ABEA Digitools Workshop Presented by: Gigi Bird, Ailene Easley, and Diane Welch

What is DigiTools? DigiTools is short for digital tools. Digital hardware tools include: Personal computers Personal computers Portable or laptop computers Portable or laptop computers Tablet PCs Tablet PCs Handhelds and PDAs: Palm Pilots, Handspring Visors, and Pocket PCs Handhelds and PDAs: Palm Pilots, Handspring Visors, and Pocket PCs Wireless phones Wireless phones Digital cameras Digital cameras Pagers Pagers Scanners Scanners Networking hardware such as hubs, routers, access points, and switches Networking hardware such as hubs, routers, access points, and switches Other digital devices Other digital devices

You might use DigiTools to: Send Send Transmit instant messages Transmit instant messages Write reports Write reports Create charts and graphs Create charts and graphs Calculate your taxes and income Calculate your taxes and income Burn (create) CDs and DVDs Burn (create) CDs and DVDs Design Web sites Design Web sites Develop tables Develop tables Make phone calls Make phone calls Send videos and photographs Send videos and photographs

Text User Interface 1980s Graphical User Interface 1990s Speech/Handwriting User Interface 2000 The New DigiTools Mix DigiTools combines text, speech and handwriting with a graphical user interface to drastically improve the production rate of every teacher and student.

The Changing Shape

Bill Gates on the Tablet PC Bill Gates -- Comdex 2001 in November The Tablet takes cutting-edge PC technology and makes it available wherever you want it, which is why I'm already using a Tablet as my everyday computer. It's a PC that is virtually without limits -- and within five years (3.25 years and counting) I predict it will be the most popular form of PC sold in America." [PCs with Tablet capabilities] (Bill Gates Keynote Speech, Comdex 2001, downloaded from

How will these changes in technology affect future learning and the way we use computers at work, home and, more importantly, in the classroom?

Penmanship Penmanship Reading Aloud Clearly Reading Aloud Clearly Pronunciation & Enunciation Pronunciation & Enunciation Implication # 1 New Computer Literacy Skills

Implication # 2 End of Traditional Desktops & Laptops

Implication # 3 Reduction in Keyboarding Speech: Speech: % and above 6-18 hours Handwriting: Handwriting: 95% wpm 1-3 hours Keying: Keying: % plus constant review

10.5% Carpal 10.5% Carpal 25%-33% RSI 25%-33% RSI 1.8 Million Impacted 1.8 Million Impacted CTS, Trigger, Tendonitis CTS, Trigger, Tendonitis Implication # 4 Speech Will Reduce Injuries

Policy Statement 73: The Policies Commission also took a powerful position on the injury prevention issue with the following statement: "We believe that students must be made aware of the health benefits of an integrated approach to text and data input. Research indicates that carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries may be linked to occupations that require repetitive use of the hands (i.e., keyboarding and mouse operations). Varying the use of computer-input technologies reduces the risk of repetitive motion injuries." "We believe that students must be made aware of the health benefits of an integrated approach to text and data input. Research indicates that carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries may be linked to occupations that require repetitive use of the hands (i.e., keyboarding and mouse operations). Varying the use of computer-input technologies reduces the risk of repetitive motion injuries." Please take the time to share the entire document... Please take the time to share the entire document...

The Future of Keyboarding: Its Disappearing Here are some medical reasons why! Types of RSIs Types of RSIs RSIs of the hands and wrists are often called Cumulative Trauma Disorders(CTD). RSIs of the hands and wrists are often called Cumulative Trauma Disorders(CTD). The famous Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is actually a relatively uncommon CTD. The famous Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is actually a relatively uncommon CTD. More common are Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis, which are disorders of the tendons and tendon sheath. More common are Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis, which are disorders of the tendons and tendon sheath. These disorders are not easy to diagnose and are not always diagnosed correctly. These disorders are not easy to diagnose and are not always diagnosed correctly. Exact causes of CTDs are not known, but several factors are known to contribute to the development of CTDs.

