Mobile Learning Design

Top 6 Questions To Ask While Designing Mobile Learning

Mobile learning design strategy: Why it matters and how to get the best results for your learner

The Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative - Mobile Learning

Free Online OCR Tool

RoboBraille:

Optical Character Text conversion from a file, link, or text source. Supported file types are .DOC, .DOCX, .PDF, .PPT, .PPTX, .TXT, .XML, .HTML, .HTM, .RTF, .EPUB, .MOBI, .TIFF, .TIF, .GIF, .JPG, .JPEG, .BMP, .PNG, .PCX, .DCX, .J2K, .JP2, .JPX, .DJV and .ASC

Free PDF accessibility webinar series

Level Access is giving a free webinar series on PDF accessibility from September 28, 2017 - January 4, 2018 - go here to register.

Chromebook Accessibility: a free guide courtesy of Bridges Canada

Downloadable PDF guide

Video tutorial: Using Read & Write for Exams

Math Text-to-Speech

Central Access Reader (free, open source Windows software designed specifically for students with print-related disabilities) - features: opens Word documents, reads math and logic equations, flexible MP3 output, customizable speech, colour control, paste from clipboard, export to HTML, synchronized dual-highlighting

InftyReader (Runs on Windows 10, 8.1, 7, Vista, & XP; 1 year license = $180 US/Normal License = $800 US) - OCR software to recognize scientific documents including mathematical formulae and output the recognition into various file formats such as LaTex, MathML, XHTML, HRTeX, IML and Microsoft Word documents)

Writing and Grammar Correction Tools

Ginger (Free grammar checker, sentence rephraser, translation, dictionary and text reader for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and browser extensions)

Whitesmoke (Grammar software for Windows and Mac, compatible with a variety of e-mail, word processing and browser software) - $79.99 to $99.95

Antidote (Grammar, dictionary, interactive language guide software for Windows, Mac and Linux, compatible with a variety of e-mail, word processing and browser software) - $129.95 plus tax

Hemingway App (Free browser-based writing readability app or $9.99 desktop app for Windows and Mac)

[Free] Photomath "smart camera calculator" app

Photomath uses your mobile device camera and uses optical character recognition to complete calculations; it's free and downloadable for IOS and Android devices here.

The Amazing Math Toolbox Handout

Posted at Technology and Learning Connections: The Amazing Math Toolbox Handout

Free Trial: Dragon Anywhere for IOS and Android

Speech recognition hack turns Google Chrome into advanced bugging device

Something for users of speech recognition to keep in mind: Courtesy of Ars Technica,

"Users of Google's Chrome browser are vulnerable to attacks that allow malicious websites to use a computer microphone to surreptitiously eavesdrop on private conversations for extended periods of time, an expert in speech recognition said."

[Free Webinar] Demystifying the Apple iPad for Special Education

Free webinar coming up from Cambrian Learning Technologies/Kurzweil Educational Systems:

Screenshot of firefly app

"The Apple iPad has quickly become a teaching tool since its introduction in 2010. Are you using it for your special education students but don't know which apps are the best? Or are you overwhelmed with the options for apps? Join us as Jennifer Edge-Savage, assistive technology specialist and occupational therapist, demystifies the iPad and shows you the benefits of using this mobile device for students who struggle to learn. She will also provide helpful hints on how to successfully use the Kurzweil 3000-firefly iPad app with this special student population."

When: Tuesday, October 29 at 2:00 PM ET - Webinar description and registration link

[Accessible Infographics] Advancements in Technology and Accessible Communications

Courtesy of T-Base Communications, a look at the past, present and future of accessible communications technology - likely the very first accessible infographic (audio available) you'll find on the internet today.

Use the link to the T-Base site to automatically download the .mp3 audio description of the infographic.

Writing Tools for Expressive Language and Learning Disabilities

Word Completion and Word Prediction

"Word prediction technology is used to assist with text entry. These software packages predict the word you are typing and the next word based on word frequency and context (Center, 2008)".

Two popular examples of word prediction software:

- wordQ 

- Co:Writer

Text to Speech Software

"Text-to-Speech software is used to convert words from a computer document (e.g. word processor document, web page) into audible speech spoken through the computer speaker (Center, 2008)".

For example, here it can be used to self-check/edit your writing by reading aloud what you have written:

- Write:OutLoud

Voice Activated Computing

"Voice Recognition allows a user to use his/her voice as an input device. Voice recognition may be used to dictate text into the computer or to give commands to the computer (such as opening application programs, pulling down menus, or saving work) (Center, 2008)".

In this example, you can see it used in combination with word prediction when writing:

- speakQ

[Free Webinar] Using ZoomText on the Web

AiSquared is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 on using ZoomText screen magnification for searching, navigating, and filtering through content on the web.

[Support] Website for Blind and Low-Vision Users of Apple Products

Great site recommendation from the inimitable Eggmann on the VIRN Tech listserve:

Applevis.com is "A community-powered website for blind and low-vision users of Apple's range of Mac computers, the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

AppleVis is a rich resource that strives to empower the community by offering multiple pathways to access and share relevant and useful information. As a community, we seek to encourage and support people in exploring the many ways in which these mainstream products and related applications can offer opportunities to the vision-impaired for personal enrichment, independence and empowerment.

AppleVis also offers resources and mechanisms for raising awareness of the accessibility of Apple products and related applications, and for promoting further advancement in accessibility."

Share and enjoy!

[Under Development] Lernstift, the first smartpen that vibrates when you make a spelling mistake

On Kickstarter:
Lernstift digital pen points out spelling errors with a subtle vibration to help kids and adults acquire better writing skills

[Free Webtool] MindMup Brainstorming/Concept Mapping

Website: MindMup - a free, open source, browser-based canvas for mapping ideas

Summary of some features that you find in MindMup that are similar to a lot of paid mindmapping software programs:

- you can use the "Tab" key to add nodes
- you can hit "Enter" to finish editing a node
- you can attach anything to a node (comments, images, etc.)

Another perk:

- real-time multi-user collaboration is enabled using Google Drive

The first PDF reader for visually impaired people

"The Swiss National Association of and for the Blind (SNAB), in collaboration with the Access for All foundation and the service provider xyMedia, has developed an important innovation for visually impaired people. The VIP PDF-Reader overcomes a previously insurmountable problem for people with a visual impairment who want to read and work with PDF files. This innovative product is now available free of charge to Windows, Mac and Linux users."

David Pogue: 10 top time-saving tech tips