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My 7 Favorite Accessibility Tools
When managing a classroom or even just finding better ways to do things yourself, it is important to look into using accessibility tools. The internet is ever-changing and programmers from around the world have been finding new ways to make information gathering easier than ever before.
Translate Man Plus
Translate Man Plus is a google extension made oren.chan that aims to get rid of obstacles caused by language barriers. This Chrome add-on allows users to highlight a portion of text and then translate it into any language they wish. This add-on could be especially helpful when teaching students a second language.
Grammarly
Grammarly is one of the most well-known accessibility tools and is used frequently in schools across America. It is an add-on that used AI to check students’ work for grammatical errors as they are writing. This is a tool I use myself and find helpful when writing essays. Unfortunately, some features are blocked behind a paywall, but the free version still offers a variety of tools that are useful for writing.
TLDR-This
TLDR stands for “too long, didn’t read” and is commonly found on long posts on social media like Reddit. Users will add a “TLDR” that summarizes the post for users who can’t/don’t want to read it. TLDR-This is a Google Chrome add-on that does just that but for larger texts, like articles. All users have to do is highlight the text they want summarized and use the add-on to shorten it into five bullet points. This can be useful in classrooms for research when students have to do large projects.
Block Site: Block Websites & Stay Focused
Using site blockers is probably the most popular accessibility tool used in classrooms that even rivals Grammarly. Using extensions like Block Site allows educators to keep students who are easily distracted on task and prevent students from seeing any inappropriate and harmful content. There are a variety of add ons that do this well, with Block Site and Go Guardian to name two.
Screencastify-Screen Video Recorder
Tools like Screencastify are one of the most common I use as a substitute teacher. This add-on allows educators to screenshare or film their laptop screens, take screenshots, and record videos with the webcam. I use this tool to show students how to operate new websites, go over answers, and teach materials from lessons only I have access to.
Print Friendly
Print Friendly is an add on that allows users to turn websites into PDFs more easily. It removes ads and other unnecessary materials, saving on ink and allowing students to be more focused. This tool can be really useful for young children or children who can not yet operate a computer and allows lessons to be more personalized without any distractions.
Zoom
Zoom is an accessibility tool that was widely used during the global pandemic, but it still has its uses today. In case you didn’t know what Zoom is, it is an application that allows for video chats to be used from all over the world, with built in tools like a chat, screen sharing, and buttons for non-verbal communication. While we aren’t quarantining inside anymore, Zoom can still be used to teach classes spanning multiple countries, teach children who are chronically sick, and have guest speakers from far-away places.
Wakelet Tools
In the textbook, Sail the 7 C’s, I was able to access a Wakelet that provided me with a variety of tools that can be utilized in classrooms to stimulate learning. I comprised a list of my favorites.
Microsoft Forms
Microsoft forms allows educators to survey and assess students virtually, allowing for more accessibility. If a student is not present in the classroom, they can still participate via these forms. This tool allows teachers to create quizzes, polls, and surveys while also allowing anonymity. This tool would also be great for allowing students to quiz their peers on what they know as a study material.
Sway Life Stories
Sway Life Stories is an app that allows users to creatively use pieces of art in presentations. Videos, pictures, and text can be inserted into a presentation that can be gone through at your own pace. Sway Life Stories also allows several people to access the same presentation at once, further allowing learning at your own pace.
Flipgrid
Flipgrid is a tool that I am intimately familiar with, as I have used it for courses before. Educators can assign a question that a student answers in video format. The student can then proceed to watch their peers’ content and comment in text or video form. Flipgrid allows students to convey their knowledge in an informal context while simultaneously allowing students more comfort and pushing them out of their comfort zones.
Using AR and AI to facilitate virtual field trips
With the growing access to augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI), students can now go on interactive field trips with an ease never experienced before. Highly sought-out destinations can now be accessed in the comforts of our schools and homes. This technology allows for more global understanding and collaboration. Its uses include:
Arizona State University’s Virtual Field Trips
ASU’s Virtual Field Trip Program allows students to be shown a variety of locations and share their history.
- Field trips can happen more often in schools, cutting down on costs and the preparation needed.
- Students can explore at their own pace and interests without the risk of getting lost.
- Students can gain a deeper understanding of geological features and the cultures surrounding them.
- Students with a tendency towards poor health can participate with their peers without exclusion.
Geological and Cultural Awareness
Using AI and AR allows students to compare and contrast unfamiliar surroundings with those they are used to.
- Students can figure out whether specific locations experience similar weather and weather occurrences as them.
