Assistive Technologies
From RE 5532: Technology-Supported Literacy
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Some Assistive Technologies in My Life
Voice input (or voice recognition) was designed for military (see, e.g., [1]) and business applications but has great use for people with disabilities. For example, if you had a progressive physical condition, you could still write by dictating to your computer. I've been playing with it just to see if I could wordprocess more quickly and accurately.--Koppenhaverd 01:45, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
My car has quite a bit of assistive technology. I just bought a new Mercury Milan equip with Sync technology from Microsoft. This allows me to activate my phone, iPod, and other technologies by voice with the push of a button on my steering wheel. I love this feature.--Stacy Cabeen 21:45, 15 October 2009 (UTC)
I recently got a new Accord and was amazed by the technology as well. I can mash a button on my keyless entry button and wind my windows down (which came in handy this summer), I can change my radio station and volume from my steering wheel. I have all kinds of buttons to mash to tell me how much gas I have left in my car, my tire pressure, and my oil life percentage. --JenLawson070 00:59, 20 October 2009 (UTC)
In my classroom, I have a program similar to TypeIt ReadIt, which is called EasiTeach. It will read in a voice that you choose whatever is typed into the program. I have used this with struggling readers. However, TypeIt ReadIt seems to be better because it can be saved as a sound file and uploaded to mp3 players. This could provide for more individualized instruction. --Brittanyjguy 15:57, 16 October 2009 (UTC)
I use assistive technology when I use ITap on my phone when I text! I hope to one day upgrade the master of cell phone assistive technology and purchase an iPhone. --Adover 22:31, 16 October 2009 (UTC)
Like Amanda said, I use ITap all of the time on my phone while texting. I'm having trouble thinking of other assitive tools I use on a regular basis. Will try to pay attention today! Could my running shoes count? They are designed to help my feet strike the ground appropriately, which my feet don't do naturally on their own. Hmmm...--Rjohnson 13:51, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
I was always frustrated with iTap on my phone until about a year ago and now I can’t imagine my life without it! --JenLawson070 00:59, 20 October 2009 (UTC)
I use GPS all the time because I am directionally impaired. I don't know what I would do without it. When we travel we don't even look at maps anymore. Google maps used to be my life saver, but GPS has replaced it! Google doesn't speak to me while I am driving! Now I just need an i-phone so that it is always on me. --Ressler14 18:30, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
Amanda actually introduced me to her GPS and I fell in love. Now I borrow my dad’s for every trip I take out of town. A new GPS is on my Christmas list for this year. I especially love the feature that lets you find the closest gas station or restaurant. When I’m out of town I absolutely LOVE a GPS system. --JenLawson070 00:45, 20 October 2009 (UTC)
This summer I have started using a very simple assistive technology-the dreaded reading glasses.These pink glasses are my new favorites. They really are better than trying to grow longer arms. --Melissa graham 21:17, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
I couldn't live without my glasses or contacts. I just see colors and blunt shapes with my naked eye so I am ESPECIALLY grateful for the invention of glasses and contacts. I keep thinking about all of the ways that I use assistive technologies and my list could go on forever. Could you imagine life today without computers and cell phones? Glasses? Hearing aids? Assistive technologies make up a big part of my life. I couldn't imagine our lives without them. --JenLawson070 00:59, 20 October 2009 (UTC)
I have voice recognition in my car. I tell my car who to call and it connects me to them for a handsfree chat. I also have a navigation system which is invaluable. I used to depend on http//www.randmcnally.com for direction but now I can look for places to shop, restaurants to visit and an occasional winery to try all from the comfort of my car! I am also a user reading glasses. Getting old sure does stink sometimes.--Carol Sherrill 14:41, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
I also am prone to getting lost so I have a GPS in my car. I used to always go to map quest to get directions, but now I do not have to. Another piece of assistive technology is my glasses. I am nearsighted so without them I could not drive or see things far away. --Ashleycaldwell82 17:31, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
My late husband wore two hearing aides, worked in NYC and fuctioned better than most with good natural hearing. Technology is a "life" saver, it allows many to be productive happy citizens. Two months ago I had major surgery, electric hospital beds, computerized pain meds, all of my medical records on a laptop that traveled with me/patient, and so much more--Grandmacunningham 23:51, 19 October 2009 (UTC)--Grandmacunningham 19:49, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
