AccessAbility Smyles

Google have announced today that they have made a VR Version of Google Earth for Google Cardboard devices. Seems a great tool. I am just exploring it and finding that there is a classroom expedition planned for December 2016 and January 2017. Interested ? Then go to the website below and fill out the form:-

https://www.google.co.uk/edu/pioneer-program/ 

Have fun!

VR & Writing

Posted on November 16, 2016 by AccessAbility Smyles

The work of Tim Rylands (http://www.timrylands.com/tttat/) has been well received and considered a great way to encourage writing. Pupils at Little Reddings School in Watford have been using a virtual reality website (http://vr.gopro.com) for their homework which has given them an outlet for creative writing. This is what Dave Presky, their teacher wrote:-

“Just to give you some feedback from our Y5 Go Pro homework. We watched some of the videos in class, with great excitement. Then I put the link on our VLE for homework and asked the children to write about the clip, see below:

‘Deep in the cold Abyss, the hurried polar bear dived in like a diver. Stretching, it hit the water like a bullet and bounced back up. Smiling, the polar bear twisted and turned at the site of a colourful, beautiful sea horse hobbling along. Bubbles and waves hit the fury creature as the day went along like a float and the polar bear was an incredible ballerina silently swimming. Finally, the sky grew darker and the soggy polar bear went home with a grin of his face, as wide as the ocean!’

‘THE WINGSUIT FLIGHT

As soon as I climbed up the 500 feet mountain, you can feel the heavy wind almost pushing you off the cliff with its huge arms of power. Once I put my wingsuit on, I got so nervous, however I had to do it. I leaped of the edge of the rocky cliff and I spread my arms out like an eagle. After a while the wind was pushing hard on me so I had to tilt to the right where the countryside little like a mini villages. One minute later, I zoomed through two metal antennas. There was still 100 feet to go so I pressed the round parachute button and then held on to the thick blue strings.’

Thanks for the great resource! “

Try it with your class by going to http://vr.gopro.com and clicking on “Explore.”

Have fun!

Maths Apps

Posted on November 15, 2016 by AccessAbility Smyles

Maths tends to be poorly represented in the app store and play store. Although there are plenty of apps for maths out there many of them are more game like with the math skill content not stretching enough or rigorous enough. So I have listed the Maths apps here I have found useful :-

XML Maths (£free) – provides a comprehensive list of activities that encourage mathematical skills
My Script Calculator(£free) – provides a useful tool for writing out calculations – use like a whiteboard therefore copy and paste into other resources
Maths Paper Lite (£7.99) – layouts maths calculations on a grid making it easier to navigate
MathKid(£free) – mental maths exercises – very good for mental maths
Photomath(£free)– scanning maths equations into your ipad
Number Quiz(£free) – simple number counting tool for SEN
ModMath(£free)– another grid layout tool that doesn’t cost £7.99
Maths42(£free) – maths formulation tool very useful
Grade1(£free – with in-app purchases) – Splash maths – engaging games style maths tools

Chrome bookmarks

Posted on November 13, 2016 by AccessAbility Smyles

Keeping track of websites is a major difficulty when you see a lot of them each day. Wouldn’t be good to have access to the wealth of your web searches? In fact I have discovered on my chromebook that you can:-

chrome://bookmarks/#1

All your bookmarks under folder headings with your favicons displayed

Screenshot 2016-11-13 at 21.10.37.png

Messenger codes – Your calling card!

Posted on November 12, 2016November 12, 2016 by AccessAbility Smyles

This looks a really useful way to connect using Facebook messenger. This way I can talk over the internet (VOIP), video conference & message the person. To share contacts you can add your image like this:-

messenger_code_371445139629670

Follow these steps to use this service:-

How do I use Messenger Codes?

Note: This feature is only available on iOS and Android.

Messenger Codes make it easy to start conversations with people or businesses that aren’t in your Messenger contacts yet. Scanning a person’s or business’s code with your phone will open the option to send them a message.

To see your code or scan someone’s code:

From the Recent tab, tap on your messenger app
Tap your picture at the top of the page
Tap My Code to let someone scan your code, or Scan Code to scan someone else’s

You can publish your Messenger Code (ex: profile picture, business cards) to let people find you easily. You can also give people your Messenger username or link.

20% AccessAbility Solutions services

Posted on November 12, 2016 by AccessAbility Smyles

Instead of paying £225 for a 3 hr session you can have this for £180 contact us with “offer” in the message. Thank You!

Inclusive Teaching & Learning through Technology

Posted on November 11, 2016November 11, 2016 by AccessAbility Smyles

Great day with teachers in a conference at Havering where I was talking about “Making ICT Work”. You can see it when you click on the hyperlink. Session inputs from John Galloway on how assistive technology has change from highly specialised tool to more generic and easier to use tools. Ciara from Crick Software demonstrated Clicker 7 very clearly and concise.Amy Follows from Widgit showed us Inprint3 which has many, many exciting features to use. Then we had an “Appy Hour” which is like speed dating – only using Apps! Things such as ClaroSpeak, MadPad , PuppetPals, Clicker Sentences.

A thoroughly enjoyable day! Thank you to Liz Dunnet, Sue Cumbers and Dave Smith for inviting me! Same again next year, eh?