PATINS PROJECT -Rapid Fire-

Productivity is one of those words thrown around in society that act like a non-specific band-aid for fixing whatever is wrong.  If we increase student productivity…  Teachers need to use their time more productively…  and so on.  Sometimes increasing productivity requires increasing stimulation.  While researching this week’s tip I came across the focus@will site.  www.focus@will.com    The site streams music that is picked to increase productivity.  It has tips running along the bottom, and 8 different genres of music to run in the background.  Listening to music without lyrics works really well for me.  The trick in a classroom is to find a music style that suits the students that need it while not disturbing the ones that don’t.  In this way it becomes yet another tool in your UDL tool box!

This is what I was listening to while writing.

I started out researching “SpeakIt”, a free app on the Chrome Web Store.  For those using the web browser Chrome, once installed, this app will translate all highlighted text to speech while on the internet.  SpeakIt adds a speaker button to the right of the bookmark star just outside of the URL address box on the Chrome browser.  The user just needs to highlight the selection to be spoken and press the speaker symbol.  The pictured box will appear and read.  To get this app, go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/home  search SpeakIt in the search window and follow the instructions.  While I would not recommend this app for all text to speech needs, it is free, easy to download and can be used in some non-essential ways.  One of my favorites is for proofreading.  I will let the computer read what I have written while I listen for content.

So how did one thing lead to the other?  I pulled up this article http://edudemic.com/2013/04/cycle-of-productivity/ ”This Is The Modern Cycle of Productivity” by Katie Lepi on Edudemic.  I was testing SpeakIt for this post.  It is a quick fun article and lead me to focus@will.  Try the app on the article and you will notice that the graphic will not read.  That is because it is just a picture of the original graphic.  This is an issue that has been discussed and will continue to be discussed when looking at truly accessible reading material.

Don’t forget that it is Autism Awareness Month.  The Appy Mall as well as Appolicious have been listing several free and reduced autism apps!

See you at the PATINS Tech Expo!

PATINS 2013 Tech Expo

Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Fountains
502 East Carmel Drive
Carmel, IN  46032

CONGRATULATIONS LISA SMITH from Brownsburg Community School Corporation!  A few weeks back (February 3rd posting)  marked the 200th post to this blog since Fall of 2007 and a chance to enter a drawing for some PATINS Goodies AND a full-day  AT/AIM Training on the topic of choice and at the winner’s school!   I’m happy to state that my random number generator spit out a “6″ and LISA SMITH from Brownsburg, you were indeed the 6th person to enter that drawing!   Thanks for playing and I’ll be in touch soon to schedule your training!  If you missed that 200th posting, check it out HERE

The Final of  the 6  Mostly Free, Easy, Fun Ways to Get Books/Content on Your iPad:

• Use iAuthor on a Mac Computer: OK, so this is definitely my favorite!   VERY cool and can be pretty simple or highly complex!  BUT, even though it’s free, it’s only for Mac computers.  I have started creating a couple of books and made a little time this week to finish a sample book and get it onto my iPad.  Here are my perceptions so far:
• If you’re familiar with using iWeb, then iBooks should be a breeze.  If you’ve never used iWeb in the past, there will be a little learning curve, but it’s not bad.
• There are several templates offered to help you get started.  They are a nice way to jump right in and start creating by dragging and dropping.
• Dragging and dropping images and other content like Word Docs or Pages Docs or videos into the templates automatically adjusts the text to flow around them.
• You can (and should) add interactivity to your books with various widgets… even ones that utilize multi-touch.
• Accessibility MUST be considered and built-in.  You’ve likely heard me say many times already that DIGITAL does NOT equal ACCESSIBLE.  So, your primary text and table of contents and glossary are built to automatically utilize the built-in VoiceOver on the iPad, BUT be sure you add accessibility to your other media and widgets!
• It’s pretty simple to then export your book to the iBookstore and make it available for purchase OR free download.  It’s also possible to export it directly to iBooks.
• RESPECT Copyright.  Know where you’re getting the content from for your book and if it’s not your content, DO NOT use it w/out permission of the owner.  This includes images, videos, and all other intellectual property.
• I intend to keep exploring iBooks and posting periodic updates as I learn.  For now, if you have a Mac with OS X LION, get iAuthor for free here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks-author/id490152466?ls=1&mt=12

My Web, My Way:  “Making the web easier to use.”    This great tool allows users to identify specific difficulties they have with using the web and then offers several methods/tools for helping!

