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Unlocking Human Potential
January, 2016

We are looking forward to seeing many of you next week at ATIA! Stop by our booth and see some of the latest products in the loan library. 

ATIA is the premier conference for assistive technology and it is held annually in Orlando. It is a great opportunity to see the latest in assistive technologies, meet with vendors and see practical application of tools in the classroom environment.  If you see something new and innovative that you think would be a great addition to the AT & UDL Loan Library, let us know!
 

NOTICE: The AT & UDL Loan Library will be closed February 1-February 6, 2016 while staff attend the ATIA conference. 


 

Contact information for the regional AT-UDL Technology Centers:

Region 1 - 850-696-7338 
Region 2 - 352-419-6556 or 1-844-365-3045 (toll free)
Region 3 - 386-761-9909 or 1-844-848-8936 (toll free)
Region 4 - 813-632-2080 or 1-844-873-2127 (toll free)
Region 5 - 954-925-6195 or 1-844-705-4385 (toll free)

Loan Library Highlights
Curriculum tools are changing. They involve learning tools that build real-world skills, nurture creativity and problem-solving skills, and prepare students for 21st Century careers. This issue of the newsletter highlights robots, interactive learning apps and virtual reality learning environments that can be found under curriculum supports in the Loan Library. Educators have seen the positive impact on t heir students' ability to think logically, problem-solve, maintain persistence, communicate and collaborate with classmates when learning with robots, interactive learning apps and virtual reality.  For many of our students who struggle in the learning process such curriculum support tools provide an easy entry into teaching students how to learn .

Dash & Dot Smart Robot Picture of Dash and Dot Robot which can be described as round blue hard plastic ball sitting on a tripod with an eyeball like shape that is orange and white with a black center just like an eyeball
Curriculum Supports

One of our newest products and maybe the coolest is the Dash &
Dot Smart Robot . The Dash & Dot Smart Robot is an educational robot that helps kids learn the  beginnings steps of programming using the simplicity of drag and drop on an  iPad. Student's can program the robots to respond to voice, navigating objects, dancing and singing. Dot can be used alone to explore several apps available on the iPad.  The Dash & Dot Robot is compatible with Lego bricks, Technics, Mindstorm kits, and Hero Factory using  the building brick connectors.
 

Image is of a iPad with a red plastic clip over the camera called an Osmos. The ipad is sitting on a white durable stand with pieces of plastic shapes to be used in making tangrams
Osmo Starter Kit
Mobile Devices/Apps/Cases

Osmo is an iPad accessory that encourages social skills and creative thinking with its unique interactive components and apps. The Osmo is comprised of a specialized reflector and stand that works on all iPads and integrates with four interactive bundles listed below.

Masterpiece - An image from the device camera, web, or Osmo gallery is displayed on the screen as an easy-to-follow drawing outline. The user follows the directions on paper to recreate the image and his or her drawing movement is captured and can be viewed or replayed as a time-lapse video drawing.

Words - Players toss down colored  lettered  tiles to spell a mystery word. As tiles are tossed down, correct choices appear on the device screen. Users are given an on-screen picture clue.
 
Newton - Balls fall from the top of the screen and must be guided to targets at the bottom. Students draw objects such as baskets, ramps, ledges, or even silly items like a lamp or chair to deflect the ball to the goal.
 
Tangram - With colored  tangram  tiles users try to recreate the  tangram  puzzle presented on the device screen. Users can advance through levels and challenge others.


Hummingbird Robot Duo Classroom Kit Picture of a white square with a handle known as the Hummingbird Robotics case that has the word Hummingbird on it
Mobile Devices/Apps/Cases

The Hummingbird Robotics Kit is designed to enable engineering and robotics activities for ages 13 and up (age 8 with adult supervision) that involve the making of robots, kinetic sculptures, and animatronics built out of a combination of kit parts and crafting materials.


Combined with very easy-to-use software environments,
the Hummingbird provides a great way to introduce students to robotics and engineering using construction materials they are already familiar with such as cardboard boxes, pipe cleaners, feathers, etc. 


image of a Pererro_ adapter that is square and black in color a little over an inch by an inch in size -actual size is 33mm by 33mm by 9mm with a lightning plug to plug into an iPad
Pererro+ Switch Access
Switch Systems

The Perrero+ is a simple, compact, plug and play adapter that allows control through switch use. It works with any Apple iOS device, providing access to all features without the need to touch the screen. The Pererro+ is powered directly through your device. Students can message, call or FaceTime friends, relax with a book or share a web page using an environmental control app. The Pererro+ is designed for access on up to four  switches. 


image contains information about the development of this newsletter was a product of the technology and learning connections team who is a part of the multi-tiered system of supports and problem solving response to intervention partnership at the university of south florida in Tampa_ Florida. The project is funded by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of the Exceptional Children Student Services with funding assistance under IDEA Part B
This newsletter was developed by the Technology & Learning Connections Team, a part of the Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project, and funded by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services through federal assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Part B funds. The information included does not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties involved. Please em ail  Judy Peacock  for further information.