A.T.TIPScast

Episode #54 features a fairytale written for Better Hearing and Speech Month about a mermaid who's voice is stolen and how she goes about finding a new way to communicate. It is guest narrated by Miss Mel from the children's podcast Night Light Stories http://nightlightstories.net. This episode of the A.T.TIPSCAST is sponsored by Texthelp Systems, provider of award-winning literacy solutions including Read&Write GOLD and Fluency Tutor. For more information, go to http://www.texthelp.com. http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode #53 features a discussion about the high contrast feature of Microsoft Windows as a tool to help students access on-screen information. The episode features a bumper from Bill Peters, whose family will be participating in the Bounce for Autism on April 22nd, 2010. Pump It Up - Inflatable Party Zones, has partnered with the Autism Society to help spread awareness and raise funds for autism research and family support. 100% of the proceeds go the Autism Society of America. The event is happening all over the country in over 140 Pump It Up locations. You can find out more information and find a location near you from http://pumpitupparty.com or http://www.autism-society.org. You can also follow Bill on Twitter at @billpeters. http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode #52 features a discussion about the use of puzzles and a classic set of toys from the 80s as educational tools to practice fine motor skills, enhance visual-spatial abilities, utilize logical reasoning skills, build vocabulary, and more! The episode features a jammin' bumper from Mark Nichols, an assistive technology coordinator with Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. Check his blog, The Tech Flash, and follow him on Twitter at @thetechflash2. http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode #51 features a discussion about the different uses of comics to address pragmatic language difficulties. http://attipscast.wordpress.com http://iste.org/chewat

This special episode features an interview Sally Norton-Darr and I did for the ISTE Author Podcast Series. In the interview we talk about what is assistive technology, why we wrote the book, why it is both practical and fun, and provide some tips for new and veteran assistive technology teams. We also have some fun telling about some team pranks! Order Now!http://iste.org/chewat

The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools is a step-by-step guide that leads educators through setup and implementation of an effective assistive technology (AT) team. The many analogies, including practical tips, resources, and strategies, keep the reader turning the page, as do the many pirates and zombies. The book has information and insight for educators with any level of AT experience. In chapter 6, Choosing Assistive Technology Teammates, the authors make recommendations on assembling an AT teamwho should be on the team, what qualities are best in a team member and team leader, and what to avoid. This chapter provides an example of the practical advice found throughout the book while getting a taste of the authors unique way of driving home a pointwith humor. http:/iste.org/chewat

Episode #50 features a discussion about the educational uses of video conferencing. The episode features a special segment from Claire, the daughter of one of my colleagues, and her friends who delivered the audio on a CD within a bowl full of Jell-O. http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode #49 features a description of how to use the Autocorrect function of Microsoft Word as a way to practice errorless learning. The episode features a bumper from Jeannette Van Houten, an assistive technology curriculum strategist from New Jersey. I was fortunate enough to meet Jeannette at ATIA 2010 in Orlando. For more check out http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode #48 features an interview with the free to use website Vozme.com. To my knowledge, this is the first time in history when a person actually got a sit-down interview with an actual website. Vozme.com and I discuss strategies for using the website to create .mp3 files from text. The episode features a bumper from Christine Southard and Lisa Parisi who are two fifth grade inclusion teachers in Long Island, New York. I was fortunate enough to meet Christine and Lisa at NECC 09 and attend their presentation about the tools they use to differentiate instruction for the students in their classroom. It was at their presentation where I learned about Vozme.com. For more check out the http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode #47 features an interview with Proby Patel, a fourth year medical student at Ross University. Proby and I discuss strategies for managing the massive amounts of content students experience. Specifically, we discuss the uses of speed controls of digital media players. The episode also features a bumper from Brian Wojcik. Check out more at http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode #46 features another excerpt from presentation for the Individual Differences in Learning Association in Howard County, Maryland. This excerpt describes WordTalk a free text-to-speech plug-in for Microsoft Word. http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode #45 features a brief breakdown of the skill of sequencing followed by a recording of a portion of a presentation at the Individual Differences in Learning Association in Howard County, Maryland. The episode features a bumper from Dr. Katharina Boser who is the president of the Individual Differences in Learning Association. Check out more at http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode 44 is kind of a unique episode because it features a recording of a live event. Back on November 14th I was lucky enough to attend the Powering Up with Technology Conference in Prince Georges County, Maryland. At that conference I presented a session called Alternative Professional Development. I use the term presented loosely because, although I was listed as the presenter, the session was more of an integrated brainstorming session. I was more of the moderator for the discussion than a presenter. During the session we tried to outline some of the problems with staff development happening in public schools and then try to come up with some solutions. During the course of the discussion a bunchof great ideas were mentioned about how to address some of the problems with the typical professional development model. Additional resources were also mentioned. Check them out at http://attipscast.wordpress.com

Episode #43 features some more feedback from listeners of the show. Three new A.T.TIPS are covered. Check out http://attipscast.wordpress.com for more information.

Run! Run! Run for your lives! Episode #42 is up for your listening pleasure! Episode #42 features a visit to Count Edula's mansion where he asks about some tools to he can use to help organize his hypothetical zombie army. Chris's suggestions just so happen to be useful tools to help students as well. Check out all the fun at http://attipscast.wordpress.com