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Color coding is a powerful visual strategy that enhances students’ organization and comprehension by tapping into the brain’s natural ability to process and categorize information quickly. Incorporating simple, low-tech tools—such as colored paper, sticky notes, highlighters, tape, and pencils—provides an easy and effective way to support students’ learning in the classroom. Plus, you can do-it-yourself!

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color coding systems in a special education classroom

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An easy solution to help students visualize and organize their thoughts with writing and reading comprehension. Visual schedules are a great way to break assignments up into manageable tasks and keep students motivated.

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NASET - National Association of Special Education Teachers

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Increasing comprehension of tasks/activities/situations is essential in addressing skill areas such as organization, attending, self help, following

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Spell checkers, thesaurus, and dictionary tools

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Spell checkers, thesaurus, and dictionary tools

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These tools provide easy access to immediate feedback for spelling, synonyms, and definitions. Students are able to process information and improve reading comprehension skills independently and quickly.

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Talking Spell-Checker / Electronic Dictionary : Talking spell-checkers help students who have difficulty with spelling choose appropriate words and correct spelling errors during the writing process.…

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SmartPens automatically transmit handwriting into digital text. Audio files can even be added into the notes allowing the writer to listen to specific sections simply by tapping a word.

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Best Digital Pen for Digital Notetaking | Smartpens and Notebooks

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Neo Smartpens and notebooks are great companions that enable you to write smartly. Get the best digital pen and notebook in the market today!

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A simple and affordable solution that allows information to be recorded and played back later. Students can use these to record lectures, practice language skills, organize projects and thoughts, or review material later.

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Maximizing Educational Outcomes with Voice Recorders

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Have you ever wondered if technology could transform the way we learn? In today’s world, where technology is an integral part of our daily lives, education is no exception. Traditional learning methods are gradually giving way to more innovative, efficient tools and techniques. One such tool is the voice recorder, offe

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Electronic reading devices can be loaded with useful software and customizations to help students access information in a way that works for them.

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In today's blog post, I will present a simple instructional model to implement when working with students and their iPads. I know most of us have studied instructional strategies and most of my suggestions may not be new. A key point is that when instructing about technology, we must remember to give students lots of supported practice followed by independent practice. For example, only 2-5 minutes should be spent discussing what the iPad can do and the rest of the time should be devoted to supported or independent student practice. Other compelling reasons to use an instructional strategy when implementing iPads:

When students are using accessibility features on iPads it may not be as easy as "plug and play," so systematic practice of skills will help students be more successful.

In many instances, parts of the technology plan may be omitted or forgotten such as ensuring sufficient practice to result in mastery with an app. Oftentimes, teachers will introduce new technology and once a student is using it, the technology does not continue to be maintained and practiced.

There are new research-based instructional technology processes that TVIs who may not be as familiar with teaching about technology, do not know about.

The model provides reminders of when to provide more "teacher talk and support" and when to make sure we let students have to provide time for independent practice.

What does the model look like when implemented?

1) Introduce

The teacher would introduce the new app and explain why it will be beneficial and what it can do (2-5 minutes).

2) Model with verbal description

The teacher verbally describes getting to the app and working with it. Next, point out some primary features and how to access them. Using teacher talk, articulate why working with this app in this way works well, hopefully building motivation for the student regarding the benefits of the app. An example of this may be using Pages, a word processing app by Apple, which can be purchased for iDevices ($9.99). The teacher can talk about how to find the app, potentially have it in a folder labeled "writing," and point out how to find a template, create a new document, and where the toolbars are located. When talking about actually writing a document, the teacher only needs to point out 2-3 features on the toolbar and then let other learning happen naturally as students becomes more familiar with the app (3-5 minutes).

3) Scaffold, with hand-under-hand, if needed

At this point, support students as they explore the app. If a student uses VoiceOver, then introduce the app using VoiceOver. Depending on the level of support a student needs, during this step, either actively create a "task analysis," which would lead to the steps to implement for a student to follow, or be there to guide a student to explore independently. If a student needs greater structure, this is the step where the teacher will figure out the steps and practice each step with support. Students needing a high level of structure will benefit from 3-5 step processes and steps can be repeated as needed (15-45 minutes, may be over multiple lessons).

4) Independent practice and homework

At this point, the student has mastered how to work with this particular app, but this can look different for every student. A student may have a 3-5 step routine with an app or a student may be working more independently with an app without needing a regimented process. Students will continue to work with the apps to increase proficiency in future lessons in both of these categories. During independent practice, give the student a task such as, do some research on the Internet and write me an e-mail about it. Then we may write back and forth to each other during the lesson to practice using Safari, E-mail, and braille display keyboard commands. There are lots of learning activities going on here and it all falls into independent practice. It may also be beneficial to give homework to continue practice and attain proficiency using apps that students can work with independently.

One very important note, at this stage, it is not good to take the iPad from the student if there is a problem. If a teacher takes the iPad away to "fix" the problem, an unsaid message may be internalized by students that they cannot use the iPad on their own. This is a negative message to send when encouraging independence. All the typical troubleshooting strategies enlisted by teachers can be used with students. For instance, some possible troubleshooting strategies may be:

Turning the iPad on/off with a sleep/home button shut down

Turning Bluetooth on/off if iPad is not finding an external Bluetooth device

Closing down an app by using the double click home button to "turn off" apps that are continuing to run in the background

Turning wifi on/off

Making sure the iPad iOS software or specific app software is updated.

