This is a local initiative in Trowbridge which I met with Jane, organizer and trainer , today. They provide a safe internet environment for people with disabilities to access the internet and develop their ICT skills. Take a look at their website :- http://www.disabledonline.org.uk . From my point of view I am going to try and help them resolve some technical issues they are having. It’s a charity and non-for-profit organisation.
Category: Uncategorized
The Grid 3
The Grid 3 has been shortlisted for the up and coming BETT Awards. The Grid 3 is a communication software that provides excellent access tools like eye-gaze. It does a lot and the look is much more user friendly to use. Why not take a look at the video at The Grid 3 ? There is a 60 day demo to trial of you want to try it out yourself!
Wyvern Training
I was contacted by Wyvern Training concerning their product. In this time of constrained budgets and time having tools that enable independent training and reminders about the different functions of an access software is very useful. Wyvern offers video shorts which are clear, informative and done from the user’s point of view. Please go and take a look over at:-
And leave your contact details and ask for a demo logon to see for yourself.
Google Keep + iChrome
Google Keep on an Android device now includes a simple drawing tool creating your own diagrams. I combine Google Keep with iChrome and in fact I took the notes at a conference with it. Notes can be free text or using check boxes like bullet points. I like the fact that you can export to google docs. All this whilst keeping an eye on my social media tools, weather, files and emails coming. Compact and handy for students to use of all abilities. Notes are automatically stored but sometimes if the note is left open you can accidently close it by accident. On a chromebook you can do all the above but not the new drawing element. Hope they do that on a future upgrade.
What makes a school’s use of IT successful?
The answer is engagement – this is the key finding of the 3rd Millenium Award scheme. Schools are so diverse and its important to share some of the commonality between them and this is one of the key factors.
Do you want to find out what engagement levels are there in your school? Then contact
He can provision you to use the tools that will help you to find that out. The website is:-
Your Own Technology Survey – YOTS – free survey for schools
This is a free tool for your school to test how much your use of mobile technology is impacting teaching and learning. There is a need for more schools to do this.So register your school and take the survey!
Siri and the means to write with speech
“This note is about writing and using Siri to make up stories as a good way of making information accessible. I can actually have more work into this note. I can also write lengthy pieces. Writing with your voice is different to using typing. You need to be able to pause, or had some text what you think of the next phrase to end your sentence. All of what you see written here has been done for using Siri or using the microphone on the keyboard .
The revolution for those with spelling issues is immense. It won’t solve dyslexia is! But it might just help with you to write some notes. Especially at home! Homework will be a breeze there!”
All the above was written using the microphone on the keyboard in notes on an iPad Air2 . It’s not perfect grammar but I have kept the Implications for those with spelling issues are that they are no longer to writing, except at the editing stage will you do have to spell words!! I really like the idea that I can have Siri working and I can pause when I think of the next sentence on Siri is still writing-that is really awesome. I am truly impressed!
It even able to drop the paragraph line and use voice commands to control the program. It even adds spaces between words. So the challenge is there to use speech as an alternative form to writing.
Typing Assistant – Word Prediction software
I am always on the lookout for good software and for word prediction. Typing Assistant is such a tool. eType has been one I have suggested but the risks and indeed it seems difficult to get the link I think this is a better option. It works on Windows 10 so I presume it would not have a problem on Windows 7 as the install looks a standard one. You can change the amount of prediction and make changes to text size. You can load in different vocabularies but there isn’t any dictionary or thesuarus support. You get what you pay for! In this case – nothing! You can access a 45 day trial after that you would have to pay for it.
Go to:-
Here are the key features:-
Universal Compatibility: Works with virtually all programs on MS Windows.
Word Prediction: Predicts the words you intend to type in order to speed up your typing and/or help your spelling.
Auto-Complete: Completes text input automatically to save keystrokes.
Auto-Correct: Corrects spelling mistakes automatically in any program.
Auto-Expand: Expands abbreviations to full text in any program, like AutoText feature in MS Word.
Auto-Clipboard: Accesses clipboard history quickly.
Auto-Launch: Launches frequently used applications/files/folders conveniently.
Spell Checking: Beeps on misspelled words.
Configurable Profile: User can switch between profiles for different language typing.
Wide Adaptability: Quick settings for both fast typist and hunt-and-peck typing.
Portable: Runs from a USB memory device.
Security: Never collects or leaks your information.
Easy to use: Use your computer as usual and the whole process is mastered in 5 minutes.
eBooks and their use in supporting struggling readers
I have written some advice about using ebooks that may interest our readers. Do you any sources of ebooks that enable struggling readers to use? All phases from reception to secondary. Anyway. please take a look:-
eBooks and their use in supporting struggling readers
To create a simple text only ebook from word
- Write your text in word and save as a .PDF
- Go to epubbud.com ( you will need to create an account)
- Follow the on-screen instructions to upload a book
- Download the book either on the device your students use or the device you use.
- You can email the attachment to any device.
To upload to HandyBooks on an Android mobile
- Load the full version of Handy Books
- Click on Library ( top right of screen)
- Go to “File Tree”
- Click on “Memory Card”
- Scroll down to “Download”
- You should see your file and now click on the file
- You will see an icon like a book at the top right
- Click on that and your book loads!!
Value of Chrome to Dyslexics
I came across this article and has I am often recommending Chrome to the readers of this blog as part of your SEN strategy I thought it would be useful to add its contents here. There are suggestions for apps to try. Some have to be purchased , others are free:-
https://www.noodle.com/articles/6-google-chrome-apps-students-with-dyslexia-should-try
Chrome and Dyslexia
One of the most important features of today’s assistive technology is that it allows students with dyslexia to complete their work alongside their non-dyslexic classmates without having to use special devices. Like the iPad, Chrome provides tools that all students can use, regardless of language ability. Chrome, however, is not device-specific. The advantage of Chrome AT is that the extensions and apps are associated with individual Google accounts. Because of this feature, students can use their AT on all desktop computers (not just Chromebooks) by signing into their accounts in the Chrome browser. That ability vastly increases their access to personalized accommodations.
As more developers create AT-related extensions and apps, Chrome stands to become a popular option for students needing help with language-based activities. We may be hearing the words “Google” and “dyslexia” in the same sentence a lot more often.
More from the Google for Dyslexia series:
AccessAbility Solutions 