Presentation of MyStudyBar blog site

http://mystudybar5163.blogspot.com/

MyStudyBar

Our group has spent the time since our last class preparing a presention for the Free Share AT software application MyStudyBar: a floating toolbar with many applications appropriate for struggling readers and writers, giving them access to literacy across the curriculum. We have prepared a tutorial blog, a handout sheet with information on the apps contained within the toolbar and have also prepared group activities for the class as a whole to utilize the apps within MyStudyBar. I really enjoyed the functionality of the free AT, especially Balabolka as it allows one to convert text to MP3 files that can be listened to on personal listening devices at a later time. This app is so appropriate for all students and computer users regardless of abilities. I look forward to using this tool, as I like it so much, I plan on keeping it on my computer for my personal use. I will certainly make my students aware of this toolbar as well.

What is MyStudyBar v3?

• A simple floating AT toolbar that provides easy to use applications right on your desktop for all students but especially appropriate for struggling readers and writers - giving them access to literacy across the curriculum.
• The bar contains six sections:� Planning, Reading, Writing, Vision, Voice and Help. Within each section are applications to support learners with literacy difficulties : 17 applications� in total.
• It is a free shareware program that can be lauched from a computer (fixed) or flashdrive stick and carried with the student (portable).
• MyStudyBar learns from the user as they use it so it becomes personalized to their individual needs.
• My Study Bar helps learners with:

1. personal choice and flexibility � as the software can be used anywhere
2. inclusion � as using the software doesn't highlight that a learner needs additional help
3. independent learning � as in some cases there is no longer a need to have a teaching assistant present