After figuring out what assistive technology is and made up of; I realized I used many different types through my day. I wear glasses when I am not able to wear my contacts. I also use my GPS quite often when traveling. On my cell phone I have everything programmed to voice activate, so I tell my phone who to call. . . love it! If I am out shopping I love to use the automatic doors.--Hetilley 20:20, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
I feel that I am a little behind the assistive technology wave. My husband and I do not have a GPS or touch phones with all the various applications, but as I began to think about it more and more I realized that I do use many types of assistive technology. In my kitchen, I have a timer so I don't burn dinner or my crock pot that cooks dinner while my husband and I are at work. Not to mention the dishwasher which saves my hands from being constantly dried out. The treadmill at the gym assists me in my pursuit of being active. Although I do not have a GPS, I do find sites like google maps very helpful. I use my laptop equipped with wireless Internet and Notebook software everyday to help me plan my lessons for my students. I see assistive technolgy used every day when my 7th graders walk into my classroom with their laptops, which are loaded with various programs to help enhance instuction and learning. Many of the students have bought wireless mice to help them manuver around the screen.--Melissa Martin Whitfield 20:33, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
I use assistive technolgies daily. My cell phone has several applications that involve talk to text/type/call. In the classroom, my SmartBoard has plenty of features. One allows you to turn written words into typed text. Does the elevator count? If I have to go up more than three floors, I will use one. I use the remote control on a daily basis. My wireless mouse allows me to do things on my computer from across the room. My ergonomic keyboard will hopefully prevent me from getting carpal tunnel. --Heatherscoe 02:31, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
The assistive technology that I use is much like that of my classmates. I have a GPS in my car. I love it. I hardly ever use maps anymore and I frequently program it to lead me to destinations that I have been to hundreds of times because it also keeps up with the ETA which I appreciate when I am running later than normal. I frequently use voice commands on my cell phone to call people, check messages,etc. On my steering wheel in my car I have controls for my radio and for my heat and air. When I first bought the car I thought this was unnecessary and now I wouldn't want to live without it. How handy this arrangement would come in for someone with physical disability. I too recently had to get glasses. I thought I could see pretty well, but the clarity provided by my glasses is amazing. I had no idea what I was missing out on! Thank goodness for assistive technology!--Jessicajackson52 03:12, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
I can see without my contacts or glasses thats a definite assitive technology in my life. And several of my students can't see the board without this. I think that the Internet for me just the other day was an assistive technology to look up a recent ailment and to figure out the cause. E-mail connects me so easily to help me keeep parents updated and track of meetings as well as communication with collegues Another assitive technology that keeps a check on my students temperature is a thermometer which I used a few weeks. I use the delicious account to keep track of all recent sites that can enhance my curriculum and instruction. I desperately use my GPS to help me locate gas stations when I'm in need of gas. I help my dad from his wheelchair to use his walker and now he is progressing to the use of a cane. Throughout the years I have had students with cochlear implants to help them hear and speakers and microphones. At one point I was the assistive technology for my dsylexic student this year. It was time to read and she needed to hear it on CD but there was no CD to support her need with that book so I read aloud to her. Her mom sent me an sweet card in thanks, but I was just doing my job. Assistive technology is all around us and essential to life. --Amy Hardister 09:23, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
I thought of one! I use my iPod nano along with Nike+ run. This little device clocks my pace, calories, and distance when I run. There are also version that run on the GPS system (Garmin's watch costs around $200...which is about $170 more than my Nike+) and monitor your heart rate to keep you exercising at a healthy heart rate percentage.
Did anybody mention calculators? How about the tip calculator built right into our cell phones?
