E-Book assignment

Pt 1 Classroom Suite review
1. Download the 30-day trial that was found in Focus on Technology #10 (November 10, 2008). (You can also find this in Course Materials on BB, Software Applications.)

2. Go to Pages 114-115 in your textbook and Pages 132-136. Review these pages and write a 1-2 page assessment of Classroom Suite from your point of view, using the questions found on Figure 5-1 (page 114-115) as a guide.

guided software evaluation pg 115 fig. 5-1 (to determine appropriateness...quickly)
purpose of computer?
-alt. means to complete work participation, knowledge demonstration?
-teaching basic concepts and academic skills?
-providing practice with basic concepts or academic skills?
-finding info or research?
-play, leisure, exploration?
-self-expression,making choices?
-practicing basic concepts?
-encourage emergent literacy
-other___________________
What is the content of the program?

-does it match the purpose of computer?
-does it match student interest?
Matching student needs
young and non readers benefit from speech output
students with attention difficulties may benefit from basic, non distracting program
uncluttered screens for perception difficulties
speech output for visual impairment
children with physical and cog impairments may not need response or interaction
Flexibility
-can the visual display be customized?
-can sound or music be turned off?
-can levels be selected or modified?
-can content be selected?
-can speech or reaction time be modified?

pg 132-136
Authoring software in special education
-creates opportunities for students who need a computer and those who do not but can become engaged with a computer
-can potentially support success with the general curriculum when set up correctly
Classroom Suite uses intellipics, intellimathics, intellitalk to create a variety of activities with customization to specific students or student

Classroom Suite
WOW! this program is amazing
you can connect with your boardmaker library and the huge collection of images and info the program supplies. so far, it seems like you can do anything
good amount of categories and great illustrations, can also import your own which opens tuns of very specific possibilities
the templates cover the basic needs of a teacher in a rush but give an outlet for some really meaningful and relevant content
in the make it move program, I did not like that there were no clues given and the pictures would have to be something students were previously familiar with, even I could not get the "make it fly away" command correct with foru tries, I just wanted a clue...
I guess these are things could can change about your specific program which you create
counting activity is fun, but during quiz, i think it could have been better
I think there is a lot to learn in order to really utilize the potential of the program, they give you many options but as any technology, it is on the teacher to become proficient users and make the most opportunity for the students.
In terms of creating an ebook, you would have to scan all pages then either retype the text if you want the automatic voice or just leave it as is. You could also scan the picture and block out the words to create a simpler story line with the same book to differentiate instruction
i am thinking, though, couldn't we be using powerpoint for the same thing, if our budget doesn't allow for intellitools?

also, I am wondering about copyright issues, is it legal to digitize a book?



Pt 2 Go to the CAST website listed and take a look at the examples of eBooks that they have available for use. Think about the questions on Figure 5-1 (page 114-115) and assess these UDL books from your perspective. Provide 1-2 page analysis. (You will also find this website on BB, Course Materials, Software Applications as well.)
CAST examples for review
Tell tale heart
automated voice is distracting but adds to the creepiness of the story. The automaticity of it places the wrong emphasis on many syllables.
highlight and click was simple for me, but I could see this posing a challenge for someone with difficulties in fine motor. the reader could also click on the yellow highlight text tool for a simpler task of just clicking where the speech should begin, but better option for those who the previous description doesn't work. the paper and pencil symbols highlighted literature techniques like alliteration, similes, and personification.
the specifically colored highlighter option was tricky to figure out, and the purpoe, I do not know. I guess the individual can select the easiest background fro him or her to read.
By highlighting and double clicking a word, the program connects with a search engine to find the definition. this feature is handy for sure but it seems that only a small population would utilize this feature
the spanish translation tool has a lot of potential as well. i was disappointed to see that you cannot hear the spanish translation, only see it. So this feature will be useful for second language acquisition of either spanish or english for students with strong reading skills.
stop and think predictions were good, the student can move on without them. But the coaches were cute, but i couldn't get them to work properly, the auto text kept going

lower level book has the option of choosing high, moderate, or low support
high support: did not seem like enough support, highlight and click tool needed to begin auto reading and it just kept reading through all of the options of predictions, coaches..etc
low support: seemed the same to me as high support
from the CAST website:

* Leveled supports for reading strategies and author's craft
* Context-specific multimedia glossary
* Enrichment activities
* Multimedia resources for background information
* Texthelp Toolbar for text-to-speech, highlight and gather, dictionary and encyclopedia links, and translations between English and Spanish