Monday, November 10, 2014

OAKS Practice Test: Get to Know the Accessibilty Features





OAKS Assessment features fall under three categories: Universal Tools, Designated Supports and Accommodations. Some are embedded within the online tesing software and others are non-embedded external supports. Here are the differences:
Universal Tools are accessible to everyone. Designated Supports are accessible to all students, but only by agreement of a team of educators working with the parent/guardian. Accommodations are only available to students when they are listed on the student's 504 or IEP. 
Embedded Designated Supports and Accommodations must be set in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) prior to starting a test session.

OAKS Resources:

You can take a practice test  and try the accessibility features.
1.) Use a secure browser download from the Oaks Portal download button or the resources area/secure browsers tab in either the student or test administrator areas.  
2.) Select the practice test from the OAKS portal as a guest user in a guest session. Next, select the grade level and the test (CA=Computer Adaptive; PT=Performance Task). Finally, choose the tools/supports and accommodations a student might need. This will help to familiarize yourself with how they work. (If you don't open a practice test within a pre-downloaded secure browser you will not have access to all the embedded tools). 

Daily Application to Academics
It is important that the student uses tools that are already integrated for daily academic accommodations. Make sure they have plenty of chances to practice using the tools so they are comfortable with them before taking an actual test. If possible, utilize apps or software that closely miror what is used in the online tests so they can make an easy jump to using the tools for testiing.

Speech to Text
Educators asks about speech to text tools in the OAKS/Smarter Balanced online test environment. At this point there is no embedded speech to text tool within the testing software. The manual states that students are allowed speech to text assistive technology software as a non-embedded accommodation. You can read guidelines for Speech to Text in the Oregon Accessibility Manual pdf (November 2014 link) on pages 24 and 130. A scribe is listed as well for speech to text in that it is a human rather than software doing the writing. The Scribing Protocol for Smarter Balanced Assessments should be followed for "speech to text" with a human scribe as defined on page 130 in the Oregon Accessibility Manual.

Setting up a Practice Test as a Test Administrator (TA)
To be able to use Dragon Naturally Speaking as a software component in the OAKS Smarter Balanced testing, the test must be set up in permissive mode (which allows outside software to "talk" to and enter data within the test.). To practice setting up and using this feature, you must download the secure browser and do a practice test. Rather than signing in as a guest, you need to log in a "fake student" that the TIDE vendor (American Institutes  of Research) (AIR) has set up for the purpose of practice. There is one set up for each grade level so that you can select access in permissive mode and try speech to text. These students will work with the practice tests that are currently deployed on the OAKS portal. With permissive mode turned on, AIR does not block any assistive technology that the student is using. Contact your district test coordinator for further information on accessing these student ID's, and setting up practice tests.

Realistic Simulation
In order to make the practice testing as realistic as possible, you should set up a proctored test session with the TA (Test Administrator) on one computer and the "fake student practice test" on another. You will need to be authorized in the system as a TA to do this. If you have a TA log in, click on "Test Administrator" and then "Training Site" on the OAKS Portal to get to the TA training site to log in and set up the TA session.
Note: Permissive mode only works on the Smarter Balance tests, so make sure you are practicing this with a Smarter Balanced Math or ELA test. It won't work on the Oregon tests (science, social sciences or ELPA.


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Trick or Treat: Finding AT that Accommodates the Workplace

Assistive Technology for Accommodation and Vocational Success

Transition Network Facilitator Meeting, October 28, 2014


















Assistive Technology can be any tool, item or device, low, mid or high in technology or price that accommodates a disability and brings the individual up to a level playing field with others to achieve success.

AT can be as simple as a pencil grip and as complicated as a programmable eye-gaze augmentative speech/computer access device. Each have their purpose and if matched accurately with the needs of the user, AT can accommodate and support the successful completion of tasks.

