Simon Technology Center

Upcoming Workshops

C.R.A.M. Conference: Children Reaching Academic Milestones with Traumatic Brain Injury
Monday, August 23, 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. - PACER Center, register

C.R.A.M. is for parents of children with mild to moderate brain injuries who are in grades K-12 (public and private) in the state of Minnesota. This conference is hosted by the MN Low Incidence Projects in partnership with PACER Center and the Hennepin County Medical Center. Parents will learn about how their child's injury may affect their school day, and how to help their child improve academic success throughout their school year. Cost: $15 per participant for food & drink (scholarships available). Register online by August 1st at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SGHKRHT, or request paper registration form by calling Shuyin Maciel at 612-638-1510.

Creation Station: Crafty Magic
Saturday, September 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - PACER Center, register

This event is recommended for kids ages 4-20 and their parents. Come learn how to create your own amazing magic tricks out of seemingly ordinary craft materials. A guest magician will teach you how to perfect your tricks and - presto change! - he may even show you a couple of his own.

Achieving Communication Competence in Augmented Alternative Communication (AAC)
Thursday, November 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - PACER Center, register

During this free workshop, learn about a framework for identifying social and strategic competence needs for users of AAC. Specific goals to target communication needs at all communication ability levels will be discussed. Video, activities, discussion, case studies and planning tools will be used to help attendees personalize the goals and strategies and then determine how to implement them with users of augmented alternative communication (AAC).

SAVE THE DATE: STC Annual Open House
Saturday, October 2, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Bloomington, MN, register

Kids, bring your parents to the Simon Technology Center's annual open house. Both adults and children will be able to explore hands-on technology, talk with assistive technology vendors and visit with assistive technology specialists in the STC library. Children will be able to create wonderful works of art in the Creation Station, ride adapted bikes, and use their imagination with Zots Arts. Join us from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for these and other activities offered throughout the day. Registration requested but not required.

Classroom Suite Version 4 Foundations
Wednesday, October 27, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - PACER Center, register

This workshop is designed for educators, SLPs, OTs, AT specialists, paraprofessionals and parents who are new to (or have limited experience with) Classroom Suite V.4.

The goal of the Foundation Workshop for Classroom Suite V.4 is to enable educators to understand how to use Classroom Suite to teach early concepts, reading, writing, and math to students struggling because of learning difficulties or access issues.

This workshop is sponsored by Cambium Learning Technologies. Registration fee $225.00.

Kurzweil 3000 Version 11 Foundations
Thursday, October 28, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - PACER Center, register

This workshop is designed for educators, SLPs, OTs, AT specialists, paraprofessionals and parents who support students with learning disabilities are are new to (or have limited experience with) Kurzweil 3000.

This workshop is sponsored by Cambium Learning Technologies. Registration fee $225.00.

Creation Station: Xtreme Paper Art
Saturday, November 20, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - PACER Center, register

This event is recommended for kids ages 4-20 and their parents. Strips of colorful, textured paper can become anything you can imagine. Weave them, twist them, layer them, scrunch them, glue them, go wild! Then decorate your unique design in your own special way-and your art is ready to hang on your wall.

Back to Top

Project KITE Fall 2010: FREE Computer!

Apply now to participate in Project KITE (Kids Included Through Technology are Enriched) and receive a FREE Computer! pacer.org/stc/kite

Project KITE, a free program for early childhood personnel and parents of young children with disabilities in Minnesota, is funded by the Minnesota Department of Education. The primary goal of Project KITE is to foster inclusion of children with disabilities through the use of innovative assistive technology

Three Complete teams are needed to make the Fall 2010 session complete. Teams consist of:

1. A parent (or parents) of a child with special needs
2. The classroom teacher
3. One other related service provider

To be considered for Project KITE, three applications must be received: 1) from a parent or guardian of a child with a disability who is currently enrolled in an early childhood inclusive environment including first grade (ages 3 to 8); 2) from the child's teacher; and 3) from a service provider (Speech and Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, educational aide, teacher's assistant, etc.) who also works with the child.