• www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility

Typing/Keyboarding Resources &  Programs:  I have seen a lot of requests lately for online keyboarding tools.  So, here’s just a small list.  I’m sure that there are more and please feel free to comment here on the blog OR email me with your own suggestions to add to this list.  What’s sort of interesting about this particularly listing however, is that I had a 10 year old student try them all out and provide a couple sentences worth of her initial opinions of them.  (Student comments in parentheses below.  I’ve corrected some of her spelling, but made no other changes to her comments/notes)  Keep in mind that these are not my perceptions necessarily, but the initial feelings of a 4th grader who spent only about an hour and a half exploring these sites.   She had prior knowledge of computer use, but not necessarily any real typing skills.

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ (…is a good typing center because it gives you advice and speaks on what you do, giving you checks and X’s.)
• http://www.nimblefingers.com/ (…is a good site, because when you go on it, it has nothing that will distract kids.)
• http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr076.shtml  (…seems like just information for teachers)
• http://www.typeonline.co.uk/lesson1.html    (…gives you 5 types of information and tells you how and where your fingers go.  It’s good and will not distract me.)
• http://www.customtyping.com/typing_tutor-parents.htm  (…seems like it’s mostly for grown-ups and principals) 
• http://www.typingweb.com/   (…is not OK for kids.  Seems too hard and won’t tell anything they will remember.)
• http://www.goodtyping.com/ (…you need to register)
• http://www.powertyping.com/  (…is good because it gives letters and sentences for you to type)
• http://sense-lang.org/ (…is a cool and good site.  You can practice test.  The test you give yourself and even more serious tests they will give the sentence to you.  …a longer one.  …but you pick the subject)
• http://www.typing-lessons.org/  (…gives you all different kinds of options to choose from for learning to type)
• http://www.slimekids.com/games/typing-games/type-em-up.html  (…is the perfect website for kids, but lots of it is games for typing, which could help)

Improv & Bookstream Demonstration Webinars:  Last week I mentioned the new communication development from Don Johnston.  This week I found out about a few demonstration webinars of the Improv software that might be of interest:  (all here: http://www.donjohnston.com/webinars/index.html)

• Fri, Mar 2, 2012 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM CST <https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/794589310>
• Wed, Mar 14, 2012 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM CDT <https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/340055118>
• Wed, Mar 28, 2012 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM CDT <https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/776626046>

Early Childhood Part 1 of 3 Webinar Recording AVAILABLE NOW!

The PATINS Project is hosting a three-part series on AIM to Start Early: Implementing Accessible Materials with Young Children with national presenters Kelly Fonner, Scott Marfilius and Donna McNear:

Feb. 6, 2012; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST

- The first event in the series was a webinar with Scott and Donna that covered the current educational contexts for using AIM with young children, as well as foundational concepts, research implications, developmentally appropriate practices and the instructional framework.

Please visit the PATINS Video Collection Library Channel web page for viewing

You will need to visit this web page  to fill out the follow-up survey which will qualify you for Professional Growth Points.  Please note viewing this video on a Mac computer requires the Chrome browser.  If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Stabenfeldt at 812-490-7927.

Mar. 5, 2012; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST

- The second event will be a live streaming event with Kelly, Scott and Donna that will encompass implementation with demonstration of appropriate technology tools and software and instructional supports.

April 2, 2012; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST

-The final event will be a follow-up webinar with Kelly and Scott that will focus on developing a plan for implementation and program development/improvement.

Please visit the Survey Monkey web page for Registration information for this informative series.

Professional Growth Points (PGPs) for participation require participation in all three events of the series.  You will need to visit this web page to fill out the follow-up survey for each of the three events to qualify for Professional Growth Points.

All three videos will be on the AIM for Young Children Channel which is available by clicking on the dropdown arrow in the All Channels box in the middle of the page on the PATINS Video Collection Library web page.

6 Mostly Free, Easy, Fun Ways to Get Books/Content on Your iPad:

1. Use MS Word and the Free (if you’re in Indiana) ePub Converter from Don Johnston on Mac or PC:
   Download the Step-By-Step PDF of this simple process here: Worde Pub To iBooks Step by Step McNulty
2. PAGES Software on a Mac Computer:
   Download the Step-By-Step PDF of this simple process here: Pages To iBooks Step By Step Daniel McNulty
   

The Next 4 Ways Are Listed Below and Will be Available Very Soon! 

1. Install The Magic Catalog of Project Gutenberg ePubs on the  iPad
2. Use The Free StoryKit App on the iPad
3. Use MS Powerpoint and the DJ ePub Converter on Mac or PC
4. Use iAuthor on a Mac Computer

Flipped Classroom,  An Info-Graphic:  I’m still forming opinions on this whole Flipped Classroom idea, but I thought I’d share this graphic.  I’m curious to hear other’s thoughts.