The Important Acronym: SETT  (more here)
Student
Environment
Task
Tools

If you identify these 4 elements in assessing AT, you will be much more effective and successful in matching up tools with the individual.
Here are free materials and tools from WATI (Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative) that will help you organize your assessments and trials for determining AT.
AT can accomodate physical limitations through environmental and ergonomic supports such as adaptive chairs, seats, rails, ramps, special desks, etc. AT can accommodate orthopedic/fine/gross motor limitations that prevent gripping pencils, pens or typing. There are augmentative speech devices, laptops and tablets, hand-helds and computers that have software/apps to support the user in the work environment. Spell-checkers, special dyslexic word processors and speech to text software can be a real game-changer for folks working in an office job. As oone professional using these supports told me, "I was expected to do my work just as timely and accurately as anyone else. I just had to find the tools to help me do it."

Universal Design:
Universal Design is a way of attaching "handles" to electronic media, vehicles, machinary, websites, buildingd/architecture, etc. so that all users can evenly access no matter what the disability.



Work on solving an "AT puzzle " by looking at the tools needed for all to accomplish the same task.Ask yourself: "Is the the solution an element of universal design that is already present n the workplace,on the computer or built in to the system?"
If not, what are some possible tools/solutions for individual access and successful accomlishment of the task?
Below are some tools/apps that will support many tasks in various environments that budding successful employees with special needs may find helpful.
Just remember to enjoy the journey!

iPads and iOS Accessibility 
The iPad Operating System (iOS) is a great jumping off place to explore universal design elements and what supports are possible.

iOS Tools on iPad that Accommodate Students (Based on New iOS8) Link to Manual from Apple on iOS8 for Tech geeks 
Explore Settings - quick overview
General: 
 Keyboard - add new keyboard (languages), Keyboard Shortcuts; Auto -Caps, Auto-Correct, Check Spelling, Caps Lock, Predictive, Split Keyboard, Space bar shortcut.
Multi-Tasking Gestures on/off
Accessibility:
Reading and Vision - Zoom -Double tap 3 fingers; Drag 3 fingers; Dounble tap3 & drag to change
Invert Colors
Speak Selection - Turn on in Accessibility settings then highlight text and choose "Speak text"
Speak Screen
Larger Text
Bold Text
Guided Access* - Slide button to green in settings. Time limits in settings with alarm and countdown, Triple click home button to turn on, Enable Passcode - I set as 0000 so I always remember.Triple click Home button in App and set areas/turn on timer, etc. Start. Triple Click while in app to get out and end.
*Note: there are some issues with app not working properly in new iOS8 if updated on older iPads.

Fun Tricks and Accommodations in Research and Note-taking
Using Siri to find research items for notes: 
1. Use Siri to find topics on Internet, Say "Find images of Pumpkins on the web".
2. Use Siri to find "Jack O'Lantern on Wikipedia. Say: "Find Jack O'lantern on Wickipedia."

Text to Speech: Highlight text and choose "Speak Text" (make sure Speak Selection is on in settings) Search for a website on your theme and highlight text, choose speak.
Speech to Text: Use Microphone button on keyboard and speak what you want to write. Pretty accurate but some editing may be required. Can use Notepad and use Keyboard. Try saying: "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood." Say it soft and relaxed and a normal distance away from the iPad.

Notability 4.99


Thursday, October 9, 2014

Milton Freewater Staff In-Service iPad Trainings 
October 10, 2014

Opening Activity - Pick a fall/Halloween symbol, costume, food, etc. as a personal theme to use for projects today.

