what is at final 021012 a

1. WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

(AT)?

2. WHAT AT DOES KTS HAVE?

Kathleen Gould, Nate Hirsch, Joyce Mange, David Peal, Cate MacGillivray

AT Is Alive and Well at KTS!

Presented by the

High School AT

Committee

Part 1

What is AT?

2/10/2012What is AT? What AT does KTS have?

What is AT?


It is a tool

2/10/2012

What is AT? What AT does KTS have?

It must be a thing, or device, to help a person reach a goal.

It can be HIGH tech

OR LOW TECH

Onion Mountain is a great source of low-tech (onionmountaintech.com)


http://onionmountaintech.com/

What AT is NOT


Only high tech equipment or software

Difficult to use

For the tech savvy only

Expensive

Only for students with low-frequency or

communication difficulties (e.g., Dynavox)

Content-based instructional software

(e.g., Oregon Trail) used in one subject only

What the law says: AT Device


AT Device

…any item, piece of equipment, or product

system, whether acquired

commercially, modified, or customized, that is used

to increase, maintain, or improve functional

capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29

U.S.C. Sec 2202(2))

Assistive Technology Act of 1998, reauthorized in

2004

http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PolicyAdvocacy/CECPolicyResources/CEC_AT_Update.pdf

http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PolicyAdvocacy/CECPolicyResources/CEC_AT_Update.pdf

What the law says: AT Service


AT Service is

…any service that directly serves an individual with

a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of

an assistive technology device.

Assistive Technology Act of 1998, 2004 (that is

applies to all ages, all domains , such as in

education, employment, etc.)

What the law says: AT

Consideration


AT must be considered in the IEP:“Consideration of Special Factors: The IEP Team

shall… (v) consider whether the child requires

assistive technology devices and services.”

The purpose of AT devices and services is to

“maximize accessibility to learning for children with

disabilities.”

IDEA 2004

What the literature says


Focus is on features that support learning; not a product as a whole (Puckett)

It is not a specific product (e.g., iPad or PC), but rather features that support functional needs (speech-to-text apps for the iPad or word prediction for the PC)

Must address functional needs across subjects

Goal of “cognitive rescaling” (Edyburn) Not modifying the content Adjusting features of content to make it more accessible

Benefits of these approaches Focus on goals Focus on tools for reaching goals

AT and

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)


11

• UDL is designed with goal of “universal” access• It is based on

Vygotsky’sthree systems that must be active for learning to occur

The main attractions of UDL


12

Attends to individual needs in a fashion that

does not draw attention to any one individual.

Developing materials that attend to … students

with special needs “increases usability for every” (Meyer & Rose, 2000).

Main attractions of UDL


13

UDL capitalizes on new technologies and

electronic resources.

This approach is proactive rather than reactive

– it avoids “retrofitted changes and

accommodations to classroom instruction” (Scittm

NcGyudrem & Shawm 2003)

Teaching methods that support

UDL


14

To support diverse

recognition networks:

Provide multiple

examples

Highlight critical features

Provide multiple media

and formats

Support background

context


UDL


15

To support diverse strategic

networks:

Provide flexible models of skilled

performance

Provide opportunities to practice

with supports

Provide ongoing, relevant

feedback

Offer flexible opportunities for

demonstrating skills


UDL


16

To support affective networks:

Offer choices of content and tools

Offer adjustable levels of challenge

Offer choices of rewards

Offer choices of learning context

Applying AT to UDL


17

As you learn what AT is available at

KTS, where can you use these to support UDL

in the classroom?

Part 2

What AT DOES KTS HAVE?


Why focus on categories of AT and not

individual products?


Categories based on functional need

Provides choice within categories

Some products fall in several categories

If we don’t have it…doesn’t mean it’s a cost

Many tools are now free or inexpensive

Open source (free, installed software such as

Blio, Ray Kurzweil’s e-book reader)

Web-based applications (Web 2.0)

Apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android

What are the major AT

categories?


1. Word processing

2. Text to speech

3. Speech to text

4. Word prediction

5. Math accommodations

6. Multimedia software

7. Concept mapping

8. Accessibility features in Windows 7

9. Tools for accessing the computer

How are the categories

changing?


