Assisted Literacy Software

Assisted literacy software is used to help students develop their literacy skills.  This program is beneficial for students who are dyslexic or any students who have fallen behind a grade level or more.  An example of this software is CALS, Computer Assisted Literacy Solution.  This program teaches students letter sounds and has them practice until they are fluent, leading to faster reading speeds.

Below is a video link all about CALS and students who have used this program.  They all have had positive influences from CALS and improved all their skills.

CALS!

References:

http://www.rotary2000.org/PDG/08TRI/Workshop/rg07_literacy_cals_factsheet_en.pdf

Portable Word Processors

Portable word processors, also know as portable keyboards, are a lightweight devices that are used for writing and acts as an alternative for a laptop.  They are easy to transport from place to place and can be categorized by screen size.  Text can be downloaded from a computer to the portable word processor.  Text from the portable word processor can also be uploaded to any computer or sent directly to a printer.  These processors also include spell check to assist students.

Portable word processors are beneficial for students with poor handwriting or students that have difficulties writing using paper and pencil.

References:

http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/WS-Portable-Word-Processors.aspx

Adapted Keyboards

Adapted keyboards can be used for students with many different disabilities since there are a wide variety of keyboards that are out there.  These keyboards make it easier for children with vision or physical disabilities to use a computer.  AbleNet produces mini keyboards for one hand typing and oversized keyboards for students with vision disabilities.  Both of these keyboards are designed where the high frequency letters are placed in the center of the keyboard. 

With the use of technology growing in today’s classrooms, these keyboards can be beneficial.  Now, not only can general education students use the computer but students with vision impairments and physical disabilities can be included.

References:

http://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Computer-Access/Adapted-Keyboards

http://www.especialneeds.com/computer-aids-keyboards.html

Multisensory Educational Software

Multisensory learning is when students process new information by seeing, hearing, and doing all at the same time.  Multisensory educational software is software that includes all of these aspects.  This software can be beneficial for dyslexic students but all students can benefit with this type of software.

There are so many different types of multisensory educational software LexiaReading, TouchMath, and Earobics.  TouchMath is a multisensory program that uses a program called TouchPoints to engage all students no matter the ability or learning style.

References:

https://www.touchmath.com

http://www.ritutorial.org/about-rites/multisensory-learning/

Scan and Read Software

Scanning and reading software involves a process that converts an image of text, a paper document, and converts it to an editable text on the computer also known as optical character recognition (OCR).  “Individuals who have print disabilities such as those who have difficulty reading paper based information due to dyslexia, visual impairment, learning difficulties or those whose physical impairments prevent them from handling and reading the printed word can benefit from having material scanned into the computer” (SNOW, 2013).

Follow Ernie as he talks about OpenBook, a scanning and reading software.

References:

http://www.snow.idrc.ocad.ca/content/scanning-and-reading-software

Talking Word Processor Software

Talking word processor software is designed to provide speech feedback to text that is being typed.  Students using this software can hear any letter, word, sentence, or paragraph that is typed.  This multi-sensory feedback helps students with correcting their grammar and spelling errors.  This program also allows for alternations such as changing text size, color of the background, and highlighting the text when it is read to help the student follow along when read aloud.

There are three word processing programs that are frequently used in schools are Classroom Suite by IntelliTools, Write OutLoud by Don Johnston, and Talking Word Processor by Premier Assistive Technology.

The link below provides a video tutorial on how to use talking word processor software.  Enjoy!

http://www.readingmadeez.com/training/VideoPlayer.php?V=28&G=2

References:

http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/WS-Talking-Word-Processing-Software.aspx

Word Prediction Software

Since communication is now the main focus, the next blogs will be focused on AT that can be used for all types of students.

Word prediction software is used to assist students who have difficulty with writing, spelling, grammar, or students with motor and communication impairments.  This program predicts a word the student may want to use in their sentence when the first letter or letters are typed.  Once the first letter is typed, a list of words appear on a prediction list.  If the desired word is on the list, the student then picks the word by visually identifying the word or by moving the cursor over each word to listen to it.  Over time, the program gets to know the student and will predict words they use more commonly.

This video is a tutorial on ClaroRead Word Prediction for Macs.

References:

http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/WS-Word-Prediction-Software.aspx