Assistive Technology Tools in Vista

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS IN VISTA

If students have trouble seeing they have access to Vistas tool called "Magnifier." Above is an image of a magnified area of the screen. Students can use the mouse to move around the screen. They also have the ability to adjust the magnification to better fit their needs. Below is a picture of the "Magnifier" editing box. They can edit how they would prefer to use the Magnifier tool.

Above is another tool students can use if they have limited mobility. The "On-Screen Keyboard" is a useful tool for students who have limited movement. They can use this tool to type in any text box on the screen. For students who can only move certain fingers, or some movement of the wrist and hand this can be a useful tool.

My Personal Learning Network

iGoogle is my top choice for my personal learning network. I can link any website or email account to get constant updates from one page. I can chat with friends, I can email, I can get updates on news, basically it's the only webpage I need. I can get updates about news, weather, and twitter accounts.

Tutorials of Math Tools - Inspiredata

Inspiredata:
I reviewed Inspiredata, for Math Education. I plan to teach Math at the middle school or high school level. Inspiredata is an easy way for students to construct graphs, input data. Teachers can use this to document student achievement, much like they could with excel. The students can visualize what functions look like or what kind of curve certain data gives them. This program is very good if you're teaching Algebra or Calculus.
Here is an example of one students creation using Inspiredata.
Example.
This link gives examples of lessons you can use that utilize the tools of Geometers Sketchpad.
Inspiredata Lesson Plans

Tutorials of Math Tools - Geometer's Sketchpad

Geometers Sketchpad:

I reviewed Geometers Sketchpad, for Math Education. I plan to teach Math at the middle school or high school level. Geometers Sketchpad is an easy way for students to construct shapes, measure lengths, areas, angles, etc. The students can visualize what "bisecting" an angel looks like. This program is very good if you're teaching Geometry.

Here is an example of one students creation using Geometer's Sketchpad.

Example.

This link gives examples of lessons you can use that utilize the tools of Geometers Sketchpad.

Geometer's Sketchpad Lessons

Teaching Tools - Personally Made Games

Name of Tool:
Personally Made Games

Link:

Discovery Puzzle Maker

Examples of Use:

Teachers can use Discovery Puzzlemaker, or anyother puzzle making website to create a puzzle or worksheet custom to their class. Specifically for Math, you can create number puzzles to get students thinking about manipulating numbers.

Review:

Teachers will find this website useful because they can customize puzzles to their class without much effort. This website enhances their classroom, by providing extra worksheets and activities students can do to emphasize a topic they're learning.

Teaching Tools - Online Gradebook

Name of Tool:

Online Gradebook

Link:
MyGradeBook

Examples of Use:
Teachers can use MyGradeBook as a resource to connect teachers with students and their parents. Teachers can update students grades while in the class, and have emails sent to students and parents to notify them that a new grade has been posted.

Review:
Teachers will want to use this website so their classroom can become more efficient. Sending email notifications to let parents know a new grade is posted will 1) keep parents informed, and 2) help keep your class grades organized.

Teaching Tools - Classroom Management System

Name of Tool:

Classroom Management System

Link:

Hotchalk

Examples of Use:

Teachers can use Hotchalk or another form of a classroom management system to keep their class organized. Teachers can use it for keeping parents and students informed about grades, assignments, and announcements.

Review:

Teachers will want to use this website to help their class be more effective for students and parents. It will enhance the classroom, and make viewing grades, reviewing assignments and keeping up to date with things going on in the class more efficient.

Teaching Tools - Pre-Made Lesson Plans

Name of Tool:

Pre-Made Lesson Plans

Link:

Teach-nology

Examples of Use:

Teachers can use Teach-nology or any other pre-made lesson plan sites to learn new ways of teaching a topic. It can provide teachers with an "easy" way to get a base for their lesson, and adapt it to better suit their students.

Review:

Teachers will want to use this website to be a more effective teacher, and make creating a lesson plan more efficient. It can provide teachers with new examples to provide students with options to learn a topic.

Teaching Tools - Videos

Name of Tool:

Videos

Link:

Teacher Tube

Examples of Use:

Teachers can use TeacherTube to show videos to their students. You can choose a video that explains how to add fractions and use it to lead into a new section on adding fractions.

Review:

Teachers will want to use this website to enhance their teaching. We can use this to show students new ways of learning a topic. It is also nice, if you find a video that teaches a topic, students can go home and watch the video again to learn and practice the topic.