TechMatrix

Last post I discussed a great educational application for you to save as a resource for the future. This post will focus on another great resource the TechMatrix. I used TechMatrix this morning to generate and explore different resources available to teach math to students with special needs. It is truly an amazing website and you should visit it as soon as you get the chance. 

http://techmatrix.org/

TechMatrix is a very useful resource for teachers and parents who are looking for an AT device to support their child. TechMatrix allows you to narrow your search for the perfect AT device by content area, grade level, disability category, and instructional support. Once you enter all of your information and specific criteria, TechMatrix will provide you with a list of products. It also allows you to select the products you are interested in and compare them on a chart. 

When I was on the TechMatrix website I chose to search for products for a math, elementary student, who has a specific learning disabilities and is looking for opportunities to learn concepts for learning support. After putting all of this information into the advanced search, TechMatrix generated 17 products for me! However, after using the compare option, the TechMatrix narrowed the products down to the 4 best based on my criteria. I want to share a brief overview of them with you! 

• Cosmo's Learning Systems
• Family of educational and computer games that aim to entertain children ages 2-8 years and teach math skills. Children empower a virtual robot to explore new adventures in a playground filled with activities. 
• Academy of Math
• Designed to help at risk students develop proficiency in math through skill development and learner motivation. Gives students opportunities to learn concepts, practice, and reinforce them. 
• Provides strategies to help school meet AYP goals & aligns with standards!
• $500+
• Classroom Suite 4
• Combines direct instruction with a flexible tool environment to help students in grades PK-5 achieve mastery in reading, writing, and math.
• Provides students with explicit instruction, constructive practice, and embedded assessments to allow teachers to gauge progress and individualize instruction for their students.
• Incorporates text to speech, word prediction, scanning capabilities, and spell check.
• $100-$499, free trial to download online with minimal features!
• Classworks
• Web-based instructional software providing interactive lessons, customized learning and assessments in K-12 math, reading, language arts, and science.
• Offers interactive instruction through a multi-sensory approach that includes voice, pop-up text, audio support, video, photographs, artist drawing, and animated clips.
• Multilingual & based on state standards.
• Free trail download online. 

I really enjoyed using the TechMatrix. It is a great website and I highly recommend it to help any IEP team, teacher, or parent who is looking for an AT device to support a specific students needs.