Mr. Allen's
Classroom
Assistive Technology Resource Depot
During my studies this term, I have been focusing on Assistive technology (AT) for reading and writing related tasks. Upon my initial understanding, I was under the impression that such tools were primarily limited to google read and write and/speech to text. However, I was overwhelmed with the amount of resources, material, and information available to help all learners strengthen their reading and writing skills.
This page, designed primarily for teachers and parents, will provide a variety of information and resources related to AT when relating to Language Arts. I will try to include programs and apps that will work on different platforms on for the listed themes. Please shuffle through all the options if your first choice isn't a great fit. I have researched and found, what I believe to be, the best and cheapest options available for each related concept. Of course, there is a lot of resources beyond what has been compiled below. Follow the links at the bottom for further information, research, and resources. Enjoy!
Below is a selection of smart pens, these pens can read to students, scan documents, and even send information to a computer or tablet. These pens all provide assistance in a variety of settings. These multi-functional tools take away tasks that can be quite daunting, and stressful to many learners.
Scan/Store/Send Pens
Text to Speech Software
Students who struggle when reading will benefit from being read to. The following programs will read text aloud. It may benefit learners struggling with fluency, phonetics, and word recognition.
Free
Not Free
Voice Recognition Software has become a more common tool for many writers. It takes away some of the stresses that students can associate with large writing tasks. Many student benefit from the using speech to text tools due to difficulties with writing. These struggles may be related to motor skills, handwriting, spelling, and/or fluency. Speech to text records what a person says orally and then converts into written text in a document.
Speech to Text Writing Software
PROGRAMS
APPS
Also known as concept, knowledge, or story maps,graphic organizers are a commonly used/encouraged tool when writing. They provide a visual aid/reference when writing and can help keep a visual structure for ideas and relationships that bind them together.
Graphic Organizers
These pens can record and link information. Unlike many tools on this page, this pen isn't a free item but it is very interesting and could be a huge help to learners that have trouble multi-tasking or staying organized
Paper Based Computer Pens
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology can be defined as any piece of technology that can help a learner increase their level of functioning. Everyone has used technology to assist them at some point; siri, google maps, remote controls, an alarm clock, and so on.
Some learners have difficulty completing tasks that others many find quite easy. Assistive Technology exists in many different forms to help these learners perform an array of tasks and closes the difficulty gaps in the process.
AT is available for almost any subject imaginable, but the resources and links on this page refer more specifically to reading and writing tasks.
Assistive Technology Groups
Low-Tech AT
Assistive Technology can be broken down further into three dominant categories depending on the level of "Tech" involved.
Low-tech items usually require little training and often lack complex mechanical features such as: highlighters, pencil grips, large print text, or a multi-use pen.
Mid-tech items are usually a step up from low-teach, they require some training before use, may be electronic, and may also possess more complex functions such as: speech to text, digital organizers, audiobooks, or specialized keyboards.
Mid-Tech AT
High-tech items often require legitimate training before use, perform very complex tasks/operations, and are most likely electronic. Examples include: Hearing aids, Global Positioning Systems, Smartphones, and digital magnifiers.
High-Tech AT
Digital Formative Assesment Tools
There is a wide range of ways to assess understanding, comprehension, and the like. Many resources are becoming available that go beyond the basic worksheet. The following programs, and apps are, often free, tools that allow the assessment process to be more interactive. Quizzes are viewed on a projector/smart board, students follow along on whatever digital device is available to them.
Digital Presentation Tools
Digital presentation tools allow your students to present their information through more than just words. They are able to experiment with design themes, images, video, audio and more. Here is a selection of excellent, user friendly, programs and apps.
The Hemingway App
The Hemingway App is another Digital Presentation Tool, but I have set it aside due it's benefits for students. This APP is capable of helping user edit their own sentences for correct grammar and audience age/level. Very cool app!
Digital Story Book Creators
Story writing is a still a very popular and important element of literature. Digital tools are now taking this concept and giving you, and your students, more control and options. The following tools take the idea of a story, message, theme, or idea and create visual representations. The following links range in their design from visual story book, to picture prompts, to comics. Each one, another way for students to create, tell a story or share what they know.
Proofreading Software
For big writing projects, concepts like spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, are common struggles for writers of all ages. Teachers find it difficult to help each student monitor these issues effectively due to the diverse needs of the classroom. On top of instruction, there are apps that can also help students identify and edit any possible errors.
Free
Not Free
As accommodating as technology can be for some students, many still struggle to operate the tools associate with computing. Using a keyboard can be a real challenge for a variety of students. Fortunately, programmable keyboards with special overlays are available. Keyboards can be customizable in many ways, here are links to some information on such products and suppliers.
Alternative Keyboards
Digital tools and apps are now available for several speech-impaired children and adults. Selective mute, autistic, high-anxiety, and other students with a range of learning disabilities greatly benefit from these communication tools. They provide the user with a list of commonly used items/terms that they can choose from to convert their thoughts and needs.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
