The Possibilities are Endless!

The introductory video introduced us to a number of assistive technologies, many of which I was unfamiliar with. 

1. Direct selection was shown twice.  Initially, the young man was using it with his tongue.  Further on in the video we saw a student using his fingers to select.  This opens up a world of possibilities to these students that they previously had no access to.  Students that benefit from these technologies could have a wide range of challenges; non-verbal, very limited mobility, uncontrolled or involuntary movements to name a few.  This tool provides possibilities!  Once again, enabling communication, building relationships and increasing students' independence. 

2. Early Intervention Cause and Effect games used to with pre-school students. 







3. Clicker sentence Apps - allows students to enhance and improve their written output.  This is an extremely useful tool for those students who struggle to get words down on paper.  Providing them with a sense of accomplishment and building their sense of self and success.  I would suspect that students who use this may get "bitten by the writing bug," take greater risks when writing and continue to improve production.

4.  Keeble Keyboard Ipad app-  Keeble allows students and adults with physical or vision impairments to type in any app.  There are many options on the Ipad/Ipod/Iphone that would be beneficial to students that have vision impairments as well.  To enable these settings, you must go to Settings, General, Accessibility and they appear. Anyone can customize to their specific needs.  What is great also is that several people can use the same device at different times, all they have to do is change the settings.  Below are a few screen shots of options available on these iOS devices.

 

Visually impaired students and adults can benefit from the many accessibility options on iOS devices.    Inverted colours facilitates viewing for some.  Larger text size helps also.

                                      

5. Montessori Crossword Reading App for Reading Remediation

6.  Switch Access to Ipad alowing students who have fine motor issues to use Ipads which had been otherwise challenging.

Anyone can activate switch control by going to Settings, General, Accessibility on their iOS device.  Once activated, it can be individualized as necessary.

7. Eye Gaze Technology

Enabling students to communicate, access the internet, play interactive games, compose music, write and express thoughts and emotions, do math, manipulate text and listen to music.  Not only will this assistive technology enrich the student's life but also the lives of those around them.  The ability to build relationships between the student and their family as well as those who work closely with them has moved to a whole new level!  


8.  Proloquo2GO - voice overs giving speech to those who do not speak.  "Proloquo2Go is an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assistive technology tool that can help children dealing with a range of speech challenges better communicate and express their needs. Proloquo2Go provides images and symbols to depict common emotions, requests, and responses. Frequently used verbal commands or requests can be organized on the app’s main page for quick and easy access. Users can also manually enter text to be read aloud by one of the pre-programmed voices." 

9.  Siri - Speech to Text

Speak and Siri will convert to written text.  Fabulous for a variety of applications; students with fine motor challenges who find writing painful or labour intensive can get their thoughts down using Speech to Text technologies, not only Siri.  Siri has language capabilities as well which expands the target audience. 

One additional possibility for Siri and ESL students (present day - Syrian refugees)  is that they can speak to Siri in their native tongue, and then can translate it using Google translate to facilitate communication with those around them.  Consider the potential for decreasing stress in new immigrants to any country.  One less thing to worry about - as long as they are traveling with a device or can have one provided to them. In this circumstance, this would be an essential tool for survival.  

A few others consider that were not listed in the video...

GUIDED ACCESS
For students who have difficulty focusing on specific web paged or apps without surfing the internet or using multiple apps, enabling Guided Access limits individual students to one app or website.

 

 
OH YES, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE INDEED ENDLESS!