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Latest Technology Availability

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For and from State and Territory Assistive Technology Programs

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Professional Website with Latest UDL and Assistive Technology Teachers Can Subscribe To

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Professional Website with Latest UDL and Assistive Technology Teachers Can Subscribe To

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My name is Joy Zabala and I am proud to have been in the field of education for more than forty years. After many years in the field of assistive technology, in the fall of 2007 I joined the staff at CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) to concentrate on accessible instructional materials and Universal Design for Learning and their relationship to assistive technology . I maintain this site primarily to serve as a location for providing information and supports related to the SETT Framework but also include links to other areas of interest, particularly QIAT, UDL, and AIM.
The SETT Framework is a four part model intended to promote collaborative decision-making in all phases of assistive technology service design and delivery from consideration through implementation and evaluation of effectiveness.

SETT is an acronym for Student, Environments, Tasks, and Tools . Although the letters form a memorable word, they are not intended to imply an order, other than that the student, environments, and tasks should be fully explored before tools are considered or selected. Some people have tried to explore the first three separately and in order, however, that is nearly impossible because the first three are closely linked.

I invite you to explore the ideas and documents shared on this site to find out more about the SETT Framework.

Permission is granted to download and use documents on this site for non-commercial purposes as long as source and credits are maintained and prominently displayed.

I would very much appreciate a copy of any documents you create that are based on the SETT Framework or in which the SETT Framework is included.

If you have questions or comments, please contact me via email to joy@joyzabala.com.

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My name is Joy Zabala and I am proud to have been in the field of education for more than forty years. After many years in the field of assistive technology, in the fall of 2007 I joined the staff at CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) to concentrate on accessible instructional materials and Universal Design for Learning and their relationship to assistive technology .

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Adaptive Physical Education Youtube Channel

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Adaptive Physical Education Youtube Channel

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Blog About Latest Information for Adapted PE

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Blog About Latest Information for Adapted PE

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Welcome to the What's New in APE Podcast blog/podcast. In this episode, I had a discussion with two APE teachers in the state of Georgia that have created high quality videos that deliver programming specific to PE for students with disabilities, as well as Special Olympics Training and Games. More specifically, these APE teachers include Dave Martinez and Amy Aenchbacher. Both have over two decades of experience teaching APE and work within Cherokee County School District, as well as help run the Cherokee County Special Olympics . Within this discussion, we discuss teaching APE during the pandemic, how they started developing high quality videos, and where they see the use of these videos after the pandemic subsides. Check out their YouTube page here for dozens of videos that provide APE-related instruction, games, modifications, and a lot of fun!

Here is an example of one of their most recent videos on underhand throwing and ramp rolling.

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What's New in Adapted Physical Education

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Welcome to the What's New in APE Podcast blog/podcast. In this episode, I had a discussion with two APE teachers in the state of Georgia that have created high quality videos that deliver programming specific to PE for students with disabilities, as well as Special Olympics Training and Games.

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Smart glasses and augmented reality gadgets are considered the next big breakthrough for wearables - and the early iterations of many spectacles are already here.

Each has slightly different aims, but, in essence, a pair of smart glasses tend to focus on putting useful connected features in front of your eyes. And, as you'll discover in our list of tested picks below, some are more unobtrusive than others in achieving this.

Interestingly, the smart glasses concept is now being developed by both startups and tech giants alike, too, with glasses from the likes of Meta/Ray-Ban, Snap, and Amazon all available to buy.

As this is still a fairly unknown area of wearables, we've done our best to round up only the very top options worth considering right now. Let's dive into our picks.

What are smart glasses?

When we talk about smart glasses, we're generally focusing on eyewear that has augmented reality technology included.

This merges what you see in the real world with virtual information, and usually overlays this on one of the lenses.

Often, these overlays recreate the kind of screens and features you'd find on your smartphone, like navigation for maps or flashing up notifications.

However, some other smart glasses are a little more basic.

These early iterations of glasses tend to focus on support for smart assistants, music playback, or video capture - and don't really offer any AR technology.

We'll specify these below in our list of tried and tested options.

Best smart glasses you can buy

Below, we'll be highlighting some of the best available smart glasses you can buy in 2023. Some pack AR technology, while others are a little more basic.

Many of them we've tested as part of full reviews or worn during short demonstrations, with some options also in the process of being tested by our in-house team.

Just in: Apple Vision Pro

Apple has finally unveiled its new Apple Vision Pro, a headset designed for a truly augmented reality future.

Priced at $3,499, it seems geared towards developers and enthusiasts. Yet, the headset promises groundbreaking advancements in the VR/AR space.

The Vision Pro is sleek, resembling a standard VR headset. The design is lightweight, thanks to Apple's decision to place the battery in a pocket-worn pack. Its design encourages connection with the real world, offering features such as EyeSight which allows interaction with others in the vicinity and even displays a digital projection of the wearer's eyes.

The hardware is equipped with an airflow system for comfort and has modular faceplates for a perfect fit. Technologically, it houses dual Micro OLED panels with 62 pixels per iPhone pixel space, providing visuals beyond 4K for each eye. It runs on two chips: the M2 and the new R1.

The control system is one of Vision Pro's innovative features, eschewing physical controls for eye-tracking, hand gestures, and voice control. Apple was at pains to call it a "spatial computer", overlaying a desktop on the real world. It allows multitasking and even a movie theatre-like experience.

However, the headset has been vague about immersive VR gaming, a territory currently dominated by Oculus and PlayStation. Despite the hefty price tag, the Vision Pro opens up new possibilities for AR/VR technology.

Read our in-depth guide to the Apple Vision Pro.

Best AR glasses out now:

Vuzix Blade 2
Buy now: vuzix.com | Price: $1,299.99
Vuzix remains one of the companies at the forefront of AR smart glasses, and the Blade 2 is a good distillation of its latest tech available to buy.

We think they're the first pair of really useful commercial AR glasses that actually look like a pair of glasses. And while they're obviously not as stylish as Ray-Bans, they're also not quite as goggle-like and concept-like as others on this list, either.

The best way to describe them is that they're a lot like the first generation of smartwatches. They're a good first step at getting a lot of advanced tech in a decent package.

The latest version use waveguide technology to project a full-color HD display over the right lens, with an 8-megapixel camera, 40GB internal memory, head tracking, stereo speakers, and Vuzix's voice control support all in tow, as well.

When we first got to try the standard Vuzix Blade a few years ago, the Vuzix app store wasn't exactly brimming with apps. Since then, some high-profile names have turned up. There's now Netflix, Zoom, Amazon Alexa, and even support for DJI drones.

With the Blade 2 running on Android 11 OS and support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, as well, everything is just that little bit smoother.

Nreal Air

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Nreal's Air glasses are one of the most impressive pairs you can buy today, with AR smarts, casting, and the ability to act as a virtual desktop all on offer here.

Casting through the Air allows you to take your phone, games console, or PC and pump the display to the equivalent of 130 inches, while the virtual desktop (currently only available for M1 and M2 MacBook models) means that you can say goodbye to your monitor.

If it's the AR tech you're interested in, Nreal's Nebula app lets you dive into a ton of 3D games and AR experiences.

The catch with the Nreal Air is that you'll need the right compatible devices to take full advantage of what's on offer, but this is still much more functionality than we're used to experiencing from smart glasses.

Ray-Ban Stories

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The Ray-Ban Stories are the sum of a collaboration between Meta and luxury eyewear brand EssilorLuxxotica.

They pack dual 5-megapixel cameras to capture and share first-person videos, while also including speakers and microphones to listen to music and handle phone calls.

A single tap records up to 30 seconds of video, while a tap and hold will snap a picture. There are also hand-free controls, letting you make use of onboard microphones to say, "Hey, Facebook, take a video," if you don't want to reach up to your specs.

When you're recording or taking pictures, a small LED situated near the camera illuminates to indicate to those around you that you are in recording or snapping mode. And, on the listening front, the glasses feature two open-ear speakers to handle listening to audio playing from your phone or handling calls.

All of that tech is being wrapped up in some familiar Ray-Ban frames, which include the iconic Wayfarer, and should only add 5g over a non-smart pair of the glasses. There are 20 style variations in total, and they also support prescription lenses.

There's no AR tech here, obviously, but Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that the Ray-Ban partnership is destined to yield AR specs in the future. Exciting.

Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Gen)

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The Echo Frames 2 are Amazon's latest effort to put the Alexa voice assistant directly on your face.

Unlike more advanced glasses, there's no AR tech here, but they do provide Alexa feedback via four directional speakers built into each stem.

