Appy Hour: Vooks is on Netflix!

 If you haven't heard of Vooks yet, you'll be glad you did after today! Vooks is an online streaming program that has an entire library of storybooks brought to life with beautiful animation, read-aloud narration, engaging music and sound, and read-along text. As stated on their website "Vooks inspires a love of reading by making books accessible to children of all levels, and all learning abilities."

Vooks is a paid subscription for families ranging from $4.99 a month to $49.99 for the year. However, they do offer a free 30-day trial which allows for you to see if it is the right tool for you and your child. For educators, Vooks is FREE!!! It can be watched on singular device, such as an iPad, laptop, phone or TV, and is ad-free. Additionally, Vooks is now available on Netflix. 

Friday "Appy" Hour: Easy Spelling Aid

Although this year I was unable to attend the IDA (International Dyslexia Association) Conference, I did use the power of social media to keep up with some of the highlights being shared by my Twitter PLN (Personal Learning Network). As a sidebar, if you are unsure of what a PLN is or the immense benefits of being connected on social media, please read by previous Where It's AT post "Getting Connected".

Amongst the Twitter highlights from IDA, I happened upon a post regarding an app called Easy Spelling Aid. After doing some quick reading, my interest was peaked and I needed to see firsthand what this app was all about.

As with my first encounter with Epic!, my initial thought was.....how did I not know about this app sooner? As a technology specialist, I immediately thought of the many students who require ongoing spelling support, and Easy Spelling Aid app does just that! Not only is this app suited for students and adults with learning difficulties, but also for those learning to read and write or others looking for a translation tool to and from English? 

  
The Easy Spelling Aid app is the perfect tool to help children learn how to spell and write any word at home and at school. This app can spell words or phrases instantly by utilizing superior speech recognition, finely tuned to pick up on your child's voice.
Key Features...

• Improves literacy performance and spelling, helps with comprehension and vocabulary and develops recognition and correct spelling of words in their appropriate context
• Reduces blocks in the creative thought process when users stumble across a word they cannot independently spell. 
• Provides a way to easily and quickly find out how to spell the word without having to wait for a parent, teacher or assistant to help them. 
• Boasts superior, accurate and incredibly fine-tuned speech recognition
• Supports 22 languages, including regional US English
• Includes writing styles US D'Nealian Manuscript and US D'Nealian Cursive. 
• Also includes the Open Dyslexic font displayed in a choice of 6 background color combinations, as a means to accommodate users suffering from dyslexia and improve readability. 
• No ads, in app purchases, externals links and profanity is filtered

How It Works...

Step 1: With an easy-to-use interface and seamless user experience, users are presented with a clear blue user-friendly interface. The instruction "Touch mic & talk" is displayed above the circular mic symbol. On touching the symbol, you will be prompted to "Talk". By pressing "Done", the app will begin processing the word or phrase dictated.  

                           

Step 2: Upon pressing "Done", the app will proceed to produce your input displayed in your chosen writing style.  

Step 3: The chosen writing style can be changed in the Settings, which are also easily navigated to from the main screen. Additionally, within the Settings, you can change between multiple languages, select translation language, reverse translation, select a background, select a dyslexic option, display upper and lower case letters and turn off speech output if you wish.

Cost...

• The Easy Spelling app is available on Google Play, Amazon Apps and the Apple App Store. 
• Google Play: $3.99
• Amazon Apps: $4.99
• Apple App Store: $5.99

Download Easy Spelling Aid now! 

EASY SPELLING AID

EASY SPELLING AID

   

EASY SPELLING AID

Dyslexia Awareness Month: Suggested Books for Students with Learning Differences

Loneliness is a feeling many young children with learning disabilities experience when compared to their neurotypical peers. As parents and educators, we need to do more to focus our efforts on supporting our students with learning disabilities. Beyond helping them learn to achieve academically, we also need to tend to their socio-emotional needs.

