Summing Up!!!

Hello everyone!

Just a quick note...

I hope you are finding this blog relevant and interesting. I have loved reading all of your comments and I hope my feedback has been useful in assisting you to meet the needs of children with writing difficulties.

Remember, it is important to thoroughly research all avenues before choosing the right assistive technology for you. Without your support and guidance these students might not have high success with writing. Simply providing your child with an assistive technology is not enough - we must train them in how to use it. 

I am off now to the Lawn Bowl Championships - I think I am in with a good chance! Wish me luck and talk to you all in a few weeks!!!!

Ciao
Miss Assistive Technology


Photo Source: http://i.ehow.com/images/a06/09/qh/assistive-technology-written-expression-disorder-200X200.jpg

Factors to Consider when Choosing an Assistive Technology

When choosing the best possible assistive technology for your child, it is important to understand your child's strengths and weaknesses as well as their likes and dislikes. A child's assistive technology needs will change depending on their environment such as home, school etc. So, from this, the perspectives of family members and teachers, as well as the child, should all be taken into consideration. 

The following questions should be considered in determining which assistive technology best suits your child:

• What does your child need to do but is unable to do because of his/her disability?
  Make sure to consider these 5 areas of functioning: physical, communication, cognitive, social/emotional, academic.
• What are your child’s customary environments? 
  (Classroom, playground, bus, gym, school cafeteria)
• What are your child’s biggest educational challenges
  (Communication, mobility, reading, writing, behavior)
• What assistive technology tools are available to help your child overcome these challenges? 
  Make sure to consider both high-tech and low-tech options.
• What criteria will be used to later determine if the AT has been successful in helping your child in his/her educational program?
• What are your child’s preferences in areas such as color and style? 
  A child may resist using a piece of equipment that he/she thinks is “nerdy” and sets him apart from the rest of the class. A device that is less conspicuous may be preferred by the child in order to better “fit-in.”

(Family Centre on Technology and Disability, 2010)

From these questions, the parent and teacher should be able to list all of the possible assistive technologies that could help and assist the child. It is usually best to try many different options before choosing an appropriate one. 

Remember that as a parent/teacher you are the child's most effective advocate. It is crucial that the parents and teacher have a collaborative relationship in order to share information about the most effective assistive technologies. Assisitve technology can be an invaluable component in your child’s daily life. They can allow children to participate more fully with their peers and increase their functionality. It is important to research and determine which assistive technology would be most beneficial to the child to ensure that he/she has every opportunity to reach their full potential (Family Centre on Technology and Disability, 2010).

Hopefully this helps you when deciding which assistive technology to use!!

Ciao 

MIss Assistive Technology

Family Centre on Technology and Disability. (2010). Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology. Retrieved 2 October, 2010 from http://www.fctd.info/resources/fig/Sec2.htm#d

Organisation Software

Students experiencing writing difficulties often have problems with the mechanics of writing, for example handwriting and spelling. Focusing on these issues sometimes inteferes with a student's ability to engage in higher order thinking processes such writing organisation.


Organisational software such as Inspiration or Spark-Space helps students to organise information and ideas through a variety of webs or concept maps on the computer screen. Inspiration includes clip art and can be used to make graphic organisers (Gunning, 2010).


Using these programs, students can enter brainstormed ideas as visual organisers which can then be used as outlines for the students to follow whilst writing. This type of software can be used to gather information before writing. Students can add new information which is automatically rearranged to present the information in a logical way. This is a motivating tool to use for the students as information can be in the form of text, images or Internet hyperlinks. This type of software can also be used to help students summarise information they have read.


Kidspiration is another program that is suitable and easy for children to use. Kidspiration is a visual means of understanding words and concepts for those students who struggle with printed text. The program aims to develop critical thinking and literacy skills as well as visual learning principles. It can strengthen the comprehension and written expression skills of the students in a fun, engaging and easy to use way. Furthermore, Kidspiration teaches students skills in clarifying their thinking as well as how to organise and priortise new information.