You can talk to the smart assistant if you want to control your smart home, get notifications, make calls or listen to music - all without the people around you hearing the responses.

The glasses themselves are made from carbon fiber and titanium, which make them a lightweight pair of glasses to wear, and they're also rated IPX4 for fending off sweat and water and are splash-resistant.

The second-gen Echo Frames can also adjust the volume of content and feedback based on the ambient environment, with battery life being upped by 40% from the original glasses.

The result of this means the Frames can achieve roughly about 60 minutes of music, 30 minutes of phone calls, and 120 incoming notifications over a 14-hour period.

Snap Spectacles 3

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Snap has newer, 4th Gen specs that we've detailed below, but the third-generation glasses are still the latest edition you can actually buy.

Featuring dual HD cameras and 3D AR features, the Spectacles 3 are available in two colors - cobalt (black) and mineral (rose gold). There's also a charging case to keep the spectacles powered up in between your shooting.

The camera quality is much improved from the first two generations, allowing you to take advantage of 3D filters, effects, and lenses for your footage and photos.

These photos will sync automatically to your phone and you can also take 3D photos, too.

Meanwhile, the cameras will record 3D footage at 60fps, with 4GB of onboard storage storing around 100 videos (or 1,200 photos).

At just shy of $400, however, these are a pair of smart specs that do not come cheap.

Vue Lite 2
Buy now: vueglasses.com | Price: From $179
Vue's prescription glasses and sunglasses are the product of a $2m Kickstarter campaign way back in 2017.

Fast forward to 2023, and the company's second-gen connected specs are now available in glasses and sunglasses form, with a whole host of comfortable styles and prescriptions to pick from.

There's no AR here, though. Instead, the Vue Lite 2 harness directional speakers to allow you to put the headphones to one side and listen to music or take calls in more of an open-ear style.

Battery life is slated at five hours in continuous use and three days in standby mode, with the option to buy a charging case that will also store the specs.

You can read our Vue Lite 2 review to see how we got on with the latest pair of Vue smart glasses.

Lenovo ThinkReality A3
Buy now: lenovo.com | Price: $1,499 / £1,430
These Lenovo smart goggles were unveiled way back in January 2021 and are made to be on the faces of people at work, whether that's in a lab or in a shop.

When connected to a phone or PC, the chunky-looking A3s project stereoscopic 1080p resolution displays and can offer support for working or viewing up to 5 virtual displays.

That's all powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR1 platform to deliver that augmented experience.

The frames on the glasses can be modified to make them better suited to working environments where you need a more robust design and it also finds room for an 8-megapixel RGB camera for shooting video.

When we tested the glasses at MWC 2023, we found we could still see - or at least could be vaguely aware of - much of the world around us. If someone was to walk up to your desk while we were using this at work, you'd be aware.

In terms of the build, though, it was extremely heavy on the bridge of the nose, and not something well-suited to long periods of wear.

If you want a pair for enterprise purposes, you're also going to have to spend a sizeable amount to get them on your face.

Engo 1

Buy now: engoeyewear.com | Price: $400 / £330

Engo might not be a household name in the tech space, but it's managed to build these sporty glasses for runners, cyclists, and triathletes that are capable of projecting real-time stats onto an AMOLED microdisplay planted into photochromic lenses.

That data comes through the ability to pair it up to devices including Garmin watches, bike sensors like power meters, and smartphones.

That can include distance covered, speed, power, and heart rate, and you can also tinker with data screens to make sure you see the data you care about most when you're out running or riding.

There are even gesture controls to let you change screens with a wave of the hand - all backed up by 12 hours of battery life and 100% UV protection to make sure your eyes are guarded when you're training out in the glorious sunshine.

The cheaper Engo 2 is now available to buy, as well, and we'll be updating this section when we've had the chance to test it out.

Upcoming smart glasses

As we mentioned up top, this is currently a very experimental area of the tech industry, and the smart glasses market is still proving to be quite small.

It all means that brands are mostly still just toying with concepts, slowly progressing their technology, and trying to gauge interest. All this means there are plenty of glasses not ready for store shelves.

Below, we'll run through some of the official concepts that are essentially paving the way for a more developed consumer product to arrive over the next few years.

Oppo Air Glass
Release date: TBC
Following the original Oppo Air Glass that launched back in 2021, we got the chance to test the second iteration of this glasses concept shortly after it was announced at MWC in February 2023.

In terms of design, we don't think it gets much better at the moment. The Oppo Air Glass 2 look like a proper pair of specs, and though they are a bit too big and heavy, they could certainly pass for normal eyewear.

It doesn't quite match up as an actual AR device just yet, however. In our demo, the viewing area felt quite far away and difficult to focus on, and the text itself we were reading was quite low-res.

The control did at least work well, with swiping on the left-side arm of the glasses moving the text.

Not one we're totally convinced about after a short test, but still a pair of glasses we're interested in seeing develop over the next year or so.

We may even see a full launch next year - but don't get your hopes up.

Xiaomi Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition
Release date: TBC
Xiaomi revealed its latest concept back at MWC 2023, and it's a bit of a mouthful - these are the Xiaomi Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition.

It's only been around 18 months since we witnessed the company reveal its last AR glasses concept - the Xiaomi Smart Glasses - and the follow-up here are lightweight goggles that build in the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1.

The 126g device is also wireless, as the name suggests, with Xiaomi building it from magnesium-titanium alloy and carbon fiber. It's also touting the 'retina-level' Micro-OLED displays - one for each eye - that can deliver visuals at a peak brightness of 1,200 nits.

These appear to be just a concept for now, however, with no official line on pricing or availability. Stay tuned for more on this one.

Snap Spectacles AR (4th Gen)
Release date: Not for general sale
Snap Spectacles AR represents a bit of a different beast from what we've seen from the other generations of smart glasses, with the company jumping into AR for the first time.

Under the hood, there's Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR1 processor powering performance. And while the field of view is just 26.3 degrees, the Snap Spatial Engine allows for six degrees of freedom. This enables you to move around and the visuals overlay in your space.

There are also two RGB cameras and a touchpad on the arms, and the glasses weigh just 134g. The battery life is limited to just 30 minutes, though, which is probably one of the reasons why this one isn't for sale.

Instead, they're being offered to developers and Snap creators to figure out what they can best be used for.

Nearly two years since their initial reveal, however, we've not heard anything significant about them.

Conor moved to Wareable Media Group in 2017, initially covering all the latest developments in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and VR. He made a name for himself writing about trying out translation earbuds on a first date and cycling with a wearable airbag, as well as covering the industry's latest releases.

Following a stint as Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint, Conor returned to Wareable Media Group in 2022 as Editor-at-Large. Conor has become a wearables expert, and helps people get more from their wearable tech, via Wareable's considerable how-to-based guides.

He has also contributed to British GQ, Wired, Metro, The Independent, and The Mirror.

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Best smart glasses and AR specs 2023: Tested picks from Snap, Meta and Amazon - Wareable

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We put some of the best-known smart glasses and augmented reality devices to the test for this comprehensive guide.

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Laptops, Braille Displays, Screen Readers & Screen Enlargement - Assistive Technology for the Blind

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Refreshable Braille Display and the iPad

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National Braille Press is distributing free bags of beginning braille materials to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven, across the U.S. and Canada. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals.

Note: Limited to one braille bag per blind child per lifetime.

To foster a love of books and reading at an early age;

To support families of preschool blind children and help them spread the word that braille is an effective method of reading and writing;

To introduce visually impaired children to a means of independent reading;

To help parents learn "just enough" braille to assist their child as they grow;

To give parents the knowledge and language they need to advocate for braille instruction when their blind child enters school;

To promote an early expectation of personal achievement through literacy.

1. An age-appropriate print/braille book for three age groups, in English or Spanish: birth-3 (red bags), 4-5 (blue bags), and 6-7 (green bags);

2. A coupon for choosing two of the three following free items: a set of large print/braille playing cards; an additional print/braille book; a copy of Just Enough to Know Better -a braille primer for sighted parents;

3. A print/braille alphabet card, showing the braille symbol for each letter A-Z and each number 0-9;

4. Because Books Matter, a guide for parents on why and how to read books with their young blind child;

5. Because Pictures Matter, a guide for parents on using, finding, and creating tactile imagery;

6. A tactile graphic or flag;

7. A tactile ball (red bags only);

8. Wikki Stix, a product that allows a child to make tactile pictures (blue or green bags only);

9. Tactile Alphabet Letter sheets, showing upper- and lowercase print letters in raised-line format (blue bags only);

10. Tactile Number sheets (green bags only);

11. A braille caravan block.

Start-up funds for the ReadBooks! program came from Mellon Charitable Trust. A significant grant from Readers Digest Partnership for Sight Foundation launched the program across the country. Funding from the following foundations enables us to continue to reach every blind child in the country: Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Inc., BNY Mellon Charitable Giving Program/Arthur F. Blanchard Trust, Delta Gamma Foundation, Moses Kimball Fund, Harold C. Schott Foundation, Edith Glick Shoolman Foundation, and Verizon Foundation.

