Visually Impaired Resource Guide Assistive Technology For Students With Low Vision APH Portable Cassette Tape Recorder/Player

APH Portable Cassette Tape Recorder/Player

This cassette tape recorder/player is capable of recording at two speeds, standard and slow speed. Information can be recorded on two separate tracks on each side of the tape. With this capability, a vast amount of information (six hours) can be stored on a single tape. While recording the student can insert tone indexing which assists in locating specific information. The control buttons have raised symbols to distinguish one function from the other. The tape motion sensing window provides a tactile and visual indication of whether the tape is moving. The dual power supply utilizing AC power or nickel-cadmium batteries provides for portability and convenience. The student with a visual impairment can use the cassette tape recorder/player to listen to audio books, music, record assignments and research information.

Prerequisites

• ability to understand digitized speech (hearing and listening skills)
• discrimination of tactile shapes or visual indicators
• knowledge of spatial relationships (top / bottom - front / back)
• ability to follow two to four step directions sequentially (for independent use)

Skills

The student will be able to:

• distinguish between the various control buttons
• stop/eject
• pause/play
• forward/preview
• rewind/review
• record
• utilize both sources of power ( nickel-cadmium battery and AC power cord)
• locate and utilize accessory connections (ear phone/head phone)
• insert a cassette
• rewind/review the tape to any desired position
• fast forward/preview the tape to a desired position
• locate the tape motion sensing window and determine the tape motion
• set the player/recorder to the correct speed for the tape being used
• select and record at both standard and half-speed
• locate and select variable speed
• select the cassette side switch position for the appropriate side to record
• use the record index features
• label, store and retrieve appropriate cassette when necessary
• modify tape cassettes to prevent accidental tape erasure
• utilize the accessory connections ( remote microphone, auxiliary in/out connections
• independently check various possible trouble sources when having difficulties with the equipment (ie: power source, battery charge, power cord plugged into AC outlet, cassette slide switch setting, tape speed, tape movement, volume control setting or earphone connection)

Strategies

• Encourage the student to bring his/her favourite music/story tape from home. Play musical tapes to teach the student how to change the various speeds, tracks and tones. The students will enjoy hearing the variety of voices/sounds.
• Select short taped stories and have the student listen for content. Have the student tell the class what the story is about (listening, comprehension skills). Fun activities could include the recording of jokes or mystery sounds which the whole class creates and solves.
• Use the pause control feature, if available, to reduce the clicking sounds that are produced when stopping and starting the machine during a recording session
• Use peer to assist in recording information.
• Have the student record homework or short assignments onto tape when appropriate.
• Use the index feature which will help the user locate as needed specific information.
• Label and store tapes in an organized fashion.

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