http://www.readspeaker.com/
text to speech software on internet
http://demo.readspeaker.com/?p=pr
try the demo out. You will like it.
The program will read text to you, and it also has the option of highlighting the words as you go along.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Other writing aides
About the LTC
Assistive & Instructional Technology Lab
Classroom Assistive Technology Devices
- Learning Disabilities: Reading
- Learning Disabilities: Math
- Learning Disabilities: Other
- Blindness & Visual Impairments
- Physical Impairments & Disabilities
- Hearing Impairment
- Communication Dysfunctions
- Cognitive Delays & Impairments
Learning Disabilities: Writing
Item | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
AlphaSmart 3000 Portable Computer Companion Company: AlphaSmart, Inc. Tel #: 1-888-274-0680 Price: $199.00 Function Domain: learning disabilities |  | Description:This portable computer allows students to enter and edit text while they take notes and engage in written language activities at their own desks. It is considerably cheaper than a lap top computer and can be connected to a computer or printer as needed. Students with learning disabilities and handwriting problems can use this technology. |
Co:Writer 4000 Company: Don Johnston, Inc. Tel #: 1-800-999-4660 Catalog #: P40 Price: $325.00 Function Domain: Learning Disabilities |  | Description: Co:Writer 4000 is the talking word prediction software which enables students to express their thoughts in writing with less frustration. This writing intervention program gives students the tools they need to construct quality, content-rich sentences. Students can use FlexSpell to write the words they want, even if they can only spell them phonetically. Developing writers get immediate grammar support to improve the quality of their work. |
Five European Language translator Company: Franklin 1-800-266-5626 Catalog #: TWE-118 Price: $24.95 Function Domain: Vocabulary acquisition |  | Description: The translator is a user-friendly, pocket-size item (4 ¼” x 2 ¾” x 5/8” in size and weighs 3.5 oz) that provides users with 210,000 translations and 5000 phrases. The latter are translated to and from English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian to assist travelers. The words are categorized into five domains: doing business, travel & directions, eating & drinking, shopping, hotel, and emergencies. Translations of the words are accessible even when words are misspelled. The item also has other feathers such as local/world clock, calculator, currency/metric converter, EURO converter functions, spell checking, and games. It has an automatic shutdown feature to save battery power. |
Franklin Elementary Spelling Ace Company: Franklin Electronic Publishers Tel #: 1-888-274-0680 Catalog #: ES-90 Price: $32.00 Functional Domain: learning disabilities |  | Description: This hand held electronic dictionary is a tool for elementary students with learning disabilities. Students can type in words they cannot spell and the program will correct them. |
Franklin Language Master Company: Franklin Electronic Publishers Tel #: 1-888-274-0680 Catalog #: LM6000SE-1 Price: $450.00 Functional Domain: learning disabilities |  | Description: This device has variety of functions. It mainly provides assistance on reading and writing activities. Students with reading difficulties can enter a confusing or unfamiliar word and the device can perform a variety of functions: provide correction list, read the word aloud, define the word, and provide synonyms. ClickHERE to see a demonstration of this device. |
Franklin Spanish Master Company: Franklin Electronic Publishers Tel #: 1-888-274-0680 Catalog #: DBE-640 Price: $24.95 Function Domain: Learning Disability |  | Description: This device mainly helps bilingual students who use both Spanish and English. It can offer a variety of functions such as translating, words definition, correcting misspellings of both Spanish and English. |
Inspiration Company: Inspiration Software, Inc. Tel #: 1-800-877-4292 Price: $69.00 Function Domain: Learning Disabilities |  | Description: Inspiration is a visual learning tool that inspires students to develop ideas and organize thinking. Inspiration's integrated diagramming and outlining views work together to help students comprehend concepts and information. The Diagram view makes creating and modifying concept maps, webs, idea maps and other graphical organizers easy. An intuitive interface keeps students' focus on their ideas, not the drawing process. In the powerful Outline view, students can quickly prioritize and rearrange ideas, helping them create clear, concise essays, reports and more. |
Intellitalk II Company: IntelliTools, Inc Tel #: 1-888-285-9988 Catalog #:10529 Price: $ 139.95 Function Domains: Learning Disabilities, Bilingual / English as a Second Language |  | Description: IntelliTalk 2 is a talking word processor that designed for young children, people with learning or visual disabilities, and those who speak English as a second language. Special features in this program include: auditory spell check, pre-designed writing templates, toolbars, hundreds of picture items, and built-in scanning and automatic overlay generation. This software can be used with a standard Apple, PC, and the IntelliKeys keyboard. |
Kidspiration Company: Kidspiration Software, Inc. Tel #: 1-800-877-3004 Price: $69.00 Function Domain: Learning Disabilities | Description: This program helps students use symbols, simple maps, and other visual diagrams to see, organize and develop their ideas. It also can help young readers and writers to organize information, understand concepts and to express their thoughts. | |
Kid Works 2 Company: Davidson & Associates, Inc. Tel #: 1-800-556-6141 Function Domain: Learning Disabilities |  | Description: This program was designed specifically for young children. The program takes an alphabetical approach that encourages children to build early reading skills while they learn key locations. Three activities provide a playful, interactive environment that helps children progress from learning key positions to typing smoothly and accurately. |
