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Archive for Web 3.0 Tools

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!

Focus at Will Screen Shot

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


NO REGISTRATION FEE TO ATTENDEES!
Attendees - Register Here!

 

under: 21st Century Skills, apps, AT Conferences, General Info, iPads, Online Resources, PC, Samples & Examples, Software, UDL, Web 3.0 Tools

200th Blog Posting Image Click For Special OpportunityClick 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: 

 February  2008:

February  2009:

February , 2010:

February , 2011:

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!

Comments Ideas Suggestions for PATINS Image Link

under: 21st Century Skills, AAC, apps, AT Conferences, EduChallenge, Featured Teacher, funding, General Info, Hardware, Mac, NIMAS, Online Resources, Parents and Families, PC, Project Based Learning, RTI/IFS, Samples & Examples, Software, UDL, Uncategorized, Web 2.0 Tools, Web 3.0 Tools
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PATINS SL Island Main Auditorium Image

THIS COMING MONDAY!
May 2   4-5pm EST
NO COST!

Chris Bugaj & Beth Poss Present: UDL 2.0  The Read-Write Web: Free Online Tools

  • Register Here (limited, but spots still available): www.surveymonkey.com/s/MAY2
  • PATINS Second Life Island Event Location: http://bit.ly/PATINSLSISLAND

  • PGP Points Available for Attending
  • Right After School Timing for most
  • Must have Second Life Software Installed and Avatar created.  A little practice time also recommended: www.secondlife.com
  • PATINS Staff happy to assist you with getting started or question you might have: www.patinsproject.com/contact.html
  • Download The Flyer Here: Poss Bugaj SL May 2011 Flyer
  • These awesome national presenters will share loads of great free tools that you can use in your classrooms right away and access to this opportunity is available at NO COST to you!

About The Great Presenters:

Christopher R. Bugaj, MA CCC-SLP earned his Bachelor of Science in Education at the State University of New York at Fredonia and earned his Masters of Arts in Speech Pathology at Kent State University. Chris is the host of the A.T.TIPScast, an award-winning podcast featuring tools and strategies that can be used to differentiate instruction. Chris is the co-author of The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools: Building or Improving Your District’s AT Team and has presented at a variety of local, state, and national conferences and is an active member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. He currently works as an assistive technology trainer for Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. Chris is also the co-producer and co-author of the popular Night Light Stories podcast which features original stories for children of all ages.

Beth Poss, MA CCC-SLP, a graduate of The George Washington University and Johns Hopkins University, is an Instructional Specialist in Curriculum and Universal Design for Learning for Montgomery County Public Schools, in Maryland. She also serves as a consultant for Johns Hopkins Center for Technology in Education and the Maryland Assistive Technology Network and teaches graduate classes in Assistive and Instructional Technology for Towson State University and Johns Hopkins University. Beth has presented locally, regionally, and nationally at a variety of educational and assistive technology conferences including ATIA and Closing the Gap.

About The Session:

Your goals are to motivate students to read and write, allow students to express their knowledge in unique ways and provide multimedia based materials to enhance student understanding. Don’t have the budget to purchase some of the wonderful, but costly software out there?  Then, this session is for you! We will explore web-based tools that are free or very low cost that can be used to support the 3 basic constructs of Universal Design for Learning–multiple means of engagement, multiple means of representation and multiple means of expression. A variety of flexible, interactive Web 2.0 tools such as will be demonstrated. Examples of how to use these tools in a Universally Designed for Learning classroom to support a wide range of student needs will be explored. Participants will walk away with ideas that they can put to use right away without the need for purchasing new equipment or software!

Event Flyer Here:
Poss Bugaj SL May 2011 Flyer

Register Here (limited, but spots still available):
www.surveymonkey.com/s/MAY2

under: AT Conferences, Online Resources, UDL, Web 2.0 Tools, Web 3.0 Tools
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Last week I attended the Spring Leadership Development Program Seminar at Purdue University, which was all about “Working Smarter With Technology, Not Harder.”  I grabbed a bunch of great ideas and tools, some of which I knew, but many were new to me and all are worth sharing!

