Assistive Technology

Software to support all learners

Why use Assistive Technology?• The needs of our students vary, so should the

methods teachers use to reach students

• Teachers program meaningful lessons

• Students become engaged, active producers

• Students are motivated learners that can communicate understanding and achieve independence

SOFTWARE RESOURCESThere are many software programs available in our school, online as web-based tools, or as ready to use

apps for iPads and iPhones.

Today, we will examine two programs that are easy to use and available for all students:

• Kurzweil (text-to-speech, concept maps)• Pixie 3 (digital storytelling)

• We will also examine Insight 360 (CPS-Classroom Performance System) (instruction assessment)

INTRODUCING KURZWEIL

Watch the following YouTube video to learn how Kurzweil is an effective tool for all

students in the classroom

• Kurzweil: For all students

KURZWEIL

• Is a text-to-speech program that can be used daily in a variety of subjects• Special needs students can work at the same

pace as other students• Can read .pdf files, novels, or other scanned

documents with text-to-voice options • Can add bookmarks to text and has word

prediction list options

KURZWEIL

• Can extract important information by highlighting important text and creating sticky notes

• Students organizers can create concept maps or list view

• Plays audio files• Has hyperlink capabilities to link to videos,

webpages and other files

TRY IT OUT!

• On your laptop, open the Kurzweil program on your desktop. Click Open to locate the .pdf file previously inserted, named TRYITOUT.pdf.

• Select a paragraph of the text. Then click the text-to-voice feature on the toolbar. Experiment with different voices to read to you.

• Next, highlight important words or phrases. You can then extract those highlights to organize them in a new page. (Files, Extract Notes/highlights, OK)

Take some time to explore Kurzweil and what it can do for your students in the classroom.

Kurzweil Assessment and Resources

Kurzweil can be used daily in the classroom

Students with needs can work to complete the same work as their peers independently

The following website contains a thorough list of textbooks, novels and other documents that are ready to use for Kurzweil. A user account is required. https://aero.psbnet.ca/aero/AeroLogin.aspx

HIAT Tech Guides - Kurzweilhttp://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/tech_quick_guides/Krz_QG.shtm

INTRODUCING PIXIE 3

Here is a short video that demonstrates the capabilities of Pixie 3 in the classroom

• Pixie 3 Video

• Combining artwork with text and voice

• Ideal for students K-3

PIXIE 3• Pixie 3 combines a paint program with text

options, clip art, voice recording, and curriculum activities

• Pixie 3 is bilingual and can be used across the curriculum in subjects such as Language Arts, Visual Arts, French, and Special Education

• Pixie 3 is ready for touch screens and interactive whiteboards

PIXIE 3 IN THE CLASSROOM• Pixie helps students develop podcasts, online

storybooks, videos, and Flash animations

• Students can share work with school and home as they create videos, PDF files, and Flash files

• Great tool to use for student collaboration as students can work on the same project simultaneously

TRY IT OUT!

• Working in small groups, open Pixie 3 located on your desktop and start a new file in Pixie 3, name it after your group name, e.g., Group 1 Select a popular nursery rhyme as a group. Group members will:

• Select a piece of the rhyme and create a page for it. • Add a piece of clip art from the gallery on the page. • Type a nursery rhyme sentence and place it onto a

background of your choice

• Share your pages with one another. With your group, brainstorm some practical uses of this

software in the classroom

Pixie 3 Assessment and Resources

• Pixie 3 assessment is easy as the students can submit their multimedia projects via class website, email or hard copy

• Collaborative projects are easy to assess as each student works on their own pages or projects individually

• For more information, visit www.tech4learning.com• Tutorials and other information can be found at:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/tech_quick_guides/pixie_QG.shtm

INSIGHT 360 - CPSClassroom Performance System

You may have heard about clickers in the classroom. Insight 360 and Mobis are new

names associated with CPS clickers

Watch this brief video on Insight 360.

Insight 360

INSIGHT 360 - CPSClassroom Performance System

Clickers and mobis are available through most School Boards’ media centres

CPS is a personal response system used for review, games, and assessment

Every student can answer questions (oral or written) using a remote

Students receive instant feedback on their answers (there is no embarrassment for wrong answers)

INSIGHT 360 - CPS

• You can import information from Word, PowerPoint and other documents

• Getting Started: You can create your classes, enter your students, and select your lessons (Prepare tab)

• Assessment: (Report tab), double click on the activity you completed, select Instructor Summary and click Preview

TRY IT OUT!

• Using the clickers available, answer the following multiple choice question appearing on the whiteboard

• Which superhero do you relate to the most?

• You are assigned a number without anyone knowing your identity (for all you closet superheros - your secret and identity is safe…)

• The group response can now be shown under Report

Assessment and Resources and

To learn more about Insight 360 and Mobi/Clicker use you can watch the following video on You Tube:Mobi and CPS Pulse in the Classroom on YouTube

Real time assessment opportunities

Many different reports can be created and printed to show results

Tests can be printed for absent students or those needing study notes

CPS drives lesson planning as it show the teacher which material needs further review

Software and further information is available at: www.einstruction.com

Now that you are more familiar with these programs, try to incorporate them into your daily lessons!

Your students will thank you!