• www.peterpappas.com/2012/01/flipped-classroom-infographic-explanation.html

Congratulaions Kristin from Wabash!  Kristin won the drawing for the 1st quarter prize for submitting follow up evaluations for PATINS Trainings this year!  Kristin won a Kindle and the next prize will likely be an iPevo Webcam/Document Camera.  It’s the same webcam I use for all my trainings where I show an iPad or other device on the desk!  Remember to fill out those PATINS Follow Up Evaluations for your chance to win.  Additionally, by submitting those evaluations, you are supporting the continuation of PATINS services provided to Indiana’s public K-12 schools at no cost to them!

Digital Learning Day!  Digital Learning Day was February 1st and some really neat things took place across the country.  If you missed any of it or just want to see it again, I encourage you to visit the website AND ALSO encourage all of your colleagues to visit the website: http://wpc.1806.edgecastcdn.net/001806/aee/aee020111.html?ebtv=C

Early Childhood/Young Children Series NEXT WEEK!    Don’t Forget About This!   It Starts THIS COMING MONDAY AFTERNOON!  You will need to be registered by Monday Afternoon at the very latest!  Click the Picture Above to REGISTER!

AIM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN SERIES

The PATINS Project will be hosting a three part series on AIM to Start Early: Implementing Accessible Materials with Young Children with national presenters Kelly Fonner, Scott Marfilius and Donna McNear:

Feb. 6, 2012; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST

- The first event in the series is a webinar with Scott and Donna that will cover the current educational contexts for using AIM with young children, as well as cover the foundational concepts, research implications, developmentally appropriate practices and the instructional framework.

Mar. 5, 2012; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST

- The second event will be a live streaming event with Kelly, Scott and Donna that will encompass implementation with demonstration of appropriate technology tools and software and instructional supports.

April 2, 2012; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST

-The final event will be a follow-up webinar with Kelly and Scott that will focus on developing a plan for implementation and program development/improvement.

Click here for Registration information for this informative series.

*Professional Growth Points (PGPs) for participation require participation in all three events of the series.

Click The Image Above and submit your info for entry into a special drawing
for some PATINS Goodies and a Full-Day PATINS  AIM & AT Training on topic of your choice, at your school!

It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that I’ve been posting to this blog for nearly 4.5 years!  For anyone who might be fairly new to the blog, it started as a replacement for sending out emailed newsletters to my contacts in the NE part of the state.  At the time, it just made a lot more sense to post that information in a blog format rather than emailed.  One of the greatest advantages is that all past  information in the blog is archived and searchable by month/year, by keyword, or by category!  So, I thought it’d be fun and interesting for this 200th Blog Posting to look back at this day in each of the previous years and see what the buzz was all about at that time!   Here we go!

September  2007, when this blog first started: 

• First REAL Post; 2 Vista Gadgets for Students

• 9/21/2007; Free Switch Games & Podcasting Tips

• 9/29/07: More Podcast Tips and Free Study Cards & Supporting Resources

 February  2008:

• ATIA ’08, Open Source ReadingTeacher, ForgeFX, PATINS TechExpo and Announcing EduChallenges

• 2/8/2008: Citation Machine, Math Resources Online, iPod Protection and The Very First EduChallenge!

• 2/15/2008: iDump Alternative to iTunes, GoogleReader, Big Search’n and Friendly Images and Sounds

• 2/22/08: Today’s Podcasting Workshop, Microsoft Acess Guide, Reading Website, Another iTunes Alternative and the EduChallenge

February  2009:

• 1/31/2009: ATIA 2009, Free Picasa for Mac, Text To Speech Recommendations, Reading For The Dogs

• 2/6/2009: Your Read:OutLoud Software, More from TRLD and ATIA 2009, Mac Screen Capture

• 2/13/2009: Alternative Seating, SL Art Locations, Video Format Conversion, A Great Accessible Book List, More TRLD Stuff

• 2/20/2009: More TRLD, Free Wii, Second Life Learning Experiences

• 2/27/2009: Suggest a Workshop, Promethean Offer, Touch Screen Videos, Immersive Worlds Examples, UDL Collaboration and Indiana Moms!

February , 2010:

• 2/5/2010: Google Wave For Students, Collaborative Drawing and Imagery, Highlight Web Pages, Typing Speed Comparison, David Davis on our Island!

