The Digital Learner Assistive Technology Software and the World Wide Web Jillian Baker ~ EDS 621

Mrs. Baker’s Class The following are software programs, web-based applications, and Web 2.0 tools that are currently being used in our 1 st grade classroom. – Protopage – Blogspot – Website Symphony Math, Boardmaker, Earobics, Smart Notebook

Software and Web Based Applications

Language Arts Reading and Writing Clicker5 is a proven reading and writing software tool that is applicable to students of all ages. It uses pictures and natural voice to enhance student writing. It is based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Clicker offers a range of both curriculum and accessibility support to meet individual needs. This software is a great accommodation tool. The No Limit to Learning blog comments on the success of this software with a 2 nd grade writer. Spelling City is a web-based task analysis application for spelling for younger children. Teachers and families can access the site. Students can practice, test, and play games for spelling, vocabulary, and sight words that are available on the site or can be created by the teacher. I use this site in my classroom and I absolutely love it. It works great for all different learners.

Language Arts CompuThera is a seven step program focusing on reading instruction for visual learners and children with autism. This is a remedial program that can be used for accommodating instruction for children. This is a very visual program meant to compliment Applied Behavior Anaylsis (ABA). It has received good reviews and appears to be very user friendly. Phonics Plus Five is a program that focuses on sequencing, motor skills, sounds, meaning, grammar, and text. It is a remedial tool that is easy to use easy to use and designed for children ages 4 to 10. This program is available at Amazon.com and has a 4 and ¾ star rating

Mathematics Software and Web-Based Applications Symphony Math is a task analysis software that was created for differentiate instruction. The program keeps children working at their own level. You do need to purchase a license for the program to be used school wide. It is a concrete math tool for visual learners. It collects data and provided information on each student as they work through the material. One of the great features about this program is that it is web-based so students can login to the program from home with their families. The teachers in my school have mixed feelings about the program and the interest level of the children. This is my first year with the program and I am anxious to see how it works out. Rock N Go LLC is a software program that incorporates many genres of music to enhance math skills that addresses multiple learning domains including: audio, visual, small motor, and tactile. This a task analysis software that holds the interest of all different young learners. BrainFlips is a task analysis program that is used for creating, sharing and studying flashcards. You can make flashcards on any subject and share them with your classmates and families. BrainFlips flashcards can incorporate text, images, audio and video to learn any subject. This program is applicable to both elementary and secondary students.

Mathematics Software and Web-Based Applications Jump Start Math is task analysis program that has features that are both web based and installable software. The web-based feature is an educational games website called Knowledge Adventure. The games focus on skills for students preschool to 2 nd grade. Students in my own classroom find the games particularly entertaining. The Jump Start software is a Learning system to use for building and maintain a strong skill base. The Jump Start program is award winning as well as affordable. The Math Blaster is another task analysis program focusing on students ages 6 to 12 that has been created by this specific company. This is a company that has received many awards, including a 5 out of 5 star score from Amazon, and has withstood the test of time Series.aspx

Communication Proloque2go is new program that provides a communication tool for students who have difficulty speaking. It has natural sounding text-to- speech voices, symbols, and a large vocabulary; all to use on the iPad. Boardmaker is a software tool used for adapting symbol-based printed activities for students with special needs. Boardmaker has more than 4,500 Picture Communication Symbols. You can use the symbols or draw your own. This program is frequently used by teachers in my school. My Time is a scheduling program produced be Mayer-Johnson. The software program can be used for children of all ages.

Web 2.0

Language Arts Reading and Writing Web 2.0 Voice Thread is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds pictures, documents, and vidoes and also allows people to navigate pages and leave comments. There are 5 different was you can leave your comments using voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a webcam). Toon Doo is a web tool that aids in language development that allows students to create their own comics. This is a great activity for both elementary and secondary students. Kids Blog is a child safe and child friendly blog that can be used as a writing and communication tool with learners of all different abilities. I have created an account to use with all of the 1 st graders in my classroom. Voxopop is a way to talk online. Teachers and students can record their voices to share and discuss ideas. This free tool enables learners of all abilities to record their speaking and share their stories and thoughts. Penzu is a free web tool for creating a personal journal. A great accommodation tool for writing and it is fun to use.

Communication Web 2.0 Blogspot is a free communication tool to keep families, students, and professional in constant contact. A perfect example of how the blog can be used to keep people on an Assistive Technology Team connected is the No Limit to Learning blog that is posted by a district Assititive Technology specialist. I use it to keep in touch with families in my classroom. Students may use it as a writing or comprehension tool. Flickr and Slide is a fun and free tool for photos and slideshow creation. There are many uses for this tool in your classroom. You can create stories, lessons, and schedules with the slideshows using real photos. It is also a great way to keep families informed and up to date. & Protopage is a personal page that can be used to create of news and blogs, keep bookmarks, to-do lists, and sticky notes. I use this free tool as a bookmark page to make all of the web-based applications that we use in class available to all parents and students at the click of the mouse. Yola is a great site to easily create a free tool to be used by teachers, students, and families. The websites created using this tool are functional and attractive.

Final Thoughts There are many wonderful resources available to students, parents, and teachers alike on the world wide web. It is time that we take advantage of what the web has to offer to accommodate, communicate, and motivate students and families!