SpeechTechie - GlogsterEDU week

Sean Sweeney, over at SpeechTechie, has a great series this week on GlogsterEDU.  If you have ever thought about trying out this web2.0 tool (which, if you don't know, is basically a electronic poster), this is the time to do it.  Sean will be posting screencasts of how to sign up for Glogster, use Glogster, and get the most out of it for your students!  Make sure to check back each day to see more info, or just add it to your RSS reader!  I know I'll be checking them out!


Patrick

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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

• The #spedchat Project - home

  tags: spedchat project special education #spedchat education wiki web2.0 free tools

• Verbally for iPad on the iTunes App Store

  tags: voice ipad verbally assistive technology education apps AAC

• Voice Brief

  tags: voice brief AT assistive technology education AAC apps ios nointernet

• Wikijunior - Wikibooks, open books for an open world

  tags: wiki books education reference kids wikis wikipedia ebooks

• Verbally for iPad on the iTunes App Store

  tags: ipad verbally TTS core words words iOS phrases education communication aac

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

EdCeptional

I've been having a great week, it's Spring Break and I've gotten time to see family and do some projects around the house!  One new project I'm excited to be part of is EdCeptional.  EdCeptional is a new podcast from the EdReach.us Network.  EdReach has a goal and vision of bringing together different voices to further education, you can read more about it here - About EdReach.us.  EdCeptional is a podcast focused on access to learning for exceptional students of all abilities.  We'll be highlighting how technology can be used to help all students access learning.  Our first episode is posted at the EdReach.us website, and you can subscribe to all the EdReach podcasts through iTunes - EdReach Network.  I had a blast with the first episode and can't wait to do more.  Please take a few minutes and check it out!

Patrick

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#AppMondayTAS - MeMoves

I've written about MeMoves before - MeMoves and MeMoves Revisited - so you know I'm a fan of the product.  I knew they had an iOS app, but I haven't had the opportunity to check it out until recently.

MeMoves for iOS is designed for a single user at a time to help calm and focus them.  It includes the same music as the DVD and allows them to interact with similar motions in a more controlled way.  MeMoves lets you pick from Joy, Calm and Focus (just like the DVD), but then lets you choose one motion to complete.  As you do the motion if you are rewarded with fish and bubbles if you are following closely.  It does provide audio prompts as well as visual prompts.

It has several settings you can adjust to personalize your experience.  You can set the sensitivity to low, medium or high, change the speed from relaxed to normal and set it to just watch, use 1 finger or 2 fingers.  This app is great for children needing a quick focus before a lesson, or just need something to do while waiting at a restaurant

App - MeMoves
Price - $2.99 (at time of posting)
Type - Universal (works on iPhone, Ipad, and iPod Touch)
Restrictions - None
Skills Addressed - fine motor, waiting, focus

Patrick

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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

• Zaner-Bloser Handwriting—Manuscript for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

  tags: ipod zaner iphone bloser handwriting apps handwriting—manuscript ipodtouch ipad education

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Trabasack - Revisited

I last mentioned the Trabasack back in November - Trabasack.  I was extremely impressed with the concept, execution and overall feel of the product and now that I've had some more time to use it, I continue to be impressed with it.

I've had the opportunity to use with 2 students who both have some physical issues, while they are mobile, they need some help while sitting.  One student uses an Intellikeys to practice keyboarding.  He has difficulty reaching a typical table and still seeing the computer screen.  So we wrapped the strap from the Trabasack around his waist, put it on his lap, and have a perfect place to put the Intellikeys!  It's been a great way to make sure access to the computer is accessible to him, and keeps everything within reach.

Another student is learning to navigate the computer using 2 switches.  I was able to put some velcro on the switches and stick them to the surface of the Trabasack (eliminating the fun of pushing the switches around!).  The switches have wires and require a switch interface.  I was able to put the interface inside the pocket as well as the extra cords, making a nice little bundle that can be moved around quite easily.  The switches are accessible and the Trabasack makes the entire thing mobile.

Lastly, I was able to share the Trabasack recently at the ICE conference and it was a big hit.  Many of the participants who saw it immediately had a student or situation that they knew this product would work for.  I really can't say enough about this product.  To see more information about the Trabasack you can head to their website - Trabasack UK.  To purchase a Trabasack in the United States head to Windsor Direct.

Patrick

Full Disclosure:  I received a Trabasack Connect Curve from the company to use and review.

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#AppMondayTAS - Do As Me

It's been a long couple of weeks, between alternate assessments and report cards it's been crazy, but I'm back now and I think we'll have another #AppMondayTAS review!

I'm not exactly sure where I heard about this next app, but I love the concept and it's execution is done very well.  Do as Me is a simple app (as many of the good ones are) that allows you to draw or write on the screen, then kids can follow along and do the same thing.  In the teacher mode it allows you to erase the steps one at a time or trash the entire thing.  In the student mode you have to make it similar to what is on the screen before it goes on to the next letter or part of the drawing.  It will let you know if you go to far out of the lines.

Using the app on an iPod Touch is a little limiting, I can get about 4-5 letters on the screen, or small drawing.  I imagine the iPad version has much more of the screen available for writing, making it very effective for students with fine motor issues.  It would be nice for the app to have some more features - different color inks, maybe extra pages, different backgrounds (for students with visual issues) - overall I think the app is a solid app for working on writing skills.

App - Do As Me
Price - $0.99 (at time of posting)
Type - Universal (works on iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch)
Restrictions - Requires iOS 4.2 (will not work on 1st Generation iPhones or iPod Touches)
Skills Addressed - writing, fine motor

Patrick


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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

• ICDL - International Children's Digital Library

  tags: reading library literature children eBooks books resources digital education free languages spanish

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Apple iPad 2

Today Apple announced the release of the iPad 2 and they have made some changes!  The iPad 2 has a dual core processor (A5) and is 2 times faster than the original iPad.  It also has faster Graphics processing. Even with that speed increase they are able to keep the 10 hour battery life!  It is also thinner (8.8mm) and lighter (1.3 lbs.).

They have also added front and back cameras to the iPad 2.  The back camera can take 720p video and still photos, while the front camera is enabled for Facetime (and presumably Skype!).  They've also updated the Gyroscope, Compass and Accelerometer to be more accurate.  And last, and one of the most asked for features from teachers, the ability to mirror your iPad display on a TV!  Finally a way to show off apps.

I think Apple has some some great things with this version of the iPad.  I think adding the camera will add a ton of functionality to apps like Pictello, Proloquo2go, iCommunicate, and many, many others.  The smaller size and lighter weight will make it even more accessible to students.  They kept the price the same, the cheapest model - 16GB WiFi only is still $499.  I think it's a great upgrade and will make this an even better product!


Patrick


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