Anyone who knows, works with, or cares for a blind child, aged birth to seven, can participate in the program.

Information for parents or caregivers.

Information for teachers and agency professionals.

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National Braille Press is distributing free bags of beginning braille materials to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven, across the U.S. and Canada. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals. Note: Limited to one braille bag per blind child per lifetime.

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Engagement:  The "why" of learning.  This means that there are multiple ways to provide opportunities to engage in a lesson that will allow those with disabilities to be able to participate.  When developing lessons it is important to look at they "why" of learning through the UDL lense.  Consequently, when developing lessons, consider the following guidelines provided by CAST:

Guideline 7:  Recruiting Interest (Spark excitement and curiosity for learning.)
Checkpoint 7.1 Optimize individual choice and autonomy
Checkpoint7.2 Optimize relevance, value, and authenticity
Checkpoint 7.3 Minimize threats and distractions
Guideline 8:  Sustaining Effort & Persistence (Tackle challenges with focus and determination.)
Checkpoint 8.1 Heighten salience of goals and objectives
Checkpoint 8.2 Vary demands and resources to optimize
challenge
Checkpoint 8.3 Foster collaboration and community
Checkpoint 8.4 Increase mastery-oriented feedback
Guideline 9: Self Regulation (Harness the power of emotions and motivation in learning.)
Checkpoint 9.1 Promote expectations and beliefs that optimize
motivation
Checkpoint 9.2 Facilitate personal coping skills and strategies
Checkpoint 9.3 Develop self-assessment and reflection
(CAST, 2018)
To find out more information regarding the guidelines and suggested ways to utilize engagement in lesson planning, click on the website link:

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Affect represents a crucial element to learning, and learners differ markedly in the ways in which they can be engaged or motivated to learn. There are a variety of sources that can influence individual variation in affect including neurology, culture, personal relevance, subjectivity, and background knowledge, along with a variety of other factors. Some learners are highly engaged by spontaneity and novelty while others are disengaged, even frightened, by those aspects, preferring strict routine. Some learners might like to work alone, while others prefer to work with their peers. In reality, there is not one means of engagement that will be optimal for all learners in all contexts; providing multiple options for engagement is essential.

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Affect represents a crucial element to learning, and learners differ markedly in the ways in which they can be engaged or motivated to learn. There are a variety of sources that can influence individual variation in affect including neurology, culture, personal relevance, subjectivity, and background knowledge, along with a variety of other factors.

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PowerPoint Presentation for Educators

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Augmented Alternative Communication and Blind/Visually Impaired Tools

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Augmented Alternative Communication and Blind/Visually Impaired Tools

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN BE UTILIZED BY STUDENTS

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN BE UTILIZED BY STUDENTS

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Sometimes assistive technology is needed to help students be able to learn in a way that works best for them, including overcoming difficulties with disabilities.  For example, students may difficulty with writing.  This does not just include the act of actual writing, but could also include difficulty with forming sentences, organizing thoughts to create a document, etc.  Luckily, there are many resources that offer technological assistance to help students overcome these challenges.  Not all of these assistive technology devices require computers, tablets or other such devices.  They can include low-tech adaptions such as placing the paper for the assignment on a slant board to allow the student better control, raised lined paper, or siganture guides using small plastic cards (Dell, Newton, & Petroff, 2017).

Reading can also be challenging for some students.  Not only are there obvious challenges such as with documented disabilities (e.g.., dyslexia), but some students have difficulty with reading the text on a screen or learn better by listening versus reading.  When a student is struggling in this area, often there is a form of technology that is available that will aid the student without them having to feel isolated or being obvious to others they are struggling (i.e., when someone is assigned to read to them) (Dell et. all, 2018)  This does not mean that the student is being required to do less.  What it does do is equal the "playing field" so that they are able to engage with the rest of the class and have the best possible chance for success.

Dell, A., Newton, D.A., & Petroff, J.G. (2017). Assistive technology in the classroom: Enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson. ISBN #9780134170411

Below this post, you will be find different links to assistive technology tools available for writing, reading, and communication aids.  This is not a comprehensive list and many of these tools could be used for multiple categories.  However, this allows the user of this site to see several options available for students that schools and families may want to learn more about.

To find out more information as to what technology assistance is available for students and their family can borrow FOR FREE in Idaho to determine if that technology would work or not and the latest information on trainings for various tools, visit the Idaho Assistive Technology's website by clicking the picture directly below:

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"For most of us,
technology makes things easier.
For a person with a disability,
it makes things possible."

- Judy Huemann, American Disability Rights activist and Former Assistant Secretary, US Department of Education, Office of Special Programs

A.T. Corner

Want to learn about
assistive technology options?

Locations

Visit one of our A.T. Resource Centers for hands-on demonstrations to try your options for the device, software, or app that is right for you.

IATP Services

We provide assistive technology resources and expertise to all Idahoans with disabilities through the following mechanisms:

The Idaho Assistive Technology Project is a federally funded grant project located at the Center on Disabilities and Human Development as part of the University of Idaho's College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. The Project was founded in 1992 and funded through the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. Our goal is to help Idahoans with disabilities acquire the assistive technology they need to live more independent lives.

IATP Newsletter

Would you like to receive emails about upcoming events, disability resources, and available AT services? Sign up for our free newsletter!

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"For most of us, technology makes things easier. For a person with a disability, it makes things possible." - Judy Huemann, American Disability Rights activist and Former Assistant Secretary, US Department of Education, Office of Special Programs Want to learn about assistive technology options? Visit one of our A.T.

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Resources for Educators for the Latest Information on Education Materials, News, and Technology that is Available

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Resources for Educators for the Latest Information on Education Materials, News, and Technology that is Available

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CAST's website where users can find out more information about CAST and UDL

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Find out more about CAST. We’re busting barriers to learning, until learning has no limits®.

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Representation:  The "what" of learning.  This guiding principle of UDL addresses what is used to teach students.  When creating lesson plans, you want to think about what ways you can teach the concepts and principles that your students need to learn in a way that is best for their learning abilities and help them to be engaged in the learning process.   The following guidelines will help the instructor to create ways to teach various topics:

Guideline 1:  Perception (Interact with flexible content that doesn't depend on a single sense like sight, hearing, movement, or touch.)

Checkpoint 1.1 Offer ways of customizing the display of information

Checkpoint 1.2 Offer alternatives for auditory information

Checkpoint 1.3 Offer alternatives for visual information

Guideline 2:  Language & Symbols  (Communicate through languages that create a shared understanding.)

Checkpoint 2.1 Clarify vocabulary and symbols

Checkpoint 2.2 Clarify syntax and structure

Checkpoint 2.3 Support decoding of text, mathematical notation, and
symbols

Checkpoint 2.4 Promote understanding across languages

Checkpoint 2.5 Illustrate through multiple media

Guideline 3:  Comprehension (Construct meaning and generate new understandings.)

Checkpoint 3.1 Activate or supply background knowledge

Checkpoint 3.2 Highlight patterns, critical features, big ideas, and
relationships

Checkpoint 3.3 Guide information processing and visualization

Checkpoint 3.4 Maximize transfer and generalization
(CAST, 2018)
To find out more information regarding the guidelines and suggested ways to utilize representation in lesson planning, click on the website link:

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Learners differ in the ways that they perceive and comprehend information that is presented to them. For example, those with sensory disabilities (e.g., blindness or deafness); learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia); language or cultural differences, and so forth may all require different ways of approaching content. Others may simply grasp information quicker or more efficiently through visual or auditory means rather than printed text. Also learning, and transfer of learning, occurs when multiple representations are used, because they allow students to make connections within, as well as between, concepts. In short, there is not one means of representation that will be optimal for all learners; providing options for representation is essential.

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Learners differ in the ways that they perceive and comprehend information that is presented to them. For example, those with sensory disabilities (e.g., blindness or deafness); learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia); language or cultural differences, and so forth may all require different ways of approaching content.