  1. screencastomatic: www.screencast-o-matic.com
  2. Jing: www.techsmith.com/jing
  3. screenjelly: www.screenjelly.com
  4. screencastle: http://screencastle.com
  • AudioBoo: from your phone, record an audio recording of yourself and it automatically goes online for students or colleagues: http://audioboo.fm/

eBook Reader Comparison Matrix (thanks Jim): http://ebook-reader-review.toptenreviews.com/

Skype For Android: You know I’ve been a fan of Skype since 2006 and have blogged about using it for meetings, trainings, workshops, collaboration, teaming, co-teaching and so much more.  You probably also know it’s been available as an APP for Apple devices for quite some time now, but now it’s also available as an APP for Android devices: www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-mobile/download/skype-for-android/

This week I’m attending and presenting at 2 great VIRTUAL Conferences.  Make sure to check them out for next year.  Hear great information and never have to leave your desk!

Don’t Forget To Register!  2 Great Virtual Events Coming Up!

  • May 2: Chris Bugaj and Beth Poss on Free online tools for your classroom:  www.surveymonkey.com/s/MAY2
    If you like free Web 2.0 types of tools as I have listed above, you NEED to come to this session on Monday!  Chris & Beth will have lots of GREAT Stuff!
under: 21st Century Skills, AT Conferences, General Info, Online Resources, Software, Web 2.0 Tools, Web 3.0 Tools
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Tech Expo Image 3

Tech Expo Presentation Schedule: For those of you attending the Tech Expo next week here’s the “Schedule At A Glance:“  TechExpo2011PresentationAtAGlance

PATINS SL Island Main Auditorium Image

PATINS SL Island Main Auditorium

Monday May 2, 2011 4-5pm EST

Chris Bugaj & Beth Poss Present: UDL 2.0  The Read-Write Web: Free Tools for Students

Christopher R. Bugaj, MA CCC-SLP earned his Bachelor of Science in Education at the State University of New York at Fredonia and earned his Masters of Arts in Speech Pathology at Kent State University. Chris is the host of the A.T.TIPScast, an award-winning podcast featuring tools and strategies that can be used to differentiate instruction. Chris is the co-author of The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools: Building or Improving Your District’s AT Team and has presented at a variety of local, state, and national conferences and is an active member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. He currently works as an assistive technology trainer for Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. Chris is also the co-producer and co-author of the popular Night Light Stories podcast which features original stories for children of all ages.

Beth Poss, MA CCC-SLP, a graduate of The George Washington University and Johns Hopkins University, is an Instructional Specialist in Curriculum and Universal Design for Learning for Montgomery County Public Schools, in Maryland. She also serves as a consultant for Johns Hopkins Center for Technology in Education and the Maryland Assistive Technology Network and teaches graduate classes in Assistive and Instructional Technology for Towson State University and Johns Hopkins University. Beth has presented locally, regionally, and nationally at a variety of educational and assistive technology conferences including ATIA and Closing the Gap.

MicrosoftMathImage

Microsoft Math 4.0 (Thanks Colleen!): Shared with me this week is the Microsoft Math 4.0 FREE download.  This has a step-by-step equation solver, graphing calculator, formulas and equations library, triangle solver, and a unit conversion tool and is available for both 32 and 64 bit systems.     www.microsoft.com/education/products/student/math/default.aspx?qstr=CR_CC=&CR_ID=#overview

Math Add-In for Word and Onenote: Upon install, it also gives you the opportunity to add Math options to MS Word and Onenote.  Here’s the link directly to that download:
www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=ca620c50-1a56-49d2-90bd-b2e505b3bf09

Disney Digital Books: Yet, another example of mainstream content moving toward more flexible, accessible and portable digital text: http://disneydigitalbooks.go.com The Story Builder is especially cool, but not free.  But if this interests you, don’t forget about the FREE Book Builder from CAST: http://bookbuilder.cast.org

under: 21st Century Skills, AT Conferences, General Info, Online Resources, Software, UDL, Web 2.0 Tools, Web 3.0 Tools
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VWBPE_Image

VWBPE Image

Virtual Worlds Best Practices In Education is Happening RIGHT NOW!

This is the third year I’ve attended and my second year presenting at this amazing 3 day, online, free, international educational conference. If you can possibly get into Second Life to attend any of this conference today.  It started at 5pm EST last evening and runs through Sunday night, pretty much 24 hours/day!  There are lots of really great sessions going on.  I’ll be giving a tour of the PATINS Island tonight from 5pm -6:30pm EST.