I'm also thinking about automatic insulin pumps that monitor blood sugar & deliver needed insulin automatically. I don't have one, but have seen lives drastically changed for the better thanks to them. --Rjohnson 21:28, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
I use glasses all day every day. I am near sighted, so I never take them off. I have itap, on my cell as well. I also have multitap on my blackberry, which I turn off because it drives me insane. I hadn't realized until just now how little assistive technology I actually use. I don't own a GPS, but would like to eventually. Thanks Ruth for mentioning the calculator on the cell. I use my constantly. Especially averaging grades.--Oscales 22:26, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
I too like many use glasses or contacts on a daily basis and couldn't do without them. One day last summer while trying to visi the Children's Museum in Greensboro, my mapquest directions did not work so I pulled into an Office Depot and purchased a GPS system and cannot live imagine life without it. I daily use text to keep in touch with my children. I do not use a lot of assistive technology or it has become such a routine of mine, that I do not realize I'm using it. --Cajones51 01:21, 20 October 2009 (UTC)
Some Assistive Technologies in My Students' Lives
While I was doing my student teaching, I had a student who had a hearing impairment. Due to this impairment I was to wear a microphone so that my voice was projected in the classroom.--Tonna216 22:05, 15 October 2009 (UTC)
A few years ago, I had a first grader with a muscular disorder. Her body simply could not build the muscles she needed to help her support herself in walking and other daily activities. She used a motorized wheelchair that was controlled with a joystick type of device that was sensitive to her touch. This equipment allowed her to be mobile in the school and elsewhere despite her disability--Adover 22:37, 16 October 2009 (UTC)
I have a student with cerebral palsy. We use lots of assistive technology to assist him with his everyday functions. He uses a mororized wheelchair like the one Amanda mentioned above. He also uses a stander which allows him to stand up during some of my lessons. The stander is only to be used 1 hour or less per day becasue it stretches his muscles in ways that are good, but uncomfortable for him in long periods of time. He also uses a walker similar to the one shown on this video: [2]. This student also requires a one-on-one assistant.--Brandy 17:24, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
Last year I had a student with diabetes. Our small, rural school only has a nurse one or two days a week. Because of this, I learned a lot about the items she needed. She checks her blood sugar many times throughout the day. She also has an insulin pump, which is extremely cool. I didn't have to give her any insulin shots. All I had to do was calculate how many carbohydrates she ate and enter in her blood sugar levels. The pump calculated how much insulin to give her. It also gave her small amounts of insulin throughout the day so that her blood sugar levels were usually (on a good day) within the normal range. I also learned to check her blood sugar before a test. If it is low, she performs poorly on a test. If it is normal or even a little high she preforms excellently. It is a wonderful piece of technology. Now, they need to invent one that automatically checks sugar levels and administers the proper amount of insulin and alerts you when it is low and you need to eat something. I am sure it will come out eventually.--Ressler14 18:39, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
I had a student two years ago that weighed 200 pounds (yes, he was in first grade) and had very chubby little hands. He wasn't able to grip the pencil so that he could write. His handwriting was so bad we couldn't read it. We tried the old fashioned fat red pencils, golf pencils, holding a wadded up tissue in his hand, nothing worked. I found a pencil grip(the jumbo one that gave him more to grasp)worked like a charm. He still struggled some but we could read what he was writing. Amazing what $3 product could do for him. I think keyboarding would have also worked for him. Everything doesn't have to be high tech to work wonders. Sometimes the low tech technologies can do the trick.--Melissa graham 22:55, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
I have had a very few students with handicaps over the years. I did have a hearing impaired student one year, so I wore a microphone for him. It seemed to me like all of the students were benefitting from hearing me project! This year I have a little girl who is legally blind. She is amazing to me because she is so independent. She has an imaging machine for the classroom. It has a camera that she directs and allows her to decide what she wants/needs to see on her own monitor. We are also teaching her all of the great things a Mac has to offer her. Sometimes she pulls out her monocle magnifier in class.--Carol Sherrill 14:46, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
Just like Amanda had last year, I have a student with diabetes this year. She has an insulin pump too. We just met with the nurse, who is only at school once a week too, two weeks ago to go over her diabetic care plan. The nice thing about the pump is it is suppose to be not as harsh on her body as insulin shots where there can be more extreme highs and lows.--Patricia Edwards 14:43, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
I also had a student in my class with diabetes. She had an insulin pump at well. For the first week, I was terrified to even touch the pump. Before I would mash any button I would ask the child. I’m sure this seemed funny to her. After a few days, I was very shocked by the simplicity of the pump. It made controlling my student’s diabetes much easier. My grandmother also has diabetes and gives herself insulin shots. I really think that the pump would make her life much easier if she would only give it a try. --JenLawson070 00:32, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