- Students can determine whether the typical flora and fauna matches environment where they live.
- Students can compare popular food locations and whether they are similar or different.
- Students can examine any potential differences between popular transportation types.
Travelling Through Time
Augmented reality and artificial intelligence allows students to travel to the past, as well as the present. Users can travel to historical sites to get a glimpse into what life on Earth used to be.
- Students can travel to fossil sites to examine old organisms that used to roam the Earth.
- Teachers can put into perspective the connection between students and old relics in a more-grounded way.
- Students can solve their own questions through hands-on experiences.
Because technology is ever improving and becoming accessible, I’m sure AI and AR can be implemented into classrooms in so many more ways.
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Virtual and Augmented Reality for the Classroom
Advancements in technology have allowed for classroom to become more direct in how any lessons can be applied to the ‘real world’. One of the best ways to through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). These pieces of technology can allow for students to explore fictional worlds, or map out how something may exist in front of them. It is important to distinguish the difference between the two reality-influencers. VR acts as a total reshaping and changing of what the user is seeing, it manipulates the whole environment; instead of being in a classroom, the student could be in a museum across the country. AR adjusts to the environment it is used in, and simply adds or subtracts the desired subjected from the view of the user; students could see how large a bear is in comparison to them by using AR to make it look like a bear to right next to them in their own classroom.
VR Tools in the Classroom
If you are looking to extend your students’ awareness and collaboration, you should definitely try out VR and AR tools in the classroom! They allow for students to see how things look in other places in the world, and how objects would look in their own spaces! One great tool to use in the classroom is Nearpod. Nearpod allows for teachers to create interactive lesson reviews for students, all the students have to do is enter the code to the Nearpod and they’ll be in! That’s not all, Nearpod also has a VR system!
Using Nearpod for Global Collaboration
Nearpod has a fantastic function for educators who want to show their students environments from all over the world! When choosing the interactive slide you want your students to see, there is an option for “Virtual Field-Trip”, which can be used to bring your students on a virtual field trip to so many locations! Check out the video below to see how you can add virtual field trips to your own Nearpod!
How does this circle back to collaboration? Well, thinking back to the stories we read in our “Seven C’s” book this semester and the global goals project, it is easy to see how using this feature of Nearpod brings great opportunities for students to get involved! By showing students different environments, whether it be to see how humans impact wildlife or to see the living conditions of other people, showing students what exists in the world is a great way to get them involved with projects such as global goals. For instance, if your students are learning about human impact on the environment, show them the environment from the lesson, and have them discuss ways to clean up, or use Nearpod with students from a classroom across the world and show each other how they live day to day! Nearpod holds endless possibilities for students to collaborate with their peers both inside and outside the classroom to make the world a better place to live! Maybe you don’t know where to start in your virtual lesson, but that’s okay, here is a resource I found that may bring some inspiration for what lessons you can create!
Conclusion
Don’t be afraid to try out new teaching methods, students thrive on being able to learn in different ways, and what better way to spark their imagination than by providing them an almost-real-life experience that VR and AR can bring to a classroom!
Citations
Nearpod: https://nearpod.com/nearpod-vr
Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFpI2l2yXE
Global Goals webpage: https://www.globalgoals.org/
Lesson plan inspiration: https://www.classvr.com/category/virtual-reality-teacher-lesson-ideas/
Enhancing K-12 Education Through AR and VR: Fostering Global Collaborations
The use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology into education has altered traditional classroom experiences in recent years. Students may study through immersive and interactive experiences that are unbelievably engaging thanks to platforms like Veative, Nearpod, and YouTube 360 films. We will look at these technologies’ possibilities in K–12 education and how they might help students and teachers collaborate successfully on a global scale in this blog post.
Veative
Veative is an educational VR solution designed to supplement traditional teaching methods with immersive experiences. With a vast library of interactive modules covering various subjects, Veative allows students to explore concepts in a virtual environment.
For example, students can dissect virtual frogs in biology class or travel through ancient civilizations in history lessons. By experiencing concepts firsthand, students develop a deeper understanding of the material.
In the context of global collaborations, Veative offers opportunities for students from different parts of the world to collaborate on projects and simulations. Through shared VR experiences, students can work together to solve problems, conduct experiments, and explore cultural differences.
Nearpod
Nearpod combines interactive presentations, virtual reality, and formative assessments to create engaging lessons for K-12 students. Educators can use Nearpod to deliver multimedia-rich content and gauge student understanding in real time. With features like VR field trips and 3D models, Nearpod brings learning to life and caters to diverse learning styles.
