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https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/

Teach Your Monster To Read is an award winning program that helps students learn letters, sounds, and then puts them together for reading words and sentences.  It is a fun and interactive program that is completely free to use on the computer.  Students are able to customize their monster and then take it through various games that start from a very basic level and then get more challenging as they learn more.  Another option is the teachers bundle that offers games and activities to use in a classroom setting.  These are also included free of charge if accessed via the computer.  This has been made possible by generous grants from the Usborn Foundation.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 7.1: Optimize individual choice and autonomy
Being able to customize their monsters and having choices between 1 of 2 games offered per subject allows for individual choice.
2. Check Point 8.2: Vary demands and resources to optimize challenge
3. Check Point 8.4: Increase mastery-oriented feedback
4. Check Point 9.1: Promote expectations and beliefs that optimize motivation
One way students are motivated in this game is that they are offered a choice of what prize they want to earn if they complete a game.  By offering this choice, they can be more motivated to complete a task.  The prize they earn is something for their monster to wear or to hold.  Their monster is then always changing if they are participating in the games.
5. Check Point 2.1: Clarify vocabulary and symbols
Clarification of the alphabet symbols, and later on the vocabulary, is something that is done in this program as a student learns more about the letters of the alphabet and how they can work together to form words.
6. Check Point 2.2: Clarify syntax and structure
By learning sentences, the student is learning syntax and structure.
7. Check Point 3.1: Activate or supply background knowledge
The knowledge base for this game builds on itself and offers options for review of concepts learned.
8. Check Point 3.2: Highlight patterns, critical features, big ideas, and relationships
This check point is built in to the way the program runs.  Information is built upon as the student achieves levels and learns more about how words and sentences are put together.
9. Check Point 3.3: Guide information processing and visualization
Information processing and visualization are an integral part of this program. Students are able to play at their leisure, without the pressure of being timed.
10. Check Point 4.1: Vary the methods for response and navigation
This particular check point is built into the structure of the games offered to the student.  For example, when given a letter sound to pass off, they are given the choice of playing a rocket ship game or a duck gathering game.  By giving the student choices, they are more motivated to achieve success.  When they finish a game, they get a prize of some sort for their monster to wear.
11. Check Point 5.3: Build fluencies with graduated levels of support for practice and performance
This learning tool allows for graduated levels of support for practice and performance with the way the program is set up.  The student will start at the level of understanding and knowledge that they possess.  As they learn more and pass off levels, they will be advanced to a higher level.

I cannot give enough praise for this game! It is a fun way to learn sounds, letters, words, and sentences.  It allows for individual choice and customization. Parents and teachers alike have the opportunity to have their children and students play this game.  Students and children are able to gain prized accessories for their monsters.  By offering this option, they are motivated to continue to use the program and are therefore accessing an educational tool for themselves.

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The game has been funded by the Usborne Foundation, a charity set up to support initiatives to develop early literacy.

Our mission is to help as many children learn to read as possible. The computer version is 100% free and we put profits from the app back into the Usborne Foundation, to continue to create new and exciting ways for children to learn.

The charity was founded by Peter Usborne MBE and his children, Nicola and Martin, one of the world's leading children's book publishing companies and Children's Publisher of the Year 2012. He was previously one of the founders of the magazine Private Eye.

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The game has been funded by the Usborne Foundation, a charity set up to support initiatives to develop early literacy. Our mission is to help as many children learn to read as possible. The computer version is 100% free and we put profits from the app back into the Usborne Foundation, to continue to create new and exciting ways for children to learn.

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https://www.naturalreaders.com/software.html

https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/

This is a text-to-speech (TTS) program that will read text aloud from a computer screen.  There are a few options for software download. First, there is a free option.  It has 2 voice options, 1 male and 1 female.  This choice offers a floating bar that comes with you on your internet search and, when text is highlighted on screen, it will read to you. This works in other programs you have on your computer as well, like Microsoft Word.  Other options, which are paid options, allow for more features.  There is a web-only version of the program that allows you to copy and paste text into an online prompt box and, when you push the "play" button, it will read aloud the text.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 1.1: Offer ways of customizing the display of information
By being able to customize the voices that read aloud to the student, we are giving choices that can be motivating as well as educational.
2. Check Point 1.2: Offer alternatives for auditory information
This program is an alternative to reading from a screen on his/her own. It allows for access to the information given in a format that is more beneficial for many of our special needs students.
3. Check Point 4.2: Optimize access to tools and assistive technology
This is a tool available at no charge to students to use not only at school, but also at home.  The student will reap the benefits of an assistive technology that is easy to use and no cost.  Win, win!
4. Check Point 5.1: Use multiple media for communication
This tool can be used for communication of ideas and topics in the classroom and in the home.  Students can have their assignments and research read to them.  This will aid in editing reports, gaining more information for classes, and more.