1. Assistive features are becoming mainstream universal design thinking: Curb cuts for wheelchairs help

everyone

examples: Search tools increasingly accept voice input and have word

prediction, which help everyone Word has an increasing number of accessibility features

2. Web-based tools and mobile apps have benefits: less expensive

easier to acquire and use, reducing demands on IT

available at home

inviting, and thus reduce the “cosmetic” obstacles of installed software such as Kurzweil

1a. Word processing

What it does…

Spell check

Type size

Readability levels

Summarizes

Combines sound and pictures to enhance meaning

Outlining

Provides word choice and grammatical suggestions

Needs that it meetsStudents who need help with any aspect of writing process brainstorming

outlining

spelling

mechanics

editing

executive functioning:

keeping track of work (can’t lose it as easily!)

self-monitoring (grammar/spell check)


1b. Word processing at KTS


Microsoft Word 2010

May not appear on desktop

Available through Start Menu

Can be used with other programs such as Co:Writer, Inspiration, Word, and Kurzweil

AT features in Word

Readability level (Office button in upper left Word Options Proofing, check Readability Statistics; level appears when you run spellcheck)

Spell checker (Review ribbon)

Autosummarize (in Word 2007 but not Word 2010)

Enlarge text for easier access

Can be used with Kurzweil Taskbar to hear text read aloud

Speak command for limited text-to-speech support

Kurzweil’s writing tools

Franklin Language Master (support writing and reading)

Very fancy dictionaries that speak typed words, speak definitions, show syllables, help with homophones, etc.

2a. Text to speech

What it does Reads text aloud

Shows syllables

Definitions

Highlights words as they’re

read to promote tracking

Supports highlighting of key

ideas, details, vocabulary

Allows teacher or student to

insert post-it type

notes, footnotes, etc.

Reads student writing

Needs that it meets Decoding

Fluency

Vocabulary

Comprehension

Auditory feedback while

writing

…for students with

difficulty recognizing

errors in own

writing…and reluctance to

edit


2b Text to Speech at KTS


Kurzweil 3000 Available on desktop

Includes Text to Speech

Word Prediction

All the features of a word processor, from brainstorming to drafting; allows students to listen for errors in their writing

Write Outloud (Solo)

Bookshare Free Dept. of Education program

Free for students with certified “print disability”

All high school students at KTHS are enrolled

100,000+ books (in print)

Use with (free Bookshare version) Read:Outloud software

There’s now an iPad/iPod app ($20) that reads Booksharebooks

3a. Speech to text

What it does

• Changes spoken words into type

• Should provide for spoken editing of typed words

• Fosters vocal awareness and control of volume, pacing, clarity

Needs that it meets

• Alternative to or augmentation of handwriting

• Reduces motor effort

• Not necessarily faster than writing!


3b. Speech to Text at KTS


Windows 7

No longer available in individual Office programs (Word, etc.); now a part of Windows 7

Now: much improved and available at Start Menu Control Panel Speech Recognition

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Standard product for post-graduation purposes

Requires training, but getting much easier to train

Includes set of “meta” commands for editing

Can be used with productivity software that requires written input, such as Word and e-mail

Considerations when using

Windows Voice Recognition and

Dragon


Requires training

Has set of commands for editing

Are used with documents such as Word and

email.

Can be a challenge for students with low

frustration tolerance

Success will be contingent on vocal

quality, ability to pace verbal

utterances, attention

4a. Word prediction

What it does

• Presents list of words that begin with the letters typed

• Speaks words on list aloud

• Automatically transfers completed sentence to chosen document

• Learns student’s vocabulary

Needs it meets

• Phonetic spellers

• Writing speed

• Legibility

• Reduces motor effort


4b. Word prediction at KTS

Co:Writer

Use with Word

Sensitive to phonetic spellings

Available on desktop

Kurzweil when used as a writing support

Can work with Kurzweil’s “word lists” to display homophones, confusables, and customizable vocabulary lists

Word prediction is beginning to appear up in other tools, such as Google Chrome (browser); type a few letters and Google “Instant” predicts the rest of the term (reducing time and increasing accuracy) 2/10/2012What is AT? What AT does KTS have?

5a. Math accommodations

What it does

Perform calculations

Helps visualize

concepts of number

and operation

Makes math more

concrete

Needs it meets

Students with poor

number

sense, difficulty

remembering steps

of

procedures, remem

bering math

facts, anchoring the

abstract qualities of

math 2/10/2012What is AT? What AT does KTS have?

5b. Math accommodations at

KTS

Manipulatives such as “Hands On” and

“Touch Math” materials

Calculators, including some with large

numbers

Kurzweil for reading

worksheets, textbooks, word problems

IXL math

Math elevator (Kathy H.)

Hundreds board (Ginny)


6a. Multimedia Software

What it does

Represents more complex content than concept maps, in less compact format

Interactive features

Combines images and text to support concepts, relationships, etc.

Needs it meets

Difficulty understanding

concepts

connections

sequences

Difficulty understanding big picture


6b. Multimedia Software at KTS


For younger students Intellitools Suite (can be used with IntelliKeys keyboard)

Boardmaker These are individually installed programs; check with IT.

