My StoryMaker, (your computer needs Adobe Flash to use this website) is a free interactive program for writing short stories hosted by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Through visuals, the author selects the characters, items, objects and settings. By selecting feelings, actions, and interactions, the author guides the characters. The program fills in sentences based… Read More My StoryMaker
The Power of Writing to Strengthen Reading
It is often suggested that if learners struggle with reading they should do more writing! Students can benefit from multiple writing opportunities such as writing about books they are reading (with sentence starter prompts as needed), small -group, shared writing called Predictable Chart Writing, and Thinking Logs for mathematical writing. The Center for Early Literacy… Read More The Power of Writing to Strengthen Reading
Giving Students a Choice
Students should be empowered to select their own assistive technology. Even at a basic level, students can learn to exercise choice. User input significantly affects abandonment of assistive technology (Phillips & Zhao, 1993). Develop activities that can help increase capacity of students to self-assess and select their personal assistive technology solutions. Include them in… Read More Giving Students a Choice
Writing and Assistive Technology
Speech-to-text, also known as speech recognition, is replacing word processing and word prediction. Recently, it has improved dramatically and is usually a built in feature with new products (i.e., tablets, smartphones, TVs, cars, and glasses). Unlike dictating to a tape recorder, speech-to-text can display text for the student and be repeatedly read as often as… Read More Writing and Assistive Technology
Make a Communication Board with Google Slides
You can make a communication board for children who are nonverbal or minimally verbal using either Google documents or Google presentation. Your board will be available to edit anytime or any device. You can also make it public for others to use online. It only takes 5-10 minutes or even less. This presentation includes step-by-step… Read More Make a Communication Board with Google Slides
Speech-to-Text Using Google Chrome
Speech-to-text can assist in writing, reading, math, and learning foreign languages. It can help students complete work more efficiently and produce a better product. All students can benefit from speech-to-text and it can open opportunities for struggling students and students with disabilities. ********************************************************** Speech-to-Text Using Google Chrome ********************************************************** Speech recognition using Google Chrome is the… Read More Speech-to-Text Using Google Chrome
Using Digital Photos of Students to Teach Language
********************************************************** Using Digital Photos of Students to Teach Language ********************************************************** Play Bingo with the students pictures Show part of the photo and try to guess who it is Sort boys/girls Use digital disguises (hat/glasses/jewelry) Delete the eyes and mouth, print and then use manipulatives to change expressions Make a flipbook with heads on different bodies… Read More Using Digital Photos of Students to Teach Language