• 2/12/2010: Are You Ready To Teach Online? David Davis in SL, ISTE Connects, Wired Kids, Podcasting Accessibility, Website Evaluation, Looking Back At The Tools, Family Center on Tech and Disability & Two Little Girls Grab My iPhone for Valentines Day!!!

• David Davis in Second Life (FREE) in 2 Weeks! Are You Ready? Some Ideas!

• 2/19/2010: 50 Free Graphing Apps on The Web! FREE IEP App for iPhone, 45 Education-Related Second Life Locations, iPad Still Lacks Flash, L.D. Statistics, Brains & Learning,

• 2/26/2010: News About Your Stimulus Dollars, Virtual Worlds Best Practices In Education Conference! Punishment Systems and UDL Engagement, Cool Twitter Apps! A Good Classroom Blog Example, and Two FREE Events Coming SOON!

February , 2011:

• 2/4/2011: PATINS AT Overview Online Module, Learning in 3D Online, LEGO Universe, SketchUp and ASD, Apps for Special Needs, PATINS Tech Expo Registration

• 2/11/2011: Readability, SHIFT Planning, iPad Evaluation in Education, Plug Into PATINS, Shorten URLs Easily

• URGENT: Mid-Week Post Requesting Your Help Now! IDEA Part B Funding at Immediate Risk

• 2/18/2011: Free UDL Forum, Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference, Second Life Firewall, Digital Nation Video, Safe Online, More!

• 2/25/2011: No Snowdays Online, Your Docs to ePubs, Feedbooks, Education Killing Creativity, Allow Kids To Fail? Proloquo Keyguards, How/Where Do You Work?

February 3, 2012!  For today, as a little bonus, you’re going to get a 2nd, separate, blog posting with lots of great tips including, “2/3/2012: 6 Free Ways to get Books on Your iPad, Mac OS LION Experiences & iBooks Author, Congrats Kristin from Wabash, Digital Learning Day, AIM For Young Children Reminder! “  Watch for it to post later today!  Also, remember that I post during all months of the year, not just February!  So feel free to browse the monthly and yearly archives on the right side of this blog anytime you wish!  There just might be some good OLD stuff back there!

Thanks for being a part of the blog over the last several years.  Many of you have left comments (though I wish more would) and many have emailed me, met me in person at conferences, etc., and many great discussions around Assistive Technology and Accessible Instructional Materials have resulted!

Even though it’s often a lot of work, it’s been a real pleasure to do the blog each week and it’s something I almost always look forward to!  I certainly hope to continue this blog for many years to come!  Remember you can always leave comments, questions, suggestions, requests, here on the blog or just click the image below to give us feedback.  We’re here to serve you!

Apologies that this post didn’t go out Friday morning like usual.  I have several important announcements though and needed to wait a couple more days. 
You won’t want to miss some of this stuff! 

When Will We Start Teaching Online Responsibility… and stop blocking access???  Anyone who’s ever had a conversation with me about education has likely heard my feelings on all the missed opportunities, teachable moments and chances to grow that happens when organizations choose to block access to the internet or to content on the internet rather than to teach responsible use and to enforce consequences when individuals choose to misuse the tools.  When a student can’t do addition, we teach.  When  student doesn’t know how to implement the scientific method, we teach.  When a student is having trouble giving change for a $10 bill, we teach.  When a student doesn’t know how to access research material in the library, we teach.  BUT, when a student doesn’t know how to use the internet appropriately, safely, effectively and efficiently, WE BLOCK.  Blocking and Restricting in lieu of teaching responsibility and enforcing a set of rules is something I don’t believe I’ll ever fully understand and truly a dis-service to the students who will not be living and working in a world where they will be blocked and restricted.  Rather, they will need to have skills and tools to make good, safe, appropriate choices.  Further, the students in school districts who understand this and have already changed their policies will have an enormous advantage over the students in school districts who have not.  This article discusses this shift from Acceptable Use Policies to RESPONSIBLE Use Policies and is certainly worth a very quick read.  “According to Wolf, schools have generally found it easy to shift or waive existing policies if it means making the most of the educational value of mobile technologies.”  “Craven said. “It empowers their learning so much that it would be irresponsible of us as a district to prevent children from using mobile devices or using the device that they learn best with for those few who are going to cause problems.”

• http://thejournal.com/articles/2012/01/10/emphasizing-responsibility-in-mobile-aups.aspx

Engage Students with ANY Device:  IF you do happen to be in a district fortunate enough to allow students to utilize the technology they already have, perhaps in addition to some school owned mobile technology, then definitely take a couple minutes and check out Socrative.  This is a FREE resource for utilized just about ANY device as as Student/Audience Response system. 

