What is Word Prediction? This video explains in MUCH better than I can.

Have you ever tried to explain what Word Prediction technology is to someone who is not familiar with it?  I have done this more times than I can count with students, teachers, parents, and administrators, and it is never as easy as I think it should be.  That is why I was excited to find this nice video by the TextHelp company that explains quickly, simply, and visually what Word Prediction technology is, and what the potential benefits are for a variety of students, including the following groups:
-Students with Learning Disabilities
-ELL students
-Students with Physical Disabilities
-Poor Spellers

One note about the video:  It is made by a specific software company, and explains things based on the way their particular software works, but the basic concepts would apply to any reputable word prediction product out there.  

I am excited to include this short (less than 3 minutes) video in my AT toolbox to share with parents, students, teachers, and administrators in my never-ending quest to share the benefits of word prediction with as many people as I can.  I have posted a link to the video here.  I have also embedded the video into the blog below.  Please enjoy and feel free to share with anyone who would benefit from a simple explanation of the features and benefits of word prediction.  Here is a brief list of people you could share it with:
-Students
-Parents
-Fellow teachers
-Principals
-ELL teachers
-The Tier II or Literacy Coordinator
-The guy next to you at the gym (Ok, maybe not him, but you get the idea)

For more information about Word Prediction options available on a variety of platforms and for a variety of costs, click here.

Switch Prompting Training Video

If you have ever worked with students with severe motor and cognitive disabilities, you have probably had some who used those colorful plastic switches to play games on the computer, speak messages, activate toys, etc.  While switches can be a great way to help students access leisure, communication, and academic activities, it is not always easy to get students to hit those switches when we want them to.

I eventually came to learn, after visiting several different classrooms and working with several different students,  that many of the things I did to try to encourage kids to use their switches was actually making them dependent on ME to prompt them through the activity, rather than doing it independently because THEY wanted to.

Our AT team made a brief (less than 6 minutes) video last year as a training tool for new people working with switch users as well as a RE-training tool for some of us who have been making mistakes along the way.  The idea behind the video is to prompt students in a way that will encourage INDEPENDENT switch activation, rather than be DEPENDENT on us.  This is a great tool to use with paraprofessionals and peer tutors.  The video will never win any film making awards, but the content is solid, and I hope it helps you evaluate the prompting we give kids. 

The Case Against Assistive Technology Video

I am posting a link today to a great video created by the Don Johnston company entitled, "The Case Against Assistive Technology".  This 4 minute video powerfully explores the attitudes and misconceptions people have about AT and it's proper place in education.  This video is a great tool to have available when discussing AT with colleagues, students, administrators, parents, friends, etc.

 Just go to www.donjohnston.com/new/index.html and find the View Video link.  You can also download the video from the page and play it later or send it to someone else.  I hope that you enjoy the video, that it gets you thinking, and that you are able to share it with someone else with whom it can make an impact!