[NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3776] Day two: Adaptive Mainstream Technology

From: Mariann Fedele (mariannf@lacnyc.org)
Date: Tue Sep 20 2005 - 13:04:18 EDT


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From: Mariann Fedele <mariannf@lacnyc.org>
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Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3776] Day two: Adaptive Mainstream Technology
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This messagge is forwarded from the NIFL Learning disabilites discussion
list. Dr. Christopher Lee is hosting day two of this discussion.
You can participate in the discussion bysubscribing to the NIFL Learning
Disabilites list by going to:
http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/nifl-ld/subscribe_nifl-ld.html

If you prefer feel free to email a question to the Tech list and I will
forward it.

Regards,
Mariann

____________________________________________________________________________

Adaptive Mainstream Technology (ATM)

While training literacy providers I have noticed that some of the mainstream
technology options and products that I mention in my training sessions seem
to spark quite a bit of interest and excitement.  As a trainer I am always
looking for those agenda items that spark the participants.  One of the key
things to keep in mind when working with a student that struggles in an
academic or workplace environment is how to find a way to optimize the
access of information.  Peter Senge (The Fifth Discipline) asserts that “The
rate at which you learn will become the only sustainable competitive
advantage you’ll have in your life.” 

With this in mind, I have found that the most productive students are the
ones that embrace and educate themselves on ways of reducing stress and
anxiety through implementing solution-based tools.  

There are several companies that have included features that can be useful
for literacy students who struggle with organization, writing, and reading.
Not to overwhelm everyone, but I have listed a few resources below for you
to experiment with at your convenience. These AMT resources are not only
helpful for the students you teach, but can also provide some extra support
to service providers. 

Here are only a few of some of the great resources currently available.


Microsoft Accessibility:	http://www.microsoft.com/enable/

If you are not familiar with some of the Microsoft Accessibility features
then please take some time to review the Microsoft Accessibility website.
The site has done a great job addressing current Microsoft accessibility
features.  Access to some of these features depends on the operating system
you are using. For questions regarding operating systems and accessibility
you can go to (http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/default.aspx).


Some of the most helpful solutions that I have found effective in the
classroom are in Microsoft Word.  If a student is having difficultly with
reading and spelling and is not familiar with Microsoft Word’s auto-correct,
auto-text or auto-summarize features you might what to incorporate them into
your leaning environments. 

Auto-correct and Auto-text in Microsoft Word 

http://www.its.niu.edu/its/helpdesk/documentation/autotext.shtml 
With Auto-correct and Auto-text you can highlight the world in the document
and then add it to your dictionary. This wonderful feature keeps the student
from repeatedly retyping the word into the dictionary helping to cut down on
possible mistakes.

AutoSummarize
http://www.microsoft.com/education/AutoSummarize.mspx


Google Desk Top Search 
http://desktop.google.com/about.html 

If your students have trouble with origination (especially finding files
they saved on a computer) you might want to consider downloading Google’s
Desk Top Search. This Beta version from Google will locate a file or image
on your desktop which saves time and energy and helps to increase the rate
of productivity. 

Description from the Google Link:

Google Desktop gives you easy access to information on your computer and
from the web. It's a desktop search application that provides full text
search over your email, computer files, music, photos, chats and web pages
that you've viewed. By making your computer searchable, Google Desktop puts
your information easily within your reach and frees you from having to
manually organize your files, emails and bookmarks. It makes searching your
computer as easy as searching the web with Google


Low Technology Mainstream Tools 

If you are looking for large print items (e.g. address books, check books,
rulers and calendars), magnifiers, or helpful writing guides then check out
Independent Living Aids, Inc. at www.independentliving.com. I would
recommend ordering an Independent Living CAN-DO product magazine. 

AMT Training/State Resources

To help incorporate some of these and many more AMT ideas into your
classroom settings contact your local Technology Act project by visiting the
RESNA web site (http://www.resna.org/taproject/at/statecontacts.html). 






Christopher

Christopher M. Lee, Ph.D., Director
Alternative Media Access Center
331 Milledge Hall
Athens, Georgia 30602-5875
 
Phone:   706.542.4589
Fax:        706.583.0001
 
www.amac.uga.edu








Mariann Fedele
Coordinator of Professional Development, 
Literacy Assistance Center
Moderator,
NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List
32 Broadway 10th Floor
New York, New York 10004
212-803-3325
mariannf@lacnyc.org
www.lacnyc.org



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