New man

A lesson in leadership

Last class of the assistive technology course and I'm working up untill the last minute. Once again, not the Acadia I remember (I'm starting to think my years at this school were not that productive before). Anyway, the whole experience has been worthwhile and a great introduction back into school. Few people enjoy summer more than I do but the two and a half weeks I sacrificed in the name of higher learning have been good for me. My father always said that learning was a life long pursuit and a lesson can be learned everyday up untill the day you die, at which point you perhaps learn the biggest lesson of all. It has been an eye opener to be on the other side of the desk for a change. Somethings I will do differently, somethings the same.

Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves.
Ernest Dimnet

A new beginning

 "The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax-- Of cabbages--and kings..." Lewis Carroll.
Sad day in the old Newman house tomorrow, the ipod is to be returned. All this the day before we head to B.C. on a plane ride where it would most definately come in handy.
Both courses finish up tomorrow and I'm a richer person for having participated. Although maybe next summer I'll only take one course...

Sometimes something different can be just as good.

writing my writing blog

Working on a class off, this is not the Acadia I remember from the mid-80's. Stephanie and Angela have proved to be excellent partners (I can only hope they think similar kind things of me). Everything really seems to be coming into place and our less reluctant writers blog is streaming along. We have changed the address to solve the lack of access problem with the first blog. I'm looking forward to the final product and sharing it with my partners in Justice. Soon time to give back the ipod, I just hope the nano will tide my family over.

http://youtu.be/xUsgFl9FDzY

It is one of the beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

my ipod

The countdown is on untill I have to give back my ipod. Three more sleeps. My son has insisted that we get one of our own but I'm not so sure. If we jump in we might as well jump into the deep end and get an ipad. What you may lose in portability you make up for in clarity. And besides, at my age assistive technology means I have to be able to see it. Tomorrow we are back at my other blog, lessreluctantwriters. Luckily my two partners are excellent to work with and pretend to appreciate my sense of humour. A couple more sessions and we should be done. The assistive technology course has been an eye opener for me. Ignorance is bliss but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to ignore the future. Whether I admit to it or not, it is unavoidable.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
Lao Tzu

ipod nano

Thats right, I have an ipod nano. So what if it was a gift, it is technology in my hands that I thought never would be. Now, I'm not sure if you follow me from this blog or my other - lessreluctantreaders - point is, I'm a techno guy now. So here is my review of the nano. Portability is the key, the ipod seems a little bulky now I have a nano. The audio files are easily downloadable (if indeed that is a word) and the quality is second to none. The big issue is the small screen and the fact that there are no apps to speak of. Books are what I see as the big advantage so far as education is concerned, so there are major implications in this area. The tilt sensitive games are an interactive marketing gem but the limited space make the play somewhat archaic (if indeed technology this new can be antiquated). It seems best used to collect your thoughts when you are listening to music or whiling your time away with a good book. If I were to invest at this point I would opt for something full screen - an ipad. Why? Here's a reason...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqZpHTUhSYs&feature=player_detailpage

What is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.
Ernest Hemingway

reluctant writers too

Our last project. Now that we have attempted to map out the writing process, it's time to blog about it. From start to finish it is one of the most complicated actions we can ask of any human being. The big question is not why so many people experience problems but why even more don't. How can we provide a quality education (and ultimately quility of life) to struggling writers. Our need to convey our thoughts and feelings is more than a basic right it is a survival skill. The question becomes how we make this accessable to all students. Technology is not the magic pill but it can be magical. With the right people working for them and with them, almost anyone is capable of amazing things.

One man's struggle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRZ-0bYOlgg&feature=player_detailpage

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.
Lena Horne

My favorite apps

I 've put over 30 apps on my ipod (educational and otherwise) and let my family loose on them. Here is what we use...

Free:
iwritewords (along with it's sister app ABC Maze) are a favorite of my little boy.
       + fine motor skills in tracing the letters (or numbers), it also gets you to trace in the correct order
       + nice audio, examples and rewards
       + will spell and say words once letters have been drawn
        - drawback, it does not say the letters phonetically
ABC Maze uses the tilt of the ipod to manoeuvre a ball through a maze to get the letters needed to spell a word.
         + as with iwritwords the reward show a picture of the word in question for visual reinforcement

3D Magic Words is my wife's favorite.
         + higher level vocabulary skills
         + timed event which forces you to concentrate
         + mixed up letters can be remixed in new order to help you find words
         + lets you know exactly how many words (and their length) you can find
         + gives you a pecentage target to reach in order to achieve next level
          - drawback, it lets you know you are not that smart

Comic Touch Lite is my little app.
            + you can take photos from your library (or on the spot) and add text
            + text can appear as thoughts, speech, whisper, exclaimation or caption
            + endless possibilities
             - drawback, could be used inappropriately (imagine a younger me)

There you have, my big three.

