If you are not familiar with Google Chrome, take some time to check it out.  It is a free download and its basic function is that of a web browser, much like IE or Firefox.  It also has extensions and extra features like the two previous mentioned browsers.  What makes it different is the Chrome Web Store.  This can turn your browser into an educational tool customized for each student. There are thousands of games and apps (much like the Apple app store) that you download into your browser.  Many are free and a few cost a little bit of money.  They show up in your browser under the new tab page. As you can see above, the student can have all of their games and apps right in their browser.  This is a very easy way to extend your child's learning.

Autism Apps is an app that will let you search for other apps related to using your iOS device for students with Autism.  It organizes the apps by category and also has a search feature.  It also allows you to set parameters such as apps that are free or paid and you can sort the apps based on ratings or price. This allows you to search for apps more easily than a general search in the iTunes store of Google. If you know your student and what skills they are working on, you can narrow your search much faster.  Download here.

Need help finding an app for a student with autism?  This graphic was designed to help determine the needs of the student and provide suggestions based on common learning characteristics. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, just a starting point. It is also a reminder that when looking for educational apps, it is important to look outside of apps tagged as educational or specific to autism.  There are many apps that will fit the needs of the student that fall into other categories.  Here is the link:
bit.ly/appwheel

Have you every been writing an IEP and trying to figure out the best reading accommodation for a student?  Maybe you have too many students with paraprofessionals reading passages or instructions to them.  If either of these scenarios are the case, then PAR may be the answer. PAR stands for the Protocol for Accommodations in Reading. PAR is free and can be used with any device.  According to Don Johnston's website, 

PAR was developed in collaboration with Denise DeCoste, author of the widely embraced Assistive Technology Assessment: Developing a Writing Productivity Profile and Linda Bastiani Wilson. Their desire was to create a repeatable and systematic assessment process that would not only provide concrete documentation you can use for IEP meetings, but also outline evidence-based practices you can use to make decisions about selecting a suitable reading accommodation for a student being considered.

There is also a free webinar that will show you how to use it. All of this information can be found on Don Johnson's website at www.donjohnston.com/products/par/.

Looking for a way to use the iPad and Smartboard with special education students?  Splashtop remote will do that.  I have used this for a student with a visual impairment.  The class would complete activities on the Smartboard, which of course was hooked up the the computer.  The student was able to see everything we were doing on the iPad which he could hold at a much closer distance.  The user can also interact with the iPad, thus the Smartboard, without getting out of their seat!  This is handy when you have students with physical disabilities or students in wheelchairs.  If you want do to the reverse, use the app Reflection.  This will show whatever is on your iPad on the computer and therefore the Smartboard.  If there is a particular app you wan the whole class to interact with, all you need is Reflection.  *
Both apps require WiFi.
Reflection App- www.reflectorapp.com
Splashtop App- www.splashtop.com

iOS (iPads/iPods/iPhone) has a new feature with the recent update to iOS6 called Guided Access.  This allows teachers or adults to ‘lock’ the device into a program.  For example, if you have a students using the iPad as a speech generating device, you can lock it so that the students may not exit the program.  To do this, click on Settings, General, and then Accessibility on the right.    After you turn the feature on, it will ask your for a PIN.  Once that is set up, go to the program you want the student to use and ‘triple click’ the home button.  Choose your settings, and then it will lock the program.  There are a couple caveats.  One is that it will not work on older devices (such as iPad 1).  The device must have the newest iOS update (v 6 or 6.0.1).  Also, there is a known bug that in some programs, it will not let you out of the program.  To remedy this, you need to reset by holding both the power button and the home button for 15-20 seconds until the device shuts off.  When restarted it should be back to normal.  Want a  tutorial? bit.ly/guided-access

If you have not heard, Illinois has an ISBE sponsored Assistive Technology Guidance Manual. This manual is the work of Brian Wojcik and Karen Douglas at the SEAT Center at Illinois State University.  For a copy of the manual and more information, go to at4il.org.

Need someone to read directions to students? Try vocaroo.com.  This website makes it super easy to record short audio and share or save it.  You could even create a QR code that can be printed next to directions and the students can use a device to scan and listen.  Try it!  Listen to this UDL Suggestion by scanning this code. Download  QR Reader on your iDevice if you don’t have one.

Assistive Technology Internet Modules has information and online trainings to help you better understand assistive technology. Sign up and take one target course or the whole set.
http://atinternetmodules.org

Thanks for visiting our new website.  What you can expect from this blog is a weekly tech tip, activity or program that relates to Assistive Technology or educational technology. Comments are welcome but will need to be approved first.  Enjoy!