Poem to Refrigerator Magnet!

Turn your poem into a refrigerator magnet! This is another in my series of celebrating creativity, both light and high tech. Remember, when you simply print a piece of writing, it goes on the refrigerator for 3.7 months, then goes into:
a) The Circular File (yes, the trash can), or
b) The Box . . . in the back of the closet

But if you turn your writing into a work of art, it will be enjoyed for longer, perhaps forever! Here are the steps for turning a poem into a refrigerator magnet.
1) Print out the poem, in smaller format (no larger than 5" x 7"). This shows a poem I wrote for my wonderful friend Harvey, for his birthday.
(Note: I did a list poem, using wordle. That is, words I wanted to be larger were typed multiple times. See directions in the April tip at my website:
http://aacintervention.com/tips/2009%20tips/tipnine.htm
2) Laminate the poem
3) Add stickyback magnet (from Michaels or other craft store)

This is inexpensive, but guaranteed to be a 'keeper'!

Thanks to Sarah Blackstone for this idea!

Learning with Lennart - eye gaze video

Many of you will be familiar with the 'Learning with Lennart' series developed by Paul Andres, Prentke Romich (Germany), plus Lennart and his mom. This includes You Tube videos and presentations. The video shared below shares a simple and clear eye-gaze strategy. If you haven't discovered this series (in English and German), you should find them quite helpful. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_PgPFSV_hs

Fully Interactive Books!

We know that fully interactive books are coming . . . oh, wait, they're here! The attached video shows an interactive book for iPad / iPhone. Several features are particularly exciting - such as creating action by blowing on the iPad! The book selection is also exciting - Our Choice by Al Gore. The best part about this is the fact that this group (Push Pop Press & Melcher Media) is developing a tool so that other people can develop materials that are more interactive. Clearly, these tools will be spectacular for education, and especially for students with disabilities.

Thanks to Jane Odom for this link!
http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_matas.html#.TkO-THYKPec.mailto

Echo Smartpen

At the conference in NYC last week, several people were asking for supports for high school students struggling in higher math classes. I mentioned the Smartpen, and promised to provide a link, so here it is. It provides excellent support for many activities, including the process of completing math problems.

http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/echo/

SpedApps2

A group of therapists at Southwest Human Development have joined to create a new wiki about apps of great use for students with disabilities. This is new, and all areas are NOT filled in. We are going beyond listing of apps, and reviewing apps that we've actually used, and giving tips for new applications of apps (hence the name SpedApps2, which stands for apps squared!) Please visit frequently, as this wiki will change!!

Here's the link:
http://spedapps2.wikispaces.com/HOME

BLOGS, LIVEBINDERS, & WIKIS!

Here's my listing of my current blogs, livebinders, wikis, and a website!

Musselwhite’s Blogs, LiveBinders, Websites, & Wikis

AAC Girls Blog

Small bits and bytes of information about Assistive Technology, AAC, and literacy.

http://aacgirls.blogspot.com/

AAC Intervention Website

Musselwhite and Maro’s website, including Tips of the Month, on topics about AAC and literacy.

www.aacintervention.com

AAC-Literacy (with Deanna Wagner)

A wiki about adapting the Four Blocks model from Cunningham & Allington to students with significant disabilities.

http://aac-balancedliteracy.wikispaces.com/

AT Overview Live Binder

A collection of resources about Assistive Technology. Includes the categories of:

• UDL

• Videos

• Favorite Websites

• Checklists

• Software Samples

http://livebinders.com/edit?id=83986

Short url: www.tiny.ATOverview

Balanced Literacy Live Binder

A collection of resources from Musselwhite & Wagner – includes scores of links and downloads.

http://livebinders.com/play/play/3360

Short url: www.tiny.cc/AAClit

Natural Reader - Free Software

What: Natural Reader is an electronic reader with several versions. The free version that can read from the internet and read .txt or .doc files. It comes with one voice, and highlights speech.

The upgraded version can do the following:
1) read .pdf files
2) read scanned documents
3) read text from digital photos (e.g., taken with your iPhone)
4) translate text into .mp3 files, for listening

Why? This software is not as robust as programs such as Read: OutLoud or Kurzweil 3000. However, it would be great for trying out text reading, and documenting the need. It would also be a good transition tool, while trying to get funding for the more specialized software.

http://www.naturalreaders.com/index.htm