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Now is the time of semi-retirement. Wiltshire Council have released me to greener pastures and the first week was weird on the first day for me. First time this century I have not gone into school or my old base this century! Still life has been busy, even hectic as I took a funeral, spoke at a ladies meeting and took a church service. Not bad eh? Feel like a full-time Christian worker. My second week has so far been more relaxed. I have a few jobs with web design and research to do. I am setting myself a discipline of writing a new article a day as I want to publish through professional magazines for parents and teachers. I have a consultation to do in Marlborough and begin to plan what else. I am also working for Brighter Futures in Bath as a trainer and consultant there. That will give an avenue into Bath schools as well as a training venue and admin support. The business side scares me as I don’t consider this my skill set. I was “sacked” as Math’s Co-Ordinator at one school I worked at!

Fabulous app!! £2.99 for iPad, £1.99 for iPhone, £free on PC and Android. This allows you to virtually run any windows operating system through an ipad,iphone, android device. This means pupils can interact directly with their teacher and the teacher can also work directly with the pupil. This does not let the teacher see the iPad though as far as I can tell. But it’s early days I am discovering what this clever device can do. Reflection app which is a PC software can do that wirelessly and their are other poducts that could do that. I am impressed with the ease of use and speed of activity. It hasn’t been tested in school but it would be wonderful to see how it works in a normal classroom setting. I will let you know. In effect your iPad or Android Tablet becomes a PC!! Brilliant!  I know may people with a range of special needs are looking for ways to have the teacher show them on their own ipad or android device what’s on the Interactive Whiteboard and this seems to work. The PC download is free from http://www.splashtop.com 

I am writing this blog using DragonDictate NaturallySpeaking version 12 premium. Took approximately 15 minutes to do the training using the standard microphone. I spoke in a clear and natural voice with the even flow of text. Dragon will cost £202 with VAT from the company iansys. With each new addition Dragon there is slight improvements in accuracy and in speed. The reality of using your voice to write with for the dyslexic learner and for those who struggle with text and reading is becoming practical and usable. A wide range of activities using voice command makes the user able to select tasks such as writing emails, posting to blogs, writing articles. For pupils it is important to have the correct assessment from someone who understands how the technology works for children. It suits the child who “has good ideas but cannot write it down.” It does not suit the child who has cognitive learning issues, below a certain age for example 10 though this is not a rule as some children below the age of 10 can in fact use the software effectively. The major prerequisite to using this software is to have good cognitive ability, reading skills and the ideas with which to write with.

Our first partnership venture will be with Brighter-Futures based at Three Ways School, Bath. Brighter-Future is a non-profit making,social enterprise scheme that aims to provide professional advice and training to schools and settings in the Bath and South Glos area. AAS will be giving consultancy and training in ICT SEN to those who wish to receive this. Please take a look at their website and watch out for future training events.

http://www.brighter-futures.uk.net

or contact  kieran@brighter-futures.uk.net 

Another opportunity  to show what technology can do to help the dyslexic learner. 2nd March , Oasis centre, London. It’s a bring your own iPad workshop to show what apps can be used to help dyslexic learner.

Go to http://www.inclusive.co.uk

Here is the presentation from the above conference.

Free software for home users

Here are the supporting information sheets handed out at the conference

SEN Apps

Free ICT Software

Myles Pilling is doing a talk in the morning and practical workshop –  hands on in the afternoon on the latest software and hardware for pupils with special educational needs. Contact Katrina Cochrane  T: 01344 381569
katrinac@bdadyslexia.org.uk for details, alternatively you can book a place on the dyslexia website at www.bdadyslexia.org.uk. The conference is open to all.