I hope this information is of some assistance to you. I strongly recommend you purchase organisation software as it can have such a positive influence on the childrens writing.


Source: http://hileryjane.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/kidspiratoion.jpg


Ciao
Miss Assistive Technology

Gunning, T.G. (2010). Assessing and correcting reading and writing difficulties (4^th ed). MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Word Prediction Tools

Among the things you can have never have enough of is information and resources on assistive technologies.

What is Word Prediction?

Word prediction is a great tool for struggling writers. It increases writing efficiency by helping a student during word processing by "predicting" a word he or she intends to type. Predictions are based on spelling, syntax and frequent use of word. This program prompts students with writing to use proper spelling, grammar and word choices (Stanberry & Raskind, 2009).

Most word prediction programs can be used with any word processor tool. As the student types, word prediction software begins predicting the word the student is trying to type and provides a list from which a correct word can be selected. The student can select the goal word by either clicking on it with the mouse or by typing the number of the corresponding word. If the correct word is not in the list, the student continues to type and the list of predicted words changes accordingly (Tumlin & Heller, n.a).


What are the benefits and limitations of word processors?

Word prediction software can be beneficial for students with fine motor problems or who have difficulty with handwriting and spelling. As stated by MacArthur (2000, as cited in Tumlin & Heller, n.a) he suggested that word prediction could be an option for students who could not read their own handwriting or for students whose spelling was so poor that a spell checker could not offer usable suggestions.

However, on the other hand, it is important to also acknowledge the limitations of the word prediction software. Limitations include the student needing to type the initial letter of the word correctly. Also, if the word prediction software incorrectly predicts the student's intended word, it may take longer and require more key strokes to finally have the word displayed.

From this, I feel that word prediction software can be an excellent tool to use in the classroom and at home when used correctly. It can help motivate struggling writers and provide them with the opportunity to become successful writers.

Ciao
Miss Assistive Technology

Stanberry, K. & Raskind, M. (2009). Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An overview. Retrieved 20^th September 2010 from: http://www.orpti.org/documents/Understanding%20Dyslexia_Ramsey_Betsy_asstech.pdf

Tumlin, J. & Heller,  K. (2004). Using Word Prediction Software to Increase Typing Fluency with Students with Physical Disabilities. Journal of Special Education Technology, v19 n3 p5-14

Handheld Pen Scanners!

Hi all!

I've been looking at some research articles about the use of the handheld pen scanner to assist students with special needs.

What is a handheld pen scanner?

A handheld pen scanner is a type of technology that enables you to store and transfer your printed text and images onto the computer. According to Riley, Beard & Strain (2004) handheld pen scanners assist students who have minor reading and writing disabilities. The scanner is particularly beneficial for students who require assistance with reading as well as writing, as many pens have the added function of reading the word aloud to the student, and if required, reading a definition of the word (Riley et al., 2004).

How do they work?
Handheld scanners are used in a similar way to highlighters. Students simply drag the pen scanner across the text on their page and the text will be stored and available for upload on their computer, at home, school or another destination.

Pen scanners have the ability to store up to 1000 words per minute. There are different types of handheld pen scanners available in the market, each with their own functions and capabilities. In general however, handheld scanners work with a range of text, including magazines, newspapers and general classroom bookwork.

In the classroom
These scanners are particularly beneficial in the classroom. If used effectively, these scanners have the ability to reduce the cognitive load for students and allow them more time to focus on the message within the text they are focusing on, as opposed to spending significant time writing. Further, students can scan the text they are reading and upload it in a size and font best suited to their ability. However, it must be assured that students use the pen for the right reasons and familiar with how to edit the information once it is uploaded onto the computer.

Products to consider
Quicktionary
Notetaker
Iris Pen

Hope you have found this information useful and interesting! Let me know if you have used this product to assist students with special needs as I would love to hear from you!