I had a student two years ago who used several assistive technologies. He used a motorized wheelchair, which was controlled by a joystick to get around. He also used s stander which as Brandy mentioned above, is only to be used for a hour or less. He also had a walker and an one on one assistant. He also had very little control of his hands so he used the computer to type out his work. He had a special keyboard with bigger keys and print. --Ashleycaldwell82 17:44, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
During an internship in college, I worked with a 6th grade class at a charter school who used exercise balls instead of chairs. This was a way to curb Attention Deficit. The balls made movement quieter and was a focus for students. Also, in this same classroom, ADHD students were able to hold a Koosh ball, which is a squishy rubber ball, in their hand during class. This allowed them to be able to move or just "mess with something" and not disrupt class. Both of these inexpensive methods seemed to work nicely. --Brittanyjguy 19:47, 18 October 2009 (UTC) I am saddened by how many of our young people who have disabilities are not getting the assistance they deserve. Fortunately there are civic groups out there to assist if we make the effort to get them connected. The Lions club is great for glasses, the Elks help the physically challenged, and I am sure there are other charitable organizations that would be willing to help if we make contact on behalf of our students. I have only had one disabled student in my 12 years, in a wheelchair and two hearing aides. Because I had personal experience with this issue I didn't allow him to use it as a crutch to not move ahead. Teachers before me felt sorry for him which crippled him mentally. We all learn in different ways, technology is awesome only when it is applied.--Grandmacunningham 20:03, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
While at school many of my students use their own glasses and I also use the ActivBoard. Different tools on the activboard allow my students to be hands on and work the problems out. For my ADHD students this works wonders them being able to use the ActivBoard. --Hetilley 20:45, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
The first year I taught, I had one student that used a motorized wheelchair and he could use a laptop to take notes and do his homework. Honestly, he did not use the laptop very much. He also had a walker for adaptive PE. The same year, I also had a high functioning autistic child in my classroom. He was assigned a one on one TA. At the beginning of this school year, I had two students who used ALPHA Smart computers to take notes, and we would print the notes off once a week. Both students have horrible handwriting that is impossible to read. Now, however, each one of my 7th graders has assistive technology. They LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their laptops. It is amazing to see how engaged each student is, not that they have a laptop in front of them. Now the type their homework into an excel spreadsheet, create timelines using SMART Notebook and the the Internet, and easily conduct research. --Melissa Martin Whitfield 20:58, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
While in college, I had World Civilization II with a legally blind young man. I took notes on carbon copied large ruled paper. At the end of the class, I would give him my notes and keep the carbon copy for myself. The young man would take the notes back to his dorm room where he had a special machine to blow up the notes so he could read the notes with his eyes. Even though this young man was not my student, I was more like a tutor/note taker/friend for this young man and I know that I did help him tremendously. --JenLawson070 00:32, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
In the past, I have had to wear a microphone for a student with hearing difficulties. This year, I have two students with muscular disorders. They have special desks in the classroom. In the lab, they have special seating and keyboards. They are allowed to have a locker on the end of a row with a table to place their bookbags on. I have a had a student with Aspergers Syndrome before. He had a one-on-one assistant that would type everything that was done in class for him. --Heatherscoe 02:38, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
My second year of teaching I had a student with Autism in my class. He was precious, but he was prone to running and frequently jumped on top of desks, hollered the same phrase all day long, etc. I was quickly very frustrated and feeling very inexperienced in the area of helping this student. I had a wonderful special education teacher who came to my rescue. With this student we used tons of AT. He began the morning by wearing sound blocking headphones to come down the hallway so that the noise of the hall would not escalate his sensory tendencies. He also laid on his stomach and paddled himself down the hall with his arms to strengthen his muscles and to keep him from running full speed ahead to the classroom, which also escalated his tendencies. He used a weighted pencil grip to write. He wore a weighted vest to give him some of the sensory input that he needed. He sat in a special chair that kept his midline centered. When the county found out that I would be his teacher they immediately sent me to a two day training using Intellitools and Intellikeys. These software programs helped him to be able to do the same work we did, but in a modified version. He could write his name but nothing else. Because of this Intellitools allowed me to create overlays for a special keyboard that would allow him to complete his work by pressing buttons on a computer instead of using paper and pencil. I was very overwhelmed at the beginning of my experience with this child. Once we were equipped with appropriate AT for his needs I had tools for everything, but he was able to be successful. I know teachers are not supposed to have favorites, but this little boy is by far my favorite student of all time! --Jessicajackson52 03:35, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