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.
Henry David Thoreau

Apps in action for reluctant writers

iThoughts - graphic organizer (pdf) user friendly, similar to inspirition.
Idea Generationn for creative poetry.
Strip Designer creates comic strips. You can use your own photos and easily email.
Writing Toolkit - gives ideas, character descriptions, scenarios and other cues.
Storyteller - more triggers for writers block.
iLanguage - build language, 50 story lines, emailable.
Flat Stanley - take him with you, write about his day.
Story Builder is totally verbal but holdes ideas and is emailable.
ABC Letter Tracer for bacis coordination skills.
WritePad has handwriting recognition.
Speak It
Voice Memo - simple voice recording.
DoctoGo - word, power point, excel.
ReelDirector - make your own movie.

Review of apps not yet discussed by me.

http://youtu.be/RKczAHkCR94 - Wordle

Nothing is so good as it seems beforehand.
George Eliot

Kurzweil 3000 #2

Back to the green reading toolbar.
Bubble notes provide another level of interaction. You can read added information or even post questions (multiple choice, T or F, whatever). Some work up front but...
The blue writing toolbarlets you type text to speech and has basic word processing (bold, underlining, spacing, font, size, graphic organizers, split screen, even word prediction although it is not strong)
You do have the ability to make your own word lists for vocabulary oy increase word prediction and create a topic dictionary.
Files can be saved as Kesi with picturesor changed to other form which may be better to work with, such as Daisy for the hearing impaired. you can even create audio files which can downloaded to portables.
Text can be edited to fix mispronunciations phonetically without changing the text.

It is harder to conceal ignorance than to acquire knowledge.
Arnold Glasgow

Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil 3000 for Windows first webinar done.
Toolbars are full of options, color coded and can be hidden.
The main toolbar (red) accesses those frequently used functions that most users are familiar with - new, open, save, print, scan, help, etc. Definately easy to use.
The reading toolbar (yellow) gives access to the reading functions used most often - change of voice, speed, font, etc. I can see the students having a lot of fun with these options but perhaps wasting too much time.
The study skill toolbar (green) is an excellent inovation. With some work up front the teacher is able to set up a text for a more in depth, individulized learning experience. The ability to highlight, add information on sticky notes, record voice information, ask questions and basically cater the lesson to the student involved without you looking over their shoulder is a game changer. Then the students themselves have options as well - like highlighting and even taking notes on screen.
The biggest drawback is once again the voice. They have made progress but not far enough yet,

http://www.kurzweilaustin.com/K3000/Resources/K3000QuickReferencePC.pdf
This link is a quick reference manual in case you like the print version or wish to answer some question.

Unless you change the habit patterns of people, you have not really changed your people.
Mary Parker Follett

Apps in Action for ASD

Oh how Sunday has changed!
On  the technology front I acquired an ipod nano yesterday. Excellent device for mucic or audio files such as ebooks but too small a screen for effective video. Plus there are no apps, what's up with that.

As for the ASD webinar, it was easy to see the potential for growth and success. Improvements in socialization, increased engagement, more independent learning and even reducing anxiety (like having the letters asd line up next to each other on the keyboard) are all exciting.
In the interest of brevity I will only discuss the apps which have not yet been considered (Pictello, really?).
Visual timer is neat becauce it can also run in the background while easing anxiety.
All Done is a nice checklist organizer.
Pocket Pond is soothing.
Autism Scheduler
Visules appears easy to use and lets you import your own photos.
PhotoMind is a well thought out visual scheduler with notification.
Rory's Story Cubes enhance creativity with unlimited stories.
iRewards builds word confidence through rewards.
Autism Classroom.com builds social skills, provides strategies and offers support.
Safety Signs & Words has 80 videos for everyday protection.
Communication Skills has 80 videos that reinforce communication.
Receptive Communication : By Class is a good assessment tool.
Which go Together Language
iLive Math Trains hooks up with you tube as a reward (cool).
Strip Designer has that comic strip feel which is an excellent hook for the students.
WordFoto let you import words on your own photos, similar to aTypo.

Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.
Pubilius Syrus

Apps for Communication Disorders

Saturday night fodder,

1. Proloquo2go - excellent alternative communication app ( nice that you can increase cell size, make new cells, change the settings and enable word prediction)
Case Study of Amelia who is non-varbal was a solid example of how Proloquo2go can be utlized.
2. Sounding Board takes a little work because the user must set (create) board.
3. Voca Beans has quick communication, afavourites screen and four languages.
4. iConverse
5. Alexicom AAC can be individulized to the learner but at $408 per year is cost prohibitive.
6. TalkAssist has no word prediction but a word bank.
7. iSign teaches American Sign Language (is that what we use in Canada as well).
8. ArticPix - articulation
9. PhonoPix - matching game with phonological process
10. ArticulateIt lets you choose your method of learning and has a broadened vocabulary.
11. TicTacTalk
12. Speech Tutor enables you to see inside the mouth when different sounds are made.
13. Which Go Together
14. Which Does Not Belong - both apps build vocabulary.
15. Clean Up encourages sorting skills.
16. iPractice Verbs has a bad duck voice but find it games.
17. Kiddie Questions is both verbal and print.
18. WH Questions is SLP designed with 300 questions.
19. Chronological Age Calculator is for the mathematically challenged.
20. Small Talk is support for apraxia with picture based messages and real video mouth movements.
21. Apraxia has the mouth movement close-ups.
22. Pictello...do you get royalities on this or what?
23. Reel Director allows for video editing'.
The last case study showed how Ryan, who is non-verbal, utlizes his camera app along with Proquo2go to become a more independent learner.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Aesop

