|
Increasing student achievement by the systemic alignment of technology, policies, and curriculum through a multi-tiered system of supports in a universal education setting.
| |
|
Headlines
- Upcoming Professional Learning Community Events
- Make it Happen Award - Cheryl Woolwine
Editorial
- Artificial Intelligence as Assistive Technology
Technologies, Tools, and Resources
- Articles on Education Applications
- ChatGPT
- The New Microsoft Edge
- The New Microsoft Bing
- Compose.ai
- Descript
- Elicit
- WolframAlpha
- Futurepedia
- Future Tools
AT & UDL Loan Library Updates & More
- Switch Skills Progression Assessment Kit
- Guided Hands Assistive Devices for Limited Hands Mobility
- Jaeco Multi-Link Mobile Arm Support Evaluation Kit
- N-abler Joystick with Tremor Control
- BEESS Accommodations Manual
- Assistive Technology Image Gallery
TLC Resource Highlights
- AI Artist
- Resource Request Form
Let us know how we can help you this year!
| |
AT/AEM/UDL Professional Learning Communities (PLC)
The TLC Team facilitates AT/AEM/UDL PLCs to build local capacity in reducing achievement gaps for students with disabilities, foster collaboration, share research-based practices that are working locally, and explore innovation in the fields of assistive technology, accessible educational materials, and Universal Design for Learning.
There will be two options for attending the Spring 2023 AT/AEM/UDL Statewide PLC via Zoom. Be sure to register for one of the following meetings.
| |
Make it Happen Award - Cheryl Woolwine | | |
|
Congratulations to Cheryl Woolwine for receiving the ISTE Making it Happen award!
Cheryl Winewood, MLIS, M-EDU, ATP, was awarded the ISTE Making it Happen award through the Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) awards recognize leaders who cultivate connected, empowered learners, and who create transformational learning experiences.
Cheryl Woolwine, MLIS, M-EDU, ATP, is an educator with a master's degree in Educational Technology, and is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). She has over 30 years of experience in special education, with the past 15 years as Lead Assistive Technology Specialist and Curriculum Specialist for Exceptional Student Education for Putnam County Schools, in Palatka, Florida. She is a state recognized Local Assistive Technology Specialist for Putnam County Schools, where she coordinates AT services for the district. She has presented at many international and national conferences, such as ATIA, CEC, ISTE, & FETC, on a variety of topics, including literacy, universal design, AAC, Curriculum for Special Ed., and assistive technology.
Congratulations Cheryl!
| |
Artificial Intelligence as Assistive Technology
Imagine being able to give students a book that is connected to every other book; that can answer questions, write, do research, solve mathematical equations, create presentations, draw illustrations, and produce music. What would teaching look like with this type of intelligent device? How could this benefit students with print disabilities, dyslexia, traumatic brain injuries, orthopedic impairments, ADHD? What type of accommodation, assistive technology, and accessible educational materials discussions would IEP teams have?
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, or large language models (LLMs), are powerful innovative and transformative technologies. Within months of the emergence of systems like ChatGPT; Microsoft Bing, Google, Opera, and others are integrating AI into their search engines. Google docs, Microsoft Office, and Canva are starting to integrate AI tools to support writing and productivity. The art and photography world has been turned upside down, and companies like Microsoft, Adobe, and Canva are incorporating AI art generation in their apps. This is a massive change and will only continue exponentially in the coming year.
Many students with disabilities are already using tools like ChatGPT as assistive technology. From reading and writing guides, instructional and behavioral prompts, focus supports, and accessibility supports to meet physical needs, ChatGPT and other AI tools can become performance partners with students to decrease barriers and increase academic achievement, engagement, and learning.
Students with disabilities will not be able to access the power of AI tools by themselves. Administrators, teachers, therapists, and assistive technology professionals will need to understand what these tools can do and help students explore the potential. IEP team members will need to be able to have informed discussions and considerations on the impact of AI tools as accommodations, assistive technologies, and accessible educational materials. We all have a lot of work and learning to do.
We invite you to join us in our professional learning communities and meetings as we explore these and other innovations to help meet the needs of Florida's students with disabilities.
