Professional Development Website Link: Adaptive & Assistive Technologies
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
WebAnywhere
WebAnywhere is a web-based screen reader that does not require any download. It can be accessed from any computer which enables blind people or those who have a challenge seeing the opportunity to work anywhere. The video showed an example of a blind person who signed into WebAnywhere on a computer at a university, checked his email, sent email, and checked bus routes and schedules. It appeared amazing. The one thing that I noticed that people would have to become in-tune with is the fact that abbreviations were said as they appeared. That can make some things sound jumbled unless people are paying attention. For sight people, it can be very apparent and we can just breeze over things we do not need to pay attention to. With WebAnywhere the voice reads through everything.
In order to make this work, there had to be a lot of studying that went into it. For example, not all webpages are created equally. Google, Yahoo and MSN accounted for a third of the traffic, so these pages definitely had to be accessible. Not as much context was available to blind people, so browsing became more difficult. Blind people tend to probe while browsing which means they click on a link and stay there for a minute or less, then go back. They obviously do this because they are not sure what is there whereas sighted people can see it and have more of an idea if it is what they want/need. It was also found that text is available to images clicked on by blind users. Also, blind users do not use mice as much as sighted-users.
My thoughts regarding WebAnywhere are that it was very confusing to use and I think it would take a great deal of getting used to. First of all, the voice was difficult to follow because not only did he have an accent, but he did not read as clearly as I would have expected. There has to be a lot of initial help, then memorizing (the commands) that goes along with using the screen reader. I could not remember the exact address to my blog, so I finally figured out to go to Google and type in what I could remember of the link. (This was after I tried to click on the tab where my blog was opened and found that the WebAnywhere only worked on the link where it was open.) I finally found it, but I had trouble going through and reading what I had. It went through every word, abbreviation and link which took a long time. (I did not have the shortcuts memorized.) The other thing I noticed was that I would have to open WebAnywhere on each tab I wanted opened. I admit that I cheated by opening my eyes. This makes me have a greater appreciation for the blind or those with very poor eyesight. I would imagine that if I lost my sight and I did not have another way to surf the web, this would be a welcome opportunity.
In order to make this work, there had to be a lot of studying that went into it. For example, not all webpages are created equally. Google, Yahoo and MSN accounted for a third of the traffic, so these pages definitely had to be accessible. Not as much context was available to blind people, so browsing became more difficult. Blind people tend to probe while browsing which means they click on a link and stay there for a minute or less, then go back. They obviously do this because they are not sure what is there whereas sighted people can see it and have more of an idea if it is what they want/need. It was also found that text is available to images clicked on by blind users. Also, blind users do not use mice as much as sighted-users.
My thoughts regarding WebAnywhere are that it was very confusing to use and I think it would take a great deal of getting used to. First of all, the voice was difficult to follow because not only did he have an accent, but he did not read as clearly as I would have expected. There has to be a lot of initial help, then memorizing (the commands) that goes along with using the screen reader. I could not remember the exact address to my blog, so I finally figured out to go to Google and type in what I could remember of the link. (This was after I tried to click on the tab where my blog was opened and found that the WebAnywhere only worked on the link where it was open.) I finally found it, but I had trouble going through and reading what I had. It went through every word, abbreviation and link which took a long time. (I did not have the shortcuts memorized.) The other thing I noticed was that I would have to open WebAnywhere on each tab I wanted opened. I admit that I cheated by opening my eyes. This makes me have a greater appreciation for the blind or those with very poor eyesight. I would imagine that if I lost my sight and I did not have another way to surf the web, this would be a welcome opportunity.
Adaptive and Assistive Technologies
Assistive Technology: Tools that Help with Learning
Assistive technologies are devices or software to aid people in everyday living and learning, however not all assistive technologies are high tech. An example of assistive technology is being able to speak into a device that turns the spoken words into written text. For some people, this type of software may be a convenience, but to others who encounter various issues in their daily lives this is a tremendous help. Assistive technologies help boost deficits while encouraging strengths. However, it cannot fix inadequate teaching or attention deficits.
Assistive technologies do not cure disabilities, but they aid in learning. Sometimes students need accommodations in order to learn in the best way s/he can. Assistive technologies are accommodations made for students who learn in different ways. There are four main types of accommodations: Presentation, Response, Setting, Timing and Scheduling. Examples of each type:
Assistive technologies appear within the examples above. Audiobooks are played on a machine so that the student(s) can hear aloud. S/he may even listen on headphones to make the sound clearer and it may help the student(s) to remain more focused with fewer distractions. Student(s) may also use a timer to remain on track with certain assignments. These accommodations enable student(s) to learn the same material as others, but in a different way. Accommodations must be written in a legal document with the school district. Concerned parents may contact the teacher to further pursue the need for accommodations and assistive technologies.
Assistive Technology: An Overview
There are different levels of assistive technologies to accommodate the varying levels of learning. The low level may be something as simple as a laptop stand. Some students need some medium accommodations that might include alternative mice or keyboards whereas other students may need higher level of technology where specialist training may be necessary. Overall it is necessary to find what fits with individual needs. The bottom line is that it takes expertise and persistence to find what will work depending upon individual circumstances. The computer era has allowed people at all levels to have a greater amount of educational opportunities.
