Multisensory educational software is a software that engages two or more of the senses of the students. Following best practice for teaching, our lessons should always include more than one sense in order for the student to be more engaged. This software is great for students who have ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, and of course visual learners. One example of a common multisensory educational software used in the classroom is touchmath. This is something that one of my professors introduced to me during undergrad and I thought it was great!
Below is a video of a teacher using touchmath in the classroom to teach subtraction. This multisensory educational software helps different types of learners be successful at math.
Books on CD, also known as audiobooks, are simply a recording of a text being read. Audiobooks are great for students with any type of reading disability or anyone that struggles with reading. Books on CD could also be used for students who have behavior disorders and need help staying on track. I have only seen audiobooks used in the younger grades for emerging readers to help them, however, I'm sure they would be beneficial for anyone. There are so many different brands of audiobooks used in todays schools. Some popular brands are..
Audible.com
Bookshare
Kurzweil 3000 Literacy and Reading Programs
Recorded Books on PlayAway
Below is a videoclip about audible.com. The video explains exactly how to download an audiobook from the website and put it on your ipod or iphone.
Scan and read software allows the students to scan material or notes and then it will verbally read what was scanned. This tool will work best with students who have difficulty with reading, comprehension, or dyslexia. Some common brands that are found in schools are...
Reading pens
Note-taking pens
Infoscan.
Below is a video on the reading pen by wizcom. My favorite thing about this tool is that it is as small as a highlighter so it wouldn't make the student stand out and feel different because of their disability. Scan and read software provides these struggling students with confidence in the regular education classroom.
Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software can be used in and out of the classroom for those with disabilities and those without. It works by allowing the students to speak into a microphone and the words are imposed on the screen using the provided software. The most common brand used in schools is Dragon software. My dad has the Dragon app on his phone so I was playing around with it this weekend after learning about the software. This software would be best for students that have physical and learning disabilities.
Check out the video tutorial below about Dragon software. It seems like after a few quick settings and answering some easy questions you can quickly get started using the software.
This post will focus on talking word processor softwares. Much like word prediction software, these programs introduce students to writing. Talking word processing software programs provide speech feedback as text is being typed. The student may choose to hear each letter, word, sentence, or paragraph as it is typed. This feedback assists students in identifying and correcting their errors in grammar or spelling. Most softwares also allow students to open text files to enable students with reading difficulties to read their assignments. Any text entered into the application can be read aloud. I also liked that these softwares offer additional adjustments such as size of text, change of color, highlighting text, etc. to assist students in tracking their text. This software would be great for a student with a verbal disability. It would also help those that are poor writers and readers who have visual impairments.
Some common talking word processor softwares are...
Classroom Suite (IntelliTools)
Write:OutLoud
Talking Word Processor (Premier Assisive Technology)
The video below is a short tutorial on talking word processors. It summarizes how they can be used to assist those with disabilities. After watching the video, this is something that I could also see in the regular education classroom to assist struggling readers or emerging readers.
I am going to be switching things up a little bit from my last few posts and sharing information that I learned from research I have been doing for my course. I have been working hard researching common types of assistive technologies used in the classrooms. I am going to start off talking about word prediction software.
Word prediction software can help a user during word processing by "predicting" a word the user intends to type. Predictions are based on spelling, syntax, and recent use. This prompts kids who struggle with writing to use proper spelling, grammar, and word choices, with fewer keystrokes. This software can help students who have physical handicaps, but also students in the classroom who have other delays. For example, those with illegible handwriting, struggling with spelling and grammar, and trouble translating ideas and thoughts into writing would definitely benefit.
Some common word prediction softwares are...
Aurora Suite
Co:Writer SOLO
SpeakQ
WordQ
EZ Keys for Windows, Words+Inc
Below is a tutorial on Co:Writer. This video better describes how word prediction softwares work and just how beneficial they can be for writing.
This post will be my last post on the assistive technology internet modules. This module specifically focused on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). This is something that I did not know much about prior to completing the module. This is evident in my pre-assessment score of 5/7.
Simply put, automatic speech recognition is inexpensive or free with some operating systems and well worth a try. When appropriately implemented, ASR software can be beneficial to many with both physical and learning disabilities. ASR software can allow for complete navigation control of a computer including both mouse and keyboard functions. ASR is also a productivity tool for others who wish to increase their typing speed and accuracy. ASR with dictation can offer typing speeds of about 120 words per minute.
The youtube video below is a commercial for Dragon Software. It shows the endless possibilities on the computer simply by using your voice. Imagine the opportunities it would provide for students with disabilities. However, like all assistive technologies, proper training is crucial. A solid training foundation is the key to ongoing success with automatic speech recognition.
Word prediction software can help a user during word processing by "predicting" a word the user intends to type. Predictions are based on spelling, syntax, and recent use. This prompts kids who struggle with writing to use proper spelling, grammar, and word choices, with fewer keystrokes. This software can help students who have physical handicaps, but also students in the classroom who have other delays. For example, those with illegible handwriting, struggling with spelling and grammar, and trouble translating ideas and thoughts into writing would definitely benefit.