Your TLC Team
| |
Technologies, Tools, and Resources | |
Here are some online articles on how people and students are using AI systems, such as ChatGPT, in the classroom. | |
Below are several AI systems to explore. Remember that all of this technology is still in development. Any answers or responses will still need to be reviewed for accuracy, appropriateness, and usefulness. | |
|
ChatGPT is currently the standard in public AI systems that recognize real language questions and can respond in complex ways. ChatGPT version 3.5 is free to use. Version 4, ChatGPT Plus, is a pay subscription to the most sophisticated ChatGPT system.
| |
|
Microsoft Edge now includes chat and AI image creation tools in an icon menu on the right side of the screen. Be sure to download the latest version.
| |
|
With the New Bing, uses can search, chat, and create art in one location. You may need to sign up for a waitlist but the final approval often happens in less than a day.
| |
|
A free Chrome extension that acts as a writing assistance with auto completion and text generation.
| |
|
An unique service that provides text transcriptions from uploaded video and audio files, and can edit audio based on the user's changes to the transcription. It can also update the audio by generating transcription edits back into the original voice. There is a free subscription (about an hour of service per month) and pay subscriptions.
| |
|
An AI tool that searches research papers based on the user question/prompt, and returns lists of relevant papers along with a short highlight from the abstract of each paper. This is in early development and is currently free but you will need to sign up for an account.
| |
|
Compute expert level responses to questions in areas such as mathematics, science, and society using sophisticated algorithms and AI technology.
| |
|
Comprehensive directory of AI tools in almost 50 categories.
| |
|
Comprehensive directory of AI tools and services.
| |
AT & UDL Loan Library Updates & More | |
Every student needs to be able to use computers, tablets, and smart phones in order to utilize emerging technologies. Here are some resources that can be used for student trials to help ensure access. | | |
|
|
The Switch Skills Assessment Kit is available for check out for student evaluation purposes only. It accompanies the Switch Skills Progression series that has been offered by Dr. Danalyn Workentin. It includes a set of switch related items and a step-by-step assessment plan for determining a student's ability to utilize switches to access their environment. It includes goals that go from not touching the switch to 2-step switch access for AAC and educational use and everything in between.
Available for check out on the TLC Equipment Kit page.
| | |
|
|
A platform with a sliding grid system provides movement in 3 dimensions using a hand and wrist support at the tabletop. Excellent option to trial with students that demonstrate active movement with the forearm supported. Ideal for those that have difficulty holding a pencil, stylus or need forearm support while using an iPad or AAC device.
| | |
|
|
The mobile arm support evaluation kit includes everything you need to assess student movement when the weight of the arm is supported. This includes an independent stand to attach the equipment to as well as rubber bands to adjust the amount of support against gravity.
This evaluation kit must be checked out with an Occupational Therapist to support. It supports the weight of the entire arm, allowing for movement with little effort. This enables the student to move the hand to the functional location, such as tabletop or computer. Once functional ability can be established, long term options include wheelchair mounting or tabletop mounting for class or cafeteria settings.
| | |
|
|
This large joystick provides forearm support and a sleek, neutral appearance with its gray and black buttons. It is similar to the N-abler joystick, though this newer version offers enhanced tremor control in 3 settings. Buttons are recessed in a keyguard, and the joystick comes with the option of a ball or T-bar handles. This item is ideal for students with fine motor deficits, fine motor tremors or involuntary muscles spasms.
| |
|
Check out the BEESS Accommodations Guide for more information on the use of accommodations for students with disabilities.
| |
|
|
The AT Image Gallery does real time Google Image searches on various assistive technology categories. It provides a quick and easy way to see different types of technologies that may be usable by students with disabilities. This is a great resource for IEP team AT considerations, training, and general exploration.
| |
|
|
Artificial intelligence art systems provide all students new tools to create artworks and fully engage in visual arts learning activities, as well as create illustrations for stories and other projects. Our resources include explanations of AI art, links to tools, example visual arts standards for use in the classroom, and integration with common assistive technologies. Your students can get started today!
Check out our AI Artist page!
| |
|
|
We now have a great tool you can use to request additional information and resources on a variety of AT-AIM-UDL related topics. Just put in your email address and check the topics you are interested in. You will receive an email with links to more information and resources.
Check out our Resource Request form!
| |
|
This resource was funded through The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS). The information and resources are provided as a free awareness service to the educational community and do not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties involved. Please note that access to some resources may be blocked by individual school districts. | | | | |