A good way for the student to use this technology is to go to a website that gives information on a topic of research. They can then highlight the information they need to have read to them and press the play button to hear it read aloud. It is a great tool that they can also take to their word processing program and have their assignments read to them so that they can more easily catch mistakes in their writing.

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NaturalReader Software

NaturalReader is a downloadable text-to-speech desktop software for personal use. This easy-to-use software with natural-sounding voices can read to you any text such as Microsoft Word files, webpages, PDF files, and E-mails. Available with a one-time payment for a perpetual license.

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NaturalReader Text to Speech Software Download

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Desktop Text to speech download software with natural sounding voices. Supports PDF, word, ebooks, webpages, Convert text to audio files.

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http://sciencewriter.cast.org/welcome

Science Writer is a wonderful tool built to help students write complete science reports.  It is fully interactive and web-based, and totally free to use. This program was designed to provide scaffolding for each step of the writing process. It helps break down the report writing process into manageable chunks while providing the organizational structure needed for report writing.  Science Writer also features a sentence starter help system that can aid a student as well.  Just as in the UDL Book Builder program, the little friend "coaches" are built into this program to give hints and suggestions to the student.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 9.3: Develop self-assessment and reflection
With the built in assistance with drafting, revising, and editing, this program helps a student learn to self-assess and reflect on their project and writing skills.
2. Check Point 3.3: Guide information processing and visualization
3. Check Point 4.2: Optimize access to tools and assistive technologies
This very program is a great example of assistive technology.  By accessing this program, students who need extra help writing a science report are able to get the help they need, at a level that is more individually regulated.
4. Check Point 5.3: Build fluencies with graduated levels of support for practice and performance
5. Check Point 6.2: Support planning and strategy development
Built into the core of this program are the skills needed to support a students' planning phase of writing a report as well as teaching strategy development skills.  Students are given the support throughout the program to build an efficient report that they can be proud of.
6. Check Point 6.3: Facilitate managing information and resources

Science teachers would do well to assign a student to write their reports using this program until such a time when they can do it on their own. There is no age limit to this software, so anyone can use it.

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https://www.fablevisionlearning.com/stationerystudio

This program helps motivate students who may be reluctant to write.  It has a basic, easy to use word processing system. Fun and exciting page borders create excitement for a project. This software allows for customization of fonts, lines, line widths, page layouts, and more.  It includes a dotted font for printing out and using for handwriting practice.  Stationary Studio works with interactive whiteboards for use with whole group instruction.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 1.1: Offer ways of customizing the display of information
This software allows teachers to create templates that the students can access and modify per individual choice.
2. Check Point 4.2: Optimize access to tools and assistive devices
This software works with all learners, including those with assistive devices.  This program also gives the option of a dotted line font that can be printed and used for handwriting practice support.
3. Check Point 5.2: Use multiple tools for construction and composition
Students can print their work in color or in black and white, and then hand color it.  They have the option of making books, writing letters, creating invitations, certificates, and reports. Teachers and students can choose their backgrounds/borders, line spacing, fonts, etc. to cater to individual and assignment needs.
4. Check Point 5.3: Build fluencies with graduated levels of support for practice and performance
Software can be used either in whole group, small group, or individually.  It works with Smart Boards in the classroom as well.
5. Check Point 6.2: Support planning and strategy development
Stationary Studio claims to motivate "planning, goal setting, strategy development, problem solving," and formatting a project to fit specific parameters.
6. Check Point 7.1: Optimize individual choice and autonomy
The development of writing skills are supported by providing customized stationary that work with student interest, developmental levels, and purposes.

Stationary Studio can be used in the general education or special education classroom. It can be used in whole group activities, in small groups, or on individual assignments. It would be great to use in a language arts classroom where writing is promoted and required.