• www.socrative.com 

New Opportunity!  AIM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN SERIES:  New PATINS Sponsored Opportunity to learn AIM with Young Children from two awesome National Presenters

• The PATINS Project will be hosting a three part series on AIM to Start Early: Implementing Accessible Materials with Young Children
  with national presenters Kelly Fonner, Scott Marfilius and Donna McNear
  

•  Feb. 6, 2012; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST – The first event in the series is a webinar with Scott and Donna that will cover the current educational contexts for using AIM with young children, as well as cover the foundational concepts, research implications, developmentally appropriate practices and the instructional framework.
• Mar. 5^, 2012; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST – The second event will be a live streaming event with Kelly, Scott and Donna that will encompass implementation with demonstration of appropriate technology tools and software and instructional supports.
• April 2, 2012; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST -The final event will be a follow-up webinar with Kelly and Scott that will focus on developing a plan for implementation and program development/improvement.

Click http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AIMforyoungchildrenseries12712 for Registration information or visit www.patinsproject.com for additional information. 

*Professional Growth Points (PGPs) for participation require participation in all three events of the series.

IN Early Childhood Conference:  As a nicely timed  follow up to the 3-Part Series with Scott, Kelly and Donna described above, be sure to check out the opportunities at the Indiana Early Childhood Conference on April 26-28.  PATINS should be there at a booth and also presenting.  Registration is now open and more info can be found here:   www.iaeyc.org/IndianaEarlyChildhoodConference/tabid/435/language/en-US/Default.aspx

MARK  YOUR  CALENDARS!  PATINS State Conference 2012.  Nov.8-9, Indianapolis
more details coming soon!

NEW ROUND of TTA (Targeted Technical Assistance) Grants AVAILABLE SOON!  As soon as today or tomorrow, you should expect to see PATINS announce that a 2nd round of TTA Grants will be accepted!  Remember you saw it here first!    There will be a fairly short turnaround time on the application and as soon as it’s available, I will post a special announcement with links and resources here on this blog.  In the meantime, you can start to think about who you’d like on your TTA Team and start to gather a little bit of information about your school district with regard to the current status of Accessible Instructional Materials and the 7 AIM Quality Indicators, which are linked here for you: http://aimconsortium.cast.org/best_practices/quality_indicators.  and also listed below:

Does YOUR Indiana school district need help with any of these?  If Yes, the PATINS TTA Grant can help you!

1. Supporting the provision of appropriate, high-quality instructional materials in specialized formats.
2. Providing specialized formats  of materials in a timely manner.
3. Developing & Implementing written guidelines defining responsibilities and actions for specialized formats.
4. Supporting Professional Development and Training for staff around students with print disabilities and implementation of specialized formats.
5. Developing & Implementing a systematic process for monitoring & evaluating the provision of specialized formats.
6. Utilizing data to guide changes that support continual improvement around the provision of specialized formats.
7. Allocating sufficient resources to ensure the delivery & sustainability of services to students with print disabilities.

FREE ePub Converter Upgrade!  Remember to upgraded your DAISY to ePub Converter from the ICAM (Indiana Center for Accessible Materials) for FREE to version 2.0.  This new version makes it VERY EASY for you to create iPad or other eReader content directly from your MS Word documents!   We can always provide you training on doing this as well!   Just ask.   In the meantime, send your DRMs here to get the free upgrade for you:

• www.icam.k12.in.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=106

200 POSTS!!!  I’m not sure if anyone but me has been keeping track, but this posting will be #198 since I started doing this “Friday Blog” back in September of 2007.  Remember you can go to the right hand side of this blog and search all of the past 198 posts by month or by keyword.  It’s all archived.  So, for my 200th blog posting, I thought I’d try to do something extra fun, interesting or just different.  If anyone has any ideas or request for the 200th posting, just send me an email and/or leave a comment here on the blog!  All ideas welcome!  nepatins@ciesc.k12.in.us

Controlling Your SMARTBoard w/Your iPad: 

This is a question I’ve received several times actually.  It’s a little bit confusing so I like to first make sure that folks understand what the smartboard actually is.  There’s no computer in the smartboard, rather the smartboard is connected to a computer and it controls the computer it is connected to.  So, think of the smartboard like a mouse/keyboard/monitor all in one.  You can control the computer and you can see what the computer is doing with the smartboard, but you don’t control the smartboard.

