Category Archives: Tools & Resources
Texthelp Read&Write GOLD, ClaroRead and Kurzweil 3000: A comparison
Posted in Tools & Resources
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
We are frequently asked about the differences between three of our most popular literacy support software programs – Texthelp Read&Write GOLD, ClaroRead Plus and Kurzweil 3000 for Windows. To help you to compare the features of each, and to determine which options may best meet the particular needs of your students, Spectronics’ teachers have put together a useful …
Photograph text on your mobile phone and hear it read aloud!
Posted in Apps and Mobile Learning, New Technologies, Tools & Resources
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
Another VERY cool new technology is CapturaTalk! This clever program allows your Window Mobile phone to take a photo of written text and then have it read aloud for you in a clear UK English voice! It will also read aloud text in documents on the phone – including emails and SMS messages received along with web pages visited.
New money skills program with photos of Australian and New Zealand coins
Posted in Tools & Resources
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
A new introductory money and maths skill program has just been released by the Attainment Company. It includes clear images of Australian and New Zealand coins and features four progressively more challenging activities: Naming, Sorting, Matching and Vending. You can select which currency, which specific coins and how many of each are to be presented to each student. Individual …
Driving communication devices with eye gaze
Posted in New Technologies, Tools & Resources
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
At the recent AGOSCI Conference in Canberra, several eye gaze systems were on display – allowing users to control computers and/or speech generating devices simply through their eye movements. One of the newer systems featured was the DynaVox EyeMax accessory for the DynaVox Vmax speech generating device. The EyeMax enables users to control a DynaVox Vmax with their …
AAC in your pocket! And how cool – it’s on an iPod!
Posted in Apps and Mobile Learning, New Technologies, Tools & Resources
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
Barbara Landsberg July 6, 2009
 One of the biggest buzzes in the AAC world for 2009 is the release of Proloquo2Go software for use with an iPod or iPhone. For less than $1000, users can configure their own “very cool” communication device by purchasing and downloading the software from the Apple iTunes Apps Store and installing it on their iPod or iPhone.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
Posted in Tools & Resources, Web links
Jane Farrall June 18, 2009
Jane Farrall June 18, 2009
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a strategy for all Australians that will provide sustained, significant, long-term improvements in meeting the needs of people with a disability and their families. This proposal is now gaining attention from both the media and at the highest levels of government. The NDIS has issued a nationwide petition with organisers hoping to …
Exploring New Territories booklet – Technology Resources for Struggling Students and Students with Disabilities
Posted in Tools & Resources, Web links
Jane Farrall June 12, 2009
Jane Farrall June 12, 2009
Exploring New Territories” is a great guide, jam packed with web links and information about technology resources for struggling students and students with disabilities.
MegaBee causing mega excitement for our speechies!
Posted in New Technologies, Techniques & Tips, Tools & Resources
Barbara Landsberg June 11, 2009
Barbara Landsberg June 11, 2009
Every now and then a new technology really captures the heart and imagination of our Speech Pathology team at Spectronics – and the innovative MegaBee Electronic ETRAN has certainly done that!
Making a Difference for Students with Learning Disabilities and Difficulties – Web links
Posted in Tools & Resources, Web links
Greg O'Connor June 11, 2009
Greg O'Connor June 11, 2009
I have been revisiting a few web links around the issue “Making a Difference for Students with Learning Disabilities and Difficulties” . Here they are: General As we know students with learning disabilities and difficulties have at their disposal a range of assistive technologies to support their learning. Assistive technology is defined as “the software and technology which …