In the context of global collaborations, Nearpod facilitates virtual exchanges between classrooms around the world. Teachers can collaborate on lesson plans and activities, allowing students to learn about different cultures, languages, and perspectives. By connecting with peers from different countries, students develop a global mindset and appreciation for cultural diversity.
YouTube 360 Video
YouTube 360 videos offer immersive experiences that allow users to explore virtual environments from all angles. From virtual tours of famous landmarks to immersive storytelling experiences, YouTube 360 videos provide endless opportunities for experiential learning.
In the context of K-12 education, YouTube 360 videos can be used to supplement classroom instruction and provide students with virtual field trips to locations around the world. By experiencing different cultures and environments firsthand, students gain a deeper understanding of global issues and develop empathy for others.
The Importance
Integrating augmented reality and virtual reality tools like Veative, Nearpod, and YouTube 360 films into K–12 education has the potential to completely transform how students study and work together. These platforms engage students in ways that are not possible with traditional teaching approaches because they offer immersive and interactive learning experiences.
Additionally, they provide chances for international cooperation, enabling students to establish connections with classmates from many nations and cultural backgrounds. Students gain vital 21st-century skills via cooperation, including communication, teamwork, and cultural competency.
AR and VR have the ability to produce a generation of students that are more internationally aware and connected as we continue to embrace technology in education.
The Future, The Change
As I reflect on my vision for my future classroom, I am filled with excitement and optimism for the journey ahead. I am inspired by the opportunity to create a learning environment where curiosity is nurtured, diversity is celebrated, critical thinking is valued, and social and emotional well-being are prioritized. While the road ahead may be filled with challenges and uncertainties, I am confident that with dedication, passion, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I can create a classroom where every student feels inspired, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
New Ways through the help of WE Virtual Learning Center
My Findings
This is the home page of the website. On the left there is a navigation tool for different pages on the site. I clicked on WE Teachers Courses and Lesson Packages & Supporting Resources.
A Virtual Learning Center can offer a wide range of learning resources. These diverse resources cater to different learning styles and preferences, enhancing engagement and retention.
WE Teachers Courses
WE Teachers is a no-cost program that helps teachers build their capacity and empower their students. It connects them to a network of like-minded peers, offers professional development and training sessions, and provides resources to help their students become active, engaged citizens.
The page has lots of guides, resource, and course for teachers to use. One that stood out to me was the Mental Well Being in the Classroom, the resource is broken up into sections about mental health in general, within the youth and teachers mental health. There’s resources are more just for teachers eye to help better understand the in’s and out’s of education life.
Lesson Packages & Supporting Resources
This page is debated to lesson plans for all age groups and topics of world issues.
Many tabs are on this page that take you to different lesson plans or resources. It is very organized by categories so its easy to navigate.
My Thoughts
The Virtual Learning Center has the potential to transform education and empower learners of all ages and backgrounds to thrive in the digital age. With each step forward in my educational journey, I am constantly reflecting on the values and principles that will shape my teaching practice and the learning experiences I aim to cultivate for my students. With the help of many resources for my further students and myself I feel that the WE Virtual Learning Center is an amazing tool to use for my classroom.
Empower Your Classroom with WE
What is WE?
WE is a charity and educational platform that aims to help people all across the world. WE hopes to spread the message that everybody should be able to get out of poverty, have access to education, and so much more. Their website offers the ability to donate, learn about what others have done; there is a virtual learning area that provides materials for educators to give to students to help them grow within the classroom.
Inspiring Students for the Future
Since the project has ended, I have missed being a part of Global Goals in the classroom, it was so incredible to learn about. When browsing the WE virtual learning center, I noticed a section named “Action Campaigns”. When I clicked this area, I noticed that there were several categories that match what we were doing for the Global Goals project, including conserving water, going green, and even STEM innovations! I decided to explore the “WE Are Innovators” section of the campaigns.
WE Are Innovators
In this section, there are several modules with specified grade levels they could be used for. One module of value (for younger students) is one about understanding human impact on the environment.
After looking through this resource, I was absolutely amazed. It provides articles and videos for educators to show students to get them to think about how humans interact with the environment. It has question that direct students to recognize where waste comes from, and the varying forms it takes on in the environment (smog, trash, pollution, water problems). Later on, it provides ideas on how to get students into groups and determine what they can do, both individually and as a community, to better the environment and help their community.
