Tag: learning

As an experiment with Artificial Intelligence I asked the question of how schools with limited budgets could utilize assistive technology and then expanding the answer to include examples of how this could be done?

This is the result. What do you think? Useful or not? Accurate or not? What else do you need to do?

“Cost-effective assistive technologies for schools encompass a variety of tools designed to support students with different learning needs. For example, text-to-speech software can aid students with reading difficulties by converting written text into spoken words, and it’s often available for free or at a low cost. Speech-to-text programs are similarly beneficial for students with writing challenges. Additionally, simple yet impactful tools like graphic organizers can help students plan and organize their thoughts, and they can be easily created with common software like word processors. For students with visual impairments, screen magnification software and audio books can be invaluable, and many are readily accessible at minimal or no cost. Furthermore, specialized keyboards and alternative input devices, such as trackball mice, can assist students with physical disabilities in interacting with computers more effectively. These technologies not only support inclusive education but also foster independence and confidence in students with diverse needs.”

I think you would need to mention new technologies that may not be included in a broad article such as this. Fine as a general introduction but more needs to be given. So maybe AI provides a canvas on which our human creativity can look at and explore with. As a teacher it gives a basis on which to build on more in-deoth concepts and to teach pupils to keep asking insightful questions. The development of creative thinking could follow this route. It’s certainly present in Co-Pilot where you are prompted to expand but the teacher needs to suggest ideas, combinations of ideas and expand even further. I’ll ask Co-Pilot to draw me a teacher asking pupils to expand their questions!

Education Panel discussion on ” Using Assistive Technology in the Curriculum”

I can’t tell you how many years I have been coming to BETT but it’s more than a few years! This year was different in that unlike any other year two things happened.

1. I was approached to give my advice about Accessibilty at the show to an independent consultant who was advising on this for all the BETT shows around the world.
2. Networking – I kept bumping into colleagues I have worked with both in the past and present.

But what impressed me apart from those two things? Here goes:-

Scanning Pens of different types are appearing.

There is a new scanning pen ( not from scanning pens though) called Scanmarker Pro £199.06 . This scans text both online and offline, has a phonetic translator into different languages. A larger LCD display, It’s a touch screen and has a bluetooth and wifi connection as well. And more. I haven’t explored this yet so will write about it when I have.

Alos, the IRISpen Reader. Offers similar options including Photo translation, live recording and live translation. It also as a digital display and in effect is a portable scanner too with two versions the IRIS Pen Air which has the above functions and the cheaper IRISPen Reader which is a basic reader pen.

Cantoo Scribe is an innovative assistive technology software that can adapt content to suit student needs with all the access tools from text to speech to magnification and what excitied me the ability to OCR into PDF and magnify content such as a diagrams and geometric shapes and angles. Can’t wait to try this out too! I have one client I am excited to share this with. Designed by a French company I can see the potential.

A lovely set of people ( they come from Blackburn Lancashire!) not that I am biased have a comprehensive computer coding approach and they work in an inclusive way with pupils with special education needs. It was their first BETT and jamcoding offers pupils and teachers a tailored programme to help teachers understand and use programming even if you are not a computer buff to start with. It’s also got a CPD accreditation which you can put on on your CV. In essence it’s a curriculum.

Another company from abroad brought their dyslexia friendly teaching tool to the show C>onstructor has a visual and multisensory way of buidling words based on scientific research done on how the dyslexic brain works. It’s also able to build on visual memory to find the words you want.

On another front I was impressed with Digital Poverty Alliance who are trying to bridge the digital divide that exist in our national who refurbish and send out to schools and homes technology to help those who can’t afford it. Take a look at what they are doing at https://digitalpovertyalliance.org/ it’s really important and I was pleased to hear they work with AbilityNet too!

Back to software. Class is a virtual classroom that looks a bit like zoom but allows more accessible tools and perfect for Hybrid learning in drawing students and teachers together. It can also look and feel like Teams and this virtual classroom can work effectively in creating a more inclusive classroom. Especially important for us the UK when many pupils have not returned to the classroom since COVID. Take a demo at https://www.class.com/demo

Everybody counts is a online maths curriculum that is priced with school budgets in mind. There are characters of a diverse nature – culturally and disabled characters in the package.

Something I am definitely going to follow up is Teachers Talkk Radio. Over a million listeners this sounds a fantastic way to get information and get your messages out . Tune in at http://www.ttradio.org

Last I featured on Russell Prue’s BETT Radio this year. Take a look and listen at this website – go to Day 3 and 10 minutes in you should hear myself and Dave Presky give an interview about the Power of Assistive Technology film series. https://learnradio.net/home/bettradio/

http://bataonline.org/impact if you want to get your copies of the films designed to stimulate discussion in schools.

Awaiting our slot on BETT Radio