5) Monitor and Maintain

One of the primary reasons assistive technology devices get discarded is when the Monitor and Maintain step is omitted. The same thing can happen to an iPad despite its' "curb appeal!" It is important that any apps or iPad strategies being used are continuously discussed and practiced. With iOS updates or decreased storage space, students may be confused why their iPad is not working correctly. Student may not know how to charge their iPad resulting in the battery being dead for months before the problem gets addressed. Also, students will become more proficient and tech savvy if they are using the iPad for many learning activities and continue to practice specialized supports in their learning activities that are vision- specific.

One final note, I know you may have many items to cover in your lesson time with particular students and iPad use is only a piece of the larger picture. This is a primary reason I recommend linking the iPad to the Expanded Core Curriculum and make sure to look for ways to incorporate iPads into many life activities for each student. Depending on the level of technology use at a student's school, he or she may be at a distinct disadvantage not using technology as much as his or her peers. If an iPad would be a beneficial device, systematic instruction will help your student be more successful and independent.

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Instructional Strategies for Implementing iPads as Assistive Technology - Paths to Literacy

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Paths to Literacy Instructional Strategies for Implementing iPads as Assistive Technology. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

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By transforming digital text into audible speech, listeners are able to focus on content and increase comprehension skills. TTS has been proven to improve comprehension, memory retention, and engagement with learning material. Learning Ally and Audible give students access to extensive libraries of books to listen to with the ability to adjust the reading speed and computerized voice to their preference.

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Introduction

In today's digital age, technology has become an integral part of education. One such technology that is making a significant impact is text-to-speech (TTS) technology. TTS technology converts written text into spoken words, allowing students to listen to the content instead of reading it. This article will explore the history, benefits, best practices, and challenges of using text-to-speech technology in education.

History

Past State

In the past, students with reading difficulties faced significant challenges in accessing educational materials. Traditional teaching methods heavily relied on reading and writing, which posed barriers for students with dyslexia, visual impairments, or learning disabilities. These students often struggled to keep up with their peers and faced lower academic achievement.

Current State

With the advent of text-to-speech technology, the educational landscape has transformed. TTS software and applications are now widely available, empowering students to access and comprehend written content more effectively. Students can listen to textbooks, articles, and other study materials, enabling them to absorb information at their own pace and in a format that suits their learning style.

Future State

The future of text-to-speech technology in education is promising. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, TTS systems will become even more sophisticated, offering natural-sounding voices and improved language processing capabilities. AI-powered TTS tools will be able to adapt to individual student needs, providing personalized learning experiences.

Benefits

Text-to-speech technology offers numerous benefits for both students and educators. Here are some of the key advantages:

Significance

The significance of text-to-speech technology in education cannot be overstated. It has the potential to transform the learning experience for students of all abilities. By providing access to information in a format that suits individual needs, TTS technology promotes equity and inclusivity in education. It enables students with reading difficulties to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Best Practices

To maximize the benefits of text-to-speech technology in education, here are some best practices to consider:

Pros and Cons

Text-to-speech technology has its advantages and limitations. Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros

Cons

Comparison

Several TTS tools are available in the market, each with its own unique features and functionalities. Here is a comparison of some popular TTS tools:

Features: AI-generated text completion, flashcard creation, auto-complete, studying flashcards with AI-generated multiple-choice and true or false questions, studying flashcards with an AI-powered tutor, transcribing pictures and PDFs to text, converting PDFs and pictures into flashcards, TTS (Text to Speech).

How to use: Create a page, add text, images, and flashcards. Use the dynamic input at the bottom of the screen for AI-generated content. Modify the layout of components using the 9 dots icon.

Features: Natural-sounding voices, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for reading scanned documents, online and offline access, language support, customizable reading speed.

How to use: Upload documents or copy-paste text into the NaturalReader software. Customize reading speed and voice preferences.

Features: Text-to-speech, speech-to-text, word prediction, highlighting, vocabulary support, translation, research tools.

How to use: Install the Read&Write extension on web browsers or use the desktop version. Access the various features through the toolbar.

Methods

When incorporating text-to-speech technology in education, consider these methods:

AI Impact

Artificial intelligence has the potential to further enhance text-to-speech technology in education. Here are some areas where AI can make a significant impact:

Challenges

While text-to-speech technology offers numerous benefits, there are also challenges to consider:

Potential Online Apps

Here are some online apps that offer text-to-speech functionality:

Conclusion

Text-to-speech technology has revolutionized education by providing equal access to information and enhancing learning experiences for students of all abilities. By leveraging TTS tools, educators can promote inclusivity, improve comprehension, and cater to diverse learning styles. While there are challenges to overcome, the potential of AI-driven TTS systems and the availability of online apps make text-to-speech technology a valuable asset in the modern classroom.

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The Power of Text-to-Speech Technology in Education - Scholarly Blog

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Discover how text-to-speech technology is revolutionizing education and enhancing learning experiences for students of all abilities.

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In addition to TTS , there are a number of other software programs that provide a multi-sensory experience for users to improve reading comprehension. Rewordify is one of the most impressive and effective websites that offers several features for its users to maximize their learning experience. Options like customizing your reading level, replacing difficult words with simpler replacement words, activities to build vocabulary of the difficult words identified, and TTS for auditory reinforcement--all intended to develop comprehension for users.

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Rewordify.com | Understand what you read

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Rewordify.com helps you read more, understand better, learn new words, and teach more effectively.

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Reference List of all sources used to create this Padlet as well as linked products.