Planning Xmind � Mind Mapping. A planning, webbing and brainstorming tool with many powerful options and functions. It is similar to Inspiration but a bit more organized and not as flashy. It has a very clear layout but would still be a bit challenging for younger students to use independently.	Planning Sunbird - A portable calendar. Similar to MS Outlook, that is easy to learn and use. More suitable for older students and those with good typing and reading skills. It is fairly text based, but seems like a good way for secondary students to remain organized and keep track of extra-curricular activities and homework.
Planning Hott Notes - Sticky notes. Provides three different sticky note options to help users be more organised. You can create notes, checklists or scribbles (pictures or diagrams) to aid in your thinking and to help keep you on task. Notes can also have auditory alarms attached in order to make sure you don�t forget anything! Tutorial can be found at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3591384/MSB_word_tutorials/Hott_Notes.doc	Reading T-Bar Colour - screen masking. Assists users with visual stress and Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome often called perceptual dyslexia. Provides options for masking screen areas in graduating colour density.
Reading RapidSet � Change colors. Provides foreground and background colour options � in all applications. It assists users with visual perception difficulties such as Irlen Syndrome: often undiagnosed in many students. Users should experiment until combinations are found that provide the most clarity and then apply the selected settings to what they are doing. �Websites that can indicate� perception differences: http://irlen.com/long_self_test.php �http://irlenatlantique.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=14&lang=en&gclid=CKOGzZaO-KsCFSoCQAodpy4HIg	Reading Vu-Bar � screen ruler.� Also assists with reading difficulties: Line skipping, missing small words and with loosing place on the page. It is a small rectangular box that you can move around with the mouse to encase text that you are trying to read. The size of the box is not adjustable and does not go across the entire width of the screen as does T-Bar. There are also no options to change colour or to provide shading.
Reading SsOverlay - Screen tint.� Overlays the entire screen. ssOverlay becomes a yellow arrow icon on the taskbar. You have to right click in order to access it and go to settings in order to choose the colour you would like to tint the screen with as well as its intensity. To remove the tint, right click the icon again and exit. The next time that you choose ssOverlay from the MyStudyBar toolbar, your previous settings will appear. Colour and transparency can be graduated.� Can assist with Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome & Irlen Syndrome.�	Reading Orato � text reader.� A simple but very effective text reader; a straightforward text-to-speech application. Can be used with any program that has text, whether it�s a document or an internet page. Turning on Orato produces a new floating toolbar on your screen. You simply highlight whatever you want to have read aloud.� You can choose to have the text shown, have words or sentences highlighted, as well as select your choice of voice, speech rate, volume, and colour background.
Writing LetMeType � Word prediction. A program that predicts single words or phrases in a range of Windows applications. It assists individuals who require additional help with spelling and/or word recognition, particularly with longer complex words. LetMeType can benefit individuals who have a mobility difficulty and find it difficult to input text or who are slow typists.	Writing Lingoes � Talking dictionary. �Functions as a dictionary and text translation software.� It offers lookup dictionaries, full text translation captures words on screen, translates selected text and pronunciation of words in over 80 languages.
Writing Tiny spell - spell checking. A simple spell checking application. Clicking on this icon starts the application. You�ll notice a small yellow box in the lower right hand position of your taskbar. Misspelling of a word causes a small box to open next two your misspelled word along with a chime sound to indicate a misspelling.� Clicking on the yellow box prompts a popup menu with suggested spellings.�	Writing Rapid typing � touch type tutor. �As it sounds, teaches people to touch type. Not assistive technology in the traditional sense but a fun app. It times typing speed; backgrounds can be changed behind the letters as well as language and themes by using the settings option. Can be configured for multiple users. �Good for IT students who need to be accurate for coding. Much less expensive than Mavis Beacon typing tutor.
Writing Balabolka � Writing support/MP3� Text-To-Speech software application. Balabolka is a Russian word; it can be translated as "chatterer". All computer voices installed on your system are available to Balabolka. Clicking on the icon opens the app which is a large window box designed to hold text. It can upload word and PDF documents by clicking on the file icon and selecting the content to open. One can type directly into the box as well. The cursor needs to be ahead of the word, then the central green play button (says read aloud) will read the text when pressed. The reading speed and pitch can be controlled by on screen bar slides. The on-screen text can be saved as a WAV, MP3, OGG or WMA file by selecting "Save Audio File" or "Split and Convert to Audio Files" from the "File" menu. This app is very useful to help students monitor their writing process as it will read back exactly what they typed. Self-correction can occur without having another person involved. Balabolka is for individuals who find it helpful to read and listen to text. Balabolka can also help those for whom English is not their first language. The printable user guide can be found at: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3591384/MSB_word_tutorials/Balabolka.doc	Voice Speech recognition software.� To be used in any text to speech or speech to text apps for a computer such as Orato or Balabolka on MyStudyBar. Clicking on this icon activates your computer�s speech recognition software and can be useful for individuals who have mobility difficulties and find it difficult or impossible to use a keyboard and mouse. �A headset with a microphone is needed to set up the program properly. Similar in a lot of ways to expensive speech recognition software such as Dragon Naturally speaking but without the cost. Upon activating the speech recognition software on your computer, a set-up screen will appear. The instructions begin with placement of the microphone from your mouth and continue with a series of exercises where one is asked to repeat words and phrases for the computer to get a sense of one�s voice quality. A visual floating tool bar with an equalizer-style volume sensor will float at the top of the screen. With the ongoing usage of the voice recognition software, the accuracy rate of the text produced increases. One is prompted to print out the user guide for voice commands to fully take advantage of all the program�s features.� However, it is very easy to use by starting the active listening by saying �start listening� and finishing by saying �stop listening�. �

 

 