Parents and professionals will learn to use assistive technology together through five hands-on training sessions, starting September 2010 and ending December 2010. KITE trainers will provide participants with knowledge and confidence to select, modify, customize and incorporate appropriate technology to improve educational outcomes. Trainings take place at or near the child's school.

Participants are loaned a computer, digital camera, printer, and several customizable software programs for the duration of the training sessions.

Upon completion of Project KITE, each participating team will receive a FREE Young Explorer computer (Pictured here) valued at over $2,500 for the classroom to help continue to promote inclusion among students. The Young Explorer computers are donated by IBM and come pre-loaded with award winning educational software.

Interested parents and professionals should contact Tenley at stc@pacer.org or by calling 952-838-9000 or 800-537-2237. For more information and to submit an application, please visit pacer.org/kite

Applications are due by September 15, 2010

Back to Top

Member Corner

We Want YOUR Stories

There is nothing more inspirational than someone sharing their personal success story about how technology has changed or impacted a life. Member Corner is a place where we will highlight your AT success stories. Parents, educators, and students are all encouraged to consider submitting a success story. You can submit a success story in three ways: 1) Call 952-838-9000 and ask to speak to someone in the Simon Technology Center; 2) submit via email at ectech@pacer.org; or 3) write or record your story and send to The Simon Technology Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55437.

Web Spotlight: Edistorm

Edistorm is a virtual online environment where an individual or a group of people can brainstorm and organize their ideas. Ideas are generated using virtual sticky notes. Sticky notes can be color coded, edited and moved around. Each new brainstorming session is called a “storm”. The free version allows unlimited public storms. To gather a group of people to a brain storming session or to check out a storm you have created you can either send them an email invitation or send the the web link. Paid accounts allows for unlimited private storms and range in price from $5 to $30. The Simon Technology Center is using a storm to gather TechNotes feature ideas. Check out our storm STC TechNotes Feature Ideas.

Back to Top

Early Childhood Corner: Your Ideas for EZ AT II: AT Ideas for Infants and Toddlers

Early Childhood parents and professionals - we need your help! PACER Center, in collaboration with Tots-n-Tech, is in search of your great ideas to be included in a new publication - EZ AT II for Daily Routines and Activities for Children Ages Birth to Three with Disabilities. EZ AT II will be a collection of useful ideas and strategies to incorporate assistive technology into the daily activities and routines of your infants or toddlers. Have you customized a visual schedule or created something to make transitions easier? Has a day care provider customized a favorite toy so that it is easier to manipulate during play time?

Ideas should be specific for infants and toddlers and be used in the child's daily activities and routines. For examples of ideas, please visit Tots-n-Tech: Ideas to Share. To submit an idea or if you have questions regarding EZ AT II, contact Tenley in the Simon Technology Center at stc@pacer.org. If your submission is chosen for inclusion in EZ AT II you will receive a free hard copy of this new publication. All types of ideas and technology are welcome.

Back to Top

Did You Know: Math Snacks

Did you know that a free feature of the iPod Touch/Phone and iPad is the ability to play movies and videos. This feature is great for video modeling, making social stories, remembering informaiton, and more. You can also download educational content through You Tube and from within iTunes. One such series we would like to mention is Math Snacks, a video podcast series of fun math videos produced by New Mexico State University. View episodes such as Atlantean Dodgeball, Scale Ella and Bad Date. More information about Math Snacks can be found at mathsnacks.com. You can view on the internet or download to your iPod. The site also includes helpful information such as learner's and teacher's guides.

Back to Top

Staff Pick: Pulse Smartpen

Educational Uses for the Pulse Smartpen by Livescribe

The Pulse Smartpen by Livescribe is a pen with a built-in microphone that has the ability to record audio while you are writing. What separates the Smartpen from a standard digital recorder is that it syncs the recording with the written notes. The pens built in camera records what you are writing while at the same time the digital recorder is capturing the audio. The user can easily locate and playback a desired part of the recording by tapping on the corresponding section of the notes with the pen.