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Action and Expression:  The "how" of learning.  This means how students demonstrate what they have learned through physical action, building fluency, providing ways to demonstrate understanding, and how to organize the information that has been learned.  When developing lessons, you need to consider how you want learners to demonstrate what they have learned in a way that best fits their learning needs using the UDL lense.  The following guidelines are to be considered when developing a lesson:

Guideline 4:  Physical Action (Interact with accessible materials and tools.)

Checkpoint 4.1  Vary the methods for response and navigation
Checkpoint 4.2 Optimize access to tools and assistive technologies
Guideline 5:  Expression & Communication  (Compose and share ideas using tools that help attain learning goals.)
Checkpoint 5.1 Use multiple media for communication

Checkpoint 5.2 Use multiple tools for construction and composition

Checkpoint 5.3 Build fluencies with graduated levels of support for
practice and performance
Guideline 6:  Executive Functions  (Develop and act on plans to make the most out of learning.)
Checkpoint 6.1 Guide appropriate goal-setting

Checkpoint 6.2 Support planning and strategy development

Checkpoint 6.3 Facilitate managing information and resources

Checkpoint 6.4 Enhance capacity for monitoring progress

(CAST, 2018)

To find out more information regarding the guidelines and suggested ways to utilize action and expression in lesson planning, click on the website link:

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Learners differ in the ways that they can navigate a learning environment and express what they know. For example, individuals with significant movement impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy), those who struggle with strategic and organizational abilities (executive function disorders), those who have language barriers, and so forth approach learning tasks very differently. Some may be able to express themselves well in written text but not speech, and vice versa. It should also be recognized that action and expression require a great deal of strategy, practice, and organization, and this is another area in which learners can differ. In reality, there is not one means of action and expression that will be optimal for all learners; providing options for action and expression is essential.

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Learners differ in the ways that they can navigate a learning environment and express what they know. For example, individuals with significant movement impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy), those who struggle with strategic and organizational abilities (executive function disorders), those who have language barriers, and so forth approach learning tasks very differently.

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Website Information:

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Website Information:

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The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) was started in 1984 by a group of education researchers to discuss ways the better engage students in the learning process that allowed for all learners, including with
disabilities or learning difficulties, to be active in learning in the general classroom.  With this idea, they developed the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) which not only looked at the different  parts of the brain and what
each part plays in the learning process, but also provides guidelines with suggested activities to help guide lesson planning and implementation (CAST, 2018).    UDL consists of three categories for learning: Representation, Action and Expression, and Engagement. In the first section of this website, the user will be provided with information regarding these three principles and information regarding how to develop lesson plans using UDL guidelines, resources for help with UDL development, and resources for assistive technology that can be utilized by both instructors and students to aid teaching using UDL methods that will aid in allowing students the opportunity to learn within the general education classroom.

The second section of this website includes resources for teachers.  This section includes information regarding professional websites (including current information about what assistive technology is available both in Idaho and nationally), apps that are available to aid in implementing assistive technology, lesson plan suggestions, links to information regarding various types of assistive technology, and some links to technology assistance when working with electronic devices or applications.

The third section of this website includes resources for parents and students, including what type of technology is available for different needs. As you will see, there is a link on the main post of this section to Idaho's Assistive Technology Project that has a lending library for individuals to check out various items FOR FREE to determine if that is something they would like to invest in. There are also links to other types of technology based on what they may aide with, including organization of writing, reading help, and technology for visually/hearing impaired individuals.

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National Braille Press is distributing free bags of beginning braille materials to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven, across the U.S. and Canada. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals.

Note: Limited to one braille bag per blind child per lifetime.

To foster a love of books and reading at an early age;

To support families of preschool blind children and help them spread the word that braille is an effective method of reading and writing;

To introduce visually impaired children to a means of independent reading;

To help parents learn "just enough" braille to assist their child as they grow;

To give parents the knowledge and language they need to advocate for braille instruction when their blind child enters school;

To promote an early expectation of personal achievement through literacy.

1. An age-appropriate print/braille book for three age groups, in English or Spanish: birth-3 (red bags), 4-5 (blue bags), and 6-7 (green bags);

2. A coupon for choosing two of the three following free items: a set of large print/braille playing cards; an additional print/braille book; a copy of Just Enough to Know Better -a braille primer for sighted parents;

3. A print/braille alphabet card, showing the braille symbol for each letter A-Z and each number 0-9;

4. Because Books Matter, a guide for parents on why and how to read books with their young blind child;

5. Because Pictures Matter, a guide for parents on using, finding, and creating tactile imagery;

6. A tactile graphic or flag;

7. A tactile ball (red bags only);

8. Wikki Stix, a product that allows a child to make tactile pictures (blue or green bags only);

9. Tactile Alphabet Letter sheets, showing upper- and lowercase print letters in raised-line format (blue bags only);

10. Tactile Number sheets (green bags only);

11. A braille caravan block.

Start-up funds for the ReadBooks! program came from Mellon Charitable Trust. A significant grant from Readers Digest Partnership for Sight Foundation launched the program across the country. Funding from the following foundations enables us to continue to reach every blind child in the country: Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Inc., BNY Mellon Charitable Giving Program/Arthur F. Blanchard Trust, Delta Gamma Foundation, Moses Kimball Fund, Harold C. Schott Foundation, Edith Glick Shoolman Foundation, and Verizon Foundation.

Anyone who knows, works with, or cares for a blind child, aged birth to seven, can participate in the program.

Information for parents or caregivers.

Information for teachers and agency professionals.

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National Braille Press is distributing free bags of beginning braille materials to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven, across the U.S. and Canada. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals. Note: Limited to one braille bag per blind child per lifetime.

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Conditions and limitations may apply. Please review the Rewards Terms and Conditions available .
Variable Purchase APR 17.99%-29.99% based on credit worthiness, variable Cash Advance APR 29.99%, Min. Interest Charge $2, Cash Advance fee greater of $10 or 5% of advance.
Conditions and limitation may apply. You should consult with a qualified tax professional for more information.

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Explore Fisher-Price nursery essentials and toys for newborns and babies at Mattel.com. Shop top registry picks, developmental toys, and more!

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Provides Ways to Digitize/Customize Worksheets

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Speech-to-Text Program

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It's available for users with the operating system Windows 98 and former versions, and it is available in English and German. The program version is 1.81 and the latest update happened on 3/28/2007.

Since we added this software to our catalog in 2007, it has managed to obtain 3.532 installations, and last week it achieved 10 downloads.

LetMeType is a fairly light program that doesn't need as much storage space than most programs in the section Software utilities. It's a software mostly downloaded in some countries such as United States, Japan, and Ukraine.

LetMeType helps you enter text, but regardless of the program you use. Running in the background, it analyses what you type. After some time it has collected enough information to guess a word after you have typed the first two or three letters. A list of the most probable words is displayed, and you can select one with a single keystroke or just continue typing.

LetMeType works independently of the program you enter the text into - be it a word processor, the editor of a development environment or a dialog box field. Its behaviour is highly customizable. You can set the maximum number of suggestions and their frequency. For skilled keyboard artists it is possible to limit the suggestions to long words with a high probability. Unobtrusiveness is also important: the window containing the suggestions is displayed and removed quickly, and you can always ignore it and continue typing.

Two other important aspects are privacy and security. LetMeType only stores single words, but no continous texts. There also is a secure way to prevent passwords entered into other programs from being monitored and stored by LetMeType.

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LetMeType, free and safe download. LetMeType latest version: A free (gpl) Software utilities program for Windows. LetMeType is a handy, free (gpl) Wi

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Text-to-Speech

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Dyslexia and other reading-based learning disabilities are most common among students. NaturalReader text-to-speech makes learning more accessible by assisting with any reading, taking tests and promoting independence.

Students can have any text they need to read, read aloud to them so they can read along. Having the text provided both visually and auditory, allows the student to focus less on the act of reading, and more on the comprehension of the content. Other features like dyslexia font, flexible reading speeds, and highlighted text also ease the task of finishing readings.

For most students, learning does not stop when school ends. NaturalReader EDU enables students to be more independent and assists with learning at home. Whether they're doing homework, reading at home, or just surfing the web, our Chrome Extension and Mobile Application are always available.

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NaturalReader: Free Text to Speech for Online, Mobile App, Commercial license and Education with AI voices.

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Text-to-Speech

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Text-to-Speech

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Writing Help Program

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Free Summary Tool

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Pen that Can Record and Transcribe

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Livescribe smartpens effortlessly digitizes your handwritten notes and record audio simultaneously. Limitless sharing options to manage notes and capture every single detail.