Favourite online compensatory reading supports

Saturday’s (October 1st) class spent some time looking at compensatory online reading supports. Many great URLs were highlighted and discussed: some sites were free; others were free for a trial period. Some sites allowed access for home use and other sites were geared towards institutional use. This class was so beneficial as it made me aware of the many educational software offerings that are available for struggling readers. Our homework assignment for this class was to go online and identify three of our favourite URLs that address compensatory reading supports.  Following this, we were instructed to list and discuss each site while referencing who it is appropriate for and how it supports the process of learning to read.    One URL that was one of my favourites was Tumblereadables.  http://www.tumblebooks.com/tumblereadable/home.asp The website description of TumbleReadables states that it is an online collection of read-along titles for elementary, middle school, and high school students which features adjustable online text and complete audio narration. To access this online product one needs to sign up for the 30 day trial period which indicates ‘this product is for schools and libraries only and not for individual subscribers’.  Upon signing in I clicked on several books and really enjoyed the interactive reading experience.  The book narration was clear and of high quality – it did not sound like a ‘digital voice’ but like person reading. Sentences were highlighted as they were being read and there was a manual or auto read feature.  I especially liked this URL because of the variety of books available that would appeal to a range of interests for all students and to emerging readers at varying levels of reading ability.  As I teach in secondary schools, I can see grades 7 to 9 using this online URL as it has many high interest books. It would be a great program for a school to purchase for classroom use for all readers but it also would be suitable for reluctant and emerging readers as the audio narration addresses visual and auditory processing skills.  The ability to see the words being spoken addresses many reading tasks such as decoding, word recognition, fluency and sound-symbol mapping to name a few of the specific processes that are involved in the process of learning to read. Additionally, a student could work on their own or have an assistant (peer, EA, teacher etc.) who asks them comprehension related questions in regard to the storyline addressing the brain’s processing of context and meaning.      A second favourite of mine was Owl and Mouse educational software at www.yourchildlearns.com I liked this URL because it was free, no trial period was needed and it also offered free downloads that did not expire. This URL didn’t necessarily look as visually elaborate as other sites (that offer  learning to read activities but then eventually want money to continue after the trial expires) but I thought it was certainly attractive enough to engage an emergent reader.  A major focus of this URL involves activities that address phonic awareness, sound frequency discrimination and word identification - The Bridge to Reading section contained activities that focused on teaching letter recognition, letter sounds, blends, short and long vowel sounds and word recognition.  This URL is suitable for preschoolers, young children and children who are experiencing cognitive challenges in auditory and visual processing. This URL is also available for home use, (unlike Tumblereaders ). My third favourite free URL was Story Line online. http://www.storylineonline.net/    I really liked this site as the URL featured famous and recognisable actors, such as Elijah Wood,  (Screen actors guild -SAG members) reading books on camera while the book is shown as it is being read - the text is shown in a sentence by sentence format (as opposed to a word at a time or groups of words).  Additionally, everything the actor says is transcribed to text as he or she speaks. The story can be stopped at any time and repeated with the sliding bar on the bottom, similar to any streaming video. It recreates the experience of a one-to-one reading experience with the addition of all sounds put into readable text. This URL is not only good for all students who like a book read to them but it great for those students who are experiencing cognitive challenges in auditory and visual processing. The ability to see the words being spoken  addresses many reading tasks such as decoding, word recognition, fluency and sound-symbol mapping to name a few of the specific processes that are involved in the process of learning to read. I think that this Story Line site personalizes the   accommodation of print to voice in that the listener can visualize a person they may know reading to them through the sound of their voice; as opposed to a nameless and faceless digital reader or voice. Conversely, a hearing impaired child could still get the experience of the story visually as all the sound is converted to text.  A fun site to visit and experience.

Compensatory programs and supports for reluctant readers continued

Compensatory programs and supports for reluctant readers continued

   Starfall.com describes itself as a free website to teach children to read with phonics, suitable for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade with exciting phonics games and online interactive books.

   I took some time and went to the site and clicked around their menu – it had a lot to offer a beginning reader from books that read individual words/complete sentences to a game where vowel sounds on an interactive ‘word machine’ are sounded out.  The colourful and interactive site allows children to choose from a menu that progresses from learning ABC’s to reading books with voice assistance. I can see children really enjoying this site as they learn about print and phonetic awareness/ sound correlation. The fact that it is free is great although there is an option on some parts to pay and access ‘full content’. Definitely a program to put in one’s collection of support sites for emerging and reluctant readers and for children who have’ learning differences’.

Vowel Pals Demo video illustrates the interactive nature of the site

http://youtu.be/PYmZc1DCUn8

Reading Task Analysis Reflection

Creating a task analysis detailing what is involved in order for one to be able to read was eye-opening.  The articles by Sousa, Shaywitz, and Edyburn as well as M.J. Adams' model of reading - which describes how  reading occurs with the successful coordination of  three neural systems: orthographic (visual), phonologic (auditory) and semantics (meaning/context) - really emphasized the point  that reading does not happen automatically and that many children, in the beginning stages of 'learning to read',  do experience difficulty in one (or more) of the processes resulting in  a 'learning difference' on the part of the child. Using the Inspiration software to analyze the process and create a visual map was so useful as it helped the group organize our thoughts and showed me that this software is an excellent tool for organizing and presenting ideas to others.  Through using it, I see that Inspiration/Kidspiration software is appropriate for all students in school and would be especially beneficial to some . The greatest thing I take away from this assignment is that the brain interpretation of information involving neurons and synapses (executive functions) is key to learning to read successfully.  Additionally, I will  look at 'reteaching' material to students in a totally different way as well. I can see that AT will make a huge difference.

Searching for compensatory programs and supports for Reluctant and Struggling Readers

Raz-Kids.com
Great program and I found this video to illustrate its features.
http://youtu.be/quM9N34zcDk

Reading Task Analysis

It was an interesting and informative experience experimenting with the Inspiration/ Kidspiration software to create the reading task analysis.