Symptoms Symptoms Persistent pain Persistent pain Tingling Tingling Numbness Numbness Burning or aching Burning or aching Contributing Factors Contributing Factors Repetitous use or trauma Repetitous use or trauma Holding non-neutral postures Holding non-neutral postures Localized pressure, particularly the elbow and wrist Localized pressure, particularly the elbow and wrist Force Force Cold Cold Vibration Vibration

Tips Breaks. Frequent breaks rest the muscles and tendons. Breaks. Frequent breaks rest the muscles and tendons. Relax. Tensing the muscles makes them work harder. Relax. Tensing the muscles makes them work harder. Move. Do not stay in positions near the extremes of your joint range of motion. Move. Do not stay in positions near the extremes of your joint range of motion. Minimize contact with sharp surfaces or hard surfaces. Minimize contact with sharp surfaces or hard surfaces. Dont use more force than is needed. Modern computer keyboards need the lightest tap to activate the keys. Dont use more force than is needed. Modern computer keyboards need the lightest tap to activate the keys. Move with smooth even motions. Move with smooth even motions. Keep hands and fingers warm. Keep hands and fingers warm. Consider stressors in the environment Consider stressors in the environment Deadlines or pressures for productivity can make people rush and forget good posture and technique Deadlines or pressures for productivity can make people rush and forget good posture and technique Stress can reduce immune system function and lower resistance. Stress can reduce immune system function and lower resistance. Variety. Change posture and activities often. Variety. Change posture and activities often. Monitor all ergonomic remedies. Wrist rests and other so-called ergonomic fixes may cause more trouble than they fix. Monitor use to make sure they are effective and used properly. Monitor all ergonomic remedies. Wrist rests and other so-called ergonomic fixes may cause more trouble than they fix. Monitor use to make sure they are effective and used properly.

In a typewriter, the keyboard is higher above the countertop than the computer keyboard. In a typewriter, the keyboard is higher above the countertop than the computer keyboard. Typewriters were not a source of RSIs since your wrists did not rest on the countertop Typewriters were not a source of RSIs since your wrists did not rest on the countertop Extensive use of computers and text messaging has contributed to Extensive use of computers and text messaging has contributed to Why are there more RSIs today?

New Keyboarding Class Structure 15 minutes of Keyboarding 15 minutes of Keyboarding 15 minutes of digital handwriting 15 minutes of digital handwriting 15 minutes of speech recognition 15 minutes of speech recognition

Speech Recognition Dragon NaturallySpeaking Dragon NaturallySpeaking Microsoft Office 2003 Microsoft Office 2003 Microsoft Vista (in January 2007) to come fully loaded on all new computers with Microsoft Windows Vista operating system Microsoft Vista (in January 2007) to come fully loaded on all new computers with Microsoft Windows Vista operating system Headsets are a must (Plantronics.Audio 50 USB are recommended) Headsets are a must (Plantronics.Audio 50 USB are recommended)

Handwriting Digital pens and tablets Digital pens and tablets WACOM Graphire4 writing pad WACOM Graphire4 writing pad Recommended tether with pen Recommended tether with pen One Note (comes with Office 2007) One Note (comes with Office 2007) Can be purchased separately to be installed with your Office Suite Can be purchased separately to be installed with your Office Suite Microsoft Word writing pad Microsoft Word writing pad

Using Speech/Writing Software in Microsoft Office 2003

Select Menu Bar, then Tools, and the Speech to Activate Language Bar In Microsoft 2003

Notice Language Toolbar

Select (Click) Microphone on the Language Bar to Minimize

Select (Click) Tools, then Training on the Language Bar to Minimize

Select Next

Select Gender and Age, then Next

Select Next

Microsoft Handwriting

Select Menu Bar, then Tools, and the Speech to Activate Language Bar In Microsoft 2003

Notice Language Toolbar

Select (Click) Microphone on the Language Bar to Minimize

Select (Click) Handwriting and then Writing Pad to Activate the Writing Pad

Select (Click) Ink to Write in Cursive on the Writing Pad

Then use your pen or your mouse to write in cursive on the Writing Pad and it will appear on your document too.