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https://www.texthelp.com/en-us/products/read-write/

Text Help's Read & Write is a useful tool for those who could benefit from text-to-speech.  This program can be purchased and downloaded for use on a computer, or can be added as an extension on Google Chrome.  Before you go and purchase it, you should check and see if your school offers it as tool for the students. My children can access it for free if they are logged into their school email/Google account.  Either way, this is a wonderful option for students. Some of the features offered by Read & Write are as follows:  text-to-speech, talking dictionary, picture dictionary, word prediction, fact finder, translator, highlighters, collect and clear highlights, vocabulary list builder, customizable speech options, speech input, voice notes, simplification of a web page, click and speak, study skills help, bookmarks, push pin annotation, print button, font options.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 7.1: Optimize individual choice and autonomy
This program enables a person to be more independent when using the computer.  It offers a large number of resources for the individual that can aid in composition of writing projects, reading a web page, and more.
2. Check Point 1.1: Offer ways of customizing the display of information
User is given the choice to choose highlighter colors, and to customize speech options, for example.
3. Check Point 1.2: Offer alternatives for auditory information
4. Check Point 1.3: Offer alternatives for visual information
5. Check Point 2.1: Clarify vocabulary and symbols
The built in picture vocabulary tool and the talking dictionary are easy to use and offer more information on vocabulary.
6. Check Point 2.4: Promote understanding across languages
There is a translation tool embedded into the program that will help those who need assistance with language translation.
7. Check Point 2.5: Illustrate through multiple media
8. Check Point 3.1: Activate or supply background knowledge
9. Check Point 3.2: Highlight patterns, critical features, big ideas, and relationships
10. Check Point 4.1: Vary the methods of response and navigation
11. Check Point 4.2: Optimize access to tools and assistive technologies
12. Check Point 5.1: Use multiple media for communication
13. Check Point 5.2: Use multiple tools for construction and composition

I can see this being a very useful tool in a classroom setting for students who need extra assistance in the area of reading, writing, and language.  For a tutorial on what this program has to offer, please click on the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwC_hJ7KmAg

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Your subscription means everyone can enjoy the benefits of Read&Write across all platforms including Windows, Mac, Google Chrome, Edge, iPad, and Android.

Our Learning and Training resources for each product can be accessed at any time on our website. Get up to speed with our software through our learning resources, then verify your expertise by taking part in our certification program.

Our support site gives you access to lots of common questions that other users of our software have about the technical stuff. If you can't find what you're looking for there, then our Tech Support team is on hand at support@texthelp.com 9-5pm every day to help with troubleshooting or technical problems.

We're always working on making our products better, so any improvements or enhancements are pushed out automatically to you, there's no upgrading to do on your part.

Plus, coming soon you'll get free access to the Texthelp Academy for how-to information, video tutorials, product webinars and lots more.

All of this is included as part of your subscription. We do not charge any extra for these services.

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assistive technology for special education

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Read&Write For Education - Reading, Literacy & Assistive Software

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Discover the literacy support software that's helping millions of students across North America to read, write and express themselves independently.

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http://bookbuilder.cast.org/

CAST's UDL Book Builder website is a wonderful tool for teachers to create stories for their students. Students can access these books and have them read to them. They can be made interactive for the students, as well as an option for the teacher to have built in questions for the students to answer.  There is access to hundreds of books that have been written and published by many authors. This is a wonderful and free resource for education.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 7.2: Optimize relevance, value, and authenticity
2. Check Point 8.2: Vary demands and resources to optimize challenge
3. Check Point 9.3: Develop self-assessment and reflection
4. Check Point 1.1: Offer ways of customizing the display of information
Teachers have the option to customize the books they write for the students.  They are given choices for little friends called "coaches" to be embedded and set up with audio.  The student can click on the coaches picture and listen to what the teacher wants them to hear.  The teacher is also given the option to embed questions on each page for the student to answer. This is a good way for the teacher to monitory progress and understanding by the student.
5. Check Point 1.2: Offer alternatives for auditory information
6. Check Point 1.3: Offer alternatives for visual information
7. Check Point 2.1: Clarify vocabulary and symbols
Teachers can add a hyperlink to a vocabulary word.  The link can be sent to an online dictionary that will define the word.
8. Check Point 2.2: Clarify syntax and structure
9. Check Point 2.5: Illustrate through multiple media
Videos can be embedded in the book, as well as illustrations to make the book more meaningful to the reader.
10. Check Point 3.1: Activate or supply background knowledge
11. Check Point 3.4: Maximize transfer and generalization
12. Check Point 4.1: Vary the methods for response and navigation
13. Check Point 4.2: Optimize access to tools and assistive technologies
14. Check Point 5.1: Use multiple media for communication
15. Check Point 5.2: Use multiple tools for construction and composition
16. Check Point 6.4: Enhance capacity for monitoring progress
Monitoring of progress can be done with the embedded question and answer section.

An example of how this technology can be used is that a teacher can make a UDL Book Builder book as a way to introduce a subject being taught in the classroom.  Students would be given the link to the book and would go through the pages and answer questions embedded in the book. The book can be made to be interactive with the little talking characters offered when building the book.  Here is a link to a book that will give a good example of how this technology works:
http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=model&book=30018&page=2

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Message to our Loyal Users of CAST UDL Book Builder, UDL Exchange, and UDL Studio

On January 15, 2024, we will retire this website, along with a few others. We know it has many devoted followers who will be sad to see it go. We're sad, too.

