[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