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Speech-to-Text Program

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Dragon cloud solutions

Work where you need to be

Our "always latest," easy to deploy cloud-hosted speech recognition solutions integrate seamlessly into enterprise workflows and are optimized for thin-client and virtualized environments. Securely create mission-critical documentation wherever you are when you extend Dragon Professional Anywhere with Dragon Anywhere Mobile.

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Dragon Speech Recognition - Get More Done by Voice | Nuance

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Work faster and smarter and speed document creation and automate workflows with the world's best-selling speech recognition solution.

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Speech-to-Text Program

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It's available for users with the operating system Windows 98 and former versions, and it is available in English and German. The program version is 1.81 and the latest update happened on 3/28/2007.

Since we added this software to our catalog in 2007, it has managed to obtain 3.532 installations, and last week it achieved 10 downloads.

LetMeType is a fairly light program that doesn't need as much storage space than most programs in the section Software utilities. It's a software mostly downloaded in some countries such as United States, Japan, and Ukraine.

LetMeType helps you enter text, but regardless of the program you use. Running in the background, it analyses what you type. After some time it has collected enough information to guess a word after you have typed the first two or three letters. A list of the most probable words is displayed, and you can select one with a single keystroke or just continue typing.

LetMeType works independently of the program you enter the text into - be it a word processor, the editor of a development environment or a dialog box field. Its behaviour is highly customizable. You can set the maximum number of suggestions and their frequency. For skilled keyboard artists it is possible to limit the suggestions to long words with a high probability. Unobtrusiveness is also important: the window containing the suggestions is displayed and removed quickly, and you can always ignore it and continue typing.

Two other important aspects are privacy and security. LetMeType only stores single words, but no continous texts. There also is a secure way to prevent passwords entered into other programs from being monitored and stored by LetMeType.

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LetMeType, free and safe download. LetMeType latest version: A free (gpl) Software utilities program for Windows. LetMeType is a handy, free (gpl) Wi

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Bar to Customize Website for Learner

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What is ATbar?

ATbar has been created as an open-source, cross-browser toolbar to help users customise the way they view and interact with web pages. The concept behind ATbar is simple: One toolbar to provide all of the functionality you would usually achieve through the use of different settings or products.

ATbar is free and allows you to change the look and feel of webpages, increase and decrease font sizes, have text read aloud, use coloured overlays, readability and a dictionary to aid reading. Spell check forms and try word prediction when writing. It is a simple tool which is available for most popular browsers.
ATbar can increase the accessibility of a website and offer a personalised user experience.
It is designed for those who may not have their assistive technologies to hand and need a quick way of accessing text on the screen with magnification and/or text to speech etc. It can help those with low vision, dyslexia and other reading difficulties, as well as those who may wish to just reduce the glare of black text on bright white backgrounds. It is not designed for regular screen reader users who need their assistive technology to access the computer as well as their browser.
There are three versions of the ATbar:

The download version stays available when you move between web pages and is made up of the standard functions.

The lite version acts in a similar way to a bookmark or favorite and has to selected each time you visit a new web page - it also has the standard functions.

The marketplace version allows you to build your own ATbar, by choosing the plug-ins to suit your needs then save the custom made bar as a bookmark.

Other software is available on a USB flash drive with an accessible menu system as a Portable Accessibility Toolkit and there is a desktop version of the ATbar on the download page.

Funded by the Mada Center

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ATbar has been created as an open-source, cross-browser toolbar to help users customise the way they view and interact with web pages. The concept behind ATbar is simple: One toolbar to provide all of the functionality you would usually achieve through the use of different settings or products.

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Text-to-Speech

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Dyslexia and other reading-based learning disabilities are most common among students. NaturalReader text-to-speech makes learning more accessible by assisting with any reading, taking tests and promoting independence.

Students can have any text they need to read, read aloud to them so they can read along. Having the text provided both visually and auditory, allows the student to focus less on the act of reading, and more on the comprehension of the content. Other features like dyslexia font, flexible reading speeds, and highlighted text also ease the task of finishing readings.

For most students, learning does not stop when school ends. NaturalReader EDU enables students to be more independent and assists with learning at home. Whether they're doing homework, reading at home, or just surfing the web, our Chrome Extension and Mobile Application are always available.

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NaturalReader: Free Text to Speech for Online, Mobile App, Commercial license and Education with AI voices.

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Helps with Grammar and Spelling

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Ginger Software | English Grammar & Writing App

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Powerful and effortless desktop & mobile solutions for improving your writing and productivity. Ginger Software is your personalized editor - everywhere you go.

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Read & Write for Google - Everything You Need to Know

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Audio Books for Dyslexic Learners

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Audiobooks for Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities | Learning Ally

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Learning Ally solutions help struggling readers through audiobooks & support services for educators, parents, and students dealing with dyslexia. Reading accommodations

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Awesome Productivity Tools for Back-to-School | Common Sense Education

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Awesome Productivity Tools for Back-to-School is a list of 32 apps, games, and websites curated by Common Sense Education editors.

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Organization Tool

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There's a lot to keep track of while you're a student. Lecture notes, exam dates, essays and group projects -- it's more than most human brains can handle on their own. If you're the type of person that struggles to stay organized or who wants to finesse an already-robust productivity system, read on. We've broken down the best organizational tools that can help you stay on top of academic life, including note-taking apps, calendars and to-do list software. If you have a personal favorite that hasn't made our shortlist, let us know in the comments.

Note-taking apps

Microsoft OneNote

If you're on a tight budget, Microsoft OneNote is an obvious choice. The service is available on every major platform, including the web and doesn't cost a dime to use. Well, almost: OneNote requires OneDrive to store and sync your work. Thankfully, every Microsoft account comes with a 5GB OneDrive plan, and many school email addresses unlock Office 365 Education, which comes with virtually unlimited OneDrive storage. If your institution supports the latter, there's a good chance your teachers and classmates are using OneNote too, making it easier to submit assignments and collaborate on group projects.

OneNote revolves around colorful Notebooks, which are then divided into Sections and individual Pages. The latter is a flexible canvas that can include any number of text boxes, pictures, tables, and PDF print-outs. OneNote also has decent, if not industry-leading handwriting support, which is useful if you own an iPad and Apple Pencil, a Surface device, or any Windows laptop or Chromebook that plays nice with a stylus. You can also record your lecture from inside the app and, if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, access some advanced Windows 10 features including a built-in Researcher tool and Math Assistant.
Get OneNote
Notion

Notion is pioneering a new kind of note-taking app. Every page is composed of Blocks, which can take the form of text, headers, numbered lists, quotes, and oh-so-much more. In addition, text can link to pages that exist in a completely different part of your Notion hierarchy, helping your brain understand how complex topics relate to each other.

The app truly shines, however, when you start making to-do lists, calendars, tables and project management boards. These features, which you would normally need a separate app for, can exist as a full-screen page or a movable Block alongside other types of media.

Notion's flexibility can be daunting, especially when you first launch the app and discover nothing but white space. Thankfully, the company has built some handy page templates that replicate a simple notebook, reading list, travel planner and more. It's on you, however, to build a sensible page structure and decide what the app should be used for. Notion can easily work as a simple OneNote or Evernote replacement. But if you have the time and patience, it can also serve as a shareable Wiki for your after-school clubs, or a private hub for managing every aspect of your life including health, finances and summer vacations.

Notability

If you want to take all of your lecture notes with an iPad and Apple Pencil, you have two options: Notability and Goodnotes 5. The internet is awash with blog posts and comparison videos that debate their near-identical feature sets. Both are fantastic, honestly, and have decent Mac applications if you want to review or edit your work on a larger screen at home. If we had to choose one, though, it would probably be Notability. The iPad app does a fantastic job of tracking and, through some clever software processing, tidying up your Pencil strokes to match your real-life handwriting style. The organization system, which lets you sort notes into dividers and color-coded subjects, is dead simple to grasp and navigate, too.
Get Notability
Honorable mentions

Beyond Goodnotes 5, we would also recommend Evernote, which many consider to the grandfather of note-taking apps. It's still a great option for creating and retrieving notes across a wealth of different devices. The company is working on a major redesign, too, that will supposedly deliver "a more consistent [and] coherent Evernote" later this year.

