Web 2.0 Wednesday! hooeey webprint

We all bookmark pages in our web browser, right? Then we end up with a long list of web page titles that we need to search through for information. Do you want to keep a library of web pages you have visited on your computer along with the ability to search the text on those pages?

Well then - try hooeey webprint!

Just download the FREE desktop application and, according to the website:

"Every web page you visit is captured in real time as a screenshot and as searchable full text and archived on your own computer. You can easily store, search, tag and share web pages that you have visited. Even if you delete or erase your browsing history, you will not lose these web pages."

Try it out and leave a comment below

Great K-12 Resources- Florida

There are some great resources out there. Florida has 5 regional centers providing support to districts (training, technical assistance, equipment loan), as well as creating print and web resources such as their "ENT" booklet. Here is their description:

"Exploring New Territories" (ENT) is a free resource from the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS). The ENT booklet provides a comprehensive overview of technology for students with disabilities, including assistive technology, instructional technology, universal design for learning, accessible instructional materials, and virtual/online learning environments. Teachers and therapist will find a wealth of information, resources, and classroom activities to use."

The digital version is available at http://www.fdlrs.com/docs/ent2010web.pdf

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.....

APP Throwdown! Reminders

Are you looking for the best reminder app for either your DROID or iPhone smartphone? Check out the links below from Gizmodo.

Best Android APPS for Reminders
The winner: MyReminders - $1.00


Best iOS APPS for Reminders

The winner: 2Do, $7.00, APP Store


Have you used these? Do you have a personal favorite? Leave a comment and let us know.

TLC Spotlight - Switch adapted toys

Look who's here, just in time for Thanksgiving. 

Trudie the Turkey!!

Trudie is a switch adapted toy that is so much fun to play with. Press the switch to make Trudie play the "Chicken Dance". Her feet move in and out and she bobs her head in time with the music. Use any standard 3.5mm switch (not included). Pressing her wing also turns her on and off. Height: 25 cm. Have lots of fun with Trudie, Gobble Gobble...

Check out Trudie in action..



Trudy is just one of the special toys we have in the TLC.

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!

Web 2.0 Wednesday! OCRconvert

Are you having a hard time converting electronic documents (pdf, jpg, etc.) into editable text?? Why not try OCRconvert ?

According to the website,"OCRconvert.com is a free online OCR service that allows you to convert PDF to Word, JPEG to Word and scanned images into editable documents. Simply upload your file and our server side program will process your file for any editable text and will send the results back to you, which you can either download the processed text in for of word document or copy & past online."

I tried it out with a pdf file and it worked very well! I was surprised at the accuracy. Give it a try and leave a comment below to let us know how it goes.

Podcast: Accessing Web 2.0 Tools with Assistive Technology: Providing Opportunities for All Learners

This is one in a series of podcasts recorded live at the Texas Assistive Technology Network (TATN) Statewide conference this past June. These podcasts feature nationally known speakers talking about a wide range of topics related to assistive technology.

This episode features Dave Hohulin and the title of the podcast is "Accessing Web 2.0 Tools with Assistive Technology: Providing Opportunities for All Learners.

Click HERE to listen to the audio podcast.

Click HERE for the interview transcription.

Do YOU have an idea for a future podcast? Leave a comment with your suggestion for either a speaker or a topic. We will work to honor those requests in future podcasts.

Happy Listening!