Schedule:
  8:00-9:45  Session #1: iPad Apps that Accommodate Reading and Writing
10:00-11:45 Session #2: iPad Apps that Accommodate Organization and Note-taking

 1:00-2:45  Session #3: iPad Apps that Accommodate Autism and   Augmentative Speech

All Groups:
iOS Tools on iPad that Accommodate Students (Based on New iOS8) Link to Manual from Apple on iOS8 for Tech geeks 
Explore Settings - quick overview
General: 
 Keyboard - add new keyboard (languages), Keyboard Shortcuts; Auto -Caps, Auto-Correct, Check Spelling, Caps Lock, Predictive, Split Keyboard, Space bar shortcut.
Multi-Tasking Gestures on/off
Accessibility:
Reading and Vision - Zoom -Double tap 3 fingers; Drag 3 fingers; Dounble tap3 & drag to change
Invert Colors
Speak Selection - Turn on in Accessibility settings then highlight text and choose "Speak text"
Speak Screen
Larger Text
Bold Text
Guided Access* - Slide button to green in settings. Time limits in settings with alarm and countdown, Triple click home button to turn on, Enable Passcode - I set as 0000 so I always remember.Triple click Home button in App and set areas/turn on timer, etc. Start. Triple Click while in app to get out and end.
*Note: there are some issues with app not working properly in new iOS8 if updated on older iPads.

Fun Tricks and Accommodations in Research and Note-taking
Using Siri to find research items for notes: 
1. Use Siri to find topics on Internet, Say "Find images of Pumpkins on the web".
2. Use Siri to find "Jack O'Lantern on Wikipedia. Say: "Find Jack O'lantern on Wickipedia."

Text to Speech: Highlight text and choose "Speak Text" (make sure Speak Selection is on in settings) Search for a website on your theme and highlight text, choose speak.
Speech to Text: Use Microphone button on keyboard and speak what you want to write. Pretty accurate but some editing may be required. Can use Notepad and use Keyboard.

Apps Specific to Different Groups:

Session 1 - Reading and Writing 
                                    Free Apps you can download :
Google Drive - storage for pdf's, Documents, presentations (need gmail account)
Google Docs - writing
Textilus (free version) has word prediction, Speak text & Speech to text
Google Slides - presentations (optional)
Google Sheets - spreadsheets (optional)
Adobe Reader - make pdf's writable on iPad
PenUltimate - Create Collage with Notes, collect images, etc.
Educreations - free version: text, images, camera only
Popplet lite - diagram story
Shadow Puppet - Create presentations, annotate and record narrative 
pdfgive.net - resource for pdf'
Pic Collage *- tip: collect a bunch of pictures to use first.* iOS8 does not allow add text yet.
Zentap - Word Prediction
Extra Resources:
Five Best Free Word Processing Apps (iPad and Android) Article HERE
Read Write Think.org NTCE Site with Classroom resources, links to apps and Interactive websites

Using Books and PDF's
Adding on iPad: (You can bring in from Google Drive, Websites, etc.)
Find the link/page, then when you open on iPad, touch the right top corner of document and see "Open in iBooks." or "Open in..."
iBooks - will add to bookshelf
Read "Dracula"
Dracula - Choose Epub file and open in iBooks. Use tools from iOS to read text, highlight/find definitons.read definitions










PDF:
Adobe Reader - copy pdf's and put into Adobe Reader. 
Practice: Halloween Word List 
Choose Open in and then Adobe Reader 
Tools (Bottom Left to right) Add Note, Highlight, Strike Through, Underline,Add text, Draw, Signature
Two-person Activity: 1.) Use Draw tool and circle 4 words. 2.)Other person has to create a text box and type out a sentence using all 4 words.

Group Exploration:
Pick an app, download play and report. PenUltimate, Educreations,Popplet, Shadow Puppet, Pic Collage or Explore the Read,Write,Think website for resources to share

Tip: To add text off Internet (i.e. Wikepedia article) into a topical research collage page, Use top and home button at same time to take a screen shot, then edit/crop the page to show text you want and save as image - add that image as a photo to your page.

Final Activity (if time):
Use an app of choice to make a collage or presentation with pictures and text/information on your personal theme.

Session 2: Organization & Note-taking

Free Apps you can download:
Google Drive - storage for pdf's, Documents, presentations to organize work (need gmail account)
Google Docs - writing
Google Slides - presentations (optional)
Group Exploration: In Groups, pick an app or 2 to explore in more depth and come back with a description and how you might use in classroom.

