FLY PenTop Computer

I finally had a chance to evaluate the FLY PenTop computer by Leap Frog a really cool device targeted toward middle school age kids. This is a computer within a pen equipped with a tiny camera, computer chip, speaker and an ink cartridge. It allows you do to math, schedule activities, keep brief notes, make music, hear the date and time and play games. There are additional add-on cartridges including one that translates Spanish or English!
It's really quite amazing and there isn't anything else like it on the market. I was especially interested in the applications for students. The Scheduler application would be a great feature for a student who requires frequent reminders throughout the day for specific activities or prompts to help with long-range planning. For students who forget when things are due, this feature would work well. It works even if the FLY pentop is turned off and gives a verbal prompt of up to three words. The Notes feature allows a student to write brief notes (up to three words each) as a verbal prompt for review at any time.
There are a number of customizable features including the ability to turn the sounds on or off and it does include earbuds to minimize classroom disruptions. Expect it to disrupt the class at least initially, as everyone will want to have a chance to try out this cool new device, even the adults!

Outlook - Free Built in Tools that Benefit Students

In my continuing efforts to share free tools that benefit students and educators, I would like to recommend the use of Outlook and it's many features. Most people think of it for email. But, Outlook has several additional tools worth exploring - the Calendar and Tasks tools, for example. There are a variety of different views for both. One particular view is worth mentioning - Timeline View. This feature can benefit students who need help visualizing the breakdown of the steps required to complete a task or long-term project such as a research project.
Also, the ability to add notes and reminders with both visual and auditory cues can be extremely beneficial for some students.
These tools can serve to help students with learning, executive function and attentional issues experience greater success in fulfilling their academic expectations.

eLectures

One of the many blogs that I subscribe to mentioned this screencast about eLectures. The power of eLectures is readily apparent in this screencast and it really speaks to me as well. This is an excellent method to learn about the use of emerging technologies as a teaching tool. Combining audio with video for initial instruction as well as review of material is an excellent tool to help reinforce new concepts or material..
This method can work so well for students with learning issues ,including memory and auditory processing difficulties.
The potential of online learning, both podcasting and screencasting is unlimited and benefits all learners.
So much to learn....so little time.....what an exciting time to be an educator!

There are so many exciting things happening in the world of assistive and educational technology. I recently had the opportunity to attend the MassCUE Technology Leadership Conference as well as CSUN's 21st annual International Technology and Person's with Disabilities Conference.
It is a privilege and an honor to be part of this amazing world that equalizes the playing field for students with disabilities. There are numerous applications, many open source, that remove the barriers to learning for struggling learners.
I love sharing this information and exchanging ideas with others who have a similar passion for extending technology applications within school environments.