apps for Reluctant Readers

Not my usual Friday night fodder but here goes.
Audio books have been around for a long time and are still relevant today. What I like is the fact that they are read by the authors or trained professionals. No matter what you say about the advancements in automated voices they are still that, automated voices. Many students (myself included) find them difficult to listen to. Although text is not included you can still encourage the student to follow along in their own book.
Study notes and CliffsNotes are cool short cuts but I prefer learning to take place in a more traditional, learning through discovery manner.
VBookz ability to slow speed, change font size and background is definately user friendly.
Casey's strong auditory learning skills are something I think we all see quite often because the student has had to overcome a deficiency in other areas. His ability to use Kurzweil already is advatageous so the next step with epub and stanza have made his learnig more portable and therefor more independent.
Image to Text  again becomes a portable mini-Kurzweil application.
eReader text to speech utlizes multiple languages but I would imagine no First Nations.
Animated books like Peddler Lady and Unwanted Guest were most impressive. I can see their ability to hold the readers attention and engage.
Nancy Drew, while not a big seller with my particular group had a new level of interaction where you can help decide which direction the book will take.
Lastly, Pocketphonics and Pictello are apps I already have so you are preaching to the choir.

Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow.
Oscar Wilde

apps in action for multiple disabilities

Just read the part where you should comment on the recorded sessions you view. So here goes (from memory). The vast majority of the applications which were reviewed were focused on less advanced students or those with delays beyond what I am familiar with. At first I did not see the relevence with my particular clientelle and was simply swept away with the possibilities and success stories. The student who could not complete his shopping with a list which was not exact could now instantly change that on the ipod. What a hugh difference for his family. Little things like magnification could help all learners (my 81 year old dad comes to mind). Speech to text and text to speech can be a game changer. I wasn't really sold on the underwater soothihg app but I don't yet work with anyone where the benefits would be obvious. One thing has become painfully obvious, the possibilities are endless.

A great student is what the teacher hopes to be.
Yoda
Star Wars the Clone Wars

appalosa

Another day, another half dozen apps. 

Reading A-Z news (subscription)
Starfall
Puzzle me
Playwords Lite
EZ-2 Crosswords
Magnifying Glass

Most of these apps are borrowed from the first webinar but as we all know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Already quite familiar with Starfall through my son but the others are now getting their workout.

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work.
Patricia Clifford

More apps

Not much to do with reading but some other free apps of interest -

CBC News
Free Flashlight
Free Guitar
Cars 2 Lite (for my boy, not me)

With both my courses in full swing and everything else this wonderful life has to offer, this seemed apropos -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEb3YknGUks&feature=player_detailpage#t=8s

educational apps for ipods

Spent some time and a little money shopping for reading related apps.

abc pocket phonics lite - $0.99
Comics +
Dragon Dictation
Evernote
iBooks
iWriteWordsLite
Learn to Read - Four Letter Words
Read It Later Free
Pictello - $14.99
Short Stories eReader
Stanza
Wattpad
Word Magic - $0.99
Wordpress
1st Grade Reader
3D Magic Words
aTypo Picture - $0.99(upgrade)
Comic Touch Lite
Doodle Kids
Learn to Read Body Language
Miss Spell's Class
Scrabble
Spell it Out
Storykit
Talking Roby Celik
Talking Tom Cat 2
Tiki'Notes 6

Total cost was under $20 (I wonder if there is an app for frugal). Although I am still testing (playing with) most of these apps there are a few that have stood out so far...

Comic Touch Lite is an excellent free program. It enables you to use your photos and insert captions to them. Interactive cool factor.

Doodle Kids was apparently developed by a nine year old and allows you to draw in doodle form whatever the small screen will allow. Have not yet figured out the classroom applications but once again - cool factor.

Miss Spell's Class is a nice app for more advanced readers (I have yet to get a perfect score).

3D Words is another game for advanced readers where you are timed to find wors from a list of letters.

Comics + has many free comics and graphic novels as well as a long list of ones you can purchase.

Talking Boby Celik allows you to write text which he will repeat in his robot voice or simply repeat what you say. Cool interaction.

aTypo Picture lets you put letters and words into your photos so they help make up the new picture.

Also the iAcadia app is useful to those unfamiliar with the campus (and even some of us who thought they were).

day 2

http://youtu.be/0EjB7rB3sWc - to watch Billy Collins (U.S. Poet Laureate)

The reading process was mapped out today by everyone in our Assistive Technology class. Two and 1/2 hours to explain what took five millennia to develop. We must be quick studies.

My afternoon was spent running through the hose in the backyard with my six year old son and selecting reading apps for my ipod(guess which was more fun). Hopefully I'll be able to download the apps tonight.

If only those who knew me best could see me now.

new to me

My opinion means nothing.
John Mellencamp

new to me

It's a brave new world...