Friday "Appy" Hour: Reading Bookshare Books Downloaded in Word

Bookshare books can now be downloaded in Word and read with any compatible editor or reading tool. This is a common, easy-to-use format that allows members to customize the book’s text to meet their reading needs. Members can do the following with Word:

• See the text
• Customize the font size, colors, styles, and more
• Annotate text
• And additional features depending on the tool

How to Access Books in Word

Here are the steps for accessing Bookshare books in Word:

1. Log in to Bookshare
2. Select a desired book
3. Select "Word" from the drop-down menu next to "Download" and follow the steps to complete the download process
4. Find the zipped file in your "Downloads" folder
5. Extract the zipped file

Once the file has been extracted, you can open it with a compatible editor or reading tool.

Submit Feedback on Word Format

Do you have suggestions on how we can make Bookshare’s Word option better? Share some feedback!

Read Aloud with Latest Version of Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word 2016 has a Read Aloud feature that lets you hear your document and see each word highlighted simultaneously. (Learn more about Microsoft Word's Read Aloud feature.)

Accommodating Students with Dyslexia

For educators and parents alike, working with a child with dyslexia can pose many obstacles. Where do you begin for interventions and accommodations? In an age of technology, luckily there are many resources and tools available at your fingertips to help bridge the gap and provide access to print materials for the thousands of struggling readers.

The following article, Accommodating Students with Dyslexia by Jessica Hamman, featured on Edutopia's website provides five easy-to-implement accommodations to support students with dyslexia in the classroom. These tips are helpful for those just beginning to learn more about the accommodations available, and also a helpful reminder for those already familiar with accommodations. Click the link below to read!

Accommodating Students with Dyslexia Article

Source: Edutopia

Webinar Wednesday: Learning Ally: Audiobooks & Audio Resources Webinar

Learning Ally: Audiobooks & Audio Resources Webinar

Date: February 22, 2018
Time: 3:30-4:30
Presenter: Traci West, MOTR/L Internet 50 1

Registration Information:


Or E-mail Sue Wright at the SETC office to register, wrightsu@cwu.edu

Description:
Do you have a 5th grader who really wants to read Harry Potter, but the words and letters on the page just won’t cooperate? Help your students who comprehend grade level material gain access to their world through the use of audiobooks and audio strategies. We will explore several websites and tools including Learning Ally, Storybook Online, Bookshare and more.

Learning Objectives: 

Participants will...

1. Understand the three main structural levels of tools and accommodations for students

2. Explore at least three online audiobook resources

3. Identify characteristics of students who would benefit from reading accommodations

Presenter:

Traci West, MOTR/L is an OT and Instructional Facilitator for Assistive Technology in Tacoma Public Schools. She has practiced in the OT field for 24 years, with the past 16 years spent in school-based therapy. Prior to earning her MOTR/L, she was a COTA/L and brings experiences from both perspectives during her years of service in nursing facilities, hospital rehab, hand therapy, and school based therapy. Passions include teaching others about the wide variety of accommodations available to support student inclusion in the general education setting and building a district culture of differentiation and inclusion.

Dyslexia Awareness Month: A Recap of Past Resources

Dyslexia Awareness Week is aimed at encouraging appropriate screening, assessment and intervention for those living with dyslexia. Additionally, it provides a platform to provide education on and debunk the myths about dyslexia. Take a look back at some of the incredible resources previously posted about dyslexia on Where It's AT to help kick off this week. Be sure to stay tuned here for more valuable resources to come! 

• Understanding the Struggles of the ADHD & Dyslexic Child
• Dyslexia and the Brain
• Learning Ally's 1 in 5 Initiative
• Everyone Reading: Dyslexia - Making it Personal
• Decoding Dyslexia
• Assistive Technology at a Glance
• Embracing Dyslexia
• Why Audiobooks Work Infographic
• Assistive Tech 101: Basics for Students with Dyslexia
• Dos and Don'ts on Designing for Accessibility
• Demystifying the 4 D's: Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia and Dysgraphia
• Dyslexia....There's an App for That!
• Webinar Wednesday: Alumni Webinar: Assistive Technology in the Workplace with Jamie Martin
• Friday "Appy" Hour: Reading With Dyslexia Simplified With Pocket

Webinar Wednesday: Bookshare's Back to School Webinar

Bookshare is an invaluable resource that provides access to printed materials for people with print disabilities, including visual impairments, physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities.

Bookshare offers the world’s largest collection of accessible titles. As a result, people of all ages, as well as schools and many organizations around the globe can access the books they need for school, work, career advancement, skill development and the simple love of reading in formats that work for them. 

Click the link to read my post on Overcoming Print Disabilities with eBooks to learn more about Bookshare and other free resources available to those with print disabilities. 

