The directionally challenge are able to find maps or take pictures of signposts and leave digital breadcrumbs to find their way back.