Assistive Technology Resources: Weather Unit Accommodations
Students with Cognitive Difficulties
Hip Step-Talking SequencerThe Hip Step-Talking Sequencer is the perfect portable communicator for the non-speaking child. This assistive technology allows a non-speaking child to have a conversation.
The child should have this sequencer available throughout the Weather Unit in order to share ideas with the class. The child can use this technology in order to add to our Voicethread activity which will be shared with classrooms around the world. The child will participate in sing-a-longs, storytelling activities and vocabulary development. |
Word PredictionStudents know what they want to write, but have difficulty forming the words or thinking of new words to use. Word prediction programs are used with word processors to provide a more efficient way of producing written work. The program reduces the number of keystrokes made by "predicting" the desired word after a student types a single letter.
This program is helpful for students when typing words for their e-book, or when they are assigned to a writing task for the Weather Unit. The software can be modified to meet individual needs. Words can be programmed in for a particular assignment and word prediction can be leveled according to the student's needs. |
Students with Physical Difficulties
Three Arm Mounting SystemThis technology works well with a cell phone or small digital camera. It attaches easily to any wheelchair. Students will have the ability to take photographs for our Weather Wikispace, flickr group site, and voicethread activity. This system permits these special learners to take their own picture for our photo activities. They will feel more accomplished and inclusive working independently. |
Interactive Mouse/JoystickThe Bjoy Joystick allows the physically challenged student to make a left click selection using a capability joystick and buttons. Just move the joystick to maneuver over a desired area on the screen to select the item. This provides the child with a sense of accomplishment since they can use the computer along with the rest of the class.
Students with physical difficulties will have this technology available throughout the Weather Unit to assist in all computer activities. Without this particular assistive technology the student would not be able to fully participate in our activities. |
Students with Sensory Difficulties
Classroom SoundsystemThis system provides the ability for the teacher to be using the system, and allow a handheld microphone to be passed around to the students, facilitating both teachers to student, student to student, and student to teacher communication.
This audio enhancement can be adjusted to the needs of the hearing-impaired student. This not only helps students with auditory problems but helps all students receive the proper sound field to enhance attention and focus. This audio system will be used throughout the unit. |
EasyReadThe EasyRead toolbar buttons allow you to magnify any HTML page as you browse the web. Students can zoom in and out of any web page with the touch of a button. Students can also print out webpages in this larger print.
Students with vision difficulties should have access to this software throughout the Weather Unit. All webpages should be adjusted to the learner's individual needs. |
At-Risk Students
Talking DictionaryStruggling students use this dictionary to look up vocabulary words they are stuggling with. Students can get the correct spelling to words needed for writing.
This technology will help students reinforce new vocabulary terms used in the Weather Unit. This will also help students spell words for all writing activities required in this unit. |
Free NaturalReader 9.0Natural Reader is free Text to Speech software using natural sounding voices. This easy to use software converts any written text from WebPages, PDF files, Word documents and e-mails into spoken words. Natural reader software has the ability to store text to speech into any MP3 player for listening after class.
This technology can be used throughout the Weather Unit when the computer is part of the lesson. Students with low reading ability can have the WebPages read aloud to them as often as necessary. Stored audio can be reviewed when needed in order for the learner to achieve success with our unit. |
Gifted and Talented Students
The Animated InternetThis website gives the gifted learner a chance to explore how the Internet works. Students press play to view tutorials on each Internet learning focus.
Students click on "how e-mail works" and view the tutorial. Allow these young learners to create their own e-mail to their selected e-pal school or classmate. Gifted learners have the opportunity to e-mail a meteorologist to ask questions and express their learning. |
Disaster MasterStudents learn about weather-related disasters at their own pace with this interactive site.
Gifted learners enjoy learning about hurricanes, tornados, thunderstorms, floods, and much more. Students are able to work at their own pace and participate in extra learning activities through this site. I allow all gifted learners to explore this website throughout the Weather Unit and present their learning through art, writing, drama or a web tool of their choice. |
iPod Apps to Assist Special Education Children
Students with Cognitive Difficulties
Autism XpressAutism Xpress application will help autistic learners understand feelings and emotions. This app will benefit these students when discussing their favorite activities during each season. Faces showing appropriate emotions will help the child understand what feelings are being described. This will also help the challenged learner with their writing assignments for this weather unit.
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First –Then- Visual ScheduleFirst –Then- Visual Schedule is for a teacher or caregiver to program so the student will be able to track the steps to an assignment. Audio and visual cues can be provided. This app will help my learners stay on track with visual reminders of how to complete each assignment within the unit.
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Students with Physical Difficulties
Dragon SearchDragon Search is an easy to use voice recognition application. Students who are unable to use their hands for typing or writing can use their voice to create e-mails, search the web or access web pages. This app will give my physically challenged students independence on computer work when they are not able to be in our classroom using a switch mouse.
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Voice ControlVoice Control allows students to use spoken command to control their iPod touch features and iPhone. Students can play class videos and songs without the need for a mouse or computer. Students should have access to this app for the duration of the unit.
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Students with Sensory Difficulties
ZoomZoom allows visually impaired students to magnify web pages to their need. This accessibility feature is built into the iPod touch listed as Accessibility. Students can view e-mail and our wikispace on their iPod touch. They can adjust the screen to their needs
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Hear You NowHear You Now combines the highest quality hearing solution available for iPod family with a full-length recording feature. Students can adjust the volume of lessons and record them for future listening. Weather songs and stories can easily be adjusted to their hearing level.
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At-Risk Students
iWrite WordsiWrite Words helps at-risk students write letters and sound out words. This will foster phonics skills to help struggling readers decode the class eBook and weather high frequency words.
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Sentence BuilderSentence Builder application is designed to help a young student make grammatically correct sentences. This app will help the struggling student enhance their grammar skills for our voicethread account and writing requirements for our unit.
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Gifted and Talented Students
TallymanderTallymander app is a powerful counting tool for the iPod touch. Gifted learners can use this application to keep track of our favorite season’s data from our class website. They can also create and keep track of surveys that they make on their own.
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StorykitStorykit allows students to create stories from photos, text, and audio. My gifted learners use this app when all school work is completed. Weather stories or weather diaries are added to their personal bookshelf and shared with classmates when a story is completed.
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