Final Activity:
Use an app of choice to make a collage or presentation with pictures and text/information on your personal theme.

Session 3: Autism & Augmentative Communication

Free apps you can download:
Sensory Apps:
Draw with Stars
Sleep Pillow
Falling Stars
Particlescape
Mandala Hang Drum

Autism Choices and Timers:
Choiceworks $6.99

Chorepad Lite
LicketySplit Timer $0.99
Kids Countdown Timer

AAC Apps:
Sonoflex Lite
Sounding Board

  • Think about how to use speak text selection or text reading with students
  • Guided Access: A big help in keeping students in an app
Group Exploration: In Groups, pick an app explore in more depth and come back with a description and how you might use in classroom.

Final Activity (if time):
Rate top 3 or 5 apps of the day.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Apps for Aug Com and Autism

Does it sometimes feel like your work with students is a "Mission Impossible"?
There are over 30 apps to cover today that support Autism and students with communication needs. We will be discovering some of them by breaking out and exploring them and then coming back to share - a divide and conquer method.
We also will be categorizing the apps under different groupings based on the purpose they serve. You will receive a sheet with 2 columns, one with a list of categories and one with a list of the apps we will explore. Your assignment (should you choose to accept it) is to put these apps under the areas you feel they best fit. This message will self-destruct in 10 seconds! 
App Links:
Sono Flex Lite
Sounding Board
ASD Tools
Choiceworks 6.99
Visual Planner 14.99
Clicker Sentences 28.99
Clicker Docs 30.99
Notability 4.99
Fireworks Blast-off  .99
Falling Stars
Screenchomp
Show Me
Draw Stars!
PenUltimate
Audionote Lite
Adobe Reader
Skitch
Popplet Lite
iBrainstorm
Proloquo2Go 219.99
Lickety Split .99
Sequences 4.99
Toca Apps: Fairy Tale, Kitchen Monsters, Cars 2.99
Doodle Timer
Choiceboard
Chorepad Lite
Shadow Puppet
Youkids
VisTimer Free
Particlescape
Lux Draw
Share Timer
Pic Collage
Autism Apps
Sleep Pillow 1.99

Agenda:
Intro Activity
iOS Tools
2 categories explored
Break
2 categories explored
Lunch
2 categories explored with project/acitvity
Closing Reflection Activity
Our Top Ten List for the Day:
Shadow Puppet
Sounding BoardSonoflex
PenUltimate
Lickety Split
Playhome Lite
Magic Fingers
Clicker Docs and Sentences
Choiceworks
ASD Tools
Share Timer Storybot
Honorable Mention:
Yooukids
Sleep pillow
Where's My Water?
Show Me

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Apps That Accommodate Reading & Writing

What is Your Dream Adventure? What is your favorite Genre?
We will explore apps today, but hopefully tap into and tantalize your sense of adventure...

Agenda and Resources
Free Apps your will need to download today:
Adobe Reader
Popplet Lite
Plain Text 2 for Dropbox
Zentap (iPhone app - but can go on iPad)
Writable

iBrainstorm
iBrainstorm Companion (IPhone only)
Evernote
PenUltimate
Vjournal
Skitch

Miss Spell's Class
Toontastic
Madlips
PicCollage

Resources:
Gutenberg.org (will search for:The Island of the Yellow Sands -E.C.Brill -Kindle with images)
Read, Write, Think (especially see mobile apps)
Apps for Literature
pdfgive.net - PDF Search Engine (Will use to search for Edgar Allen Poe Resources)
Dropbox App
Lit2go
Articles: 
Using iPads in Literature Circles
Apps and Ideas for Literature Circles on iPads

Agenda:
1. Opening Activities
2. What's Available in iPad OS Settings? Pages App?
3. Resources for books and pdf's -Gutenberg for books (The Island of the Yellow Sands)
    The Raven Worksheet for pdf (pdfgive.net)
4. Pdf's - Adobe Reader, Skitch, Evernote/iBooks/Dropbox for storage
5. Writing Apps that Accommodate: iBrainstorm, Popplet, Zentap, Plaintext2, Writable,
6. Literature Circles: Articles
7. Resources - Lit2GoCathy library, Read Write Think, Lit2go,
8. Putting it all togther - Building a Literature/Writing Collage on a chosen book - work with Author partner



Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Apps for Organization, Scheduling and Note-taking


Agenda and Resources:

Free Apps you will need to Download today

Evernote
Penultimate
Audionote Lite (Full version $4.99)
iBrainstorm (on iPad)
iBrainstorm Companion (for iPhone only)
Total Recall Mind Map
MobilsleNotes

PicCollage - Visual Learning Reminders Activity

My Homework Student Planner
My Homework Teacher Planner

Journals:
vJournal (an Evernote partner App)
Tablet Journal
Inknotes Basic

We will note use today but these are good for Cloud Storage:
Dropbox
Google Drive

Other Apps that cost (demo)
Notability $4.99
MyJournal .99 cents

Introduction/Opening Activity
Interview: Name, Subject/grade/location, Summer Activity, Little known fact

Scale 1 to 10 activity on use of tools

Cool Stuff On Your iPad/iPhone OS to Support You
Calendar
Reminders
VoiceNotes
Notes
Pages (now free on new iPads)
Dictation on keyboard with Mic button
Siri Commands - "Create an event"; "Make a Reminder"; "Find (blank) on the web"; "Find a picture of (blank) on the web"
Practice using Siri 3 items: find shark picture, History of Kona, Hawaii, Hot rock walking

Penultimate and Evernote
Penultimate: Scribble Pad, collect ideas and photos
Evernote: make daily notes, collect links, pages and links your data from other apps and computer "snipper" in browser.
Add a voice note to a page
Take a picture and save
Search for keywords to find specific notes

Activity: Pick an app, Penultimate or Evernote,  and choose to do  from below:
 1) Create a Note: 2) jot down an idea or task, 3) add images, 4) record audio clip,5) make to-do list

Put it all together:
Siri Activity Scavenger Hunt
Find items and add to Penultimate list - search with Siri

Notability Overview (this is not a free app but excellent one)
Audionote - sync lecture feature - next best thing
iBrainstorm and iBrainstorm Comapnion for iPhone
Sequence Activity - Connect to companion to get notes and put in order

Group Exploration, Assess Apps and Report:
My Homework Student Planner
My Homework Teacher Planner
vJournal
Tablet journal
Inknotes Basic

Pic Collage and Activity - do research collage from topic on card









Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Clicker 6: 90 Second Trainings

Crick Software has a page with a list of 90 second videos and handouts check them out. Here is the link:

90 Second Videos and Handouts

Here is a sample:

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Make Your Own Screen Shot Picture Communication Symbols to Learn AAC Apps

We have been trialing different AAC apps with students who are transitioning from picture communication systems to iPad apps with speech output. One of the things that has been effective and fun, has been to take a screen shot of a context./topic page, then email it to ourselves, print it on card stock and cut up the symbols to use as a tactile crossover to the app.
An art activity
 We cut out a the screen shot symbols for an art topic and had colors, crayons, markers, glitter and glue. We also had the "I" and the "want" symbols cut out and placed them all together with a conversation strip.
In the activity we had the iPad ready and walked through the locations and sequences to get to the colors and art materials. The student had been practicing the "I want" and knew where that was located. we got out the actual materials and held them so the student had to pull the actual Card symbols and build i.e. "I want blue crayon" , then we showed him how to build the phrase on the iPad and then "say it".
Once it had been physically constructed, sequenced on the iPad and "spoken" the student got the item requested. A fun twist was to color with the studnet and model requesting my own art materials as well - it seemed more fair and made it more fun!
Apply to many concepts and categories
Try this with learning categories for food, things, toys, tools, etc. Building familiarity with the contents within catgories on a dynamic board while tactile handling of the symbols as well makes some great crossover applications.