Useful Websites

When thinking about how to use AT to accommodate the previously discussed disabilities, there are many resources available. In this post I have outlined in detail two great resources that can be used across the curriculum to support a variety of learners:

Kidspiration, created by Inspiration Software, Inc.

Kidspiration allows students to combine pictures, text, numbers and spoken words to develop vocabulary, word recognition, reading for comprehension, writing and critical thinking skills. This software would support students with learning disabilities across all areas of curriculum. This software can be used individually by students to compose narrative and expository texts, practice math skills, and create graphic organizers to understand or demonstrate knowledge. Teachers can also use this on a Smart board during whole-class instruction. Single licenses can be inexpensively purchased on CD or downloaded for $39.95. Interested users can also download a 30 day free trial to see if it would be appropriate for them.

Here are a few (there are many) reasons why Kidspiration supports students with learning disabilities:

·    It connects student’s visual thoughts with written expression by allowing students to see symbols for their words in a single click.

·         Includes 13,000 words with definitions and recorded speech for pronunciations

·         Visual math tools

·         Graphic organizer maker

·         Talking interface to help emerging readers navigate the toolbar (very intuitive!)

 

wordQ+speakQ by goQ Software  

 

Although this software is a little more costly at $279.00 for a single license, the benefits as seen on the website for students with learning disabilities or communication disorders are incredible!

*Word prediction

*Offers a list of words with similar meaning to add variety to writing

 text to voice feedback

*Gives examples for words that sound similar by using them in a sentence (example: there, their | to, too, etc.)

*Text reading software reads aloud text you highlight, including websites, emails and instant-messaging

*Using text to speech when writing, poor grammar sounds off and bad punctuation disrupts the rhythm

*Helps only as much as you need with functions that easily turn on or off

*Lets you type the words you know and use voice to text to say the ones you don't

*Speech recognition helps you write everything you say from single words to entire paragraphs

*Offers suggestions for words you have difficulty pronouncing

*Train its voice recognition to understand your voice, with no reading required

*Allows you to mix typing and speaking for best results

*No voice commands to remember

This also came with a free 30 day trial. Having access to these software programs in my
classroom would not only help me to meet IEP goals and objectives, but incorporate
UDL into my instruction to reach all learners.

 

REFERENCES

Develop elementary reading comprehension, writing and math skills with Kidspiration® |    inspiration.com. (2013). Retrieved July 18, 2013, from http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration
 

goQ : Home of wordQ + speakQ : Word Prediction, Spoken Feedback & Speech Recognition Software. (2011). Retrieved July 18, 2013, from http://www.goqsoftware.com/