Join the folks at Bookshare for an upcoming Back to School with Bookshare webinar  on September 14, at 2pm PST. The webinar will last approximately one hour. During this hour you will learn how easy it is to implement Bookshare in your classroom and get your students reading in just a few easy steps. If you're unable to attend, be sure to still register and Bookshare will send you a link to the recording.

An Epic! Giveaway

Calling all educators...

ENTER NOW

for a chance to

Win iPads for Every Student in Your Class!

Plus, get 6 months of unlimited reading at home with Epic!

(contest ends October 20, 2017)

If you don't already know about Epic!, you are missing out. I was introduced to Epic! by a colleague of mine and since then here has been no looking back. It is by far not only a preferred app by students, but by teachers and parents as well. 

Click here read my previous Friday "Appy" Hour blog post featuring Epic! to learn what it's is all about.

Preview Tonight's #ATchat Questions

eBooks and Audiobooks as Assistive Technology Tools

I am extremely excited that I once again will be co-moderating this week's #ATchat on Twitter with two of the leading experts in assistive technology, Mike Marotta (@mmatp) and Karen Janowski (@karenJan). 

The focus of our discussion will be about considerations for eBooks and Audiobooks as Assistive Technology Tools when screening for and implementing assistive technology. If you're new to the field of AT, this is the perfect forum to ask questions and learn about available resources from many seasoned AT specialists who are always eager to share! A preview of the questions will be posted here tomorrow! Whether you want to lurk, follow along or actively participate, be sure to join us tomorrow night at 8-9pm EST on Twitter using the hashtag #ATchat! Have questions about how to join, click on the email button in the right column or comment below! 

Save Bookshare: Have Your Voice Heard

Bookshare is a vital resource, providing free access to digital media to over 400,000 qualifying members. Within its vast library, subscribers have access to nearly a half a million titles available, which include braille, large print, and audio versions of books. Within our federal government, the projected budget appropriations bill in the House of Representatives proposed eliminating funding for Bookshare. Without Bookshare, the consequential impact both financially for local governments and taxpayers, as well as the thousands of users who rely upon the service would be devastating at best. The following passage below is taken from a letter I received in email from Benetech's CEO, Jim Fruchterman. For more information about the proposed bills and the impact this will have on Bookshare, please read below. 

I ask that you please take a moment, which is all that it will take, to click the image (or link within the text) below.  By doing so, you'll have the chance to voice your opinion and urge your members of Congress to continue funding Bookshare. 

Bookshare funding remains in jeopardy as the new Congress considers the budget for both the 2017 and 2018 fiscal years. Your representative and senators need to hear from you. Please act now and ask them to support Bookshare as they consider programs to receive federal funding. As you may recall, the House of Representatives proposed a FY2017 funding bill that would, in effect, defund Bookshare. In recent months, we have worked with Bookshare supporters in specifically targeted states and districts to advocate for funding of the program that funds Bookshare, known as the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials Program. We need your help again to enlist the support of your members of Congress. Please ask your Members of the House of Representatives and Senate to preserve funding for the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials Program. Hearing from constituents is crucial for Members of Congress-it can often mean the difference between their support for a program or not. So, we need your help! Please use this link to send a letter to your senators and representative. We encourage you to customize these letters by including information about the impact Bookshare has had for your child or in your school. This is a critical time for Bookshare, and your help is essential to ensure that the program will continue.

Sincerely,
Jim Fruchterman
CEO
Benetech

How Audio Promotes Literacy Infographic

If you've been following my blog over the past few months, you probably have read many posts regarding the effectiveness of audiobooks or eBooks. However, if not, I welcome you here and have provided links to several of the articles and infographics previously posted. Click on each title to view the posts. 

Listening Isn't Cheating: How Audio Books Can Help

Assistive Technology At A Glance

Why Audio Books Work Infographic

Overcoming Print Disabilities with eBooks

Friday "Appy" Hour: Epic! 

To add to my expanding resources in support of audio or eBooks, I wanted to share this incredible infographic created by APA (Audio Publishers Association). The APA is a not-for-profit trade association which focuses on advocacy for audio publishers. APA's goal in creating the infographic was to address the question that arises often:

Have you ever wondered just how much audiobooks can improve early literacy skills? 

Through the visual representation viewers can see at a glance through statistics and researched facts how audiobooks or eBooks can make an impact on vocabulary skills, articulation, reading accuracy, reading fluency and more.

To download or copy this infographic click on the link here. 

Source: APA

Why Audiobooks Work Infographic

Often times conversations arise regarding the effectiveness of audiobooks. The following infographic provided by Learning Ally and We Are Teachers debunks many of the pervasive myths associated with audiobooks and highlights the benefits of implementing them within your home or classroom. 

To access a printable version of this infographic click here! 

Source: Learning Ally and We are Teachers