Here’s the Master Schedule for all events across the 3 days: http://vwbpe11.vwbpe.org/

VWBPE 2011
See you there, hopefully!   My avatar’s name is, “DanielG Tigerfish.”

ICAM Logo image

New PATINS DRM Interview Podcast Episode with Concord Schools DRM, Tim Tahara: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id394731602

Some Quick Resources:

Coming Events:

Have a Great Weekend Image


under: 21st Century Skills, AT Conferences, Online Resources, Samples & Examples, Web 2.0 Tools, Web 3.0 Tools
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Open Source Content/Virtual School:

http://thejournal.com/Articles/2011/03/02/Open-Content-in-Practice.aspx?Page=1

Why Open Source Textbooks? (Video): http://davidwees.com/content/why-textbooks-should-be-open-source

Audiobook Creator: I had a couple of emails this week from teachers wanting to take some audiobooks they had and bread or divide them up into more manageable chunks.  The books they have are all one audio file or all one single mp3, which tends to be difficult to navigate for students if they are required to, for example, open their books to chapter 3.  So, you could potentially break it up into chapters yourself, but you’d have to do it manually, which might take some time.   I think I blogged about these tools back in 2008, but now’s as good a time as ever to bring them up again.

  1. For PC : Free mp3 to m4b converter: www.freeipodsoftware.com/index.php
  2. For Mac:

Alternatively, You could import the file into Audacity (free) and chop it up manually into chapters or whatever… exporting each chuck as a separate audio file.  This is free and very doable, but will take a little time and also require you to learn to use Audacity, which isn’t hard, but is a small learning curve.  Probably a good thing to learn anyway, in my opinion.

Read More…

under: 21st Century Skills, AT Conferences, NIMAS, Online Resources, Software, Web 2.0 Tools, Web 3.0 Tools
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Free UDL Forum March 31: The registration is open online for the UDL Forum in Columbus at the end of March….first come, first served registration.
http://www.bcsc.k12.in.us/15891021813643263/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=62885&15891021813643263Nav=|&NodeID=2552

Configure Your Firewall To Allow Second Life: I can tell you that we’ve got at least one really exciting opportunity coming up on the PATINS Second Life Island.  Here’s some information on configuring a firewall to allow you to join us!  Watch for more info on upcoming events!  http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:Configuring_your_firewall_to_allow_access_to_Second_Life

VWBPE_Image

VWBPE_Image

Virtual Worlds Best Practices In Education: It’s THAT time again!   3 Straight days (day and night) 0f  FREE online (virtual) conferences!  I believe I’ll be presenting again this year on the PATINS Project Second Life Island.  Did I mention it’s entirely free?   Check it out here: http://www.vwbpe.org/ Register Here: http://vwbpe11.eventbrite.com/

Frontline Digital Nation Online Video: If you’ve seen this Frontline Video already, it’s worth checking out.  It offers a pretty interesting look at both sides of some digital issues that I know I’m addressing almost on a daily basis when I talk to LEA staff.  Even if you just have it playing in the background and listen to the audio while you’re working on something else:
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view

Safe Online: Here’s a resource I think I might have posted in the past, but have recently used it again and thought worth re-sharing.  Stay Safe Online is a resource for the National Cyber Security Alliance and offers some tools worth bookmarking and at least having an awareness of.  If we are going to promote the opening up/less blocking of all the great web 2.0 tools in our schools, then we also have to have the knowledge and resources at the ready to TEACH online responsibility to our students (and our staff).   www.staysafeonline.org I particularly like and embrace the 3 Key Pillars: www.staysafeonline.org/in-the-classroom/three-key-pillars

Voki For Education: “There are endless ways of using Voki in your classroom! You can use Voki for any subject and any grade. Our users upload their lesson plans for your convenience. Additionally, we encourage you to visit the Teacher’s Corner to learn and get inspired by our community of educators.”  www.voki.com/Voki_for_education.php

2 Quick Web 2.0 Tools From Vicki this week: These are cool tools and Vocaroo is one that I’d like to talk more about next week!  Check it out!

REMEMBER

under: 21st Century Skills, AT Conferences, Online Resources, UDL, Web 2.0 Tools, Web 3.0 Tools
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SORRY I’M LATE this week!  I’ve been terribly sick for nearly a full week now and hope none of you get this nasty virus!  I do have some great things to share however and better late than never!

