The week in tweets!

Want to know what was happening in the Twitter universe last week? Here are some interesting tidbits.

Don't forget - follow me @mmatp

Enjoy!

How We're Turning Digital Natives Into Etiquette Sociopaths | Wired Opinion | Wired.com wired.com/opinion/2013/0…

— Mike Marotta (@mmatp) March 27, 2013

5 MOOCs Teachers Should Take As Students ow.ly/2vKCyj

— Ian Huckabee (@WeejeeLearning) March 27, 2013

Chrome App: Connected Mind. Create mind maps and store them in the cloud for free. chrome.google.com/webstore/detai… #njed #edtech #assistivetech

— Mike Marotta (@mmatp) March 27, 2013

Had somebody ask for this today so I thought I would share! How to make a free iPad stylus cnet.co/nxnixz #assistivetech #njed

— Mike Marotta (@mmatp) March 27, 2013

Controlling the ‘Smart Home’ With Tablets and Smartphones nyti.ms/XHNXE9 #assistivetech #atchat

— Mike Marotta (@mmatp) March 28, 2013

Friday Fact: more than 80% of reasonable accommodations cost less than $1,000, 50% of accommodations cost less than $500, and 19% are free!

— DoD CAP (@DoDCAP) March 29, 2013

A Great Project Based Learning Checklist for Teachers ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning shar.es/d2ium #atchat #njed

— Mike Marotta (@mmatp) March 29, 2013

TLC Spotlight - ChesterMouse

One-button computer mouse the ChesterMouse


A tiny single-button mouse with no scroll wheel, that’s easy to control and made of rugged plastic for strength and durability.

Young children can be confused about whether to use the right or left button on a mouse, and clicking on small objects, using drag-and-drop and click-and-move can be frustrating. A standard mouse doesn’t fit into small hands or the buttons are just too far apart. Welcome Chester, a tiny single-button mouse with no scroll wheel, that’s easy to control and made of rugged plastic for strength and durability.  

What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today! 


 

 

TLC Spotlight - G.R.I.P. Solutions

G.R.I.P. Solutions

Enhanced independence is now within your grasp with G.R.I.P. Solutions. Each product that we offer is an ideal tool to aid in performing your ADLs.



The Switch G.R.I.P.™ is an exclusively designed “soft beanbag” that provides easy switch or electronics access while remaining in a stable location on any tray, desk, table top or G.R.I.P. Pad™. The Switch G.R.I.P.™, a versatile stability device, secures any type of switch or electronic item yet lifts off for easy removal thus eliminating table top/tray velcro.

What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today!

Assistive Technology Consideration

What does the term "AT Consideration" mean? I tell you what it doesn't mean. It doesn't mean checking a box on a student's IEP that asks, "Has AT been considered for this student?" when the team has not gone through the Consideration Process.

There are 16 performance areas to be considered in this process. Performance Areas are categories, established through best practices,in which measurable tasks can be identified AND which may require some form of accommodation, modification and/or AT to enable the student to perform at their highest level.

The categories are:
Spelling
Communication
Compose Written Material
Hearing
Mechanics of Writing
Computer Access
Seating, Positioning and Mobility
Listening/Attending
Calculation
Recreation and Leisure
Reading
Activities of Daily Living
Reading
Transition to Adult Life
Student and Organization Skills
Behavior

The Resource Tool for Considering Assistive Technology or RTACT(since everything we do has to have an acronym) is an EXTREMELY useful tool developed by the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education to guide teams through the consideration process.
This tool examines each Performance Area. It details sample tasks that may be difficult for a student. It lists potentional modifications or accomidations that could be implemented to support the student in completing a task that they have difficulty completing. Then it lists potential AT solutions to trial if the previous modifications were unsuccessful.

Take a look at this tool and share it with collegues. For additional information on the AT Consideration Process, please check out the State Parent Advocacy Network's website.

If you have used the RTCAT in the Consideration Process, please leave a comment and tell us how it has supported you and your team. We love comments.....