Technologies for Learning

Mary M. Silgals, MLISApril 19, 2010

Palmetto Association of Independent Schools Symposium 2010

My Disclaimer

• I do not endorse any of these products over another similar product. Any product I might discuss or demonstrate today, either I purchased, is a loaner, is shareware, or was a free download.

• If I speak enthusiastically about a product, it’s because I have seen it work well with my students or in my curriculum!

There are technologies available for specific learning problem areas

There are tools to help students who struggle with:

• Listening

• Math

• Organization

• Memory

• Reading

• Writing

What kind of tools are available?• Abbreviation expanders • Alternative keyboards • Audio books and publications • Electronic math worksheets • Free-form database software • Graphic organizers and outlining • Information/data managers • Optical character recognition • Personal FM Listening Systems • Portable word processors • Proofreading programs • Speech recognition programs • Speech synthesizers/Screen Readers • Talking Calculators • Talking spell-checkers and electronic dictionaries • Variable speed tape recorders • Word prediction programs • New Stuff almost everyday!

The Plan:

A day in the life of a student with memory, organizational, writing, and reading problems.

First – Create a calendarSecond – Reinforce its use

“Everything in its Right Place”Radiohead

Kid A, Kid A, Kid A, Kid AEverything, everything, everything, everything..In its right placeIn its right placeIn its right placeRight place

iGoogle

pageflakes

Reminders

• StickyNotes - http://www.sticky-notes.net/windows-sticky-notes-free.html– Basic notes free, upgrades available at

subscription cost (forward notes, etc.)

Bookmarks vs. My Favorites

• Keeping urls in a central location

Delicious

Not your parent’s research methods!

• Text Readers

• Notetaking

• Highlighting

• Bibliography generators

• Write-Out Loud software

Discus: www.scdiscus.org

• Head for the databases….no need to Google…many extras

• Bibliography, reader, mp3 converter

Bookshare.org – Free with application http://www.bookshare.org

• Downloadable books which come with free text reading software – Don Johnson

• Must apply with a reading based learning disability

Adobe Reader 9.0• Easy way to have text read to students.• Scan documents or• Convert documents• Let the Read Out Loud software read the pdf.• Free Download!• http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/

Intel Reader

Reader

Work Station

E Readers

Kindle

eSlick

Sony Reader

iPad/iBook

B&N Nook

WebNoteshttp://webnotes.net

• Free Register• Download toolbar• Allows you to highlight text on page• Allows you to create sticky notes on page• Allows you to create folder to save notes in• Allows you to share by email/permalink/twitter• Saves links and notes on webpage to reopen• Will tell you if any changes have been made since

last accessed• PDF uploads for annotating

Notetaking

• SpringPad - http://www.springpadit.com/• EverNotes -

http://www.evernote.com/about/what_is_en/video/

Look on your computer for any Office notetaking software program

BibMe

For the auditory learnersAudacity – Free Download

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

• Free download/simple to use and edit

• Can be used with Photostory or Movie Maker3

Composition

• Don Johnson – Solo Products– Write Out Loud– Read Out Loud– Draft Builder– Co-Writer

Balabolka – Text to Speech

Flash Card Machinehttp://www.flashcardmachine.com/

• Share address with your students• Integration with iStudyToGo for studying cards

on the iPod – Application $14.99-$19.99 http://www.istudytogo.com/istudytogo/default.aspx

• Database of cards already created

• Can add photos to cards

New Technologies:Whatever makes the workload lighter….

• URL on the back of my card

• http://marysilgals.tripod.com/mystuff

Need help?

• Contact information:– Mary M. Silgals– Trident Academy– msilgals@tridentacademy.com– 843-884-7046 ext 25