For older students PowerPoint Strong sequence - can be overly linear

Combines text and images

Can insert audio, video, and Flash

CAN break down content in manageable chunks

Lots of activity in Web 2.0 – engaging, mostly free presentation and multimedia services, including those that support digital stories

6c. Multimedia Software at KTS


35

Intellitools

Boardmaker

PowerPoint

7a. Concept mapping

What it does Makes ideas & their sequence

and relationships more visual

Supports recall

Scaffolds writing: toggle between concept map and

outline

transfer from outline to word processor

Helps generate questions (“what does x have to do with y?”)

Can be used as advance organizer for new topics and units

Needs it meets Students with difficulty

visualizing

grasping concepts

remembering

organizing material for writing

knowing how topics relate


7b. Concept mapping at KTS

Inspiration

Used to represent and label concepts

Insert images to represent concepts

Used to represent concepts & their

sequence

connections

properties

Kidspiration

More visual

“Text to speech” features

Kid features like Super Grouper and Symbol Maker

Brainstorming within Kurzweil

As part of writing process (using Write menu).

QuickTakes are like Inspiration’s Rapid Fire: concept maps are used to generate outlines that can be basis of writing


7c. Representing a complex process with

Inspiration


8a. Accessibility Features in Windows

7

What these features do (partial list) Focus on accessing computer more than learning

support

Focus on accessing computer more than providing learning support

Optimizes screen size, contrast

Speaks text aloud for people with low vision

Changes size and color of mouse pointer

Slows down mouse

Provides alternatives to mouse

onscreen keyboard

voice-activated use of computer

Changes simultaneous key presses (such as CTRL+P) into sequential key presses (first CTRL, then P)

Provides auditory feedback to indicate that CAPS LOCK is pressed

Needs that it meets


8b. Windows 7 at KTS


Where are they?

Start Menu Control Panel Ease of Access Center

Needs met

Computer access for those with physical disabilities

Onscreen keyboard for students who have difficulty going back and forth between screen and a book or piece of paper used while writing

Students who need enlarged text

Windows Narrator for people who are blind or have low sight

9a. Tools for Accessing

Computers

What these tools

do

Provide alternate

means of

accessing

computer if

keyboard or mouse

cannot be used for

any reason


9b. Accessibility tools at KTS


Portable keyboards Writer

Neo

Alphasmart

Trackballs minimizes wrist movement

avoids friction problems with regular mouse (not moving

Intellikeys designed for use with

Intellitools, Intellipics

ability to create and print out customized keyboard “overlays” (Overlay Maker)

Resources


Local AT LAST (non-profit that

offers AT training and

cooperative purchasing)

MATN presentations

(Hopkins)

AT Tips

(Twitter, blog, podcasts) –

Chris Bugajj, Loudon County

HIAT (High Incidence

Assistive

Technology), MCPS

MSDE Wheel

KTHS Tech Blog

VA T/TAC presentations

GeneralAT Blogs: Kurzweil, assistivetech.ning.com

Publications: Journal of Special Education

Technology (CEC’s AT Special Interest

Group); Closing the Gap

Organizations: CEC, ISTE, QIAT

CEC’s AT Consideration Wheel

Annual conferences: ATIA, ISTE, Closing

the Gap

Books

• Chris Bugajj and Sally Norton-

Darr, Practical and fun guide to

assistive technology in public schools

(ISTE, 2011)

• Joan Green, The Ultimate Guide to

Assistive Technology in Special Education:

Resources for Education, Intervention, and

Rehabilitation (Prufrock, 2011)

http://attipscast.com/

http://www.matcoop.org/

http://www.matnonline.com/



http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/



http://udlwheel.mdonlinegrants.org/

http://kthstech.edublogs.org/

http://ttaconline.org/

http://cambiumtechnology.wordpress.com/author/cambiumtechnology/

assistivetech.ning.com

http://natri.uky.edu/assoc_projects/qiat/

http://www.cec.sped.org/ScriptContent/Orders/ProductDetail.cfm?section=CEC_Store&pc=P5550

Where to find software


The following software products are available on every desktop. Some have restrictions on the number of copies that can be opened at the same time.

Clicker

Co:Writer

Inspiration

Kidspiration

Kurzweil

UltraKeys

Write Outloud (called Solo)

The following products are maintained by the IT department. Use a Tech Request to have the software installed.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Boardmaker

Intellitools

Overlay Maker

IT also maintains the following portable keyboards and devices. To check one out, see the IT department.

Neo (supersedes the AlpaSmart)

Writer

AlphaSmart

Franklin Language Master

Low-tech objects, Intellikeys, and trackballs are available through the OT department.