The Pulse Smartpen requires the use of special paper. The paper can be purchased as spiral bound notebooks or printed off using a template from the Livescribe website. Directions for printing for both Mac and PC can be found at Livescribe.com

The newest version of the pen, called the Echo, comes in a 4G and 8G version, ranging in price from $169-200. The original version of the pen, the Pulse Smartpen, is available (while supplies last) for about $129. Also new to Livescribe is a Smartpen app store where free and for fee apps are available. Current apps include a Spanish language dictionary, card games, paper piano, and a spelling app. You can find more information on apps at Livescribe.com.

Here is a short list of ways both teachers and students can use the pen to enhance learning.

• The pen can be used by students with dysgraphia, auditory processing, and memory or attention deficits when taking notes in class. The recording can capture information the student is unable to write down while taking notes. The student can review the recording later and add the missing information to his or her notes.
• Teachers can pre-record text to be read for assignments and tests. The students can playback the recording as many times as needed.
• Teachers or students can record to-do lists, due dates, and instructions for assignments.
• Teachers can make flashcards and label objects for students to learn new vocabulary. This can be especially helpful for teaching foreign languages or for speech and language practice.
• Teachers can make “pencasts” with instructions for an assignment or problem, such as step-by-step instructions for solving a math problem, and post it online for students to access from home. The audio recording will play in-sync with the written steps of the problem.
• For visually impaired students, teachers can record questions for a test or assignment and then apply tactile bumps for the student to locate and activate the audio. The teacher can also record audio description of graphs and pictures that the student is unable to see.
• Paper communication boards can be made by printing communication boards on the special paper and adding a voice recording to each symbol or text word with the Smartpen.

There are endless possibilities for the Smartpen. To learn more about how the Smartpen can benefit students, visit the K-12 Education and Pencasts sections of the Livescribe website: livescribe.com.

The Pulse Smartpen is now available for demonstration at the Simon Technology Center Library. Please stop in during STC Library hours: Tuesdays noon to 6 p.m. or Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Back to Top

App Corner: Awesome Note (+Todo), iHomework, MyHomework, & SchoolBook

App has been used as a shorthand term for “applications” and has recently become popular to indicate specifically a mobile application. App as a term grew even more in popularity with the opening of Apples App Store which can be accessed through iTunes. In our new “App Corner” in Tech Notes we will highlight mobile applications that are universally designed or meet an educational need. This month we highlight homework planner type apps.

Awesome Note (+Todo) - bridworks.com/anote/en/main/index.php Awesome Note is a study aid/homework tool as well as a tool to help you stay organized. Seven deafult folders are available and include such categories as Study, Shopping, and Work. Calendar and notes view is available from within each folder. Additional features include backing up your files to the computer, transfering notes via bluetooth and syncing with either Google Docs or Evernote. Awesome Note $3.99/Free Lite Version (3.5 out of 5 stars from 178 reviews. Information from the Apple iTunes Store viewed on 7/29/10)
iHomework - ihomework.pilone.org iHomework is a homework app with built in todo list functionality. Add homework, reminders, courses, teachers and more. This app also has a free Mac desktop version that syncs with information on your iPod. One valuable feature is repeating assignments. iHomework $1.99 (3.5 out of 5 stars from 3,227 reviews. Information from the Apple iTunes Store viewed on 7/29/10)
myHomework - rigoneri.appspot.com/apps/myhomework myHomework is a simple free app that resembles the paper planner students often use in middle and high school. Three color coded tabs let you add classes, homework and change the settings. After your classes and homework is entered, myHomework will notify you of late and upcoming assignments. Assignments are also color coded red, green and blue to help a user prioritize assignments. myHomework also has a free Mac desktop version for Mac OS 10.5 and higher. myHomework FREE (3 out of 5 stars from 40,647 reviews. Information from the Apple iTunes Store viewed on 7/29/10)
SchoolBook - geo.rgio.us/schoolbook.php SchoolBook is a free app that reminds you of your class schedule. It helps you remember who your teacher is and where your class is located. It is similar to a paper schedule a student receives at the beginning of a sememster or quarter. This app was developed by a 15 year old electronics enthusiast, software developer and student. SchoolBook FREE (2.5 out of 5 stars from 85 reviews. Information from the Apple iTunes Store viewed on 7/29/10)

Back to Top

---

Become a PACER Simon Technology Center Facebook fan.

---