TSBVI Technology Institute

Ideas for the Use of Technology in the Regular Education Classroom

Note Takers

Reinforcement/Reward - Create a file called "braille", the classroom teacher can have the student turn on the APH Scholar and practice the braille alphabet.
Spelling Test - Help the student create a file called "spellwords", let them practice spelling their words for the upcoming test.
Teach the classroom teacher how to connect the APH Scholar or Braille Note to the computer for a visual display. This will encourage the teacher to "help" with the note taker.
Help the student create separate class folders (Science, LA, Social Studies), have one file in each folder called, "homework". Have the student write their assignments and due dates then create a "hard return". This will make each assignment appear on a separate line in the file, which will make it much easier for the student to access.
Help the student create a file called, "phone". Follow the procedure of inserting a hard return after the name and number is written. This will allow the name and number to appear on the same separate line.
Help the student load the games which come with the APH Scholar disk. Remember computer games are how most students learn to use the computer!
Look at the TEKS for Technology, and ask your local tech teacher for ideas.
One of your greatest resources is other VI teachers, talk to each other and exhange ideas.

Warning! Although the note takers have calculators built in, the Perkins braille writer is still the only way to teach math skills. It allows both spatial and step by step verification for the student.

Computers

Begin using "Talking Typer" from APH to teach keyboarding skills. The program is free and keeps important data such as: words per minute, mistakes in lessons, and sequential lessons. This program is self-voicing, which means it speaks straight out of the box.
Use "Math Flash" from APH to reinforce math skills. It has a variety of settings: addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. The skill level can be set by the teacher, as well as how many problems in each drill set. Most important, it is a game!
Use self-voicing games available from, www.gamesfortheblind.com. These games speak without a screen reader, and they are fun! Some of the games are: Battleship, Simon, Memory, Yahtzee, etc. The entire CD of games is just $89.00. The games can be downloaded and used for free, but only for 15 days.
Check out http://www.tsbvi.edu/technology/games.htm Computer Games for Students with Visual Impairments.
Consider using "Connect Outloud" from www.freedomscientific.com. This is the same as JAWS, but only works with MS Internet Explorer, Outlook Express (email), and it's own word processor. It is a great start for younger students!

Resources

http://www.setbc.org/res/guides/default.html
Print Resouces for technology. Has guides for the Mountbatten braille writer, Intellitools, ACC devices, and other VI technology.

http://www.pegmarston.com/

Curriculum for Teaching Blind Students
Microsoft Word: Typing with Keyboard Commands
20 Printed Lessons for Teachers Braille and Word Files for Students
Margaret Marston, Ph. D. Copyright 2001

http://www.tsbvi.edu/technology/dtb-iep.htm
IEP Objectives for Using Digital Talking Books. If you don't know what these are, check it out!

http://www.setbc.org/projects/virg/p2_09.html
Visually Impaired Resource Guide - Assistive Technology for Students who use Braille
Braille Lite

http://www.setbc.org/projects/virg/part2.html
Visually Impaired Resource Guide - Assistive Technology for Students who use Braille

http://www.parquesoft.com/emp/altamira.htm
Usando Word 2000 - conceptos básicos - tutorial.
Tutoriales audio grabados en español que facilitan el aprendizaje para el manejo de las aplicaciones más comunes bajo la plataforma de Windows (teaching MS Word in Spanish).

http://tte.tamu.edu/
Texas Text Exchange - Welcome to the Texas Text Exchange - the first web-based digital library of electronic books for exclusive use by students with disabilities!
The TTE has 441 books online and 100 active institutions in the US and Canada.

http://www.pulsedata.com/handlers/display.cfm/8,420,18,24,html
Pulse Data Releases KeyWeb, The First Portable Web Browser For Persons Who Are Blind

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Last Revision: November 21, 2005