Making these creative tools and offering them free-of-charge to educators, parents, and learners at no charge the past decade-plus has been our joy, we also know that usage is way down, funding for the tools ran out years ago, and their underlying technologies are no longer contemporary.

To ensure a smooth transition, we're providing a three-month sunset period so you have sufficient time to download any stored materials you may have on the sites and to find alternative tools. After January 15, we will also close all user accounts.

Thank you again for your understanding and be sure to visit www.cast.org to learn more about the exciting innovations we are pursuing today and tomorrow! Questions: questions@cast.org

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Message to our Loyal Users of CAST UDL Book Builder, UDL Exchange, and UDL Studio On January 15, 2024, we will retire this website, along with a few others. We know it has many devoted followers who will be sad to see it go. We're sad, too.

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http://www.inspiration.com/

Inspiration is a great tool for students to organize their research information for projects and reports.  It offers graphic organizers, concept mapping, mind mapping, webbing, outlining, and plots/graphs.  There is an option for pictures, multiple colors, different styles of organizers, etcetera.  There is an option for a web-based program called Webspiration, and a more child-oriented program called Kidspiration.  This would be a great tool to have in the classroom, both for children with disabilities and those without.  It has the option to turn your graphic organizer into an outline for writing a report as well.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 7.1: Optimize individual choice and autonomy
2. Check Point 7.3: Minimize threats and distractions
3. Check Point 8.1: Heighten salience of goals and objectives
4. Check Point 1.1: Offer ways of customizing the display of information
5. Check Point 1.3: Offer alternatives for visual information
6. Check Point 2.5: Illustrate through multiple media
7. Check Point 3.2: Highlight patterns, critical features, big ideas, and relationships
The very nature of this program is set up to make this check point a reality. Graphic organizers help a student highlight important topics and big ideas. They will help the student to organize their thoughts, and then it can be transferred to an outline for a project.
8. Check Point 3.3: Guide information processing and visualization
9. Check Point 4.2: Optimize access to tools and assistive technologies
Inspiration is a great assistive technology tool that can be utilized by anyone.  It is an easy to use and easy to understand program. It has the options of different types of graphic organizers for many different types of projects.
10. Check Point 5.2: use multiple tools for construction an composition
11. Check Point 5.3: Build fluencies with graduated levels of support for practice and performance
12. Check Point 6.2: Support planning and strategy development
13. Check Point 6.3: Facilitate managing information and resources
By using this program, the student will be able to manage the information and resources they have and will be able to organize it so they are better able to finalize a report.
14. Check Point 9.2: Facilitate personal coping skills and strategies

A great example of the use for this program would be for a science teacher to apply her/his research project via Inspiration.  The teacher can create an organizer wherein different resources are available to the students.  They can add a rubric for the assignment, embed links to appropriate websites for the students to gather research, add due dates, and more.

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https://languagetool.org/

Language Tool is an online style and grammar checker.  Once installed, it will check your writing for good grammar, spelling, etc.  It is similar to the spell check option in Microsoft Word, but it will work with you while online.  There are add-ons for Firefox, Chrome, Google Docs, LibreOffice, and Microsoft Word.  I have added it to my Chrome browser and it comes with me to any website I am accessing on that browser.  There is a free version, which claims to have more than 1700 patterns for finding errors in English, and 2400 patterns in German.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 7.1: Optimize individual choice and autonomy
The big talking point for this section is the ability for the student to have autonomy when working online, or in Microsoft Word.  By having this tool, they are more able to work on their own and feel more independent.
2. Check Point 7.3: Minimize threats and distractions
This tool helps to minimize the threat of poor grammar and spelling, and helps the user to be more independent.  It will minimize distractions because it helps in meeting the goals of language arts assignments.
3. Check Point 1.3: Offer alternatives for visual information
4. Check Point 2.1: Clarify vocabulary and symbols
5. Check Point 2.2: Clarify syntax and structure
6. Check Point 4.2: Optimize access to tools and assistive technologies
This is a tool built specifically to be used as assistive technology for all users. It is helpful to even those who may not need consistent assistive technology. It is just a great program to have!
7. Check Point 5.2: Use multiple tools for construction and composition
The use of Language Tool to assist with grammar and spelling is a great way to help construct and compose written assignments, emails, letters, and more.

