Voice Output/AAC for your Mac:
Proloquo for Mac is not free unfortunately, unless you are an existing user, then the update to version 2.0 is free. Otherwise, it is about $299. However, it is a nice little AAC program for your Mac. It will also provide speech feedback while typing works well with Keystrokes and SwitchXS.
More Text to Speech for Mac:
You definitely need to check out GhostReader for your Mac if you are looking for a great text to speech program. This will read text anywhere on your Mac and highlight as it reads…AND will allow you to create iTunes tracks and Podcasts!!! It is not free, but it’s only about$40 for a single lic/single language. Bilingual/Trilingual licenses are also available and slightly more expensive, but still relatively affordable. You can download a time-limited full working version as a trial.
Digital Recorders: I’ve blogged in the past about the many instructional benefits of podcasting in your schools and mobile podcasting with cell phones or with hand-held recorders. This week, I came across this Handheld Digital Audio Recorders Buyers Guide, from B&H Photo Video. Not all of it applies to instructional/classroom uses, but it is a nice little guide/intro to handheld recorders if you are just starting to think that you might want one and not sure where to begin and what features to look for.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/find/newsLetter/Digital-Audio-Recorders-Buyers-Guide.jsp
UDL Guildelines 1.0: I’ve been talking to many groups all over the region this month and last month about UDL, NIMAS and RTI. I was a little surprised by the number of people who were hearing about UDL (Universal Design for Learning) for the very first time. Recently CAST (Center for Applied Special Technologies) released UDL Guildelines V.1.0 for Teachers, Publishers and Curriculum Developers.
These guidelines are available to view and move through right in your browser OR as a MS Word document download here, and are certainly worth spending a little time looking through: http://www.cast.org/publications/UDLguidelines/version1.html
WATCH for UDL Pilot Project Applications to be available in the Fall! Contact your PATINS Site Coordinator with questions and keep an eye on this site for applications: http://www.patinsproject.com/udl.html
As most of the PATINS Site offices start to close up shop for the summer, I do want to let everyone know that I will continue blogging every Friday. Keep any eye on the blog for info and quick tips and tricks over the summer that you might want to implement when you return again in August!
Call For Papers
CLOSES in 7 Days!
Did you know that General Session Presenters get into the PATINS State Conference free of charge? We are seeking school staff or administration doing exciting things with your students to make the curriculum more accessible and improving student achievement. Submit your CFP online in just a few quick steps
Online CFP Form is Here
2008 PATINS State Conference
November 10th & 11th, 2008
Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center
Keynote Speaker: Jim Fruchterman
Benetech President and CEO
