Assistive Technologies for Literacy Learning

Dr. Pamela Petty
Associate Professor of Literacy
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Western Kentucky University
pamela.petty@wku.edu
 http://www.pampetty.com 

These Assistive Technologies allow literacy learners to be independent as they improve their literacy skills and strategies.  Literacy teachers should  (1) be able to identify and describe different types of assistive technologies available for literacy learners; (2) be able to match technology capabilities with individual student needs; (3) be able to communicate the motivational, educational, and economic benefits of using assistive technologies in literacy instruction.

Amazon's new reader:  Kindle
$399

  • Revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper.
  • Simple to use: no computer, no cables, no syncing.
  • Wireless connectivity enables you to shop the Kindle Store directly from your Kindle
  • Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute.
  • More than 110,000 books available, including more than 90 of 112 current New York Times® Best Sellers.
  • New York Times® Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise.
  • Free book samples. Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy.
  • Top U.S. newspapers including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post; top magazines including TIME, Atlantic Monthly, and Forbes—all auto-delivered wirelessly.
  • Top international newspapers from France, Germany, and Ireland; Le Monde, Frankfurter Allgemeine, and The Irish Times—all auto-delivered wirelessly.
  • More than 250 top blogs from the worlds of business, technology, sports, entertainment, and politics, including BoingBoing, Slashdot, TechCrunch, ESPN's Bill Simmons, The Onion, Michelle Malkin, and The Huffington Post—all updated wirelessly throughout the day.
  • Lighter and thinner than a typical paperback; weighs only 10.3 ounces.
  • Holds over 200 titles.
  • Long battery life. Leave wireless on and recharge approximately every other day. Turn wireless off and read for a week or more before recharging. Fully recharges in 2 hours.
  • Unlike WiFi, Kindle utilizes the same high-speed data network (EVDO) as advanced cell phones—so you never have to locate a hotspot.
  • No monthly wireless bills, service plans, or commitments—we take care of the wireless delivery so you can simply click, buy, and read.
  • Includes free wireless access to the planet's most exhaustive and up-to-date encyclopedia—Wikipedia.org.
  • Email your Word documents and pictures (.JPG, .GIF, .BMP, .PNG) to Kindle for easy on-the-go viewing.

From:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI73MA/ref=amb_link_6369712_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0T0X2V6V1D8VW070VXV9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=379103301&pf_rd_i=507846

 Functions and Advantages in Literacy Learning:

1. Viewing is easy on eyes - adjustable font sizes - non-glare soft gray background good contrast with black font. 

2.  Built-in dictionary - one click and all words in any single line of text are instantly defined. 

3.  Immediate link to Wikipedia for "general" reference and information.

4.  Information sources readily available (newspapers, blogs, magazines).

5.  Books at reduced prices - no monthly fees - free on-line access. 

6.  Very portable and sophisticated. 

7.  Plays Audible.com books and music. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 
Now the world’s most popular music player, available in 4GB and 8GB models, lets you enjoy TV shows, movies, video podcasts, and more. The larger, brighter display means amazing picture quality. In six eye-catching colors, iPod nano is stunning all around. And with models starting at just $149,
Found at:  http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/ 		iPod
In a 1GB ($49) model and a new 2GB ($69) model, iPod shuffle lets you wear up to 500 songs on your sleeve. Or your lapel. Or your belt.
Functions and Advantages in Literacy Learning:

1.  Plays Audible.com audio books (see web resources below)

2.  Plays podcasts (see web resources below).

3.  Plays videos from Youtube (see web resources below)

4.  Enhances English as a Second Language learning.

5.  Enhances comprehension, word recognition, and vocabulary development.





 
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-IO2-Digital-Pen-965154-0403/dp/B000F4CUKY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1208785064&sr=8-1
  • Convert handwriting to text -- your handwritten notes will look as if they typed on a keyboard
  • Easy editing -- Change color and width of your ink strokes, select portions to remove, combine handwritten documents or paste information to existing documents
  • Search for words and phrases in your handwritten notes, by date, type of document or file name
  • While in a meeting, add To Do items or schedule new meetings by simply writing them down
  • Post-It notes and Franklin Covey's iScribe software and digital planning pages keep your new ideas and comments organized

 

 Check around for different companies who make these pens and look for ones that are highly rated -- prices vary greatly!
D-NOTE