Like Amanda said above I also had a student with diabetees a few years ago with a monitor. It beeped in class to alert him when his body needed insulin. I know he was very embarrassed by it at times; however, recently in the newspaper there was a great inspirational article related to an unthought of assistive technology for him and others with diabetes-a dog. This former student of my had began having seizures related to his diabetes and was getting ready to get his liscense. He wouldn't be able to drive without some sort of protection. His parents found out about a lady in Texas who trains dogs to recognize changes in blood sugars in humans. Thus this former student could be alerted before he was going to have a seizure and even preventing it. It was roughly 20,000 dollars for the dog and the famiy had only come up with almost a half by the time it came for him to start driving. They'd done fundraisers and all sorts of stuff. But some of my former students organized a fundraiser for this student and his new protector. They auctioned off dates and got local businesses to offer free dinner and entertainment. I was amazed by this. That is definitely a collaboration effort worth noting to provide someone with an assistive technology so they can live a normal life. One such site that offers service dogs to assist those with diabetes is Heaven Scent Paws. Another site is Dogs for Diabetes. There is video you can watch about these dogs. It takes awhile to load but well worth it sharing information about how the dogs are trained.--Amy Hardister 09:58, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
We had a student two years ago that had a very large magnifying device that she rolled around school with her. She was able to see shadows/shades of B & W, but not colors. We would run off enlarged worksheets or texts for her, she'd plop them on her magnifier, scoot really close and then attempt to write on the page. After reading and watching all of the info on assistive tech this week, I wonder if her machine is antiquated. I know it was very costly and provided by the county. It would only work with 2-dimensional items and not very well with books. I wonder if she's been upgraded to newer technology since moving on to high school.
I also have a large number of ESL students, some of which use handheld devices that are similar to digital dictionaries. Dependent on the cost of the item, you can get ones that simply translate from one word to another visually, ones that speak the word allowed, and ones that pop up a picture of the word. --Rjohnson 21:20, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
I had to wear a microphone for a student in my class 5 years ago. He had a small speaker he kept on his desk, so he could hear my voice closer. It helped him stay focused and no one else could hear the projection of my voice but him. It helped with his auditory processing issues. It worked well at times, but there were a lot of issues with the device. I am not sure if he still has to use it in middle school.--Oscales 22:31, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
As an EC teacher I have had many students who use assistive technology. My first year teaching I had a student with a traumatic brain injury (mom was hit by drunk driver while pregnant) He was a quadraplegic and could not talk. He was in a motorized wheelchair which he controlled with one finger on the joystick. He communicated with others by tapping a keyboard with one finger which was programmed with typical answers and phrases. What was really cool was that he could use different voices for different teachers. He usually used a gruff deep voice with my classroom and a high pitched female voice with men teachers. For the first time he was able to have a sense of humor among his classmates. I have had students with visual impairments use large keyboards. Writing graphomotor difficulties and students used keyboards for writing. One student who had graphomotor difficulties used a handheld recording device to record her daily homework and upcoming quizzes. She could then replay it at home and didn't have to write hw down in planner. The smartboard and active boards have been great for all students to come up and work on the boards. --Cajones51 01:39, 20 October 2009 (UTC)
Links to General Assistive Information and Descriptions
I found a website for SmartBoard Assitive Technology [3]. I never thought of it as a piece of assistive technology for those with ADHD, fine motor disabilities, and for those who are visually impaired, but it sure does accomplish all of it.--Ressler14 19:09, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
This is a blog website that offers ideas on how to use your SmartBoard as a piece of assistive technology. [4] --JenLawson070 01:05, 20 October 2009 (UTC)
Here is a great website that list many different other hardwares and softwares for our students with Technology in the Classroom.--Hetilley 20:33, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
Here is a website that provides and overview of assistive technology, descriptions of the types of technololy, and considerations for selecting pieces of technology to use. --Melissa Martin Whitfield 21:02, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
This is a link to an assitive technology page DRM webwatcher. It provides a comprehensive list of links to various sites with information on maintanence of assisitive technology to reviews and other relate information. Check out Ability Hub and Alliance for Techonology. Some of the links are broken, but for the most part there is lots of good information. --Amy Hardister 09:48, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
