Innovations_Special+Needs

= Adaptive Technology =

 by: Aleida Cervantes, Ashton Conwell, Danielle Carranza, Sarah Stuart
=What is Adaptive Technology? =


 * “According to the United Assistive Technology Act of 1998, assistive technology (also called adaptive technology) refers to any ‘product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.’”
 * “Common computer-related assistive technology products include screen magnifiers, large-key keyboards, alternative input devices such as touch screen displays, over-sized trackballs and joysticks, speech recognition programs, and text readers.”
 * http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci914775,00.html

More questions about the definition of Assistive / Adaptive Technology?
 * Read the Assistive Technology Act of 1998:
 * []
 * Adaptive Technologies Definition (According to Wikipedia.com):
 * [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive technology]

What are the Types of Adaptive Technology:

 * Communication Aids
 * Computer Access Aids
 * Daily Living Aids
 * Education and Learning Aids
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Environmental Aids
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Ergonomic Equipment
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Hearing and Listening Aids
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Mobility and Transportation Aids
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Vision and Reading Aids

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">If you have a PowerPoint or something digital for your in-class presentation, include it on the page. Also include any handouts you might have distributed.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">What is PixWriter?
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"> It is a very versatile program that helps students learn to cite words, correct spelling, type faster (WPM), etc by....

media type="youtube" key="cAMkn3hAx3U?fs=1" height="385" width="640" align="center"

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Facts or Need to Knows (any special etiquette involved with your technology, for example?)

 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Mac and PC compatible

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">[[image:pcsmain.gif align="right"]]
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">PixWriter is a very simple program to use. There are no complex "bells and whistles"- it is very straight forward. Once a school purchases the program and loads it onto the school computers, the students open up the program and begin writing. As the student writes, pictures automatically pop up above the words. Students will hear a recorded voice read each word after it has been written. If the word is written incorrectly, the recording will not say the word and a picture will not pop up above it. However, not every word has a picture in the program's database. For example, the word, "for" does not have an accompanying picture. So, a pop up picture is not always a reliable way to ensure correctness of spelling.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Children are able to use PixWriter to write letters to loved ones, pen pals, friends, etc.
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">

=<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Classroom/Learning Uses =

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Teacher Uses:
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">An elementary teacher can use this program with young children who are learning to read and write since it will help the student connect the spelled word with its picture. It can also be used by a teacher when they are first introducing a particular unit's spelling words. Teachers are also able to administer spelling tests with this program versus the traditional pencil and paper and writing them out.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Student Uses:
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">A tool to practice spelling and vocabulary words.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Differentiation for Special Needs/ELL students:
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">This program could be used for deaf students/adults who are focusing on spelling and identification of spelled words with pictures. ELL students can use PixWriter to help them learn English as the visual aids accompanying every picture will help them understand better. Also, PixWriter can be used by teachers as a communication tool with ELL students who know very little/if any English.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Parent Uses:
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Parents can use PixWriter as a fun way to make grocery lists and chore lists (this way their young children can understand better and be better helpers).

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Resource Link for Classroom Uses:
==<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">http://tricohort4.wikispaces. com/file/view/RTI+Writing+ Stand+3+table+SAMPLE.pdf ==

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Citations/Works Cited (in APA style):
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">1. Assistive Technology. In //Wikipedia.// Retrieved on 30, Sep **.** <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_technology <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">2. Paulson, A. PixWriter. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAMkn3hAx3U <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">3. PB Works/Innovations. Retrieved 30, Sep. 2010. http://tel313innovations.pbworks.com/1AdaptiveTech <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">4. PixWriter. Retrieved 15, Oct. 2010. https://sites.fcps.org/fcpsACT/files/PixWtriterTurorial.pdf <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">5. Slater Software (2007). Using PixWriter- To Meet Writing Standards. Available at http://tricohort4..com/file/view /RTI+writing+stand+3+table+SAMPLE.pdf <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">6. Slater Software (2007). Quick Reference- Advanced Teacher Features. Available at www.slatersoftware.com/PW%20Mac%20QuickRed.pdf <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">7. Whatis.com. (2008). What is assistive technology? Retrieve from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci914775,00.html

==<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Thank you to Stephanie Grindle, Amy Wilson, Kaitlyn LaVoy and Elizabeth Scott for providing us with this information about Assistive Technology! ==