The Wonders of “WE Are Innovators”
The resource mentioned above is a fantastic way to have students increase their STEM skills while also making them aware of how humans impact the environment. This is a valuable resource to have, as it allows for students to contemplate how to interact with the world in the future, and it increases their understanding of the consequences of waste in the environment. By having the students work in groups, they can collaborate, communicate, and reflect on how they can help the world around them all while becoming better in STEM related areas.
Conclusion
WE is a fantastic website if you want to learn about how to help both in your own country and internationally. It is even better for helping educators empower students to learn more about how they impact the world, and how they can directly change the course for environmental issues.
Citations
WE website: https://www.we.org/en-US/
Spreading Accessibility Throughout the Classroom
The Importance of Accessibility
Have you ever looked at a tool or advertisement and thought, “What purpose could that serve, who needs that”, or maybe after trying it you thought “WOW, this is amazing, I can’t believe more people don’t use this”. Chances are, its an accessibility tool! Many people see tools without understanding that they are built to make things more accessible (and are usually a benefit for all people)! Accessibility is all around you, elevators, ramps, claw grippers to pick things off of the ground, and so much more! It is one thing to have a website be usuable, but its a whole other deal to have it be accessible!
Tools All Around
Over the past few years, more and more accessibility tools have been created to allow more people to use online tools and websites! Many of these tools revolve around making things easier to read, by having a larger or clearer font, color-blind friendly adjustments, even translations. All of these tools would be great to incorporate into the classroom, they provide easier reading experiences, which will help students remain engaged in what they are reading! Today’s post is about some of the most useful accessibility tools I found while looking for various tools! Here is my list, and let me know if you have any others that would be great for the classrom!
1. OpenDyslexic
OpenDyslexic is a great tool to help students with Dyslexia read in the classroom. keep on track while reading online articles and news stories. This add-on is used to manipulate the font of a paragraph so that a student who struggles with the rigid fonts online can have an easier time reading. This is done by making the bottom of a character larger or “weighted”. This helps root the character down in the students mind, and aids in keeping the characters from appearing incorrectly to the student.
2. JAWS
JAWS is a screen reader made for those who may have a hard time reading on a screen. By using JAWS, the user is able to have the add-on read PDFs, websites, articles, and more. JAWS was created as a way to allow those with vision problems and difficulty reading screens to be able to know the content on the screen. JAWS reads the text outloud, and is capable of translating things into braille for printouts.
3. C-Pen Reader
C-Pen Reader is a physical pen that can be used to translate text from one language into another. It is then done spoken out loud so that the user can understand the text. It also acts as a dictionary for whatever language the user has programmed for it. This would be great to use in classroom as a way to encourage multilingual learning amongst students.
4. FM Systems
FM systems are on of the most important tools you could provide a student. This tool helps those with hearing aids make sure that they are able to get the content from the educator without missing the lesson. These systems are done by having the speaker wearing a microphone, while the student wears the receiving device. The great part about this product is that it filters out background noise, so the student directly hears what is being said, and the noises from the class become filtered out. This way, the student can focus on the lesson, rather than becoming overwhelmed by the other students or miscellaneous noises.
5. Kurzweil
Kurzweil is an amazing piece of software that aids students to organize their educational lives. It helps build study skills, and allows students to also build upon their reading and writing skills. It provides numerous services to help students become get better habits. This includes the ability to annotate documents, have speech to text, and more.
6. ZoomText
ZoomText is a tool that enlarges the text on screen to provide a more accessible reading experience. Similar to the settings on a phone that enlarge text messages and other text, ZoomText allows for the user to have an easier time reading the text on the screen by acting as a magnifying glass. It can also act as a text to speech system for documents you both type and research. This would be a great tool for students who are in the back of the class.
7. Sonocent
Sonocent is a great tool for those who have problems taken notes. Sonocent is an audio note taking tool, that uses provided audio clips or live speech to take notes accordingly. It also works on text and slideshows! I have known many people who struggle to take notes on a presentation because they want all of the provided information, but the instructor speaks too fast for them to capture all that they want to write. This tool would be great for those who struggle to consolidate notes and lecture materials!
Citations
OpenDyslexic: https://opendyslexic.org/about
JAWS: https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/software/jaws/
C-Pen Reader: https://cpen.com/products/readerpen/
FM Systems: https://www.healthyhearing.com/help/assistive-listening-devices/fm-systems
Kurzweil: https://www.kurzweiledu.com/default.html
ZoomText: https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/software/zoomtext/
Sonocent: https://sonocent.com/
Accessibility Tools
With technology advances everyday, one of the most important uses for it in the classroom is to help all students get the accessibility and successful education they deserve. Luckily, there are new tools being released often to fulfill this need.