Bear is another fantastic alternative, though it's limited to Mac, iPhone and iPad at the moment. Quick and dirty notes, meanwhile, are best stored in a service like Google Keep. If you're rocking an iPhone or Apple Watch, however, you might want to consider Agile Tortoise's Drafts instead. Launching the app will immediately open a new document, ensuring you never miss important information from a fleeting commercial, road sign or lecture slide.

To-do list apps

Todoist

Todoist has a modern design and some of the best natural language processing in the industry. That means if you write something like "review chemistry flashcards every Sunday at 11AM," the app will know to add a weekly task with the title "review chemistry flashcards." Tasks can be added to a straightforward Inbox or custom lists, known as Projects. They can have any number of sub-tasks, too, and one of four eye-catching priority levels. The app has a number of views to help you prioritize your work, including Today and Upcoming, and a dizzying number of integrations with services like Slack, PomoDone and Google Calendar.

Some seemingly basic features are locked behind a paywall, however. You need Premium to access notification-based reminders, for instance, as well as organizational labels and filters. Want to add some comments and file attachments? Or have more than five people working on a single project? You'll need to pay for those features, too. At $36 per year, Todoist Premium isn't an impulse purchase. We think it's worth the money, though, and you can always experiment with the free version first to see if you like the UI and general workflow.
Get Todoist
Microsoft To Do

I know, I know, nothing will ever replace Wunderlist. Microsoft's replacement for the now-discontinued service, however, is slowly becoming a worthy successor. And, just like OneNote, it's completely free to use. Microsoft To Do doesn't have TickTick's pomodoro timer, Todoist's third-party app integrations, or natural language processing that understands what to do when you type "every Tuesday at 11AM." Still, it's a nice-looking app that covers most of the basics. You can add tasks to My Day -- a list of quick turnaround items -- a generic inbox or any number of custom lists. Tasks can also be starred and given specific due dates, which will sort them into the app's Important and Planned (i.e. upcoming) sections respectively.

Items can be broken down into smaller Steps, which are useful if you're working on a large project that can't be completed in a single sitting. The app also supports reminders, repeat deadlines, and -- provided everyone you know has a Microsoft account -- collaborative lists. Oh, and unlike Todoist, you don't need a subscription to add explanatory notes and file attachments. (Both are useful for jogging your future self's memory with, say, a classroom location or book title.) Right now, though, there's no grid-like calendar view or built-in syncing with Apple and Google Calendar -- at least, not without a third-party service like Zapier.
Get Microsoft To Do
TickTick

Just like Goodnotes 5 and Notability, there's a never-ending debate online about the merits of Todoist and TickTick. At first glance, it feels like the latter is a better option. TickTick has a built-in pomodoro timer, for instance, and lets you view lists as a kanban-style project management board. The premium version is also a tad cheaper -- $28 per year, rather than $36 -- and offers a couple of exclusive features, such as the ability to set start and end times. TickTick's free plan only supports nine lists, though -- Todoist offers up to 80 list-based projects straight away -- and the app's language processing isn't quite as smart, which means you'll occasionally need to dive in and manually set complex task schedules.
Get TickTick
Honorable mentions

Google Tasks is free, but it doesn't have an official desktop app at the moment. Any.do is another functional alternative that, like Todoist, has an app for every platform including Apple Watch and Wear OS. Unfortunately, the design is a tad dated and the natural language processing, while functional, doesn't support recurring tasks. If you exclusively use Apple products, Cultured Code's Things is also worth checking out. There's no subscription plan, but you have to buy each platform's app individually (at the time of writing, purchasing the Mac and iPhone apps will set you back $60.) If you have cash to burn, though, Omnifocus and relative newcomer Dynalist, which offers infinite sub-task nesting, are also excellent.

Calendar apps

Google Calendar

Google Calendar is the industry default - for good reason. It's free to use and, like most Google products, has robust web and mobile apps. The service is reliable, regularly updated and compatible with countless third-party clients such as Fantastical and BusyCal. A single account can have multiple color-coded calendars, which can help to visually separate your chores, class schedule and part-time work. User-created calendars are also shareable, which is great if you want to quickly distribute a practice schedule for your ultimate frisbee team. You can also add "guests" to any event, which will send them a handy invite via email. Is Google Calendar an imaginative choice? No, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't use it.
Get Google Calendar
My Study Life

Google Calendar is brilliant, but you might be wondering if there's something a little more tailor-made for the world of academia. One option is My Study Life, an all-in-one digital planner that's available on the web, iOS and Android. The sidebar has a Schedule option that lets you set the start and end date of the academic year, individual semesters, holidays, and every class that you need to attend. You can also use the platform to log your upcoming exams and school-related "tasks," which covers assignments, revision sessions and generic reminders through a drop-down.

All of this information then feeds into the calendar view. Subjects are color-coded, which makes it easy to assess and prioritize your workload week-to-week. Finally, there's a productivity-focused dashboard that summarizes your day and any upcoming exams and assignment due dates. Unfortunately, there's no way to sync My Study Life with an external calendar or to-do list app. That can be frustrating if you want to tick off tasks in Todoist or use another service like Google Calendar for managing your part-time work and social obligations. It's a relatively small nitpick, though, given the app's nonexistent price tag.
Get My Study Life
iStudiez Pro

Please, don't be put off by the name. iStudiez Pro is a slick calendar alternative that, just like My Study Life, is geared toward students and their unique schedules. The Planner tab lets you add any number of color-coded classes, exams and assignments. You can also create teacher-specific contact cards that include their email address and telephone number. iStudiez Pro has a space for creating and managing assignments, too, and an overview that includes a daily schedule and traditional calendar interface. Unlike My Study Life, this app can also show events created with Apple or Google's calendar apps. If you want to sync any data, though -- or use more than one device -- you'll need to buy the full version of each app.
Get iStudiez Pro
Honorable mentions

Microsoft and Apple both offer applications similar to Google Calendar. They're perfectly usable, but we like Google's interpretation the best. If you own any Apple hardware, we also recommend Fantastical, which has a superb interface and natural language processing. It's free to use, though some of the more advanced calendar views and productivity integrations are locked behind a paywall. A solid iPhone alternative is Timepage by notebook-maker Moleskine, and Readdle's Calendars 5, which doubles as a task manager and can also generate a Zoom, Google Meet or GoToMeeting call link whenever you send an event invite.

Apps to keep you focused

Just Focus

The internet is littered with services that will help you block distracting apps and websites. You don't need to go with a paid or overly-complicated option like Freedom, though. Instead, opt for something free and simple like Just Focus. The Chrome extension, developed by a few friends in their spare time, has a single text field for adding URLs that you want to block. Then, when you really want to concentrate, hit the purple Start Focusing button and get to work. You can select the toolbar icon to see how much time has passed and, once you've completed the task, hit the Stop Focusing button to peruse YouTube and Reddit once more.
Get Just Focus
F.lux

Even the most disciplined students have to pull all-nighters sometimes. If you're preparing to burn the metaphorical midnight oil, install a little app called F.lux before you do so. The utility will subtly adjust the color of your display to match the time of day. Just check your location and preferred color profile (F.lux's "recommended colors" are fine for most) and the app will do the rest. You should notice that your machine's screen is slightly warmer at night, minimizing eye strain and possibly improving your sleep (that's assuming you complete your assignment before the sun rises, of course). Every major platform has a built-in alternative these days (Windows 10 has a Night Light setting, for instance, and Mac OS offers Night Shift mode) but F.lux is the original and, in our opinion, still the best.

Forest

The Pomodoro Technique is like interval training for the mind. Developed by Francesco Cirillo, it's a simple tactic that forces you to work for long periods -- typically 25 minutes -- with only short breaks in between. You'll find countless Pomodoro timers in the App Store and Google Play, but we think the most imaginative is Forest. The software will plant a tree that, if you manage to complete the pomodoro session, joins your virtual woodland permanently. Leave the app at any time, though, and the sapling will wither and die. Over time, you'll collect coins that can unlock new species and ambient background music. It's like a bite-sized version of Animal Crossing that helps you get real work done.
Buy Forest starting at $2
Honorable mentions

If you think Forest is overkill, try PomoDoneApp instead. It's a simpler service that integrates with third-party apps such as Todoist, Slack and Evernote. If you're still not satisfied, we recommend giving Focus Keeper and Focus To-Do a shot. My personal favorite is Tide, a mindfulness app that also helps you sleep, nap and reflect with an assortment of natural "sound scenes," which include lapping waves and light rainfall. If you're working on a Mac, consider an app like HazeOver, too. The utility will automatically dim inactive windows, ensuring that your mind is laser-focused on a single application.
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Here's a list of the best organization apps to help you organize your school life and manage your time.