One example of use of Language Tool for students with disabilities, is to have an English class set up with the program while working on daily journal entries. They will log into Google Docs and write a daily entry into their journal. Language Tool will be available to assist with grammar and spelling. By accessing this tool, they will be able to feel more confident in their submission, and they will be learning better grammar and spelling along the way.

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LanguageTool - Online Grammar, Style & Spell Checker

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LanguageTool is a free grammar checker and paraphraser for English, Spanish, and 30 other languages. Instantly check your text for grammar and style mistakes.

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http://www.abcya.com/

ABCya was created by a public school teacher in 2004. He desired more quality children's activities than were available at the time. This website is intended to provide educational, yet fun, games and apps for children to use, under the guidance and direction of their parents and teachers. This is a safe site, free from information collection.  It is intended for use by levels pre-k through grade 5. Games are available for math, science, language arts, social studies, and more.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 7.1: Optimize individual choice and autonomy
Students can be given the choice of which game to play in a certain subject area of need.  This gives the student the option to choose, while allowing the teacher and/or parent to guide them to an area of need.
2. Check Point 7.2: Optimize relevance, value, and authenticity
3. Check Point 8.2: Vary demands and resources to optimize challenge
With the option of choosing games geared to pre-k through grade 5, teachers and parents can customize the levels of learning their student is in need of, and then direct them to those areas.
4. Check Point 9.1: Promote expectations and beliefs that optimize motivation
5. Check Point 9.2: Facilitate personal coping skills and strategies
Games are a great way to help a student learn coping skills as they are faced with difficult losses, hard subject areas, and more.  By using this program regularly, they are give the practice they need to work on these skills.
6. Check Point 2.3: Support decoding of text, mathematical notation, and symbols
7. Check Point 3.3: Guide information processing and visualization
8. Check Point 3.4: Maximize transfer and generalization
9. Check Point 4.1: Vary the methods for response and navigation
10 Check Point 6.1: Guide appropriate goal-setting
Teachers and parents have the option to guide appropriate goal-setting by choosing specific games or subject areas for their students to work on.  This program offers plentiful resources and options for support in educational goals.
11. Check Point 6.2: Support planning and strategy development
Teachers and parents are able to plan which game(s) they want their student to play in order to achieve goals, work on trouble areas, and practice areas of need.  They can also assign a game to play as a reward for trying their hardest on a subject/assignment.

This program would be beneficial to an ABA therapist as a choice for a reward for achieving a short term goal. They could give the child the option to work for time on this website. It is motivating by nature and free to use. Win, win!

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ABCya! * ABCya! * Learning Games and Apps for Kids

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Educational games for grades PreK through 6 that will keep kids engaged and having fun. Topics include math, reading, typing, just-for-fun logic games... and more!

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https://www.texthelp.com/en-us/products/equatio/

EquatIO, by Text Help, is an intuitive math tool designed to help create math equations, formulas, and quizzes.  It is a speech to text operation system that eliminates the need for tricky computer code knowledge.  Users can type, speak, or hand-write their math questions. This program makes math digital and helps teachers and students at all levels of ability to create math expressions quickly and easily.  The makers of this program claim that it makes math and other STEM subjects engaging and rewarding for "every student". EquatIO is compatible with Google Docs, Forms, Slides, Sheets, and Drawings. It has the ability for text to speech, by reading your equations out loud.

UDL Guidelines Supported:
1. Check Point 7.3: Minimize threats and distractions
This easy to use format minimizes the threats associated with math.  It will help eliminate the distractions associated with disabilities of many types and forms by allowing user to interact in a more efficient manner with math learning.
2. Check Point 8.1: Heighten salience of goals and objectives
The importance in a school setting of salience with goals and objectives is very high.  This program helps teachers reach students while teaching them and helps them by offering another format in which to teach the students. Students can use this program to prove an understanding of the curriculum being taught.
3. Check Point 1.1: Offer ways of customizing the display of information
4. Check Point 1.2: Offer alternatives for auditory information
5. Check Point 1.3: Offer alternatives for visual information
This check point will be met by having the option to draw the mathematical pictures, such as geometrical shapes and graphs.  By being able to have a digital format for math, the user will be able to enlarge the display of information to make it more accessible to their unique needs.
6. Check Point 2.3: Support decoding of text, mathematical notation, and symbols
7. Check Point 4.2: Optimize access to tools and assistive technologies
8. Check Point 5.3: Use multiple tools for construction and composition

EquatIO claims to be an easy to use tool for math, and has some chemistry options as well. Math teachers can provide their instruction via this outlet, and students can easily respond in a manner that best suites their unique needs.

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Easily create mathematical equations, formulas and quizzes. Intuitively type or handwrite, with no tricky math code to learn.