The Assistive Technology Blog tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009:/113 2009-11-05T19:27:13Z The Virginia Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at VCU's Assistive Technology Blog is for Assistive Technology providers across Superintendent's Regions 1 & 8. Do you have a question you would like to see answered in the assistive technology blog? EMAIL US and someone on the Assistive Technology team here will post an answer as quickly as we can! Movable Type 4.25 Those digital students... tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55668 2009-11-06T19:23:42Z 2009-11-05T19:27:13Z This video shares a wonderful perspective on why we believe in frameworks such as universal design for learning (UDL); frameworks that celebrate the positive practices of infusing technology to support learning.... Fran Smith This video shares a wonderful perspective on why we believe in frameworks such as universal design for learning (UDL); frameworks that celebrate the positive practices of infusing technology to support learning.







]]> Following new developments about UDL and technology tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55770 2009-11-05T21:06:28Z 2009-11-05T21:14:51Z If you're like many of us, staying abreast of the latest trends and developments in technology is overwhelming. Add to that the long list of social media tools that are important to follow and, well, things can become quite overwhelming.... Fran Smith If you're like many of us, staying abreast of the latest trends and developments in technology is overwhelming. Add to that the long list of social media tools that are important to follow and, well, things can become quite overwhelming. That's why I've chosen to become a "Facebook Fan' of both CAST and NCTI. For example, just last week, CAST posted several new tools and developments through their Facebook page such as:

* A new one-page reference on great #UDL learning tools from CAST
http://bit.ly/2Y1N0S

* Canada embracing UDL. Important in a bilingual culture. http://bit.ly/4AYOa

* NEW book on policy and UDL debuts, "A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning"

Take the time to make your social media tools work for you and stay abreast of the news!

]]> National resources on universal design for learning (UDL) tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.54400 2009-11-04T20:51:06Z 2009-09-30T19:53:42Z If you're looking for some great resources to inform others about universal design for learning, consider visiting the National UDL Taskforce. Several UDL Fact Sheets are available including a new edition for English Language Learners.... Fran Smith If you're looking for some great resources to inform others about universal design for learning, consider visiting the National UDL Taskforce. Several UDL Fact Sheets are available including a new edition for English Language Learners.

]]> How AT can be integrated into existing general education structures and intitiatives tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55441 2009-11-03T10:25:13Z 2009-10-30T16:28:39Z This 70-minute recorded webinar features Gayl Bowser: Integrating Assistive Technology Writing Tools. Click on http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=129373&title=Integrating_Assistive_Technology_Writing_Tools to watch.... Susanne Croasdaile This 70-minute recorded webinar features Gayl Bowser: Integrating Assistive Technology Writing Tools. Click on http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=129373&title=Integrating_Assistive_Technology_Writing_Tools to watch.

]]> Braille Labeler-it's portable and inexpensive! tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55442 2009-11-02T17:26:40Z 2009-11-04T13:41:16Z Do you remember using a hand-held labeler when you were young with sticky tape that could be used to put your name on all of your special items? Have you wanted to provide access to students who use braille, but... Kelly Ligon Do you remember using a hand-held labeler when you were young with sticky tape that could be used to put your name on all of your special items? Have you wanted to provide access to students who use braille, but don't have access to a Braille machine? I found a portable brailler for $34 dollars that can be used to quickly provide access to print and the environment. The device has regular print as well as braille, so it can be used by everyone.
Check it out!

http://www.independentliving.com

]]> Virtual Pencil Arithmetic review tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55429 2009-10-30T13:59:28Z 2009-10-30T14:09:02Z Click on http://www.axistive.com/connsense-review-virtual-pencil-arithmetic.html to read a review of the Virtual Pencil Arithmetic program. It is used with students who find it difficult to write or align numbers and helps them to solve math problems, including working with fractions and decimals.... Susanne Croasdaile Click on http://www.axistive.com/connsense-review-virtual-pencil-arithmetic.html to read a review of the Virtual Pencil Arithmetic program. It is used with students who find it difficult to write or align numbers and helps them to solve math problems, including working with fractions and decimals. The company has a website here: http://www.hentermath.com/.

]]> Greater Access through Adaptive Positioning tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55414 2009-10-29T21:07:40Z 2009-10-29T21:45:36Z Take a look at the following links that will help you provide greater access to instruction and increased student engagement. http://www.turningpointtechnology.com/Manipulatives/Adaptation.asp http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~pah37/equipment.html... Lanett W. Brailey Take a look at the following links that will help you provide greater access to instruction and increased student engagement.

http://www.turningpointtechnology.com/Manipulatives/Adaptation.asp

http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~pah37/equipment.html

]]> Transitioning to College? tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55355 2009-10-29T02:30:40Z 2009-10-28T02:39:05Z The Post-ITT Web Site is a collection of resources and activities to help students, parents and educators plan for transition from secondary to postsecondary schools. Included on this website is a nice training module for families of students with disabilties... Sharon Jones The Post-ITT Web Site is a collection of resources and activities to help students, parents and educators plan for transition from secondary to postsecondary schools. Included on this website is a nice training module for families of students with disabilties who are planning for college. This module caught our eyes because there is a nice section on AT that includes activities for students to learn more about AT and how to choose appropriate AT to meet their needs. Check it out! http://www.postitt.org/parentcourse/index.shtml