The D-Note™ DNA500 / DLA401 consist of a lightweight, ultra-portable digital note recorder that allows users to instantly capture notes or diagrams written in ink on normal paper, and store them as digital pages in a built-in 32MB flash memory. Users can then download the digital pages to a desktop or notebook PC for viewing, editing, or sharing by e-mail.  $149.00 - $169.00

From:  http://www.aecpronet.com/products.htm

Functions and Advantages in Literacy Learning:

1.  Organize and back-up class notes.

2.  Share notes with others by trading files or by email attachment.

3.  Cut and paste notes on 3x5 cards for study.

4.  Convert handwritten notes to digital text.   
READING PEN  - large range of prices and capabilities
  • Improves reading skills, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension
  • Reads printed material books, magazines, newspapers
  • Defines and translates with dictionary, thesaurus, English-Spanish dictionary
  • Reads the scanned text aloud
  • Simple to use anywhere - at home, in library, in classroom 
Functions and Advantages in Literacy Learning:

1.  Allows learners to read independently.

2.  Use ear buds for silent word pronunciation and/or definitions.

3.  No special books required - works with any print. 

4.  Short learning curve. 

Translator Pens  - $229

This ultimate language translator comes complete with over 30 language dictionaries on the CD. Users can change languages as needed - becoming fluent anywhere in the world. Scan a complete line of text and see a word-by-word translation displayed instantly! The built-in Text-to-Speech technology enables users to hear a full line of text or a single word spoken aloud in English. Scan, Store and Transfer functions allow the capture of essential printed data (text, barcodes and small images) anytime, anywhere. Store up to 2000 pages of information and then transfer it to a PC or PDA. Scanned text can be transferred seamlessly into any Windows based application.
Found:  http://www.franklin.com/estore/dictionary/WC1344562/

Functions and Advantages in Literacy Learning:

1.  A must have for people learning the English language - allows for independence, builds sight word recognition, develops vocabulary.

2.  Major storage device that communicates directly with Windows applications. 

 
Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (White)
Other products by Pure Digital
$139.50 (at Amazon)
  • Simple to use, pocket-sized camcorder with one-touch recording and digital zoom
  • Holds 60 minutes of full VGA-quality video on 2GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required
  • Convenient USB arm plugs directly into your computer for easy viewing and sharing
  • Built-in software lets you easily e-mail videos, upload to YouTube and AOL, and capture still photos from video
  • Watch videos instantly on TV with included cable

 

 Functions and Advantages in Literacy Learning:

1.  Allows students to record and watch themselves read as a means of self-analysis and self-assessment - gauge fluency progress over time.

2.  To highlight and document student achievements.

3.  Record "teachable moments" for development of youtube or podcast training (for other educators or literacy learners).  See:  http://www.wku.edu/distancelearning/
 podcast/piel/ltcy624/ltcy624.xml (audio)

http://www.wku.edu/~elizabeth.piel  (video)
Quick Cam

Logitech QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks  ($47.00)
 

 Functions and Advantages in Literacy Learning:

1.  Allow students to communicate with instructors, on-line chats.

2.  Use SKYPE to talk to relatives, agencies, etc.

3.  Record reading from computer screen or other activities.

Software

 
Books for iPod:  http://www.audible.com  
Podcasts for Learning - Video and Audio:  http://www.itunes.com  
One of the most comprehensive sites that offers activities for ALL levels of ESL students.  Very well constructed and will provide hours and hours of exercises crafted into crossword puzzles, podcasts, and quizzes.  MUST SEE! http://a4esl.org/
e-Text Resources http://kysig.louisville.edu/elinks.htm
flashcards, crossword puzzles, SOOO many  more ideas for manipulating words and enhancing vocabulary http://www.studystack.com/Home.jsp
flashcards for learning -- many areas -- use cards there or enter your own  -- no charge unless you want to print http://www.flashcardexchange.com
idiom practice -- really cool http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/drag_n_drop_games/files/names-idioms-puzzle.html
crossword puzzle for idioms http://www.eslmania.com/students/idioms/crossword_puzzle.pdf
  http://www.realebooks.com/

http://www.realebooks.com/index.php/sales/ - prices vary by number of computers - free version is excellent and may be all your need

  http://www.visualthesaurus.com/ - $2.99 month or $19.99 years for on-line subscription

$39.99 for purchase of CD for desktop use
 

http://www.flashcardmachine.com/
 http://www.AcronymFinder.com/
 http://www.idiomsite.com/
 http://www.flashcardmachine.com/ http://www.AcronymFinder.com/ http://www.idiomsite.com/