Merriam-Webster Spanish-English Dictionary Company: Franklin 1-800-266-5626 Catalog #: BES#-1850 Price: $119.95 Function Domain: Bilingual/English as a Second Language |  | Description: Merriam-Webster® (Speaking) Spanish-English Dictionary is a small (5 5/8” x 3 7/8” x 5/8” in size and weighs 6.7 oz) educational tool to facilitate language development in both Spanish and English. It is suitable for all levels of English and Spanish learners. It provides users with Spanish and English translations of 5,000,000 words and phrases as well as grammatical rules for both languages. It is sensitive to the variations in the Spanish language used by speakers in Central and South America. Its new Touch Panel makes it even more user-friendly. Good sound quality provides 600 accurately pronounced travel words spoken with a clear, natural voice. It also provides spelling correction based on the phonetics of the entered word. Learning exercises provide more drill and practice to improve spelling and vocabulary. The item also includes an address book, clock, calculator, and metric converter and can be used as an organizer. |
Merriam-Webster Speaking Dictionary & Thesaurus Company: Franklin 1-800-266-5626 Catalog #: MWS-1840 Price: $79.95 Function Domain: Vocabulary acquisition, Spelling |  | Description: The Merriam-Webster Speaking Dictionary & Thesaurus is a handy, user friendly learning tool to improve vocabulary acquisition, English grammar, and spelling. The device provides practice opportunities through various entertaining games and crossword puzzles. Its new features, such as phonetic spell correction with auditory feedback and large screen, make it accessible to users with diverse needs. |
SOLO Company: Don Johnston Incorporated Tel #: 1-800-999-4660 Price: $785 Function Domain: Learning Disabilities |  | Description: Solo is new software by Don Johnston that integrates several existing software tools such as Co: Writer (word prediction), Draft: Builder (graphic organizer) and Write: OutLoud (talking word processor) with the new Read: OutLoud (text reader). The program is designed to increase students’ reading comprehension and writing skills. Solo promotes students’ development in reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and in various components of writing such as planning, organizing, drafting, revising, and editing. Solo also provides new features for teachers, such as individualizing instruction for diverse student populations and analyzing student progress through graphs, charts, and other forms. |
Speaking Language Master (LM-6000B) Company: Franklin Tel #: 1-800-266-5626 Price: $129.95 Function Domain: Learning Disabilities |  | Description: Speaking Language Master is a large screen educational tool that allows several users to play various language games together. It contains 130,000 words, 300,000 definitions, and over 500,000 synonyms to facilitate vocabulary development. It also includes a Grammar Guide and phonetic spell check. Drill and practice opportunities are provided through 12 word games. The help menu provides efficient navigation. The device also includes a headphone jack, automatic shutoff, volume control, and low battery. |
StartWrite Company: IdeaMaker, Inc. Tel #: 1-888-974-8322 Price: $ 39.95 Function Domain: Learning Disabilities | Description: StartWrite is a software program is designed to help kindergarten through 2nd graders improve their handwriting. Users type letters, words, numbers, etc on the page. The letters appear on the screen in a dot format on the triple-guide line. Students practice their handwriting by tracing over the letters on the printed page. Other uses are to teach beginners about how to begin writing, write a letter to a grandparent, create a scrapbook page, and more. | |
Story Book Maker Deluxe Company: Hartley Courseware, Inc. Tel #: 1-800-999-4660 Price: $ Function Domain: Learning Disabilities |  | Description: This program is a graphics-based writing tool that lets children tell stories with pictures and words. It provides wide range of writing skills from brainstorming to creating stories. |
My Words Company: Hartley Courseware, Inc. Tel #: 1-800-999-4660 Price: $ Function Domain: Learning Disabilities |  | Description: This software program is a writing tool for children and adults who are just leaning how to read or write. The program makes it possible for learners with very limited reading, spelling, or writing ability to create stories, letters and other written material without continuous assistance. |
Write: Outloud Company: Don Johnston, Inc. Tel #: 1-800-999-4660 Catalog #: R80 Price: $99.00 Function Domain: Learning Disabilities |  | Description: Write: OutLoud is a word processor that supports the writing process by reading text out loud as students write. It provides sentence and paragraph feedback which connects written and spoken words so students can complete their thoughts independently and write to the main idea. Also, the immediate auditory and visual cues for misspelled words allow students for immediate self-correction. This program can also import and read scanned text from the Internet and CD-ROM files, and give students access to information they might not be able to read. |
WYNN Company: Freedom Scientific Tel #: 1-888-223-3344 1-800-444-4443 Price: $995 Function Domain: Reading Comprehension |  | Description:WYNN is a new literacy software tool that is designed to enhance the success of individuals with reading and writing difficulties. WYNN was developed with the help of special educators and individuals with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and aphasia. By simultaneously highlighting text as it is spoken, WYNN that benefits readers of all ages, including English Language Learners (ELL), struggling readers, and children with ADD (attention deficit disorder) or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder). |
Please Note:
These lists contains items which can be found in this lab. It should not be considered a comprehensive list of all assistive technology products or that the products listed will meet the needs of an individual. Consultation with an assistive technology specialist should be considered prior to the purchase of any product.
