Autism Video/Article: This wired.com story and video by a woman with autism and web 2.0 and web 3.0 tools like blogging and Second Life, AAC tools like the Dynavox Vmax that she uses and other tools like RAD Video Tools, VirtualDub, and DivXLand Media Subtitler, type-to-speech software is very interesting and well worth reading and sharing, in my opinion. The first part of the video shows a woman with autism engaged in some stereo-typical self-stimulatory types of behaviors and then she uses her Vmax to tell you what these behaviors mean to her in the 2nd part of the video. …very, very interesting. http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/magazine/16-03/ff_autism
Blogging/Podcasting Resource
This page on the Techintegration.net website is a great little resource, not only for their RSS content, but this particular page gives a concise explanation of blogs and podcasts and how to get started. There are also teacher podcasting examples here for you to check out and maybe get some ideas for starting your own podcast!
RSS is something that I feel very strongly about utilizing in educational environments for so many reasons. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about blogging/podcasting in your classrooms and school buildings. I’d love to help you get started!
Windows Task Switcher: A little tool you may already be aware of and use regularly is the Alt-Tab command on Windows machines. Holding down the Alt and Tab keys together brings up a task switcher window that displays an icon for each of the other windows you have open. Holding down the Alt key and striking the Tab key allows you to scroll through your open windows and bring one of them to the front (make it active). This is not a new tool, but one that some people may not be aware of that can allow you to keep your hands on the keyboard rather than reaching for your mouse, which can improve efficiency on the computer.
The Zero-Grading Issue: Dave Edyburn has shared with us a bibliography of resources on the issue of zero and grading policies that were discussed at our last UDL Pilot Team Training. The issue of delivering grades of zero and other traditional grading policies present us with real issues that should be carefully considered. You can download Dr. Edyburn’s bibliography of resources at no cost, here: Edyburn-Zero Grading Issue
