Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Creating a Chart in Word for great classroom tools

Using tables to set up worksheets, study guides and notes is a great way to organize your students. It is a versatile and easy tool to use. Here are a few ideas to get you going, as you think of more please post them in the comments section.
Here are the directions


Open Word
Go to Table
Insert Table
Choose table
Box pops up- choose 2 colums and # of rows needed


Application Ideas:
Easy way to set up IEP information
Printed out study guides
Vocabulary definitions- can use words and/or pictures
Terms, names, association of facts
Math formulas
Alternative to flash cards
Tip: color code the lines for matching
Review Questions and answers
Good for Fact memorization

Friday, August 22, 2008

FREE, FUN and FABULOUS

http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/

Free Technology Toolkit for UDL (Universal Design for Learning) in All Classrooms

Thank you Karen Janowski , an Assistive Technology Specialist in Massachusetts and Joyce Kasman Valenza, a Library Media Specialist for Pennsylvania for putting together one of the most organized, user friendly comprehensive sources for free educational software- study skills, digital storytelling, graphic organizers, literacy skills and so much more! Even more exciting, since it is in WIKI format it will be updated and changed as new suggestions are located. All this and it's FREE.
You will not be able to download at school. If something is of interest and you want to try it, please contact Eileen epasquini@bcsd.neric.org or Matt mweeks@bcsd.neric.org
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Games to Play- Resource for Autism

http://autismgames.googlepages.com/gamesindex
I've included this link even though it is not exactly assistive technology. I figured that it is because of technology that such a detailed, comprehensive resource exists. Plus, there are so many great ideas and resources! I could spend all day reading and learning.
In addition there is also a blog that is another extremely useful resource.
http://autismgames.blogspot.com/
One thing I found out about is a new book, Understanding Sam by Clarabelle van Niekirk and Liezl Venter. It was written for younger students. It can also be used by teachers or counselors as a resource to help children understand their young friend with ASD or Aspergers.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Asperger-Syndrome-Clarabelle-Niekerk/dp/0974721719
I hope you enjoy

Sunday, August 10, 2008

I am starting this blog to provide support in the area of assistive technology for the special education teachers I work with. Hopefully, this information will be of interest to the and the students and parents who can benefit from the technology supports available.

Today's tip!
Do you know how to find a word or phrase in your document?
Have you ever finished a long document and realized after 20 pages that you have used one word when you should have used another?
In Word, Power Point and Excel and you are able to quickly find and replace text.
To replace text, choose Edit from the menu bar.
Then select Replace.
In the Find What field, type the word that you have used.
In the Replace With field, type what you should have used.
You may also just leave it blank and it will replace with nothing, removing all traces of the word you want to delete.
Then you can choose to either replace them all at once or check each one by replacing one at a time.