]]> Livescribe takes an award tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.54399 2009-10-28T19:22:48Z 2009-09-30T19:33:27Z Did you know that the Livescribe pen, one of our favorite AT devices, was tapped for a bronze award in the recent "2009 Technology Innovation Awards" through the Wall Street Journal (September 14, 2009). We've been impressed with this tool... Fran Smith Did you know that the Livescribe pen, one of our favorite AT devices, was tapped for a bronze award in the recent "2009 Technology Innovation Awards" through the Wall Street Journal (September 14, 2009). We've been impressed with this tool as one that offers a seamless technology that an individual can use to acquire information in multiple formats.

At our summer "Got AT" event from the VDOE Assistive Technology Priority Project, I had first hand experience watching educators try out this tool at our display. Their interests were quickly piqued when they realized that a handwritten note had also been captured as an audio recording in the pen. In addition. touching any point on the handwritten notes brought back a recording of the exact discussion. A wonderful application of using technology to scaffold a learner's acquisition of information.

]]> In case you were too busy to read about the VISO on-screen calculator... tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55337 2009-10-27T16:10:27Z 2009-10-27T17:37:54Z viso_demo.mp4...just take a minute (actually 45 seconds) to watch it. Cool, huh? Read more here: http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/2009/10/13/case-on-screen-speaking-calculator-improves-access-to-higher-math/... Susanne Croasdaile viso_demo.mp4...just take a minute (actually 45 seconds) to watch it.

Cool, huh? Read more here: http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/2009/10/13/case-on-screen-speaking-calculator-improves-access-to-higher-math/

]]> Adaptive Curriculum tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.54440 2009-10-26T13:18:56Z 2009-10-02T01:27:25Z Adaptive Curriculum brings math to life! It's a web based supplemental math curriculum for students in grades 6-8. It provides students with real world scenarios, math application and interactive learning. Teachers are able to track student progress and change their... Kelly Ligon Adaptive Curriculum brings math to life! It's a web based supplemental math curriculum for students in grades 6-8. It provides students with real world scenarios, math application and interactive learning. Teachers are able to track student progress and change their learning paths as needed. Not sure of the cost. If anyone finds out, let us know!
Meanwhile see what you think!

]]> Free webinar on writing tools tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55331 2009-10-23T15:53:24Z 2009-10-27T16:00:33Z Join authors Brian Friedlander, Ph.D and Joan Green M.A.CCC-SLP for a free webinar to learn about their new interactive video ebook. Go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/440908155 to reserve a free webinar seat or click here: http://assistivetek.blogspot.com/2009/10/free-webinar-technology-supports-for.html to learn more. The focus is... Susanne Croasdaile Join authors Brian Friedlander, Ph.D and Joan Green M.A.CCC-SLP for a free webinar to learn about their new interactive video ebook. Go to
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/440908155 to reserve a free webinar seat or click here: http://assistivetek.blogspot.com/2009/10/free-webinar-technology-supports-for.html to learn more. The focus is a new interactive guide to cutting-edge technology tools, strategies and resources to improve the writing process. This video ebook is now available at www.ittsguides.com. They plan to record this webinar and make it available for viewing for one week after the session. Even if you can't participate live, they will notify you about how to view the recorded session after it takes place.

]]> Assistive Communication Device that talks! tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55059 2009-10-22T16:48:35Z 2009-10-19T23:50:33Z Technology is amazing! Take a look at the Logan ProxTalker which is a moveable picture system that talks. Holds 10,000 and can string five words together. Click on the following link:ProxTalker.com... Lanett W. Brailey Technology is amazing! Take a look at the Logan ProxTalker which is a moveable picture system that talks. Holds 10,000 and can string five words together.
Click on the following link:ProxTalker.com

]]> A new article on the importance of AT .... tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.55128 2009-10-22T11:38:24Z 2009-10-21T11:40:23Z A recent article posted in Education Week's Digital Directions highlights the importance of assistive technology for students with autism. Read more at http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2009/10/21/01autistictech.h03.html... Fran Smith A recent article posted in Education Week's Digital Directions highlights the importance of assistive technology for students with autism. Read more at http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2009/10/21/01autistictech.h03.html

]]> Seeing UDL in Action tag:www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu,2009://113.54397 2009-10-21T19:10:10Z 2009-09-30T19:33:45Z Here's a great location to review that will share some best practices in demonstrating UDL in action. The UDL Spotlight was a new feature in the recently released National UDL Center. Educators and practitioners from around the country share their... Fran Smith Here's a great location to review that will share some best practices in demonstrating UDL in action. The UDL Spotlight was a new feature in the recently released National UDL Center. Educators and practitioners from around the country share their stories of infusing UDL. Worth a peek!

http://udlspotlight.wordpress.com/

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