AT Overview Module: NW Site Coordinator, Jim Lambert, has done an awesome job creating this online module that you can work through at your own pace AND receive PGP credit!   Check this out:
www.patinsproject.com/AT%20Overview%20Course/AT%20Overview%20Files/index.htm

Learning Online in 3D: So, again this year at ATIA I heard plenty about online, immersive learning in 3D Virtual Worlds.  I may have blogged about these in years past, but they are worth checking out again.

WiloStar: “Online Homeschooling and 3D Virtual Worlds for K-12 Education”  FULLY ACCREDITED! www.wilostar3d.com

Avatar Story Tellers: K-12 Virtual Worlds.  Take your Digital Story Telling to the next level!!! “Avatar Storytellers is the first multiplayer online educational virtual world designed specifically for classroom students ages 9-12.  Avatar storytellers is an engaging K-12 immersive virtual world educational curricula that allows students to create 3D digital stories inside immersive virtual worlds using WiloStar3D’s custom avatar system.”   www.avatarstorytellers.com

LEGO Universe: Already being a fan of LEGO’s and the creativity they seem to encourage in kids and adults, This particular one got me so excited that I actually went and found a lego store and bought this software before leaving the ATIA conference.  It was $20 for the software and then there is a monthly fee to participate, but the first month is free to try it out.  I have to tell you that after only a few days of my own 7 and 9 year old girls playing it, that this is an amazing online immersive learning experience for students.  http://universe.lego.com/en-us/parents/wheretobuy.aspx#tab-download

Designing Online in 3D and Students on the Autism Spectrum: Many of you are probably already familiar with Google Sketchup.  If not, it’s a free way of creating and modeling things in 3D.  It’s very fun, very powerful and very engaging!  http://sketchup.google.com/

Particularly related to Google Sketchup and kids on the autism spectrum, check this out!   Students on the Autism Spectrum

Finally for this week, Apps for Children With Special Needs:   http://a4cwsn.com

Lots more next week!

2011 PATINS TECH EXPO (free & PGPs)

REGISTER NOW ONLINE:

www.surveymonkey.com/s/techexpo2011

Flyer Here:
www.patinsproject.com/Tech%20Expo%202011/flyer.pdf

under: 21st Century Skills, apps, AT Conferences, General Info, Online Resources, Web 2.0 Tools, Web 3.0 Tools
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RFB&D and ICAM Introduce
gh ReadHear
to Empower Struggling Readers!

We are pleased to announce the launch of ReadHear software by gh for RFB&D DAISY-formatted audiobooks.  This software is available to registered DRMs within the state of Indiana.

1.      To download this software: (around 25 MB):

a.       go to ICAM’s installer page

b.      logon with your ICAM login and password

c.       Select the PC or Mac version to install

d.      Make note of the Activation Credentials (login and password) which you will need to activate the software after download.

2.      For more information on ReadHear software by gh, please go to www.rfbd.org/indiana.

3.      Register for a short, easy training session below:

a.       January 12, 2011 at 3:00pm EST

Download a PDF of the announcement here: IN ReadHear Announcement I

Virtual Children’s Museum: Right now, this is free, but soon there will be a small charge I believe.  There are some really great things here and if you have a tablet, like a Wacom, there are some really fun interactive things for students to do here that are incredibly engaging.  This is, I believe, very much the direction we are heading in with learning in general.  http://chrome.fraboom.com

Hand e HolderiPad Holder: Check out this handy holder for using an iPad!   At this site are several other options as well, for holding iTouches, Phones, etc.  Some are desktop holders, others are Leg Straps, C-Clamps, etc.  See what you think!   www.handeholder.com/3.html

ICAM Logo image
DRM Podcast #3!
Last Friday I interviewed Marilou Vander Griend about her role as a DRM or Digital Rights Manager and the outstanding job she has done to get students in her district the accessible texts they are entitled to.  Listen to her advice, suggestions and experiences so far as a DRM in Podcast Episode 3 here:

Or subscribe for FREE to the podcast through iTunes here:

under: 21st Century Skills, NIMAS, Online Resources, Software, Web 2.0 Tools, Web 3.0 Tools
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