Source: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Iu5fDLK4aLo/0.jpg

Ciao!
Miss Assistive Technology

Riley, G., Beard, L. & Strain, J. (2004). Assistive Technology at Use in the Teacher Education Programs at JacksonVille State University. Tech trends: linking research and practice to improve learning, 48 (6) 47-49.

Low-Tech Options

I have been focusing a lot on the use of high-tech assistive technologies to assist students with special needs. However, it must be noted that there are a range of low-tech options also available on the market, for use both in the classroom and at home.

As you would have seen in the video I posted in my previous blog, there are numerous types of pens, pencils and paper you can use to support your child. For example, simple adaptations like smooth writing pens that are comfortable to hold can make the difference between needing physical assistance and working independently.

Many children will benefit from special pens and pencils that are easier to hold than a standard pencil or pencil. Examples include:

• 
  
  Pen again
• 
  
  C.L.A.W
• 
  
  Ez Grip
• 
  
  Wanchick Hand-Based Writer
• 
  
  Pen and pencil weights
• 
  
  Slant boards
• 
  
  Wiki Sticks

Many students do not have the strength or coordination to hold a pen or pencil. These products therefore assist these students as they require less hand strength and the students are more easily able to control the writing implement.

Please watch the video in my previous blog and consider some of the options I have listed above. Often, a small accomodation will make a huge difference!

Before you go, check out my 'word cloud'. I created this cloud using Wordle as I thought it would be a beneficial way to represent some of the low-tech options discussed.

Ciao

Miss Assistive Technology

Video - Low Tech Options for Assistive Technologies

Last night I was searching youtube and found this really insightful and engaging video on low-tech options for assistive technologies. It clearly provides a wide variety of low-tech options such as adaptive pens, pencils and paper, that can be used to help and assist struggling writers.




Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojuwycONC_4


Happy Watching!!!


Ciao
Miss Assistive Technology

Voice recognition software

Please refer to my post on Word Processing to gain a greater understanding of the link between word processors and voice recognition programs.

What is a voice recognition program?

A voice recognition program works in conjunction with a word processor. Different voice recongtion programs have different features, however generally speaking, they all require students to have a microphone in which they can speak into. As students dictate, the microphone records their spoken words which then appear on the computer screen as text Peterson-Karlan, Hourcade & Parette (n.d.).

Using this technology, students can also use voice commands to open and close files or programs to assist in their word processing (Caverly, 2008). Both Mac and Windows appropriate programs to assist students who need this type of software.

Products to consider:

• Write: OutLoud SOLO
• IntelliTalk
• Cast eReader
• Talking Word Processor
• Tex-Edit Plus
• Writing with Symbols

These products are all suggested by the Georgia Department of Education, Divison for Special Education Supports (2007). They particularly assist students with the writing process, in terms of prewriting, drafting, revising and editing.

I have recently used this technology with a student I was assisting and the effects are becoming quite prominent. This is definitely an sofware worth considering to help students improve their writing skills.

Ciao

Miss Assistive Technology

Caverly, D. (2008). TechTalk:Assistive TEchnology for Writing. Journal of Developmental Writing, 1(3) 36-37.


Peterson-Karlan, G., Hourcade, J. & Parette, P. (n.d.). A review of assistive technology and writing skills for students with physical and educational disabilities. Retrieved 25th September 2010, from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ795374.pdf. 

Georgia Department of Education (2007). Assistive technology devices for writing and spelling. Retrieved 29th Spetember 2010, from http://www.gpat.org.

Assistive Technology - Word Processors

I was recently researching some assistive technologies and came across word processors. Word processing is an excellent tool for enhancing academic outcomes for students with writing disabilities. It can be helpful for students who may have trouble writing by hand and prefer to use a keyboard.

What is a word processor?

A word processor is a lightweight device that is easy to transport (e.g: from classroom to home and vice versa). By having a portable word processor it enables the student to have their technological assistance available at all times.

