Boardmaker Studio Trial

For those of you who are on Window's computers and are interested in trying out a free trial of Boardmaker Studio, you can head over to Mayer-Johnson.com and get one.  The free trial of Boardmaker Studio is available now for download.

Boardmaker Studio 30-Day free trial

Patrick

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Parenting Children with Special Needs

An interesting link came across the QIAT board the other day for a new magazine.  Parenting Children with Special Needs looks like a nice mix of articles about raising kids with special needs.  A year long subscription is quite reasonable -$10.00.  The premier issue includes information on special education services, finding a support group, and some personal stories.  It looks like an interesting read.

Parenting Children with Special Needs

Patrick


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Boardmaker Studio

Mayer-Johnson is releasing a new product, and I was lucky enough to get a tour of it. Boardmaker Studio, which will start shipping Sept. 7, is a set of software based off the Boardmaker Plus series, but at the same time completely different. As communicated to me by a representative from the company, it is completely separate from Boardmaker and is not intended to replace Boardmaker Plus or Speaking Dynamically Pro (SDP).

I love Boardmaker Plus, I use it constantly, but it does involve some understanding of programming to get the most out of it. Yes, you can download materials from Boardmaker Share (previously called Adapted Learning) and use them, but I like to make things my own. Boardmaker Studio gives you the tools to do that. You can use Boardmaker Studio to create both print and interactive content. It comes with over 100 on-screen templates, 400 print templates, and 100 gadgets that allow you to create activities in minutes. All of them completely customizable. By understanding a few simple steps, basically how to edit a box, you have the power to make rich content. I watched as a simple matching exercise was created in less than 2 min. and was ready to use.

It also allows you the ability to save content "on the cloud". No longer will you have to remember to transfer that file before a student can use it, the program is linked to Boardmaker Share and allows you to upload and use files from any internet connected computer. Boardmaker Plus & SDP v.6 files can be imported and converted to use with Boardmaker Studio.

I personally like the concept of Boardmaker Studio, it's very similar to the changes that Intellitools made to Classroom Suite from ver. 3 to ver. 4. Boardmaker is at the very limits of it's capability, it is based on coding that is over 10 years old. To make Boardmaker more versatile required a complete re-write of the code and that is where Boardmaker Studio comes from. I would love to have more hands on time to play with all the features.

At this time Boardmaker Studio is only available for Windows computers, the Mac program is in development, but there is no release date at this time. It comes with the full PCS library from Mayer-Johnson, just like Boardmaker. That being said, it is a $399 program, and in this time of budget shortfalls I'm guessing many districts will pass on purchasing at this time. I'm interested to see if Boardmaker Studio takes off, I think it's an exciting new offering from Mayer-Johnson! You can check out more information and a demo here: Boardmaker Studio.

Patrick


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#AppMonday - TapSpeak Button

The iPod Touch, iPhone & iPad have shown that they are great platforms for communication.  While they may not be right for all students (that's what we have SETT), they work for some.  Here's another great app for communication.  TapSpeak Button, developed by Conley Solutions, it was created to help his son with Cerebral Palsy communication.  The premise of TapSpeak Button is simple - it's a single-hit switch.  That's it, it can play a single message.  Now it comes with some nice features. It can remember multiple messages, in fact it remembers all that you have programmed (so no re-recording mid-session!). You can also change the color of the button.  It has a very simple interface:

Add a name and tap the button to record.  This program does require some kind of microphone to record.  So if you have an iPhone or iPad your set, iPod Touch users will need to purchase one before you can use the program.  There is a list of ones they recommend here - Microphones.  The app is $9.99 and well worth the money!  Recently they have released TapSpeak Sequences!  This app allows does exactly what it sounds like - it's a step-by-step switch!  It's a little more expensive at $29.99, but if is as good as TapSpeak button it's worth the money.

After speaking with Ted Conley he informed me of some of the upcoming features being added to both TapSpeak Button & TapSpeak Sequence.  Both apps are available on the iPad and work very well due to the larger form factor.  TapSpeak button will be gaining the picture/symbol library that is currently available on TapSpeak Sequence.  Also, TapSpeak Sequence will have the option to purchase the Dynavox PCS library through an in-app purchase, this will be available in a couple of weeks!  In my opinion that makes both of these apps even more useful.  

Ted has offered 3 FREE codes for TapSpeak Button!  Be one of the first 3 people to comment on this post and I'll send one to you!