Then use your pen or your mouse to write in cursive on the Writing Pad and it will appear in cursive on your screen too.

Then select the Text shortcut button and text will appear on your screen as you write in cursive. Then use your pen or your mouse to write in cursive on the Writing Pad and it will appear typed on your document too. Select Text shortcut button.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8

Nifty Fifty Training Capsule 1

You are about to learn the most exciting speech recognition software on the market today Dragon NaturallySpeaking® 8. You are about to learn the most exciting speech recognition software on the market today Dragon NaturallySpeaking® 8. With Dragon you can: With Dragon you can: Voice-write between words per minute Voice-write between words per minute Format and edit documents with your voice Format and edit documents with your voice Achieve over 96% accuracy by developing proper technique Achieve over 96% accuracy by developing proper technique Avoid computer related injuries by reducing your typing and mouse clicking Avoid computer related injuries by reducing your typing and mouse clicking

Training Capsule 1 Start Dragon NaturallySpeaking by clicking the DRAGON icon on your desktop or by choosing START, (ALL) PROGRAMS, DRAGON NATURALLYSPEAKING. Start Dragon NaturallySpeaking by clicking the DRAGON icon on your desktop or by choosing START, (ALL) PROGRAMS, DRAGON NATURALLYSPEAKING.

Training Capsule 1 As Dragon opens, you may see the Tip of the Day. Read a few tips then click Close to continue. As Dragon opens, you may see the Tip of the Day. Read a few tips then click Close to continue.

Training Capsule 1 Open the Manage Users dialog box by choosing NaturallySpeaking followed by Manage Users. Open the Manage Users dialog box by choosing NaturallySpeaking followed by Manage Users.

Training Capsule 1 Click New to create a new user file. Click New to create a new user file.

Training Capsule 1 Enter your name and choose Next. Enter your name and choose Next.

Stop Is everyone ready to continue? Is everyone ready to continue?

Training Capsule 1 Position your headset according to the instructions, then choose Next. Position your headset according to the instructions, then choose Next.

Training Capsule 1 Now, adjust your volume. Choose Start Volume Check & read aloud. Now, adjust your volume. Choose Start Volume Check & read aloud.

Training Capsule 1 Now, test audio quality. Choose Start Quality Check & read aloud Now, test audio quality. Choose Start Quality Check & read aloud You want a score of 19 or higher. Sixteen is The minimum score.

Stop Is everyone ready to continue? Is everyone ready to continue?

Training Capsule 1 Now, read a few warm up sentences. Now, read a few warm up sentences.

Training Capsule 1 Choose the first story and choose OK. Choose the first story and choose OK.

Training Capsule 1 Start reading at the yellow arrow. Start reading at the yellow arrow. Choose Pause if you need to stop. Choose Redo if you make a mistake. Choose Skip if you get stuck on a word.

Training Capsule 1 After youve finished reading, choose OK. After youve finished reading, choose OK.

Training Capsule 1 Your speech will then be analyzed. Dont touch the computer! Let it think for a few minutes. Your speech will then be analyzed. Dont touch the computer! Let it think for a few minutes.

Stop Is everyone ready to continue? Is everyone ready to continue?

Training Capsule 1 Choose Skip This Step (Not Recommended) Choose Skip This Step (Not Recommended)

Training Capsule 1 View the Tutorial if you have time. Otherwise choose Begin dictating. View the Tutorial if you have time. Otherwise choose Begin dictating.

Training Capsule 1 View the Tutorial. Choose Quit to start Dragon. View the Tutorial. Choose Quit to start Dragon.

Training Capsule 1 As Dragon opens, youll see the Tip of the Day. Read a few tips then pick Close to begin. As Dragon opens, youll see the Tip of the Day. Read a few tips then pick Close to begin.

Stop Is everyone ready to continue? Is everyone ready to continue? Dragon Pad Dragon Pad Microsoft Word Microsoft Word

You can train words that the computer does not correctly dictate for you. When this happens, Dragon trains what you say so that the dictation error will most likely not happen again.