What are the benefits of using a word processor?

There are many benefits for using a word processor. Firstly, it allows the students to edit and correct their own written work more efficiently than doing so by hand (Peterson-Karlan, Hourcade & Parette, n.d.)   

Moreover, a research study that was conducted by Hetzrini & Shrieber (2004), investigated and highlighted the importance that word processors is great for enhancing academic outcomes for students with writing disabilities. Results of the study showed that the students that used the word processing technology made fewer spelling mistakes and had a clearer structure and organisational layout. The students in the study also had fewer spelling errors as they were able to use the spell check function on their word processor. Furthermore, from using a word processor, it allows the student to easily identify any errors that has occurred by underlining in red or green certain spelling or grammatical mistakes.  Additionally, the research study demonstrated that word processors assist students with writing disabilities by helping them organise text structure, spelling and grammatical errors as well as provide students with a form of technology that is easier and more motivating for them to use.

Products to consider:

These are some products that I have used during my teaching days. I highly recommend these products if word processing is a tool that may be beneficial to you. 

• AlphaSmart
• Fusion
• Quickpad
• CalcuScribe

Quick note: If using these products in the classroom remember as a teacher, a word processor is only beneficial once students have learnt the keyboarding skills (Margalit & Roth, 1989 as cited in Hetzrini & Shrieber, 2004).

Ciao

Miss Assistive Technology

Photo Source: http://www.novitatech.org.au/library/Fusion%20Keyboard.jpg

Hetzroni, O. & Shrieber, B. (2004). Word processing as an assistive technology tool for enhancing academic outcomes of students with writing disabilities in the general classroom. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(2) 143-154.

Peterson-Karlan, G., Hourcade, J. & Parette, P. (n.d.). A review of assistive technology and writing skills for students with physical and educational disabilities. Retrieved 25th September 2010, from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ795374.pdf.   

Echo Smart Pen

Some of you may have heard of the Echo Smart Pen that is now available on the market. I have recently purchased one and I MUST say it is FANTASTIC!

What is the Echo Smart Pen?

The Echo Smart Pen is a special pen that enables you to link everything you hear to everything you write. It comes with a special notepad which, when written on, records your notes and automatically syncs these with your surroundings and what you can hear at the time. Alternatively, you can choose to simply record the audio and write notes at your own convenience as the pen will then sync these to the audio.

The Echo Smart Pen has numerous feature, including:

1. Microphone

2. Built in speaker

3. Rubber grip to provide comfort while writing.

4. Audio Jack
5. Display screen

6. Memory Storage (holds 400 to 800 hours of recording audio)

7. Recplaceable ink tip


How does the Echo Smart Pen help students with special needs???

When determining whether this product is appropriate for you, you must consider your child's special needs and whether or not this product would be of any assistance to them. From my personal perspective, I believe the Echo Smart Pen provides students with less of a cognitive load when they are writing. It allows them to attempt writing without having excess demand or stress.

Further, the Echo Smart Pen allows students to capture notes quickly, as the pen uses handwriting recognition to send text to Microsoft Word. It also has the capability of sending images to the computer, as not only is the audio recorded, but all notes written on the page are too. This particularly supports students in the writing process as they are easily able to edit their text and make important changes as need be. As mentioned, students may choose to focus on what is being said and take notes at a later date.

I hope this information has been useful to you. The Echo Smart Pen is definitely a fantastic tool you can use to assist students with special needs, however you must ensure you consider whether your child will be supported in their use of the pen both at school and at home.

Ciao

Miss Assistive Technology

Photo Source: http://www.livescribe.com/en-au/smartpen/echo/

Livescribe (2010). Livescribe. Retrived 21st September 2010, from http://www.livescribe.com/en-au/smartpen/echo/

Wynn Reader

Hello fellow bloggers!