Learning Ally's 1 in 5 initiative is a community developed to support students with learning disabilities, with an emphasis on dyslexia. In addition to a wide array of resources, 1 in 5 provides a list of suggested books to support students with learning disabilities. By reading about other children's experiences, this may decrease the feelings of loneliness and isolation.

To learn more about Learning Ally's 1 in 5 Initiative, visit the link here:

Learning Ally's 1 in 5 Initiative Link

Winnie Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award Nomination

Winnie Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award

Nominate an educator who has been instrumental in helping students with print disabilities. Educators will win a paid

trip to Learning Ally’s Student Success and Achievement Summit, a cash award for them and a cash award for their school, plus other exciting prizes.

Parents, students, colleagues, and administrators are eligible to nominate educators. Educators should be teachers, administrators or leaders in Learning Ally member schools.

Source: Learning Ally

Image Source: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents/

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.

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

Everyone Reading Conference 2017 - NYC

The month of March is rapidly approaching, which means the 44th annual Everyone Reading conference on dyslexia and related learning disabilities is right around the corner. The Everyone Reading conference will present the most recent information regarding reading difficulties, with specific attention towards dyslexia, in addition to strategies and tools to help identify and remediate weakness in reading, writing and mathematics. Aside from the fact this conference is taking place in my home state, what I'm most enthusiastic about are the conference sessions that specifically focus on utilizing available assistive technology, educational technology tools and literacy strategies to support students with reading deficits. Additionally, the conference sessions are filled with presentations from experts in the field to provide insight into strategies to support struggling learners. Read further about the two featured keynote speakers or click here to see the full conference schedule.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Keynote Address – Dyalekt – Literacy Begins with the Beat! Dyalekt is an MC, educator, playwright, actor and radio host from St. Croix, USVI. He has promoted and celebrated the power of the spoken word in schools and on stages around the world. He uses his unique brand of Hip Hop education to empower students from grades K-Grad school, and provides training for teachers, writers, performers and professionals. He's the co-host of Brunch & Budget on Bondfire Radio, and has recently been using that platform to teach Hip Hop and finance workshops to high school and college students. His curricula are rap albums/are plays, and he is a member of the Public Theater's Emerging Writer's group as well as a Hip Hop artist with several records and tours under his belt. He wants to cypher with you. Dyalekt.com twitter: @dyalektraps

HELEN DIANE FOSTER Commissioner, New York State Division of Human Rights Helen Diane Foster was appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to head New York  Division of Human Rights. In her capacity as Commissioner, Ms. Foster is responsible for the enforcement of New York State’s Human Rights law, the oldest such law in the country.  Under her leadership, the Division has made substantial progress such as the elimination of case backlog. Commissioner Foster is able to deliver Governor Cuomo’s message of the importance of the Human Rights Law through her public engagements throughout the State. She is called on to represent the State and the Governor is different capacities. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Foster served in the New York City Council for 11 years, representing the 16th District in Bronx County. As Council member, she represented 170,000 constituents at City Hall, was responsible for passing legislation, approving New York City’s $70 billion budget, attending Council hearings as well as community meetings, and for being an advocate for the under-served and underrepresented people of New York City. Ms. Foster has participated on numerous panel discussions about her own struggles with dyslexia. Speaking about dyslexia is one of her passions.  She especially enjoys speaking to children with dyslexia.  In addition, Ms. Foster is often called upon to speak at churches, schools and community events.  She uses speaking engagements as a tool to empower communities and encourage youth through access to information. Source: Everyone Reading

A Blizzard of Books: An Epic! Challenge

 Take part in Epic's biggest winter reading challenge of the year! 

From Monday 1/30 to Friday 2/3, Epic! classrooms will be automatically entered into the challenge with many chances to win cool prizes! If you haven't already heard of Epic!, read my previous post to learn more about it. 

Friday "Appy" Hour: Epic! blog post