CommonLit
CommonLit is a literary program resource used to help students advance their reading, writing, speaking, and problem-solving skills through reading comprehension, vocabulary instruction, assessments on students progress, and more. The tool provides certain accessibility tools including having the option to have the material read aloud, highlighting and annotating important information, and the Guided Reading Mode (GRM) tool.
Snap&Read
Students who have visual disabilities or simply need help translating a text can benefit immensely from this tool, or ones like it. Snap&Read offers a Text-to-Voice extension, to read aloud the material to students, can translate or simply text, and also has color overlay options to make the information easier to read.
Riffit
Riffit is a different tool that can help students with Dyslexia or those who struggle with reading and promote creativity with learning. The resource encourages reading confidence by having students transform their studying material into a customized song. The final product highlights words as it goes along, allowing students to adjust where needed, read a long, or isolate text.
EdClub
This resource uses different exercises and games to track the progress of students typing, spelling, and vocabulary. There are multiple accessibility options available including closed-captioning, the ability to adjust font size or activate voice narration, and having multilingual choices for students.
Humankind
Humankind is a game that can be used by Social Studies classes to actively take students through history, showing them how different resources or choices can affect a civilization, It also allows students to focus on certain parts of historical issues that they find most interesting or important. There are advances that are flagged to show students the progress in civilizations, and in-game events that convey the separation of past and present.
GCFLearnFree.org
This resource has a variety of content to fit in different lessons. It provides short and long tutorials for multiple units including grammar, math, personal finance, and more. This tool is designed for students to be able to do it on their own and can provide extra practice to students who may be struggling in certain areas.
Pear Deck
Pear Deck provides interactive slides on presentations to provide check-ins on students progress. Different types of questions can be asked including multiple choice or true/false so teachers can understand where students are during the lesson, and it can also be used to start discussions on the topic in the classroom. Accessibility tools include text-to-speech, screen reader, keyboard navigation, reduced animation, and more. This resource can help students understand where they are and if they need help on certain subjects.
Closing
These are only a few of the amazing resources offered by different platforms that adhere to the needs of every student to ensure they are getting a quality education. As technology advances everyday, there are even more tools that can be used and it is important for each teacher to keep these options in mind for every student in their classroom.
7 Accessibility Tools
Classrooms of the 21st century have been moving towards inclusive education where students with disabilities are taught in general education classrooms. This system of inclusion has been proven to provide a significantly improved educational experience for students with disabilities and has positive effects on other students as well. Yet, to provide an effective and appropriate education for students with disabilities in general education classes, support in the form of assistive technology must be provided to the student to assist their learning and comprehension. While assistant technology has a very wide range of supports, today I will be focusing on accessibility tools and programs that students use with a computer. Here are 7 amazing Tools I found and how they can assist students.
Immersive Reader
Immersive Reader is a program that is part of many different Microsoft products. It allows viewers to edit and format documents and words to make them easier to read and decode.
Dragon Dictation
Dragon Dictation is a speech-to-text software program that allows users to create, edit, and format documents by speaking or giving vocal commands.
Natural Reader text-to-speech
Natural Reader text-to-speech is like the previous program yet flipped around. It converts Word, pdf, and even e-books into an audio-spoken format for students to listen to.
JAWS
JAWS is a computer screen reader designed to assist users with vision loss to read through and navigate websites by converting information on the screen into brail or spoken words.
Sonocent
Sonocent is an audio notetaking program that helps assist students with poor Note-taking skills. It captures audio, text, and slides from class and compiles all of the info into one location that can be easily organized.
Remember the Milk
Remember the Milk is a time management program that lets students create and organize a list of priorities and assignments due dates which then sends reminders to the students.
Ideament
Ideament is a program that allows students to draw diagrams such as mind maps, concept maps, or flow charts and then convert them into a text outline or written format.
Tools for you
I hope this short list helps give people some ideas on what types of programs exist and their functionality. Many more programs like these exist so it can sometimes be difficult finding the best ones so it is always best to try a few accessibility tools before picking the one you’d like to stick with. Not only can these tools be implemented in any future classroom but some of these tools are available to us as students through Stockton. So if you feel like one of the mentioned accessibilities tools can help you achieve more as a student, try looking on the Stockton website to see if the tool is supported and available.
Remember to check out my other blog posts for more information on educational topics.