This is a link to a website I found about learning disabilities. There was a great video about Dr. Christopher Lee that had a learning disability and finally started to overcome it with technology in college. He is helping others do the same now. [5]The video is under Multimedia: A Chance to Read: Access Granted.--Oscales 22:37, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
Links to Assistive Technology Organizations
One organization you must know about as a teacher is the Alliance for Technology Access (ATA). Tons of links to manufacturers, information, and resources. National and international ties.--Koppenhaverd 01:45, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
CoWriter Pricing I would love to have the use of this software in my classroom. This is a link directly from the website to the pricing of the software. --Sefeinman 17:13, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
I'm all about, how much? Mini keyboards with guards. I thought it was interesting that this website even gives the viewer an option of the test size they want to read. This kind of assistive technology would work with some of my students that have issues with fine motor skills. --Sefeinman 17:22, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
Dragon Naturally Speaking The price for this software varies depending on what options you want ($100-350). --Sefeinman 17:27, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
Here is a North Carolina organization that helps people obtain assistive technology [6] for school, work, and home.--Ressler14 19:24, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
This link from North Carolina DPI provides links to assistive technology organizations here in North Carolina and others across the nation.--Melissa Martin Whitfield 21:06, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
Links to Assistive Technology Case Studies
Here is a link to a case study about a boy named Jordan who has autism. He uses a variety of assitive technology software and hardware to help learn. --Adover 22:37, 16 October 2009 (UTC)
Here is a link to multiple vignettes about how people use assistive technologies to help them function on the job or at school. [7]--Brandy 17:28, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
Here is a link to a case study of a man with severe disabilities [8]. I do not have any students currently who need such a level of assistive technology, but it is absolutely amazing to see what is out there and how it works. --Ressler14 19:37, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
This link is a case study about the use of robots as assistive technologies. They are using robots for social interaction with autistic children. The study examines the impact of clothing and human-like features to the autistic child's response. It's amazing! --Brittanyjguy 19:51, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
This link provides a case study of a boy named Frank who has several challenges--including mental retardation and quadriplegia. --Heatherscoe 02:44, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
This is a powerpoint developed by the University of Florida Dean of Students to discuss assisitive technology uses in college students. It references several case studies and the assisitive technology that was needed to provide these students access to their studies. One student name Thomas a 22 year law student had mobility and speech limitations due to cerebal palsy. A supportive family was noted for him as assistance, but also voice recognition software, ReadPlease to access textbooks electronically, and alternate computer acces with headmouse and track ball large switches. The best part is the part at the end where it talks about disability resources being everyone's job and collaboration is key to success for any student who has challenges accessing the curriculum. --Amy Hardister 09:37, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
This is really interesting. A student only uses her head when working with a computer. She uses word prediction and Magic Cursor. A webcam follows a dot on her head. I don't quite understand how it all works. But it is very interesting. Amazing what technology can do! --Sefeinman 15:28, 2 November 2009 (UTC)
Read Aloud Websites
Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
Speakaboos Includes fairy tales, fables, folktales, nursery rhymes and songs. One of my favorites! Visually appealing!
Frank Asch Animated Books Stories read by the author himself!
Story Place Uses Spanish and English. Also has animations.
Scholastic Clifford Books
Monterey Bay Includes Spanish
Kennedy Center Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
--Sefeinman 17:55, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
Here is a website that has free audio books to download to your computer. You can also put them on i-pods and mp3 players. [9] --Ressler14 19:17, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
I use several of the sites posted above with my students. Our favorite lately is the story online site. This is a cool site because celebrities read the books. Starfall is a great site for younger children. It really helps my first graders practice phonics skills. We use starfall once a week in the computer lab. --Ashleycaldwell82 17:58, 18 October 2009 (UTC)--Ashleycaldwell82 17:59, 18 October 2009 (UTC)--Ashleycaldwell82 18:01, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
Arthur's read aloudthis site goes on to allow the students to sequence a story line.--Grandmacunningham 20:18, 18 October 2009 (UTC)
I mentioned it on our threaded discussion, but will also do so here. com Audible has many current and past titles availble in mp3 format. You can download these to be used in listening centers...or to play on your iPod while you're traveling to grad class. There's got to be some time for us to "read" non-school books, right? :-)--Rjohnson 21:22, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