So, what you might really be asking isn’t so much how you can “control the smartboard,” but rather, “can you control the computer with an iPad.”  The simple answer is, not really.  There are things that exist such as Go To My PC, HippoRemote, Keymote, Remote Jr., which could allow you to do something like what you’re asking, but not really.  I don’t think it’d quite do what most have in mind.  To be honest though, I need to spend more time exploring this area and plan to do so over the next couple of weeks.

You  COULD mirror or show what’s happening on the iPad, on the smartboard.  That’s much easier and either requires a simple little connector that you plug the projector’s cable into OR an Apple TV, which the iPad can connect to wirelessly and play through the projector to display the content that is in the iPad.  In the meantime, here’s a great link with some tools addressing this issue:  http://mashable.com/2010/02/28/iphone-remote-control-apps/

Braille Valentines Available:  Everyone likes to receive a Valentine, why not include some braille on yours this year for as little as $10?  Details on the PDF Flyer here:  Valentine from NBP 2012

Disability Resource Fair: INSource’s Annual Disability Resource Fair in Anderson, IN will take place on March 3, 2012 from 9am – 1pm.  Contact with questions: mmattingly.advocate@gmail.com   See Event Flyer Here: INSource Anderson Flyer 2012  Come see PATINS there along with many other service providers.

Apple in K-12!  More than likely, you’ve heard bits and pieces of Apple’s announcement yesterday concerning textbooks.  There are some very exciting things happening, but I also want to remind everyone that Digital does NOT always equal Accessible and that copyright and intellectual property should still be very real concerns/considerations.  Here’s some links:

• More about iBooks2 and Apple’s Announcement: http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2012/01/apple-announces-ibooks-2-to-reinvent-textbooks.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss
• A Nice Video From Apple:  www.apple.com/education/#video-textbooks
• Copyright & Creative Commons: http://creativecommons.org/
• USDOE and NIMAS: http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,dynamic,QaCorner,5,

REGISTRATION OPEN!  Registration is now open for the PATINS Tech Expo 2012 on April 19!

• Download Informational Flyer Here
• REGISTER HERE!

A GoTalk on your iPad: New App I came across recently from Attainment that sort of turns your iPad into a GoTalk.  Interesting to me because the GoTalk is one of my most favorite low-tech/static display AAC devices and the iPad is absolutely one of my favorite high-tech devices!   http://attainmentcompany.com/featured/GoTalkNow/ It, however, is not free.  $79.99.  I do plan to eventually have it on my iPads for loan though, so feel free to request away!  PATINS Lending Libraries.

Alexicom App:  Speaking of AAC Apps on the iPad, this is another one I’ve recently started loaning out on my iPads and iTouches.  It seems like it might be a good fit for the SLP’s who work with students on the autism spectrum (or other disabilities of course) who want to utilize real images/photos instead of symbols.  It’s a FREE APP.  Here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/alexicom-aac/id395122088?mt=8

Apps Running In The Background: The PATINS Central Site Coordinator, Jeff Bond, came across a very interesting article about those apps that you leave running in the background.  Typically, I always tell people to go in and close them down every so often, but this article presents some information that may contradict that advice in some instances.  Have a read:

• www.macworld.com/article/164616/2012/01/how_ios_multitasking_really_works.html

Yesterday’s Webinar:  I have to apologize to those who were registered for the PATINS webinar scheduled for 1/12/12 at 3:15pm EST,  “Audio, Audio, Audio.” 

Unfortunately, at about 2:45pm we lost all internet service in my office building.  I tried everything I could to fix the situation until 3pm and then decided I would try to drive to the local McDonald’s and utilize their WiFi, but quickly found that it was also down!   I sincerely apologize for that inconvenience and am rescheduling yesterday’s webinar for 3 different upcoming dates.  I hope that everyone who was hoping to attend yesterday will be able to find at least one of these 3 new dates that will work with your schedule and even if you weren’t planning on attending yesterday, perhaps one of these 3 new dates will interest you!   You are welcome to share these 3 new dates for this webinar with any of your colleagues you think may be interested as well.  The first one is coming up quickly on this coming Monday afternoon!

1. Monday Jan. 16, 3:15pm.  Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioJanuary162012REGISTRATION 
2. Monday Jan. 30, 3:15pm. Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioJan302012REGISTRATION 
3. Friday Feb. 3, 3:15pm. Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioFeb32012REGISTRATION
   

NOW AVAILABLE; The FREE ePub Converter Upgrade:   DRMS can now go to the ICAM Website for a FREE upgraded version 2.0 of their aDAISY to ePub Converter!   This new upgrade handles many more file types and should be much more efficient at converting some of those stubborn NIMAS files we’ve had trouble with in the past.  So far, we are VERY impressed with it!

