Low tech or easily available solutions - Twinsburg



Low tech or easily available solutions

Advantages of low tech and easily available high tech solutions:

• Cheap

• Easily available

• Not much is wasted if they don't work

• Little time involved

• Little maintenance or repair

• Less intrusive in daily routine

• Opportunity to try, before you buy

1. Variety of pens/pencils-

o now readily available with built in grips, variety of barrel diameters

o students may respond better with different colors, textures

o check school and office supplies

o Gel pens- glide easily

o Erasable pens- can make corrections

2. Paper

o Look for high contrast lines (copy tactile paper)

o Different colors may be easier for some to see, less eye strain

o Custom sized paper-make with word processing, print and copy- can vary size, spacing

o Use highlighter to help support margins, remind to skip lines

o Graph paper-different sizes. Helps horizontal spacing. Helps align columns for math.

o Turn lined paper sideways- helps vertical column alignment for math

o Use dark lined paper under unlined worksheets for line guide. Can laminate for student to keep in notebook

3. Slant boards

o Simply use a 2-3" empty 3-ring binder turned with the rings facing away from the student.  This helps visually and mechanically with writing and is easy to carry.

o Can hold up books also for easier seeing and reading

4. Highlighting-key information

o Erasable/dry highlighters -available in tape or marker form.  Can highlight key info in reading/textbooks, then erase (office/school supply)

o Helps students locate, prioritize information

o Highlighter tape- comes in different colors, widths  Post-it tabs and flags (office supply)

o Colored paper clips (discount, dollar stores)

o Reading strips, i.e. EZreader (school supply)

o Removable labels- can simplify chapter headings, avoid permanent marking on textbooks

5. Visual aides

o Colored plastic laminate sheets over books- can use inexpensive clear folders

o Colored transparencies on overheads

o Magnifying sheets or strips

o Enlarge on copy machine

o Decrease number of items on a page

6. Word processing/computer keyboarding-

o technically high tech, but there are many different ways you can tweak the program to fit special needs by using functions such as auto correct, autosummary, drop boxes, font size, etc.

o display can be changed to increase/decrease contrast or find eye-pleasing color combinations with font and background color.

o Built-in feature to highlight key words or sentences. Can also be used on imported text for easier reading.

o spelling can also be prompted (and number of keystrokes needed will be decreased) by using word prediction (Co-Writer).

o Windows has built in access features through the control panel (keyboard, mouse, display) or properties box (right click) that help meet specific needs.

o Auditory feedback is available using a talking word processing program such as WriteOut Loud to read quizzes, etext, vocabulary words, scanned textbook material, etc.

o Free downloadable demos versions are available of for text-to-speech programs such as ReadPlease that have options to adjust font color/size, background color, highlighting as it reads, etc.

7. Handwriting fonts-many available

o Can be selected to match more closely what a handwritten paper may look like so students feel more ownership.

o Other fonts are available online for purchase/downloading that even more closely resemble student printing/cursive   educational/

o Can be adjusted for better readability

8. Spreadsheets

o Can be used by students to make custom fact charts (multiplication)

9. Internet

o KidsClick! Search engine with reading levels

o Sites accessible for people with various disabilities bobby free service

10.  Checklists, behavioral charts, visual schedules- can all be used to help the student manage their own behaviors, materials and behavior

o Use large printable labels to modify student agendas to include checklists for materials, assignments.  Can get specific information and larger writing spaces

o Visual schedules- help students anticipate upcoming activities, special events, etc.

11.  Spell checkers -wide price range/features  or or   or can such Internet for lower prices, specials

o small, easy to carry

o auditory feedback-can use headphones

o cursive- shows how letters are formed.  Helps with printing>cursive translation

phonetic spelling- brings up "close" words even if the student has difficulty with exact spelling

12.  Talking calculators-auditory feedback

o Reads digits or whole numbers

o Reinforces place values

o $20 at

13.   Tape recorders

o Students can set their own pace

o Students can rewind to check their own work

o Free to express ideas without stress of pencil/paper

o Can be used for vocabulary, spelling, quizzes

14.  Time supports- timers/invisible clock/talking clock

o simple number lines can be used to mark time- move marker from number to number to countdown or laminate and use dry erase marker that can be wiped off

o helps students who haven't internalized time concepts

o can be motivating to beat the clock

o can keep charts to self-monitor progress

o Can prepare for/announce transitions

o Can beep at 5 minute intervals to countdown

o Clock can be set to vibrate or beep at 1 minute intervals, multiple alarm sets for memory aid

o Timers $10 at

o Invisible clock $40 at

o Talking clock $10 at product #99*8811 analog/digital

15.  Organization- materials, supplies and books/ schedules

o visual schedules- can have different levels of support by adding pictures, symbols, color-coding, clocks; or may be simplified by ½ days

o lists- can be put in lockers, backpacks, agendas as needed to help know what to take to class, pack in back pack, take home for homework, etc.  Can include pictures or color-coding.

o Color-coding- make everything for one class the same color>book covers, folders, even papers if needed.  Be consistent year to year.

o Define space in desk, locker-  give guidelines where to put things so they can also be found in a predictable spot.  Can also use commercially available organizers, locker shelves.

16.  Social stories-

o help prepare for predictably difficult situations, transitions, changes in routine. Can still be very helpful with higher-level communication skills but may have difficulty with specific situations.

o and other references available

17.  e-text -much literature is already available on the Internet in electronic form for many uses

o children's literature web guide ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown

o simple place to search for a specific text

o directory of books that can be read freely on the Web

o Center for Applied Special Technology   many etext resources plus free downloadable screen reader

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