Patrick

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2nd Anniversary

It just occurred to me, that while I was on hiatus I missed the 2nd Anniversary of Teaching All Students!  I actually have a hard time believing that I've been able to keep up with it, and that it's been so popular!  I'd like to take a moment to thank all of you who read on a regular basis, and pass along posts to your friends and colleagues.  In celebration of this anniversary I have a few things to announce.  First, you can find some new links at the top of the page, one is for AT Blog Carnivals - I've collected all of them in one location for you to peruse, and the other is if you wish to contact me about conducting a training at your school, or organization. Last, Teaching All Students now has a Facebook Fan Page! - Teaching All Students on Facebook, take a moment to click the link on the left side of the page and "like" it to follow updates on Facebook!

I've also decided to share a few of the most popular posts on Teaching All Students up to this point.  Take a look at them here!

Data Sheets
Ways to Use Flip Camera
SMARTBoards & Special Education
Using a Bigmac
Advice for working with Paraprofessionals

 I look forward to many more posts, be on the lookout for #AppMonday to return next week!  Thanks again for reading!!

Patrick

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Guest Post - The Importance of Awareness and Advocacy in Special Education

The Texas Tribune very recently reported on a trend in Texas public schools--special education students are twice as likely to be suspended from school as their general education student counterparts. The article gives a personal account of one young kindergartner afflicted with brain damage who had been sent home by the school district five different times in one school year.

A Texas Education Agency study found that expulsions were also inordinately higher for special education students as compared to the general student population. While special ed students make up ten percent of the overall student population in public schools in Texas, they account for twenty one percent of expulsions. In terms of suspensions, out of every 100 special education students, there were over 50 in-school suspensions and 25 out of school suspensions. With regular students the numbers were significantly less--only 33.2 in school suspensions and 12.1 out of school suspensions for every 100.

This imbalance in disciplinary action between special and non special education students demonstrates the difficulties of teaching students who are afflicted with disabilities. It also demonstrates a need for teachers who are prepared to handle these special circumstances.

However, not all is doom and gloom, as the TEA noted that these statistics have improved over the years. What's more, several Texas public schools have adopted what's called "positive behavior supports", which employs behavioral approaches that are couched in positive affirmation. One school district which had received a grant for using this net of behavioral approaches experienced an almost 60 percent drop in disciplinary referrals.

Both parents and teachers who are involved in special education in some way must continue to advocate for change. The importance of awareness and advocacy of special education was recently demonstrated in an intensive seminar held by Behavioral Outreach Services, which would teach parents all the intricacies of special education laws and practices. Seminars such as these could be the start of greater awareness and could further fuel continued improvements in special ed.

Special education is no easy task, and leveraging the power of the Internet in order to become informed about laws regarding special education students, as well as current proposed policies, are instrumental in achieving any sort of change in which the interests of the special ed child comes first.

WrightsLaw is one such Net resource that helps keep teacher and parent advocates up to date on laws and policies.

This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who writes on the topics of online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99@gmail.com.


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Free Fun Switch Accessible Games Online

I'm always looking for new sites to use with students who access the computer using a switch.  I recently came across a great .pdf that lists several sites for using a switch.  Take a look here:

CallScotland - Free Fun Switch Accessible Games Online

Patrick


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AT Blog Carnival - Advice

There is no shortage of advice from people when you have your first baby, and that's where the inspiration for this AT Blog Carnival came from.  Here is some great advice from other bloggers!

Pat (@loonyhiker) from Successful Teaching shares a great post on how she is learning to use a new cell phone, and turning that into a learning experience for her students:

New Cell Phones and Teaching

Kati of Kati's Blog shared a post on how to choose equipment:

Choosing the right equipment

Lisa Brandolo and Jeffrey Johnson of Grembe, Inc. (@grembe) shares some advice on creating iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android apps in the guest post:

Guest Post - So you have an idea for an app...

I decided to share some advice on how I work with my Instructional Assistants:

Advice for working with Paraprofessionals

Thanks to everyone for participating this month!  Stay tuned for the next AT Blog Carnival.

Patrick


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Advice for working with paraprofessionals

Whether you refer to them as paraprofessionals, instructional assistants, or just assistants, training and working with them on a regular basis can be one of the most difficult part of being a special education teacher.  I can't think of another profession where a person fresh out of college is expected to manage, train, and evaluate 1-5 adults (who are usually older than them) while teaching in a classroom.  I know the first few years of my career I really had to work on how I related to my instructional assistants.  So here's some of my thoughts on working with them.

1.  Treat them like a teacher - many instructional assistants in my area are certified teachers who are unable to find a teaching position, so treat them like they are a teacher.  Let them know that you appreciate their training, their ideas, and their experience and use it to your advantage.

