The Benefit of Special Modifications
"Students who are deaf or hard of hearing show consistent academic gains when provided with the sequential text highlighting and supportive captions available with digital instructional material," (Rose et. al, 2005, p. 516).
Braille Embossers
(11/29/11) Retrieved from: http://www.brailler.com/phoenixwithbluebackground.jpg
Braille embossers are printers that change text to tactile Braille
cells to help blind readers. This is an efficient and cost-effective way to
translate text to tactile Braille cells, ranging from $2000-80,000. There are
also smaller and slower embossers that are common in libraries, schools,
classrooms, and homes. One company which sells Braille embossers is Enabling
Technologies. They range in embossers from personal single-side to high
production commercial double sided embossers. For users who are new to Braille
embossers, there is a link, “choosing a Braille embosser” to help find the best
embosser for their needs. This is beneficial for blind students to have in
their homes and schools since it is an easier and cheaper way to produce
readings. Books in Braille are very costly, so having equipment that can change
text that teachers can easily change to Braille for students who are blind is
valuable so that all students can participate in reading activities.
This link provides a demonstration of how one Braille embosser, the Phoenix, works to help blind readers translate text to tactile Braille. This is only one of many Braille embossers available; more research may need to be done on a personal basis to help users find the embosser that’s most suitable for their needs. http://www.brailler.com/ftp/phoenixvideo.wmv
This link provides a demonstration of how one Braille embosser, the Phoenix, works to help blind readers translate text to tactile Braille. This is only one of many Braille embossers available; more research may need to be done on a personal basis to help users find the embosser that’s most suitable for their needs. http://www.brailler.com/ftp/phoenixvideo.wmv
Screen Magnifiers
Screen magnifiers are useful tools for those who struggle
with vision impairments. This is not an appropriate tool for the blind, as this
type of tool enlarges the images through interfacing with the computer. The
blind would likely use a screen reader. With magnifying technology, the focus
is shifted to make the content more accessible to the user. As the images on
the screen become enlarged, text can sometimes need reformatting, magnifiers
often smooth the text, and images to allow maximum user accessibility. Another
feature often incorporated into this tool is the ability to change color
preferences and to invert colors. This type of tool can be very beneficial for
students who are colorblind as well as low vision. These tools often include
keyboard shortcuts to help the population who use them navigate efficiently.
Magnifiers are often times used by elderly computer users, but can have great
value for students with impairments.
Magnifiers are available from Apple, as well as PC suppliers. They can be bought at Best Buy and other electronic retailers and plugged into a computers USB port. There are also accessibility options on both Apple products and Windows products that can enhance the screen, but may not work as effectively as alternative software. |
Touch Screen
Touch screens are becoming more common due to the intuitive
nature of their use. Touch screens have found great success with younger
students as well as autistic students. The natural instinct to touch the button
allows for quick and easy navigation. This simplistic navigation can be helpful
for ESL students. Touch screens can allow students to drag information from one
place to another, to directly interact with the content they are learning. For
students completing a vocabulary assessment, they can drag the correct word to
the correct definition. Overall, the touch screen feature is beneficial for
students with difficulties using a mouse and with hand eye coordination.
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Diigo
Diigo is an online tool that allows users to bookmark, highlight, note, take screen-shots, and share pictures and audio. This can be done by simply adding it to the toolbar or by creating a personalized profile. Diigo can be accessed on a PC, Mac, any browser, Android, i Phone, and i Pad. By adding Diigo to the toolbar, users can use the previously stated features. For educators, it is beneficial to create a personalized profile so that they can apply for an educator upgrade. This enables student accounts to be created for an entire class, which allows them to be placed in the same group. Group bookmarks, annotations, and group forums can then be accessed. Collaborative learning is enabled through features that allow teachers to highlight certain text and images and write comments directly on the web page, facilitate online conversations between students using that can be collected and organized by the instructor into series of web pages into thematic sets. Diigo can also be used between teachers to collaborate as well. Being able to highlight, comment, and bookmark various parts on the page, students who have trouble navigating web pages will have an easier time accessing the information teachers would like them to gain. The highlighting feature can also aid in readability for students who may prefer alternate means of presentation with their material as well as students who desire to highlight important information.
Emily Barney created a video on You-tube called, “Social bookmarking ~ Making the web work for you,” which answers many “why” and “how” questions. Not only does this video show users how Diigo works in general, but it provides strategies that can be helpful for teachers and students. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcecBgRd3ig&eurl=http://blog.diigo.com/
Diigo can be used in the classroom in many ways but one effective way is for students to do research. Students will use Diigo highlight , bookmark and organize important information that they will need for different research papers and projects. One particular lesson that teachers use with Diigo is http://sites.google.com/site/team8project9440/using-diigo-in-the-classroom-2/calendar/iigo-lesson-plan---invention-research. This lesson uses Diigo for students to complete research on inventions.
Emily Barney created a video on You-tube called, “Social bookmarking ~ Making the web work for you,” which answers many “why” and “how” questions. Not only does this video show users how Diigo works in general, but it provides strategies that can be helpful for teachers and students. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcecBgRd3ig&eurl=http://blog.diigo.com/
Diigo can be used in the classroom in many ways but one effective way is for students to do research. Students will use Diigo highlight , bookmark and organize important information that they will need for different research papers and projects. One particular lesson that teachers use with Diigo is http://sites.google.com/site/team8project9440/using-diigo-in-the-classroom-2/calendar/iigo-lesson-plan---invention-research. This lesson uses Diigo for students to complete research on inventions.