Educator Tool Kit

Natural Reader:

http://www.naturalreaders.com/index.htm

Type: Text-to-Speech Software

Features:

·         Converts text into spoken words

·         Can read text from applications such as Internet Explorer, MS Word, Outlook & Adobe Reader

·         Can covert text into MP3 files.

Description: This is a great tool for students who have difficulty reading text. NaturalReader has a free version with limited use. The free version can still benefit students to aid with getting text read aloud from different files. This application can help students who struggle with reading. This tool is also beneficial for English Language Learners which are the students I work with at my school. My students can easily access NaturalReader and listen to how words are pronounced if they are confused with words. This is a straightforward program.

NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA).:

http://www.nvda-project.org/

Type: Screen Reader

Description: NVDA is a great program for students with visual impairments. This program can read most sites and computer programs. It is free to download but the site does ask for a donation if possible. NVDA can be downloaded either on a computer or on a USB to be used on other computers.

Features:

·         Reads what is on screen.

·         Portable.

Earobics:

http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html

Description: This tool is focused on language arts. There are different games for different levels such as beginner, intermediate, and advance. This is a great UD because it provides equal opportunity to students with different levels. The games are arcade like which can provide a student engagement. This site is not difficult to use. Once students feel comfortable, they can move on the next level of the games.

Features:

·         Free

·         Eye appealing

·         Online use

Cube Creator:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/cube_creator/

Description: Student Interactive (Cube Creator)- Cube Creator is a great way for students to show comprehension. This tool can even be used as a pre-write tool to organize their ideas to create a piece of writing. This tool also allows students to create cubes with their own information. I can see students creating a cube on a math concept and include steps in solving a math problem. Students can use their cubes also as reviews. The great thing about this site is the product a student can create and share with parents. 

Features:

·         Graphic organizer

·         Free

·         Online use.

Bookshare

http://www.bookshare.org/ 

Description: This is a great resource to connect students with digital books who have a print disability. If students can proof their disability then it is for free. Bookshare can be seen as an online library. Students can download books, textbooks, and newspapers. Text-to-speech software can also be used with this resource or refreshable Braille displays. There is also a membership for those who don’t have a qualifying disability but would like to use it.

Features:

·         Free for qualifying students

·         Digital books, textbooks, and newspapers.

PowerReader

http://www.projectpossibility.org/viewProject.php?id=1

Description:  PowerReader is also a great tool. This is a text-to-speech software that which allows the user to adjust the text. Students can enlarge words or make them smaller.  I like the 3D feature of the text. Something that I thought beneficial is the images that can be displayed for each word as it is being read aloud. I work with English Language Learners and see them benefiting from something like PowerReader. Students can also go back to words that they might not have understood and have it repeated again.

Features:

·         Text-to-speech

·         Adjust text

·         Defines words

·         Display Images of words

·         Free

Project Gutenberg

http://www.gutenberg.org/ 

Description: This is another site which can provide digital text to students. Students don’t need a qualifying disability to have access to Project Gutenberg’s ebooks. Students can either download them to a kindle or just read them online or use text-to-speech software. Even though this is free, donations are accepted.

Features:

·         Free (Donations)

·         Over 38,000 ebooks.

Learning Ally

http://www.learningally.org/

Description: Learning Ally is an online resource for audio books. Students can download audio books to their computers, mobile devices, and/or IPods. This is not a free resource. I believe the benefit out weights the cost. Students who have a visual impairment or who are blind can benefit from this site. Students can definitely listen to stories to comprehend the content if they strong with reading.

Features:

·         Audio books.

·         Can take books on the go.

·         Intended for students with a listening disability.

Hey! Can I Try That?

http://wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/HeyCanITryThat08.pdf

Description: This is a great resource to use with students to assess their needs for assistive technologies. It is written in student friendly words for them to understand. The forms can be useful to use with students who are in need of an AT. Teachers or IEP teams can use the forms with students to involve them in the IEP process as well.

Features:

·         Student-friendly

·         Involve students

NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA)

http://www.nvda-project.org/

Description: This is a free screen reader for Microsoft Windows. NVDA can be downloaded to a personal computer or even on a USB. Students who have a visual impairment can take with them this program and use it on computers that are compatible. NVDA can read whatever on the screen if the application is structured in a way NVDA can read it. There are sites that are not structured well and may be difficult for NVDA to read it.

Features:

·         Free

·         Screen reader

·         Can take it on a USB