The Livescribe Echo Smartpen
This is an amazing gadget, great for so many students. I would even like one!
The pen can take down notes that the teacher has said and written, and transfer them to paper. It links what is being written with real time audio recording, utilizes a built in microphone and an infared camera located right behind the nib of the pen. In combination with paper special notebooks, notes can be taken while list. The notes can be taken by the student and then re-listened to later or right away after. The quality of user handwriting does not interfere with use.
The notebooks come in different colours, which aids organization.
The pens I would imagine would be good for students with ADD, ABI, ASD, learning disabilities, mental health issues and medical disabilities.
It addresses two biggies for students with disabilities: learned helplessness and attribution issues. There is not need of a student assistant to take notes for the student, they can do it themselves. For students that have severe handwriting issues, short hand or symbols can be set up on to note the most important information from a lecture, and then go back to that information after.
A step up from regular recorders, students can relate information to what they are recording, the device is discreet. The stigma that children often face is gone, a big issue for children, concerned with fitting in.
The pen enables students to review information on their own, at school or with a resource teacher. The information from the classroom instructor is available for students later, enabling clarification or redressing. For students with writing issues, hearing the teacher's voice explaining to them what is expected before they begin or as they are working. For children who have organization issues, something small and easy to move around (instead of a mess of papers) is a weight off the shoulders. I have worked with many students who have lost or left papers all over the place.
http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/
The pen can take down notes that the teacher has said and written, and transfer them to paper. It links what is being written with real time audio recording, utilizes a built in microphone and an infared camera located right behind the nib of the pen. In combination with paper special notebooks, notes can be taken while list. The notes can be taken by the student and then re-listened to later or right away after. The quality of user handwriting does not interfere with use.
The notebooks come in different colours, which aids organization.
The pens I would imagine would be good for students with ADD, ABI, ASD, learning disabilities, mental health issues and medical disabilities.
It addresses two biggies for students with disabilities: learned helplessness and attribution issues. There is not need of a student assistant to take notes for the student, they can do it themselves. For students that have severe handwriting issues, short hand or symbols can be set up on to note the most important information from a lecture, and then go back to that information after.
A step up from regular recorders, students can relate information to what they are recording, the device is discreet. The stigma that children often face is gone, a big issue for children, concerned with fitting in.
The pen enables students to review information on their own, at school or with a resource teacher. The information from the classroom instructor is available for students later, enabling clarification or redressing. For students with writing issues, hearing the teacher's voice explaining to them what is expected before they begin or as they are working. For children who have organization issues, something small and easy to move around (instead of a mess of papers) is a weight off the shoulders. I have worked with many students who have lost or left papers all over the place.
http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/
South Park
http://www.customsouthparks.com/?domain=customsouthparks.com&
fun for kids and getting them at the computer, to play and type, working on motivation.
fun for kids and getting them at the computer, to play and type, working on motivation.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/apple-posts-record-profit/article2101907/
Read it and weep, Apple Competitors.
HH
Read it and weep, Apple Competitors.
