Deborah

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Technology: iPad 2
Basics: What is it? iPad 2 is a hand-held tablet which can be used for a multitude of applications, including email,

Developer ? It is developed by Apple Corporation, and is a cousin to the iPod and the iPhone.

Cost? The cost of the iPad 2 is $500.00.

Features? The iPad 2 is a tablet. It is a stepping stone between the phone and a computer. While, unlike a phone, it cannot be used to make phone calls, it can run thousands of applications, including Skype, which can be used for communication. The iPad 2 can be used to browse the internet and stream videos. Because it is not a computer, it is free of a heavy hard drive, lighter in weight, easy to transport and has a long battery life.

Benefits: Who will benefit ? Because it is light, easy to carry, and simple to use with many applications using touchscreen technology, this is a perfect tool for students with special needs, especially those with autism.

How will they benefit ? The excellent video quality of the screen and the audio output will bring to life pictures, PECS and voice for students with autism. Using the many applications available, they can read stories, build their vocabulary, communicate their needs and feelings and become active participants in school, at work and in social situations.

Constraints: Constraints include the cost and the relative delicacy of the iPad 2. Its cost is $500.00, which is certainly less than that of a Dynavox or other similar communication device, or that of an entire computer. However, this is still a large expense for most families. Also, school districts are unlikely to loan or rent the iPad 2 to students, due to the fragility of the touchscreen. It is a nice, light-weight device, but the full screen is very vulnerable to breakage.

Snapshot: (of its use) Some Applications for Autism which can be run on the iPad 2 include iSpeech, iTalk, iCommunicate, MyTalk, Tap to Talk, Proloquo To Go, Grace for iPad, iMean, First-Then Visual Schedule, Autism Xpress and Stories To Learn By.

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TREES Inspiration exercise Oct 10th:



CAST UDL Book Builder Exercise Oct 10th:

CAST UDL Book Builder Assignment The book I created for this assignment is called “Pumpkins.”

This book is intended for readers at the beginning Kindergarten level. The simple, self-explanatory pictures and text are intended to help the student lean to read the book by themselves after only a few iterations with the coach.

The structure of the book includes a title page and six content pages. Each page has a picture and a simple caption. The focus is on building reading vocabulary; a new vocabulary word introduced being “pumpkin.” The book also teaches recognition of the numerals 1 through 5. The coach speaks the number as the student reads the numeral on the page. Also, the number of pumpkins in the picture correlates to the numeral on the page, so that students can count them with one-to-one correspondence. The book teaches recognition of color words as well. The color words are printed in true color, e.g. the word “orange” is shown in orange-colored text, and match the color of the pumpkins in the picture, which reinforces learning the colors.

This is a very visual book, intended for visual learners. The pictures are the focus of each page, giving all of the information on that page. The text is brief and clear and further provides visual information via numerals and colored text. On every page, there are links to the glossary for the word “pumpkin.” This glossary entry shows a picture of a pumpkin for definition. The final link in the book takes the student to a website devoted to teaching children all about pumpkins.

The same coach and voice was used throughout the book for consistency and simplicity, keeping the focus on the words and pictures, and avoiding distraction that could be caused by introducing different voices.




 * Checklist of your assignments - ****SPE 545 **


 * **How well did I do in terms of participation (all required in-class activities) and attendance for this class? ** I attended every class, but one (when my daughter was hospitalized) and participated in all in-class activities.
 * **Have I presented my Tech Share in class? **Yes.
 * **Have I posted the outline for my Tech Share on Wikispaces? **Yes.
 * **Have I shared with xwu@nl.edu my UDL book? **Yes.
 * **Have I shared my Google Docs (Primary Source LOC Activity) with wuxiuwen2011@gmail.com and two other members of the class? **Yes.
 * **Have I received a shared Google Docs document from someone in class and inserted my comments for that person? **Yes.
 * **Where am I on the AT Evaluation Project? ** All parts are complete.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">Interview **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">Resources list **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">Protocol **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">Submit AT Eval Write-up in Projects section on Wikispaces (Please combine all parts of your writing into one document.) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;"> Done.