Software

http://www.inspiration.com/ Here's the link for one of the programs we used in class.

Creating the page on the Boardmaker was easy to do this morning, but i could see how you could spend hours creating the perfect one that is individualized for a particular student.

[|] This site provides software to improve basic reading skills. code

code http://www.mindplay.com/Products/tabid/53/Default.aspx is web page offering free software for helping in reading.

Some of the software used to enhance learning includes Graphic-based writing software, writing templates, fundamental skills softwares, alternative input devices, Visual concept organization software, word-prediction software, and text-reading software.

[|The Learning Company]is a site that sells many software products such as Edmark, Reader Rabbit, Destination Reading, Destination Writing, and Oregon Trail. You can shop by age/grade, subjects, essential skills, books, and parent zone

[|Riverdeep]is a website that sells educational software. The software is available in all content areas as well as special needs. It also offers educational tools such as lesson planning and staff [|The Learning Company] is a site that sells many software products such as Edmark, Reader Rabbit, Destination Reading, Destination Writing, and Oregon Trail. You can shop by age/grade, subjects, essential skills, books, and parent zone

[|Riverdeep] is a website that sells educational software. The software is available in all content areas as well as special needs. It also offers educational tools such as lesson planning and staff development for teachers.

A preliminary review of the drawing software Tux Paint shows it to be a promising drawing tool for younger children. The icons are large and easy to use and it is not as complicated as the paint option installed on most computers. The drawing area is full size so there is no wondering how the full picture looks. This is a good tool to use with children who: are not confident with their artistic abilities, need to make changes and get frustrated if things are not perfect, do not have fine motor control but can use a mouse or other adaptive swithces. It is also good for teachers because yuou can download it for FREE!!! [|http://www.tuxpaint.org]

The History of DynoVox: It was founded in 1983 to allow individuals who were unable to speak to communicate. It can be accessed by using a touch screen to communicate and can also be accessed by using eye-gaze techniques.

Switches are buttons that could be connected to a computer that allow people who are unable to use a regular mouse to access a computer. The range in all different sizes, shapes, and colors. A switch interface allows you to connect more than one switch at a time.

EZ Keys by **Words +** is an augmentative alternative communication software program that is designed for users that have a third grade reading level and above and have a significant speech impairment. This program allows the user to type a letter, engage in conversation with others, and surf the web. The software also includes time-saving features such as dual word prediction and abbreviation expansion which completes words and phrases. It also has a reader feature which stores phrases and offers a variety of voice selections to communicate messages using speech.

Mayer Johnson is a company that provides various software and AAC devices for our students. One of their most popular software is Boardmaker. Boardmaker is a software that allows teachers and or parents to make various picture symbol products for their children. These picture products let the children communicate to others. The pictures can be produced in color and/or black and white with various languages. For more information about their products go to their home page and click on products. [|__http://www.mayer-johnson.com/default.aspx__]

This is a link to software developed by laureate to help teach children with autism. The Brennen school has received some of this software through grants and is currently using it. However, its being used on a teacher by teacher decision to take advantage of it. I have tried it with students as young as two years of age and really like it. It does a great job of tracking the students progress for the teacher and adjusting the skill level based on the students answers. [|__http://www.laureatelearning.com/professionals602/specials/autpack.html__]

[|Merit software] is a company that produces software in which students can learn subjects such as: reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary and math. They also have a packages of software for students who are ESL and students with learning disabilities with these same subjects.

Kurzweil 1000 is reading software that primarily transfers printed text into speech for individuals that are blind or have limited vision. Kurzweil offers other programs that can assist individuals with disabilities. Check out their website for more product information at [|www.kurzweiledu.com]

Word prediction software allows beginner, intermediate and advanced learners to use an automatic dictionary that predicts what you are typing by letter, word, and sentence. It highlights and scans words as text is read, provides auditory feedback and speech synthesis, and can be used with switches and alternative keyboard devices.

Text reading software combines word prediction by letter word and sentence, highlights and scans words as text is read, gives auditory feedback and speech synthesis as well as offering definitions, spell check and a thesaurus support for highlighted words. It also have abbreviation expansion for commonly used words, phrases or large text blocks.

Dialogue journals are written conversations between the teacher and each individual student. Dialogue journals provide an opportunity for teachers to model language usage and written form without directly correcting student language. Students can draw on the teacher model and their own oral language competence to construct written language that serves an immediate and personal purpose.

Students with learning disabilities struggle with learning Mathematics, eg., recalling math procedures, solving math problems. Computer aided instruction has been shown to be an effective tool for mathematic instruction. It is described as way of motivating students to learn more, make gains in math performance. In selecting software, once should consider concept development, drill and practice, tutorial and simulation software. When selecting ensure the screen has less clutter so as not to distract students with learning disabilities. The procedures used should much those used in schools. Choose modifiable software, and with small increment between levels. Consider if the software has helpful feedback, and which limits the number of wrong answers for a single problem. Also consider if it has good record keeping capabilities. Does it have built-in instructional aids? Does it simulate real-life solutions? Finally remember the soft ware is a learning tool and not a solution and should not replace direct teacher instruction. development for teachers.