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Organization Tool

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Pixelist
LQ: 9.2
Recommended Age: 4+
Skills Used: Planning, Self-Control

All membership plans come with full access to our entire suite of tools learning guides, and resources. Here are a few of the ones we think you'll like the most:

Personalized learning profiles for up to 5 children.

Access to our complete library of technology learning guides.

A personalized stream of advice, articles, and recommendations.

And of course, lots, lots more...

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Kidspiration is a mind mapping and information organizing software designed specially for K-5 students. Users can brainstorm and organize their thoughts in a visual map, create a written outline from this design, or depict math problems using visual display tools.

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The iPad is a hugely popular device, but occasionally, you may run into problems with it. However, a problem with your iPad doesn't have to mean a trip to the nearest Apple Store or a phone call to tech support. You can solve most iPad problems by following a few troubleshooting tips.

Causes of iPad Issues

When an iPad has a problem, it could have a few root causes. Apps can interfere with one another or with the iPad's operating system. These malfunctions can affect the device's resource management or corrupt parts of its memory. The tablet might also have network issues that cause trouble connecting to the internet.

How to Fix Problems With Your iPad

Follow these troubleshooting steps to determine the problem with your iPad and find a fix.

1. Close apps. The iPad keeps apps open-most in a suspended state-even if you aren't using them. So if you notice some sluggishness, closing resource-hogging programs might solve the issue. Open the App Switcher by pressing the Home button twice, dragging a finger from the bottom to the middle of the screen, or using a multitasking gesture by drawing four or five fingers together on the screen. Close apps by dragging their windows toward the top and off the screen.

2. Delete troublemaking apps. If you can track your iPad's problems to a single app that is either incompatible with others or possibly corrupted, delete it. On the Home screen, hold a finger on the app until all of the apps start to shake. Tap the X in the upper-left corner of the icon to delete the app.

Deleting an app also removes its data, so back it up if possible before you uninstall it.

3. Reboot the iPad. If you have a problem with an app and closing it doesn't fix the issue, or if you experience another type of problem, reboot the iPad. Turning the iPad off and back on clears the available memory and gives the iPad a fresh start. Hold down the Sleep/Wake button on the upper rim of the iPad (or the power button and volume up button on recent iPad models) to bring up a slider that lets you power off the iPad. Once it is powered down, press the Sleep/Wake button again to turn the iPad back on.

4. Do a hard reset. If your specific issue causes your iPad to freeze, the reboot may not work. Do a hard restart by holding down the sleep/wake and home buttons for a few seconds until the iPad shuts down. Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears on the display.

5. Check your network. You may have problems connecting your iPad to the internet. These issues may or may not be coming from the iPad. If possible, do a speed test to see if your wireless connection is working and strong enough. If it isn't, move closer to your router or reset your Wi-Fi hardware. Start by unplugging your router and modem (if they're separate), and then wait 30 seconds and plug them back in. You can also reset your iPad's network settings.

6. Reset your iPad. This step is different and more intensive than a restart; it involves deleting everything on your iPad and then reinstalling it. Before you do this, back up your iPad to make sure you don't lose your photos or contacts.

7. Ask for help. If none of these steps work, you might need to take your iPad to an Apple Store Genius or authorized service center for servicing. Before contacting Apple Support, you may want to check if your iPad is still under warranty. The standard Apple warranty grants 90 days of technical support and a year of limited hardware protection. The AppleCare+ program gives two years of both technical and hardware support. Call Apple support at 1-800-676-2775.

Thanks for letting us know!

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iPad problems include slow response, freezing, and network errors. Here's how to fix some of these simple issues.

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Information to Support Students with Special Needs Going to College

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Here you will find curated resources on some of the most critical topics in inclusive postsecondary education. Each page features selected key resources, a link to additional resources we have on the topic in our Resource Library, related external links and Frequently Asked Questions on the topic.

Click any state on the map to see information on activities related to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability (ID) in that state. If there are policies and/or legislation related to postsecondary education for students with ID, we provide a link to that policy/legislation. If there is a statewide organization for inclusive PSE in your state, a link to information about that organization is provided. We also include contact information for someone in the state who can talk to you about postsecondary education for students with ID.

Think College is dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability. We conduct and extend our work through several specific grant funded projects. Click the project logo to learn more about that project and its key activities, staff and resources.

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Think College is a national initiative dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving research and practice in inclusive higher education for students with intellectual disability. It is based at the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston.

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Bookshare | An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities

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Bookshare makes reading easier. People with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers can customize their experience to suit their learning style and find virtually any book they need for school, work, or the joy of reading.

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National Accessible Education Materials Website

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National Accessible Education Materials Website

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States, school districts, universities, and job training programs can improve access to learning opportunities by communicating digital accessibility requirements as part of the curriculum adoption or procurement process. Did you know that under federal law education agencies and institutions are obligated to ensure that learners with disabilities can access the materials and technologies chosen for a curriculum? A common misconception is that this responsibility is on developers and vendors.

One way that your agency or institution can communicate a commitment to digital accessibility requirements is to include clear language in RFPs, Instructional Materials Adoption, and in contracts. If you represent a K-12 agency that is purchasing print or digital textbooks and related core instructional materials, see NIMAS in Purchase Orders and Contracts for additional guidance.

Sample Language for Digital Accessibility Requirements

Please copy/paste and adapt this sample language in RFPs, Instructional Materials Adoption, and in contracts.

[Agency name] requires digital materials and technologies to be accessible to students, employees, and community members with disabilities. Digital materials and technologies should conform to the standards for accessibility set forth in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 794d), and its implementing regulations (36 C.F.R. § 1194). The Revised Section 508 incorporates the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) by reference. Web and non-web content (including websites and documents) is required to conform to the most current version of WCAG at level AA in order to meet Section 508 requirements. Beyond Section 508, additional specifications are defined according to the type of material or the delivery format. Please refer to the attached guidance for additional information on those specifications.

Conformance to the specified standards can be documented through the submission of an up-to-date, complete, and accurate Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). The ACR should be based on the latest version of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®), which can be obtained from the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) website.

The ACR's Remarks and Explanations for each criterion should include an explanation of not only how the criterion is supported, but also how that support was validated and tested. For any criterion that is not fully supported, an explanation of the barriers created by the criterion not being supported should also be included. If the criterion does not apply, an explanation should be provided.

In addition to a current and accurate ACR, priority will be given to product submissions whose conformance is documented through the completion of an independent, third-party audit that does not rely solely on an automated scan but also includes manual testing. If the ACR is completed by a third party and includes verification of manual testing, that ACR can serve as the independent audit.

Updated documentation, including an assurance of continued compliance, should be provided on an annual basis, or whenever a significant product update takes place. Any questions about documentation requirements should be directed to [accessibility team] at [email address and telephone number].

Referenced Standards and Specifications

Specifications by Material Type or Delivery Format

These additional specifications are defined according to the type of material or the delivery format. They should be included with the sample language to provide helpful guidance to vendors based on their products.

Web-Based Materials

Web-based materials should conform to the most current applicable versions of the following standards:

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) at level AA

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) specification

The MathML specification for digital mathematical notation

Publications and Documents

Portable Document Format (PDF) documents should be tagged and conform to PDF/UA (PDF/Universal Accessibility).

EPUB publications should conform to the most current version of the EPUB specification. They should also conform to the EPUB Accessibility specification. A third-party certification can help vendors confirm that their publications meet these specifications. This certification should be noted in the publication's metadata along with other required metadata needed to determine how the publication meets specific learner needs. EPUB publications should also conform to the most current ARIA specification and use MathML for digital mathematical notation.

Software and Apps

For optimal interoperability, it is recommended that software and mobile applications (apps) conform to the latest version of the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG). If the software or app can be used to author content, the Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) may also apply.

Related resources

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Communicating Digital Accessibility Requirements - AEM Center

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Communicate accessibility requirements and conformance using our sample language and guidance.

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Idaho Training Clearinghouse > Topics > A-M > Accessible Educational Materials

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AEM refers to educational materials which are convertible into accessible formats such as Braille, tactile graphics, large print, audio, and digital text. These formats (and others) support student learners who have disabilities. AEM can be read with text-to-speech software, have adjusted font size,…

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It's time to improve literacy skills during social studies instruction and ensure that readers of all abilities have what they need to access grade-level social studies concepts.

Join us on Thursday, December 7 for a look at scaffolded materials that provide extra literacy support while building key social studies concepts and skills.

