Technology Resources for Education's Assistive Technology Solutions

Weekly Resources for the Assistive Technology Service Provider Community

Volume 6, Issues 40-42 for Weeks of 10/10, 10/17, & 10/24/05

Words Compiled by David Grapka (David@Trecenter.org)

Technology Resources for Education (T.R.E.) Center TRECENTER.ORG

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Note: Some links are time-sensitive.  Access to some may require registration or free subscriptions.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"The greatest ability in business is to get along with others and influence their actions. A chip on the shoulder is too heavy a piece of baggage to carry through life."
-- John Hancock

UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

• http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=5883 Study: States slowly embracing eTexts Nearly all states with textbook adoption policies now include software, digital content, and other technology-based media in their definitions of "instructional materials," according to a recent survey by the Software and Information Industry Association. But only a third have updated their submission or review processes to account for unique technology issues not otherwise faced with printed textbooks

• "Engage Me Or Enrage Me": What Today’s Learners Demand Source: Educause Review Anyone who has taught recently will recognize these three kinds of students http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/Article14412.phtml

• http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/Article14407.phtml The use of special computer games to "train" their brains improved the ability of healthy children to pay attention during scientific trials, researchers reported Sept. 26. Source: eSchool News.

• Jonathan Kozol: Still Separate, Still Unequal: America's Educational Apartheid, September 21, 2005 Scathing account of the continuing segregation in American schools (you can draw your own parallels on a worldwide basis). (Steven Downs))

ACCESS SOLUTIONS:

· http://www.independentliving.com/products.asp?dept=191&deptname=Scientific "Talking Texas Instruments Scientific Calculator." It has the large keys and seems completley adapted to a wide variety of disability. andrew-schuette@UKY.EDU

· www.customsolutions.us Awesome for getting some good info about mouse use (from Wendy Homlish homlishw@CLIU.ORG

· The "invisible clock" from http://www.invisibleclock.com/

COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS: from Gary Koeppe gkoeppe@SPSMAIL.ORG

· http://www.pcicatalog.com/Store/Technology.aspx Simple to use programs for students with autism e.g., board games and paper programs you can purchase to support the computer software. Activities range from survival signage to grocery store activities, household management etc.

· Check the "WatchMinder" http://www.watchminder.com/WatchMinderStory.htm

· http://www.conovercompany.com/Products/products.htm some really nice programs