• Free ePub Converter 2.0 Upgrade:  www.icam.k12.in.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=106

People Traveling w/Disabilities:  The Transportation Security Administration has  launched TSA Cares, a new helpline number designed to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions.

•  Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares will serve as an additional, dedicated resource specifically for passengers with disabilities, medical conditions or other circumstances or their loved ones who want to prepare for the screening process prior to flying.

•  The hours of operation for the TSA Cares helpline are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST, excluding federal holidays. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or can e-mail TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.

•  If you would like to make advance arrangements for screenings at airports,  travelers can contact TSA using Talk To TSA <https://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/talktotsa/> , a web-based tool that allows passengers to reach out to an airport Customer Service Manager directly, and the TSA Contact Center, 1-866-289-9673 and TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov, where travelers can ask questions, provide suggestions and file complaints

Accessible Instruction: EVERY Educator’s Responsibility

What did your students do today? Read a textbook or a chapter? Take a pop quiz?  Imagine you are given a reading assignment or told to take out a blank sheet of paper for a quiz… but are unable to read the page of a textbook or physically handle a pencil.  Every educator impacts students, but are they able to effectively reach ALL their students? Anyone working with students with disabilities who fails to provide accessible instruction and materials is inadvertently building barriers to learning.  Please watch the video and then take the pledge!  Once you have completed the pledge which is only 4 questions, then your name goes into a drawing for an IPAD 2 to be drawn the first week in January 13th.  Join the PATINS Project as we take the Accessible Instruction Pledge.

I pledge to do my part to bring accessible instruction to all students.

Click here to take the Accessible Instruction Pledge.

By completing this form, I pledge that at every opportunity I will…

• Understand the individual needs and abilities of learners to ensure that my instruction is accessible to all students
• Advocate for accessible instructional materials
• Choose to purchase materials that have accessible versions available
• Create documents and handouts that can be read and completed using assistive technology
• Support others in their efforts to learn more about supplying accessible instructional materials
• Maintain an accessible website

Myths About Students Using Their Own Devices:  If you’ve ever heard me speak, you’ve likely heard me say many of these same things.  I particularly like #5 on this list with regard to students and teachers being able to access content at school:  http://thejournal.com/Articles/2011/11/09/7-BYOD-Myths.aspx?Page=2

Affordable CCTV (Thanks Vicki):   You can watch a video of how to use a webcam with the upcoming ZoomText version 10 to turn your computer into an affordable CCTV.
http://bit.ly/v8Yt7g

A Few Note Taking Apps:

• SoundNote (can be used similarly to a LiveScribe Pen): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soundnote/id364789577?mt=8
• NoteMaster: (free lite version or 3.99)  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/notemaster-for-ipad/id409275846?mt=8
• Notability:  (.99)  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/notability-handwriting-note/id360593530?mt=8
• PaperDesk: (free lite version or 3.99)   http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paperdesk/id367552067?mt=8
• Omicron Notes: (4.99)  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/omicronnotes-probably-best/id392039438?mt=8
• Writings: (4.99)  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/writings/id386276831?mt=8

Don’t Forget to Use Keyboard Shortcuts:  ….use them whenever you can to eventually work faster and free your hand up from using that mouse all the time.  I borrowed this image from a friend on Facebook and thought it was a great little visual to help you remember 3 of the most basic Keyboard Shortcuts.  Of course, on the Mac, just change the CTRL to CMD and they work just the same!

New Equipment For Loan From the PATINS Libraries!  Remember, it’s always free and easy to borrow from us!   Just go here:
http://www.patinsproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=24

• A Few more iPads!
• Sensor Switch Evaluation Kit
• Aumed Aumex LCD Color Video Magnifier
• Mount n Mover Complete Evaluation Kit
• Dynavox Maestro
• Pebble Portable CCTV
• Motorola Xoom
• Samsung Galaxy TAB
• TextSpeak TS Wireless AAC
• Optelec Clear Reader

Low Tech Mainstream AT:  I saw this photograph floating around on a social media network from a colleague this week and wanted to share it.  It not only represents a great idea for keeping your many cables where you want them, it also represents the fact that great assistive technology does not have to be expensive, might be right next to you, and can often assist far more people than only those with disabilities.

ZoomReader: (Thanks Sandy) An OCR (Optical Character Recognition) App for iPhone only.  Not free, but can allow a user to photograph text with the iPhone’s camera and then have that text read to them.  I haven’t fully tested this app yet, but so far it seems to be the best one I’ve found.  At this point, it does not work for iPad though.  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zoomreader/id414117816?mt=8

A Touchscreen Braille Writer!  Cool: However, the video on this site is a Flash video so don’t bother trying to watch it on your iPad or iPhone, unless you have a third party Flash viewer app installed such as the two listed below.

