JCISD AT Update
February 2024
Low-Tech AT Ideas
Industrial Twist Ties
17" Industrial Twist Ties can be used for a variety of AT solutions:
- Wrap around a pencil/marker/stylus and a student's hand for better grip
- Create an iPad Stand in seconds
- Hang an iPad anywhere
- Create a grip for adapted utensils
- Turn a microphone handsfree
Industrial Twist ties can be found at Lowe's, your local hardware store or HERE on Amazon
AT for Reading
Toggle on Text to Speech!
Grab a device, any device and enable Text to Speech to hear the screen read aloud, selected text read, and even typing predictions spoken!
Built into the Accessibility features of any platform.
This feature has numerous benefits such as:
- decode text with an accuracy and fluency that students who struggle with text cannot attain on their own
- enable students to work more independently with grade-level materials
- increase independent access to interesting and age-appropriate content and opportunities to engage with text
- support comprehension by freeing students to focus on the meaning of the text
- support comprehension by enabling students to reread blocks of text, instructions or questions as many times as needed to ensure comprehension
- provide opportunity for repeated reading of text to help students develop decoding, vocabulary, and grammatical skills
- allow students to participate in discussions and activities related to content read
- reduce fatigue and/or frustration, and increase students’ ability to complete reading assignments
- help students pay attention and remember more through the use of highlighted and spoken text
- assist students in proofreading written work by hearing content read back out loud.
On iOS:
https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/hear-whats-on-the-screen-or-typed-ipad9a247097/17.0/ipados/17.0
On ChromeBook:
https://simulator.webapps.google.com/chromebook#turn-on-select-to-speak?l=en
On Windows 11 and 10:
In Office 365:
AT for Writing
Do your students struggle with written work?
These tools are for students who need modified work or have limited printing skills!
Take a look at using the Notes app on iPad and use Mark Up (both FREE):
- Scan a Document
- Then use Mark Up to draw, circle, or embed a text box to type
For a more advanced version of this, use Snap Type Pro ($49.99)
On ChromeBook:
Use Kami extension for numerous features that are similar
AT for Math
Math Learning Center Apps and Extensions
Check out the variety of Math apps and extensions by the Math Learning Center.
- Fractions
- GeoBoard
- Math Clock
- Money Pieces
- Number Chart
- Math Frames
- And so much More!
AT for Communication
Create a Custom Sound Board!
Bring something EXTRA to your activities and lessons!
With the help of Eric Curts, educational technology guru, you can create a soundboard in Google Slides
A soundboard can be used in your class, activities, or therapy sessions for many purposes:
- It could provide fun sound effects for class games, quizzes, and competitions.
- You could use the soundboard for audio cues for classroom transitions, such as indicating when time's up, or students need to clear their desks, or switch groups, or such.
- The soundboard could be used while you are reading a story out loud to your students, to bring the story to life with sounds from the story content.
- You could use the sounds to support and reinforce content being taught in class.
Check out the tutorial HERE
Apps, Extensions, and Websites- Oh MY!
Assistive Technology Resource Center
The JCISD Assistive Technology (AT) Resource Center is here to help meet the needs of your students by providing any low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech options. Requests may be placed through any of the following AT Requests Forms. Also, if we don't have the item in our inventory we can work with other Lending Libraries to get what you may need.
TORRANT AT REQUEST FORM:
https://forms.gle/VqSVgHz2cYZFyFGv6
CENTRAL CAMPUS/OUT-COUNTY/LOCAL DISTRICT COMMUNICATION AT REQUEST FORM:
https://forms.gle/b7jzo6q3gpNiSwRp6
LOCAL DISTRICTS/PAROCHIAL (NON-COMMUNICATION) AT REQUEST FORM:
https://forms.gle/3WGkzHHVdEyQAr3V9
Upcoming Professional Development
March 11th- County Wide PD Day- Intro to Assistive Technology and CORE Vocabulary for ALL
March 11th is our County Wide PD Day and Our AT Team will be providing 2 sessions:
The morning session will consist of an Introduction to Assistive Technology:
We will discuss a variety of AT, how to get AT, and the AT consideration process. There will be make and takes and tools to play with. This session is for anyone- General Ed and Special Ed Teachers, TAs, Itinerants!
The afternoon session will consist of CORE Vocabulary:
We will discuss an overview of CORE vocab, how to use (SMORRES), and will have numerous scenarios to model CORE. This session is for anyone- General Ed and Special Ed Teachers, TAs, and Itinerants!
Session registration links will be sent out soon. You do not have to register for both sessions
Monday, Mar 11, 2024, 08:30 AM
Kit Young Center, West Parnall Road, Jackson, MI, USA
Meaningful Making Workshop
Do you have students who utilize expensive switch adaptive toys? This session will give a hands-on experience adapting toys for switch use. Each participant will make a switch and practice simple circuits and soldering skills to modify a toy. They will also make a light touch switch to use with the toy. The session will also explore other maker projects and resources for future making projects. Participants will leave the session with a modified toy and switch and skills necessary to adapt Assistive Technology tools. IMPORTANT: This session will be held at Monroe County ISD and will be limited to 64 participants. Lunch will be provided.
Space is limited and invite only! Please email elisabeth.mills@jcisd.org if interested
Friday, Apr 12, 2024, 08:30 AM
Monroe County Intermediate School District, South Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI, USA
4TechTogether Conference
September 26-27, 2024
Look for more information to come!
Thursday, Sep 26, 2024, 08:30 AM
Macomb Intermediate School District, Garfield Road, Clinton Township, MI, USA
Contact Us!
Elisabeth Mills
517-867-5907 (office)
734-693-3840 (cell)
Krystie Adorjan
517-768-5178 (office)
Kary Swiontek
517-795-0669 (cell)
Lynnelle Tans
517-768-5174 (office)