Along with the many benefits that assistive technologies provide, there are also setbacks or negatives to assistive technologies. For example, technology changes so rapidly that new and improved products become available so quickly. With that being said, student(s) need to be reevaluated periodically, just as the technology being used needs to be reevaluated to determine its effectiveness. Another negative is that technologies can be very expensive and cost prohibitive. Another downfall may be that the person who needs the assistive technologies may be against using it if it emphasizes the disability too much.
MY THOUGHTS
Assistive technologies give people tremendous opportunities through many levels. Whether a student is in need of something simple, such as a highlighter, or something more involved, such as an app for web reading, there are accommodations to meet all levels of ability.
I am a member of a book club. Last night at the beginning of book club, a friend happened to walk past and said that she would like to join the club, but she cannot do anything until she gets new glasses. She told us that she had not been to an eye doctor for over seven years and she already had poor eyesight. Suggestions we gave her off the bat were large print books, audiobooks, or magnifier. She said that she already uses a magnifier at her work. There are a couple bits of advice from this story:
1. Assistive technologies are available.
2. Do not wait seven years to see an eye doctor, especially when you have glasses already.
Although I do not need assistive technologies, I see the whole idea of any technology that can help a wonderful idea. Assistive technologies can enable learning to take place where it may not have without it. It can provide people with dependence and a brighter social outlook since technology is a large part of today's society. If an assistive technology seems out of range to obtain, I believe that if someone wants something badly enough, there is a way to get it. Of course, there has to be enough reason and evidence of need to pursue the technology.
Assistive technologies are devices or software to aid people in everyday living and learning, however not all assistive technologies are high tech. An example of assistive technology is being able to speak into a device that turns the spoken words into written text. For some people, this type of software may be a convenience, but to others who encounter various issues in their daily lives this is a tremendous help. Assistive technologies help boost deficits while encouraging strengths. However, it cannot fix inadequate teaching or attention deficits.
Assistive technologies do not cure disabilities, but they aid in learning. Sometimes students need accommodations in order to learn in the best way s/he can. Assistive technologies are accommodations made for students who learn in different ways. There are four main types of accommodations: Presentation, Response, Setting, Timing and Scheduling. Examples of each type:
- Presentation - listening to an audiobook instead of reading text
- Response - speaking an answer instead of writing it
- Setting - studying in a separate room with fewer distractions
- Timing and Scheduling - allowing extra time to complete assignments
Assistive technologies appear within the examples above. Audiobooks are played on a machine so that the student(s) can hear aloud. S/he may even listen on headphones to make the sound clearer and it may help the student(s) to remain more focused with fewer distractions. Student(s) may also use a timer to remain on track with certain assignments. These accommodations enable student(s) to learn the same material as others, but in a different way. Accommodations must be written in a legal document with the school district. Concerned parents may contact the teacher to further pursue the need for accommodations and assistive technologies.
Assistive Technology: An Overview
There are different levels of assistive technologies to accommodate the varying levels of learning. The low level may be something as simple as a laptop stand. Some students need some medium accommodations that might include alternative mice or keyboards whereas other students may need higher level of technology where specialist training may be necessary. Overall it is necessary to find what fits with individual needs. The bottom line is that it takes expertise and persistence to find what will work depending upon individual circumstances. The computer era has allowed people at all levels to have a greater amount of educational opportunities.
Along with the many benefits that assistive technologies provide, there are also setbacks or negatives to assistive technologies. For example, technology changes so rapidly that new and improved products become available so quickly. With that being said, student(s) need to be reevaluated periodically, just as the technology being used needs to be reevaluated to determine its effectiveness. Another negative is that technologies can be very expensive and cost prohibitive. Another downfall may be that the person who needs the assistive technologies may be against using it if it emphasizes the disability too much.
MY THOUGHTS
Assistive technologies give people tremendous opportunities through many levels. Whether a student is in need of something simple, such as a highlighter, or something more involved, such as an app for web reading, there are accommodations to meet all levels of ability.
I am a member of a book club. Last night at the beginning of book club, a friend happened to walk past and said that she would like to join the club, but she cannot do anything until she gets new glasses. She told us that she had not been to an eye doctor for over seven years and she already had poor eyesight. Suggestions we gave her off the bat were large print books, audiobooks, or magnifier. She said that she already uses a magnifier at her work. There are a couple bits of advice from this story:
1. Assistive technologies are available.
2. Do not wait seven years to see an eye doctor, especially when you have glasses already.
Although I do not need assistive technologies, I see the whole idea of any technology that can help a wonderful idea. Assistive technologies can enable learning to take place where it may not have without it. It can provide people with dependence and a brighter social outlook since technology is a large part of today's society. If an assistive technology seems out of range to obtain, I believe that if someone wants something badly enough, there is a way to get it. Of course, there has to be enough reason and evidence of need to pursue the technology.
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