2.  Treat them with respect - a special education classroom cannot be run by one person!  As a teacher I need help, I know this, they know this, treat them with respect.

3.  Give them responsibility - let them run groups, give them a specific activity to be in charge of, somehow let them know that you trust their judgement.  While you may need to oversee or evaluate what they are doing, by giving that responsibility you are inviting them to be a part of the classroom, part of a team.

4.  Back them up - managing behavior in the classroom can be a difficult task, sometimes we make mistakes.  I always support the decisions that my instructional assistants make in the moment, then we can go back later and process if there needs to be a different response.  Students need to see the instructional assistants as leaders too!  Yes, the response may not be what you would have done, but you can always work on it when the students are gone.

5.  Listen - instructional assistants have questions and ideas.  Usually they want to get better at their job and want help with that.  I feel it's my job as a teacher to listen and help them.  Many times they don't mind doing it the way you've laid out, but they want to understand the why so they can get better.  The flip side of that is that many times assistants have great ideas!  They may have a fresh perspective and it never hurts to have different ideas when dealing with students.

6.  Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty - what I mean is don't ask you assistants to do something you wouldn't do.  I can't expect my instructional assistants to change diapers, if I'm unwilling to do the same. I want them to understand that while my job is important, their is too, I'm more than willing to do what they do.

This is my advice, what other suggestions would you give to someone just starting to work with instructional assistants?


Patrick

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Guest Post - So you have an idea for an app...

Today's post is guest post from the creator/developer of the iPhone app - iCommunicate (see my review here - #AppMondayTAS - iCommunicate).

- Patrick

So you have an idea for an iPhone app. But now how do you take this idea and get it developed and distributed to the people who you know need it?

Remember the idea is the most important part. You were inspired by something you saw around you at work everyday, or something that touched you personally, or you have the next big idea waiting to explode onto the market.

You really have two options if you want to get your app published.

One, go it alone, download the necessary SDK(Software Development Kit) for $99.00 for an individual and learn how to register with Apple. Setup your development environment. Play with samples and emulators in your free time. Then start developing your app and use Google search as your guide when you get stuck. This is a very difficult way to get it done, and it will probably take more than 6 months and you may be frustrated weekly. It took me two months to get up to speed on developing for the iPhone and I have a computer science degree and 12 years experience. If you want to get some developing skills you can take an Objective-C programming class or an intro to iPhone development class.

Or two, hire someone like me who has done all this before many times. Someone who knows how to register you properly, what questions to ask before the app even starts to get developed, what information and images you will need before you can even submit the finished app, give you a beta version of what you envisioned, so you can make late tweaks to the app, and who knows the ins and outs of submitting apps and getting them approved. A developer you hire should also know how to do updates and improvements quickly and efficiently. Depending on the app you can get a finished product in as little as a month for a somewhat simple app, to many months for more complex apps.

The key to getting any software done is to have requirements written down before you even meet or contact a developer. A basic idea of how you want the screens in your app to flow and look. You can even sketch out what the screens would look like. If the app is going to have lots of graphics or images, having these done beforehand can speed things up, as otherwise a developer needs to hire a graphic designer too, and wait for that work to be compete before the app can be finished. The more prepared and well thought out your idea is, the better chance a developer will take on your project. Remember you may need to sell your idea to the developer.

Good luck with your ideas and always feel free to contact us with any questions you have about the app development process.

Here are some links that offer more info:

• Apple - Developer Info
• How to Create Your First iPhone Application
• How to Hire a Great Developer

Lisa Brandolo Johnson, a physical therapist, and Jeffrey Johnson, a software engineer, are a married team with three children, who combined their skills along with their personal experience to found Grembe Apps. Grembe's mission is to create quality, versatile, affordable apps for parents and professionals who care for children with special needs. The use of the iPhone, iPod, and iPad has been a revolutionary new platform for assistive technology, and we look forward to expanding on what we've built and moving into other technologies and devices.

We are starting Grembe Apps Consulting, building apps that make a difference. Please email us if you have a project or idea that you want to bring to the iPhone, iPad, or Android OS. We know the excitement of turning an idea into reality and seeing how it grows. Let us bring your app to life.

Jeffrey Johnson, Developer Grembe Apps Inc.
http://grembe.com
grembe@comcast.net




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AT Blog Carnival - Advice

There's still time to submit your posts for the AT Blog Carnival - Advice!  Please send me your links via Twitter - @teachntech00 or this Google Form - Blog Carnival Submission Form.  I plan on posting the AT Blog Carnival on Friday, August 6.

Happy Blogging!!
Patrick

Picture courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons:  fofurasfelinas

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