assistive technology

[intern2007]

I was wondering what differnet forms of assistive technology can be found online for use within my classroom. Personal experiences with using the different products would benefit me greatly!:)

[AAA Teacher Forum]

intern2007,
Could you please be a little more specific as to what type of goals and/or children you are looking to help?

I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but here are some free and easy ideas for Macs:
1. Apple + CTRL + D – In Safari only: Will give you the dictionary definition for words in the browser. Continue to hold down ctrl + Apple to select words.
2. Apple + +/- – Changes font size in browser window.
3. Apple + Shift + </> – Changes the font size in a Word document.

Jennifer

[Yiyang]

What subject you are teaching?

Have you think of building your own website or you can use school's resources? Some free but powerful software can help you to create gap fill, matching. One of these software is called "Hot Potatoes". Once you create quizzes, upload them to the website.

[mopar]

Some assistive technology that I use in my classroom is CoWriter, AlphaSmarts,Don Johnston suite (Read Outloud/Write Outloud/Draftbuilder), Kwerzwiel (???) and Dragon Speak. I have also used switches and intellikeys/intellitools suite. I really liked the intellitools suite. It is nice for a classroom and has some great videos and projects pre-made. I also enjoyed Kwerzwiel for older students, it has some great note-taking forms and use of highlighter for scanned in texts. Any Don Johnston is great to use with kids, especially anyone who struggles with reading.
A great math program--not really assistive tech though-is Fasttmath. It is great for basic facts.

[SLP]

I work with children with communication disorders. They use assistive technology devices & systems. They use PECS, computer "talkers" ,like touchtalkers & light talkers. The children who are hearing impaired use assistive listening devices, such as FM systems hooked up to their hearing aids.
These are mostly devices that must be purchased & are not available in on-line formats.