I have received some useful feedback from readers, asking me to provide a little more information about Wynn reader. As some of you may be aware, Wynn reader is a program that allows an individual (in this case- teacher, parent or student) to make adaptations in electronic text. Text can be added, deleted or simplified. Other study aids that are also available using this program include:

-highlighting
-listing
-voice notes
-built in dictionary


When I was teacher, I used Wynn Reader with a child who had dyslexia. This program proved to be extemely successful in that the child gained a lot of confidence in their writing and they were more easily able to produce texts.

Have a look at the link I have provided and let me know how it goes. If you have any other questions or comments, feel free to send them my way!


Ciao
Miss Assistive Technology

Freedom Scientific Inc. (2010). Freedom scientific learning systems group. Retrieved 23rd September 2010, from http://www.freedomscientific.com/lsg/products/wynn.asp

What is Assistive Technology?

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology is defined as any device, piece of equipment or system that helps or compensate for an individual’s specific learning deficits. Using assistive technologies does not cure or eradicate learning difficulties. It helps and assist your child reach his or her potential because it allows them to capitalise on their strengths and evade areas of difficulty (Stanberry & Raskind, 2009).

Furthermore, from using assistive technologies it can greatly increase a child’s self-reliance and sense of independence. It provides opportunities for children to experience success from working independently, instead of being overly dependent on parents, siblings, friends and teachers (Stanberry & Raskind, 2009). It is a great feeling for a child to be able to successfully complete a task on their own. It provides them with a sense of accomplishment!  


What happens to the students with writing difficulties in the classroom?

According to Hetzroni & Shieber (2004), students with learning disabilities experience significant difficulty with the writing process and therefore as a result have low academic achievement in school. This is unbelievable as within a classroom context, a large proportion of time is spent on writing tasks!

Some of the problems that students with writing difficulties may have include: generating ideas, organising ideas, finding the right words to convey ideas, using correct grammar, punctuation, illegible handwriting and spelling. While there are no easy answers to these types of problems, there are ways to create an environment using a variety of assistive technology tools in which students will be more successful writers (Hetzroni & Shieber, 2004).

What can parents and teachers do to help students with writing difficulties?

Firstly, it is imperative that teachers and parents work collaboratively to support the learning development of students with special needs. This can be done by thoroughly researching the types of tools that are currently on the market to support students with writing difficulties and then sharing this information with each other.

Technology plays an important role in assisting low-achieving writers. As stated in Gunning (2010) through the use of computers, CDs, DVDs and other assistive technologies, information can be presented to students in a variety of ways to enhance their educational achievement. For example there is a new program on the market called Wynn Reader which is useful for adaptations in electronic text and supporting struggling writers.

Hopefully this information has enabled you to gain a deeper insight into the world of assistive technology and the benefits it can bring to you and your classroom.

Ciao
Miss Assistive Technology

Gunning, T.G. (2010). Assessing and correcting reading and writing difficulties (4^th ed). MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Hetzroni, O. & Shrieber, B. (2004). Word processing as an assistive technology tool for enhancing academic outcomes of students with writing disabilities in the general classroom. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(2) 143-154.

Stanberry, K. & Raskind, M. (2009). Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An overview. Retrieved 20^th September 2010 from: http://www.orpti.org/documents/Understanding%20Dyslexia_Ramsey_Betsy_asstech.pdf

 

Welcome!!!

Welcome to my blog!


This is my first blog and I am very excited about starting it up. As you may have read, I am a retired primary school teacher who now specialises in providing support to students with special needs. I will be using this blog to regularly update you on the latest technologies used to assist these students in writing, both in your classroom and at home.


This blog will provide you with a range of support and information as I explore technologies teachers and parents can implement to promote independent achievement, in the classroom and beyond!


Please feel free to comment on any posts or ask any questions you feel I may be able to answer. I will make sure I reply back to you as soon as I can!


Happy Blogging!

Ciao
Miss Assistive Technology