HH
Apps for Reluctant Writers to Use and Explore
Office² lets you view, edit and create Microsoft Word compatible documents and Microsoft Excel compatible workbooks on the iPhone or iPod Touch. It also acts as a local file store, letting you store and view files of most types. Office² also integrates with Google Docs and MobileMe iDisk, giving you access to your valuable data, wherever you are. It would be great for some of my students that require longer amount of time to process and work on projects. After school, for instance, the popular hang out spot is the library, and the computers are coveted spots. I can imagine Timmy at the computer working on a project (and it does happen), while Tom uses his iPod touch working on the same project.  TikiNotes (this is a new 6 key typing program that anticipates what you are going to write. I found it a bit slower to use than normally typing, but that is because I know how to type already. I can see how it would be useful to someone who does not know how to type and finds looking for keys a time consuming thing. As well, the keys are large and only appear 6 at a time so it makes the choosing easy. As you type a word, the program gives you three choices that you can choose (and shortcut the writing out of the word) or ignore. The keys in this program are in alphabetical order, so it makes sense to kids. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPqR8Ubb6h0 Dragon Dictation. You will see the words you speak appear on the screen. You can save them, email them or text them. You can speak right into the screen or microphone and it will translate it into text, which you can edit. This is amazing and free !!!!!!!! . Go to about 1:29. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf_qaoXvX6g&feature=player_embedded#at=157  vBookz Although this is mostly a reading app, I thought it could be quite useful for the editing stage of writing. You can scan the document you have been working on, transfer it into a readable iPod format (though the computer program Stanza Desktop and then transfer it tovBookz. A bit labour intensive, but I know that I would like it. I love hearing my reading aloud when I am proofing, but hate re-reading it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48cY9lK6jCQ  Typ-O “Wow!” Barbara had mentioned this and when I saw it noted in the webinar, that is what I wrote in my notes. It is an amazing app. There is word prediction, auto correction, and you can listen to the words before you choose them. You can also listen to what you have written before you send it off, or whatever you want to do with your text. This is a great app for readers who have difficulty spelling and writing – those with dyslexia and dysgraphia, for instance. This app is $4.99.  Wordle is a game app. This comes in an app or you can use the website with the same effect. You will get a list of letters and you have to try and create as many words as possible with them. It helps with spelling and word creating. You can compete against yourself, get into teams, etc. You can even post your score on Facebook. There is also a website if a child was super interested in it. This app is $.99 and could be used by many age levels. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPlFS-4cC30  Sideways. The student would write selection into keyboard, export text to email or copy/ paste. The keyboard can also be turned sideways for bigger font and fewer typing mistakes. This app, I would imagine would be used by children in upper elementary and on into high school and beyond. This app is $1.99.  Montessori Puzzles. A great website for kids. Children are given pictures that they need to spell out (ex. Cat in level one); the players are to drag and drop the letters into the covered boxes. The program sounds out any letter the children touch. This is a great program for phonemic awareness and it fun for kids This app is $2.99. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c-oRe-nFGk  Pictello . The player of this app can make his or her own story books with pictures imported or with picture you take from the iPod Touch camera. You can type what you like to say on the picture or you can record it. You can type something underneath the pictures as well. The program can be used with any curriculum and you can share your files on iTunes. Made by the same people who created Proloquo2go. A great program. This app is $14.99. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLPV5m2bwNY  Storybuilder. This app will allow students to build their own stories based on pictures. The player must answer in full sentences in audio; he or she can play back, move forward. It prompts with questions to move along the story and teaches tools to reinforce story writing skills. This app was created specifically for autism students, but I could see using it with many reluctant or struggling writers. This app is $3.99. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbBUq2lYMaM 12. ABC Pocket Phonics. This is a sound letter association app, and is geared towards young learners. Words and letters are sounded out and words are put together (spelled) by the young child. The YouTube video attached is a great example of a young child in action. This app is $2.99. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW9WGj5dINA. ABC Phonics. This is an app for young children. The app has flashcards that sound out letters that make up a word, the graphic for each word in the picture (example ape is spelled out). There is also an animal match section and a balloon pop (if you get the correct letter). This would be an excellent instructional tool for preschool children. Price is $1.99 (or free for the lite version).  Proloquo2go. I did not purchase it, as the price is $189.99, but it comes highly recommended and I believe is used a lot by schools. It is often used by children/ students who have communication disorders. It appears to be a very user friendly app, which would entice children to pick it up and interact with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuKv0Z2_HMo Sentence Builder. Similar to Story Builder and Question Builder, and from the same company. $2.99. Allows students to work through writing and structuring sentences. I Write Words Lite: this app teaches you handwriting. Letters are on the touchscreen. You put your fingers over the letters to form the shape. Free. VOD Lite (Daisy Talking Book). Free. Children can download their own writing and have it read to themselves for editing purposes. Awesome. Soundingboard $49.99. Great for children with autism spectrum, and adults with disabilities. Allows you to create custom boards and/ or your own photos |
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