A preliminary review of the drawing software Tux Paint shows it to be a promising drawing tool for younger children. The icons are large and easy to use and it is not as complicated as the paint option installed on most computers. The drawing area is full size so there is no wondering how the full picture looks. This is a good tool to use with children who: are not confident with their artistic abilities, need to make changes and get frustrated if things are not perfect, do not have fine motor control but can use a mouse or other adaptive swithces. It is also good for teachers because yuou can download it for FREE!!! [|http://www.tuxpaint.org]

The History of DynoVox: It was founded in 1983 to allow individuals who were unable to speak to communicate. It can be accessed by using a touch screen to communicate and can also be accessed by using eye-gaze techniques.

Switches are buttons that could be connected to a computer that allow people who are unable to use a regular mouse to access a computer. The range in all different sizes, shapes, and colors. A switch interface allows you to connect more than one switch at a time.[|EZ]

[|Wiggleworks] is a software product that provides practice in leveled-texts, built-in instruction, and motivating animation.

[|Inspiration Inc] provides software to help students brainstorm and organize thinking by using a graphic organizer. There is Kidspiration (grades k-5), InspireData (grades 4-12), and Inspiration (grades 6-12).

The Graph Club 2.0 Deluxe is a program for grades K-4 that enables students to makes graphs. There is a pretty good tutorial and the graphs are easy to make and to convert to different types. This package costs $99.00 and is designed for both windows and Macintosh. http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/product.asp?SKU=GRPV20

Switches are mostly helpful for students with disabilities because it requires engaging only one single movement to cause a toy to move or turn the radio on, using only one single button. They provide new opportunities to learn and participate. Switches can be used for environmental control, play and exploration, movement, computer access, and communication. Switches are activated either by pushing, lever, motoric-specific movement, activity, sensitivity, or using other inputs.

Able plus system has created a program called "study star". It helps organize your notes, homework reports, and can use your notes to creat self tests. It also keeps track of how much time is spent using a program. "Alive software" offers educational titles for learnig about a food chain cureeent titles include animal quest and Dinosaur, predators. They aso offer concentration gameslike jigsaw puzzle and magic crayon.

[|Co Writer 4000] is a word prediction software program that helps to increase independent writing skills. It is designed for students at a variety of writing levels.

Clicker writer is a talking word process. you can write by using the keyboard, or by selecting letters, words, phrases in the clicker grid. Clicker is a writing support and a multi-media tool. It enables you to write with whole words, phrases or pictures. It is a very powerful tool and very easy to use and supports every area of the curriculum.

__Teaching with Technology:A Spring Software Sampler__ is an article in the May 1994 edition of Teaching K-8 in which Denise Allen reviews a number of software packages such as The Graphing Club which teaches students the basics of graphing. Kid Cad is building kit. Through this program students can learn about angles and is probably really good for the visual learner. Math Ace covers a range of concepts from arithmetic to algebra. The point of all these, and more, programs is that they are all very interactive and allow students to become very involved in the subject.

[|Don Johnston] products include software on phonics, reading, writing, thinking, and content curriculum software for subjects such as history, science, social studies, and languagw arts.

http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/ Awesome cause/effect website that is very interesting especially if your kids like bubble wrap!

Check out this website. It has a variety of devices, equipment, and software for students with dissabilities, caregivers, the elderly, and healthcare professionals. http://www.blvd.com/

http://www.voxscripta.com/index.html Here is a website for ordering/taking a look at the speech recognition tool, Dragon.

http://www.broderbund.com/products/H39055.jsp This is the Broderbund Software for Learning website that I mentioned in my presentation on Living Books. They offer tons of software for reading, math, etc.

Write:Outloud is a talking word processor by the Don Johnston Co. that helps students improve their writing skills. This program is easy to use and is excellent to use with Co: Writer 4000. Co:Writer and Write: Outloud can be purchased as a bundle for $385 at this website http://www.donjohnston.com/products/write_outloud/index.html

[|__http://www.laureatelearning.net/professionals602/index.html__] this site shows all of the software that laureate offers. You can also request demo CD’s from them as well as catalogs from this website. It might be a good idea to try a demo CD especially since the software is very expensive

http://www.cricksoft.com/us/accessibility/clozepro.asp Clozepro is used to enable the teacher monitor the progress of her students in reading. It aids the special needs teacher know the level of comprehension of his/her student, using filling in the blanks. The presentation in class elaborated more on its features like sound, highlighting and reading for the student.

http://www.jstart.org/ This is an education game for children. maria showed how it functions, one being rewarding for correct answers, it helps in letter recognition.