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Newsela | Content and assessment platform

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Content Aligned To National & State Standard, Flexible To Support Relevant Curriculum. Find the Perfect Piece Of Content For Lessons. Go beyond the book.

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CAST offers many opportunities for educators at all levels-and their organizations-to build their understanding and practice of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility, and professional development.

Developed by CAST, UDL draws on insights from the learning sciences and proven best practices to help educators reach and teach all learners.

We connect you with experts who understand how to reach learners in the most effective way possible.

Make learning more inclusive and effective through our institutes and online courses.

We'll work with you to find ways of improving learning opportunities in today's rapidly changing world.

Our experts provide sought-after keynotes, workshops, and seminars on a range of topics related to UDL.

Contact us to learn more

We're happy to connect with you about our online courses, institutes, Annual UDL Symposium, and will build customized solutions to meet your needs.

Email pl@cast.org

Featured Projects

Browse all projects

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CAST offers many opportunities for educators at all levels-and their organizations-to build their understanding and practice of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility, and professional development. Developed by CAST, UDL draws on insights from the learning sciences and proven best practices to help educators reach and teach all learners.

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Find out more about CAST. We’re busting barriers to learning, until learning has no limits®.

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A simple way to create a tool to help with UDL Guidelines:

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Following is a document discussing which elements are needed in UDL lesson plans:

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"For most of us,
technology makes things easier.
For a person with a disability,
it makes things possible."

- Judy Huemann, American Disability Rights activist and Former Assistant Secretary, US Department of Education, Office of Special Programs

A.T. Corner

Want to learn about
assistive technology options?

Locations

Visit one of our A.T. Resource Centers for hands-on demonstrations to try your options for the device, software, or app that is right for you.

IATP Services

We provide assistive technology resources and expertise to all Idahoans with disabilities through the following mechanisms:

The Idaho Assistive Technology Project is a federally funded grant project located at the Center on Disabilities and Human Development as part of the University of Idaho's College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. The Project was founded in 1992 and funded through the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. Our goal is to help Idahoans with disabilities acquire the assistive technology they need to live more independent lives.

IATP Newsletter

Would you like to receive emails about upcoming events, disability resources, and available AT services? Sign up for our free newsletter!

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"For most of us, technology makes things easier. For a person with a disability, it makes things possible." - Judy Huemann, American Disability Rights activist and Former Assistant Secretary, US Department of Education, Office of Special Programs Want to learn about assistive technology options? Visit one of our A.T.

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mATchup Tool (Maryland Assistive Technology Connection Hub)

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Welcome to mATchup, created by the Johns Hopkins Center for Technology in Education (CTE). This dynamic tool is designed to help educators, parents and caregivers to find high-quality and affordable assistive technologies and apps that can be used by all children with a particular focus on the n…

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In high school and college, I suffered through quite a few research reports and papers. I gathered data, cited sources, followed MLA style and double spaced.

I turned in my papers. Then I never did anything else with them.

I still have one political science paper I wrote hiding out in a trunk full of papers in my basement. The rest have been pitched in the "cylindrical file", never to be seen again.

The merits of doing research and creating these reports and papers are valid. When they create them, students ...

Gather information

Evaluate sources

Organize and synthesize data

Form ideas and cohesive thoughts

Create a polished, finished product

Cite where they got their information

Here's the problem, though: the finished product just isn't very relevant to the real world, be it in the workforce or in people's personal lives.
Reports and papers often end up where mine always did - in the trash.
If students are going to do their best work to learn and create, shouldn't it be in a form they can be proud of - and that they want to show others?
I think it's time that we turn research reports and papers on their heads. Here are 10 creative alternatives:
1. Websites. By making a free website using tools like Weebly and Google Sites, students are much more likely to attract eyeballs to their work. Websites can be shared easily, and they live on when people stumble upon them through Google searches. When students publish their work to a website, they're creating a positive digital footprint as well.

2. Infographics. Have you seen those super long infographics that you have to scroll down through to see all the information? They're all over Pinterest and other social media. Here are two great tools that will help your students create them:

Piktochart can turn a report or paper into a flashy eye-catching visual. Start with a predesigned template or use the graphics, text and other goodies to create your own from scratch. (Here's a post I wrote with 20 ways to create classroom pizzazz in class with Piktochart.)

Canva provides a drag-and-drop interface that students can use create beautiful designs. Start with a perfectly-sized infographic template and add the text and visuals you want. Then save them as image files for the web or in PDF format for sharing and printing.

3. Google Drawings interactive posters. Gathering lots of information for a report or paper onto a poster board might be impossible (or require teeny tiny text!). A Google Drawings interactive poster ( see post on this here) fits the in-depth research genre better because it can be a jumping off point for more information. Use a Google Drawing to present some visuals. Then, create links from that poster to Google Docs or other resources that provide more information about the topic. Be sure to use a live hyperlink (Ctrl+K is the keyboard shortcut) to get readers where they want to go.

4. Linked YouTube videos. Researchers gather information and present it in video format in front of an audience of millions every day. It's called television news. Students can create short videos on the different segments of their report or paper. Then, they can upload them to YouTube and link them together using annotations. It becomes an interactive video version of their reports. See this example I did with a post I wrote on Google Classroom.

5. ThingLinks. ThingLink lets students create clickable hotspots on an image. Students use an image (either use a pre-existing one, an information-based one like a map or a chart, or create one with a tool like Google Drawings or PicMonkey). Then, they add clickable dots to important parts of that image. Those clickable dots can take readers to sources already existing on the Web or to Google Docs or other sources created by students. See ThingLink's website for examples of how this awesome tool works.

6. Radio shows. Programs like "This American Life" and other audio documentaries do a phenomenal job of creating long-form stories and journalistic presentations in an engaging way. With some planning, students could record a compelling podcast/radio show presentation about their content. They could add interviews, sound effects, background audio from a site like a restaurant or a bus station, etc. Use tools like Audioboom (upload audio so others can listen to it) and Audacity / Garage Band (for mixing audio). Can be simple or complex.

7. News broadcast. In No. 4 above, we used short video clips to create an interactive video presentation. But news broadcasts generally aren't very interactive. Students could create a news show, blending video, images, sound and effects together using a tool like WeVideo or Camtasia Studio. It could be uploaded to a class YouTube channel where others could watch.

8. Info/image slide show. The "Did You Know?/Shift Happens" videos created by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod have been viewed millions of times on YouTube. They've taught us about rapid changes happening globally, and we willingly watched because they were engaging. These text-based slideshow videos can be very popular, and students can create them with YouTube's photo slideshow tool or Animoto ( free for educators).

9. Aurasma aura poster. This one actually utilizes poster board, but it's so much more than the standard poster. With Aurasma (an iPad app), students can create auras. An aura is a video or image that displays over something in real life when you look at it through the camera in the Aurasma app. ( Here's an example of how it works.) Students can create auras for different images on their posters. When the viewer scans the images with the Aurasma app, it displays videos or images with more information.

10. Google Slides slide book. I'm all for ditching textbooks, and this is a great way to do that. Instead of using a standard textbook, students can show their understanding by creating an interactive, engaging one! In place of reports and papers, students could create a slide book like this one (created by Matt Macfarlane, a teacher who provides this to his students). Notice the images, links to sites and embedded videos.

[reminder]How else could we improve on research reports and papers? Which of these are you most likely to use?[/reminder]
For notifications of new Ditch That Textbook content and helpful links: Interested in having Matt present at your event or school? Contact him by e-mail! Matt is scheduled to present at the following upcoming events:
[getnoticed-event-table scope="all" expanding="false"]

Sign up for Tech to Learn online course! Just $49

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10 creative alternatives to research reports and papers - Ditch That Textbook

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In high school and college, I suffered through quite a few research reports and papers. I gathered data, cited sources, followed MLA style and double spaced. I turned in my papers. Then I never did anything else with them. I still have one political science paper I wrote hiding out in a trunk full of [...]

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Ways to Support Students With Writing Difficulties

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Ways to Support Students With Writing Difficulties

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From Bach to Lady Gaga  Music Lessons for Special Education

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Access Google Sites with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).

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Make your online life easier by keeping all your favorite websites organized in a visually-appealing, personalized environment. Save your links in tiles that you can customize with different colors, icons or images. Organize all…

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Social studies resources galore to teach economics, geography, culture, government and history. Simulations, videos, apps to create timelines, maps, and more.

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Make your online life easier by keeping all your favorite websites organized in a visually-appealing, personalized environment. Save your links in tiles that you can customize with different colors, icons or images. Organize all…