Monday, September 29, 2008

Richard Blas Assistive Device Demo #1 Question

The Franklin Language Master is great for students who are hearing impaired.

What strategy can you, as a SPED teacher use along with the assistive device to help the student with a hearing impairment to VISUALIZE a vocabulary assignment (as an example)?

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Braille - Class Discussion

Braille is system of characters used by the blind to read and write. The question I pose for the class is this; will Braille become a thing of the past for the blind? Assistive Technology seems to have developed a number of auditory tools that have become increasingly more affordable and accessible, will fewer and fewer blind learn and utilize Braille?

LENITH ATIENZA - Low Tech Device Power Lenz Magnifier


Power Lenz Magnifier – Small and affordable!
*Increase the size of fonts on your phone
*Increase vision for reading numbers, texts messages
and emails
*Reduce misdialing with the help of this magnifier
*Attachable to the phone with free adhesives
*Lifetime warranty


To know more about this low tech AT, visit http://www.powerlenz.com

Aside from being useful with phones for people who are visually impaired, in what educational purposes can this magnifier be useful?

My Question

Knowing the budget crunch with GPSS, what materials and resources around your house can you utilalize to create low-tech devices to assist students in at least 1 category? Describe the materials and use for the device?

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Question: Adaptive Assistive Technology

Students who require Assistive Technology Devices are given at whatever means necessary, those devices to assist them in their educational lives, whether it be from low tech to high tech. It is the responsibility of the team, to ensure that the student has the appropriate device. A student who has a disability and a device needed to enhance their education will have the opportunity to use the device at the school, my question is: Who's responsibility is it to ensure that the home environment is conducive to the AT Device that the child will be using if the child needs the AT Device at home, more so for the low income families?

Assistive Technology Device Demonstration Sept. 25, 2008

Assistive Technology Device
Demonstration
by
David T. Gofigan
ED443G Dr. J. Cyrus
September 25, 2008

Many of our students with a learning disability are tasked with locating and copying specific information from text. This process can become quite laborious for the student. Well, here is an assistive technology device that can assist in capturing that printed text. It is called the Quick Link Pen!
The QuickLink Pen is a high-tech device developed by WIZCOM Technologies Ltd. The device features include:
Digital Text Scanner: Simply swipe text from newspaper articles, book, and magazines for transfer anytime into your business documents and personal correspondence – all without typing.
Address Book: Scan business cards directly into Outlook, insert email addresses into your address book, or use the QuickLink Pen as your own address book.
Internet Links: Collect Internet Addresses (URLs) and transfer them directly to your browser or bookmarks / favorites – quickly, accurately and reliably.
Table Builder: Transfer printed tables (stock quotes, international monetary exchange, airline or train schedules), and charts full of data, directly into your spreadsheet.
Language Tool: QuickLink Pen recognizes 8 languages and has the ability to translate into any of 24 languages through optional upgrade.

The QuickLink Pen is light and fits neatly in your pocket, so you have freedom to collect information anytime …anywhere! The device is compatible with the Palm Pilot, PDA’s and Palm Computers. The requirements for QuickLink Desktop Application includes: Windows 95/98 or Windows NT, CD-ROM Drive, 16 MB of RAM and an 8 MB hard disk space.
The instructions are very simple to follow. A student may be provided with step-by-step procedures in the application of the QuickLink Pen. This is definitely a great assistive technology device to be used in class! You may locate other products from WICOM Technologies Ltd. by visiting www.wizcomtech.com.
Remember! Don’t write it down…Scan it! Don’t rip it out… E-Clip it! Don’t type or copy it! QuickLink it!

Sangi Susuico AT Device Demo #1










For more information about this device and other assistive devices check out www.enablingdevices.com

Friday, September 26, 2008

Demonstration #1: Pocket Speak& Read by Lealani Aflague






1st AT Demonstration powerpoint URL-Physical Impairment

http://slideshare.net/gilster1969/assistive-tech-tools-presentation

BLOG Assignment #1 - Demonstration #1 Summary

Image Source: www.specialneedscomputers.ca


Lois’ AAT Device Presentation
Lois’ HafaBlog URL: http://ltgumaaat69.blogspot.com/


Partner4

Partner4 is the first augmentative and alternative communication device. It is a self-contained communication device useful to individuals with communication disorders and for the visually impaired. Partner4 has graphic overlays which slide between the housing grid and the 4 message square through the slot on the side of the grid. You can draw or print corresponding icons or words to personalize to the individual and his/her functional skills. Or you can use Mayer Johnson’s BOARDMAKER Software. This is a high tech device since it uses batteries and a switch is used to turn on the device. It has a built in microphone and a recording button to record your message in each message square. Each message can be 8 seconds in length. It is simple to operate, just turn the switch to turn it on, adjust the volume, select and push the picture to activate the corresponding message. There are Partner4 comes in different models with LCD and also one that vibrates that gives the visually impaired immediate feedback. It is durable and easy to care for. The device cost ranges from $250 - $499. For more details, visit http://www.eridevices.com .

Thursday, September 25, 2008

TRACK BALL QUESTIONS for ATT device

The Track Ball is an ATT device for students with challenges using the smaller version "the mouse".
The track ball is several times bigger and is very "user friendly" to students with physical challenges , learning
disabilites, or fine-motor skills challenges.

Some Questions:

Who uses the Track Ball ???

The track ball can be used for anyone. I used it and I found it pretty fun. Moreover, it was very useful for my kids in with special needs. I have students with MR and usually there ability for hand and eye coordination is difficult. The track ball enables them to stop and go..the learge bottons help them keep their place as they manuever the cursor on the screen. My nephew and neices enjoyed it when I brought it home..They preferred the track ball over the regular mouse.


What platforms can it be intergraded in ???

All platforms cam be used....The old Macs however need to use the older version of the trackball, due to the cable attachement configuration.

Pro's and cons using the Track Ball ???

There are more benefits with the track ball. Just the first look at it and it shouts "FUN" use me. However when it comes to game use such as "Tumble Bug" speed is not its' strength. But for everything else it is useful.

Did you test it in the classroom ???

Yes. It was very very successful. My student MC enjoyed it the most. He loved to use it on the "Paint" program. Another student who has fine-motor skills challenges was able to maneuver the cursor on the screen with ease. Her attitude in using computers has changed for the better. I am glad I picked it.


Pat Q