• Video:  http://engineering.stanford.edu/news/stanford-summer-course-yields-touchscreen-braille-writer
• Third Party Flash Video Viewer Apps:

1. Skyfire: $2.99  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skyfire-web-browser/id384941497?mt=8
2. Photon Browser: $4.99  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photon-flash-web-browser-app/id430200224?mt=8

Upcoming Free PATINS Trainings:

1. Next Week!  App Party Thursday!
   www.surveymonkey.com/s/APPPartyOct272011 
2. THIS Monday!   Read:OutLoud, Get Started Now!
   http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SW_ROL_10-24-11
3. 10/25   Tuesday: A Look At eReaders and NIMAS Files:

   http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/eReader_10_25_11

4. 10/27   iPad eReader Apps & NIMAS Files:
   http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/iPad_eReader_10_27_11
5. Nov 7: Kurzweil 3000 Basics:
   http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SW_Kurzweil_11-7-11
6. See them all here:
   www.patinsproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38&Itemid=30
   

Some Apps For Literacy: (Thanks Jim)
www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/apps-for-literacy-support

Lots More Apps for Everything! (Thanks Jim)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsI85m0M-FnFdFZySU9ULU1vNDhWTm04ek5FdWVJbUE&authkey=CPej99sH&hl=en_US&authkey=CPej99sH#gid=0

Using PPT for Switch Scanning:  …of course, is nothing new, but the fact that it can often be done very quickly and very cheaply (if not free) makes it worth mentioning again.  I have recently gotten some questions about simple, free, easy beginning switch games.  Here’s a couple helpful links.  The first is to a very nice posting on another blog about setting up either single or dual switch scanning with Powerpoint and the second is a link back to a listing of online switch games that I posted awhile back.

1. http://adaptingcreatively.blogspot.com/2011/06/youve-made-some-cool-activities-in.html
2. http://nepatins.edublogs.org/2007/09/20/9212007-free-switch-games-podcasting-tips/

Save The Date
For the
2012 PATINS Tech Expo!  April 19^th

^{@ Marriott East Indianapolis (Free Parking!)}

REGISTER at PATINS Website:  Starting In January!

2012 PATINS Tech Expo Date:   …officially announced!  April 19, 2012!   NEW LOCATION wFREE PARKING!  Add this to your calendars now!   Download the pdf flyer here: PATINS TECH EXPO 2012 Save The Date

• Here’s a BUNCH of short videos of last year’s Tech Expo if you want to see what it’s like:
  http://nepatins.edublogs.org/2011/04/15/4152011-patins-tech-expo-2011-videos-drm-podcast-interviews-creative-commons-and-copyright-great-highlighter-tool-free-software-upcoming-events

Assistive Tech for VI Training in October! No Cost.  In-Person at the NE PATINS Office.  October 25th Afternoon.  Space is limited. 

Flyer Here:

Other Upcoming Trainings:

• 10/19: PATINS Intro & AT Overview  Register Here
• 10/25: Overview of Low Vision AT   Register Here
• 10/27 : App Party (in-person & online) Register Here
• 28+ Free AIM & AT Trainings Scheduled: More HERE
• All PATINS Free Trainings Listed HERE

VoiceOver: Many of you know that I’m a pretty big fan of VoiceOver on the iPhone, iPad, and iTouch devices.  VoiceOver is the text to speech capabilities that these devices come with.  I use it personally just about every day.  I received a couple of calls these last few weeks about it and wanted to share a few resources with everyone.  The gestures to control how VoiceOver Operates are wonderfully useful once you know them.  However, until you know them, it can be quite overwhelming and frustrating.  Here’s a little bit of advice:

• When VoiceOver is on, you can practice VoiceOver gestures by tapping Settings > General > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Practice VoiceOver Gestures. This feature provides audio feedback describing the gestures you are performing, and what action they perform on the device.
• Additionally, here’s a document that lists/explains all of the VoiceOver Gestures: Voice Over Gestures

Rest In Peace, Steve Jobs   …and thank you for all that you and your products have done for so many people with and without disabilities. “‎Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes,” “the ones who see things differently.” -short tribute video.

AND a couple quick articles:

• Engaging Students With Twitter: http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/09/14/engaging-students-with-twitter.aspx
• Learning With iPads Blog: http://learningwithipads.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html